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There is no question that the events of September 11, 2001 changed the world. But, just how they have changed the world is something we will have to find out as time goes on. In the wake of attacks on America of an unprecedented, even unimaginable nature, it is difficult to know the meaning of words like "normal." And at a time when it is important for Americans to unite as we so admirably are doing, there is a need to figure out what is appropriate policy debate and what is not.
Divisiveness for its own sake has no place. Negativity seems downright tasteless. But if anything has been made clear as we searched the rubble of wrecked buildings, shattered dreams and our own broken hearts it is that this is still America. Within that framework of ideas and beliefs that make ours a great nation there not only is room for discussion and debate over important issues we face, but there is a tremendous need for discussion and debate. If the question, "what kind of society are we?" was important before September 11, the question, "what kind of society will we be?" is even more salient today.
Beyond the all too obvious question of how our government can make us safe-as fundamental an issue as a government ever has to confront-there are a host of other challenges before us.
While there is every possibility this will emerge as a stronger nation than before, for the foreseeable future America's economy, and New Jersey's, will experience aftershocks and disruption. Those who already were forgotten when the word "boom" still appeared in headlines are in danger of falling even further off the screen. And in all likelihood they will be joined by others who were struggling to make it before, if our policymakers focus too much on helping industries to the exclusion of helping people. We need to make sure sacrifice today is shared and that tomorrow's legacy to our children is an allocation of resources that is just.
There will be questions that go to the heart of our freedom, as measures affecting civil liberties are re-examined. Already "racial profiling" has taken on an entirely different meaning. We need to make sure that as we protect ourselves from physical harm we don't forget the true meaning of America.
And there are major issues to debate about the proper role of government itself. In the wake of history's deadliest hijackings, some of what previously were the most ardent "anti-government" voices asked why in every country but ours was airport security a law enforcement mission but here it was left to corporations eager to keep costs low. It is time, then, to look through lenses other than ideology or financial cost in our effort to rethink what government can and cannot, should and should not do-and how to equitably pay for it.
In the days immediately following the attacks on New York and Washington, we at New Jersey Policy Perspective quite naturally asked ourselves whether conducting research on state policy issues was relevant anymore. On reflection-and in view of the challenges this state and this nation now face-we reached the inescapable conclusion. Progressive organizations, progressive people, progressive beliefs must be more engaged than ever, because we live in a place and we live at a time where the need to care for each other has never been greater.
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