But many of us find the glorified spectacles to be dispiriting rather than uplifting. The words of America's leading politicians reverberate through a national echo chamber. They tout global supremacy and higher market share as ultimate virtues. Dissenting voices are mostly circumspect. Ten years ago, there were 66 billionaires and 31.5 million people living below the poverty line in this country.
Economic inequality is rampant in America.
The top 1 percent of households has more wealth than the entire bottom 95 percent combined. They have nothing to tide them over in case of a health crisis or unemployment, much less save for college or retirement. The questions that journalists pose to elected officials and candidates rarely confront such economic realities. Faced with a nonstop swirl of media coverage, it's tempting to succumb to chronic cynicism. In 2000 and beyond, giving voice to candor will be a minimum prerequisite to create conditions for realistic hope.