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Contributor: We desperately need a dose of ‘Truth, Justice, and the American Way’

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It’s clear where I stand. Frankly, I’m tired of superhero movies. The Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe seem to be the culprits, churning out an impressive number of films – 36 from Marvel in 17 years, and 43 from DC since the late 70s. Perhaps our planet is reaching its saturation point with these two universes. Lately, it feels like they’re stretching thin, resorting to reboots of reboots, creating sequels for prequels, and extracting every last drop of their intellectual property to fill streaming service hours.

However, no matter what, there’s always Superman – the alien from Krypton who was orphaned, abandoned into space for survival, and eventually brought up by adoptive parents in Kansas. He’s been a significant part of American pop culture for an impressive 10 decades (eight in film). Despite his costume resembling that of a circus strongman, he has proven to be a resilient and transcendent emblem, representing the epitome of the ultimate immigrant, while also personifying “Truth, Justice, and the American Ideal.

Superman, a timeless symbol of American goodness, is back on the big screen with David Corenswet in the latest adaptation. This weekend’s premiere serves as an opportunity to reflect upon genuine heroes in modern America – if one can locate them. The question arises: where have all the honorable individuals gone in today’s society? What attributes define a good person nowadays?

The concept has undeniably changed. It seems that the excessive portrayal of fictional superheroes has swamped public perception to such an extent that we struggle to discern authentic heroes’ voices anymore. In 2008, a poll in Britain revealed that nearly a quarter believed Winston Churchill was not real, while more than half of Britons thought Sherlock Holmes was a genuine figure.

In our current state, we find ourselves perplexed: We seem to gravitate more towards fictional heroes portrayed on screens, as opposed to hoping for authentic ones to appear in reality. Consequently, these fictitious figures become the type of hero we acknowledge and appreciate.

Daniel Boorstin, the historian, pointed out in his 1961 book “The Image” that there has been a shift from heroism to fame. In earlier American history, heroes were recognized for significant contributions made despite immense hardship and risk. Their physical appearance was less important because their actions had saved lives and touched so many people.

In the 20th century, pictures and films transformed everything significantly. People who were once heroes turned into celebrities. Instead of making substantial, long-lasting contributions to public welfare, we began valuing fleeting, glamorous fame that’s often driven by monetary gain rather than moral principles or values. Money surpassed values in significance.

It’s clear to observe that college sports have been overtaken by contractual agreements, name-image-likeness deals, among other things. Law firms have succumbed to an administration’s unparalleled demands. Media giants are frequently seen bending to the same pressures. As for social media influencers, we won’t delve into that topic, but it’s safe to say that doing what is right and honest has often been overshadowed by the twin waves of popularity and monetary gain.

Where’s our real truth, our real justice, our real American way?

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is not being discussed in Congress. If statues on Mount Rushmore were to be redesigned, they might depict the remarkable acts of cowardice displayed during the votes on this legislation. Rep. Jeff Crank (R-Colo.) swiftly voted in favor of adding trillions to the national debt, despite his statements just a year ago that Congress was ignoring a $35 trillion debt and that it was unsustainable. He claimed we needed to fix our fiscal situation for future generations, yet here he is contributing to more debt.

Representative Chip Roy, a known budget watchdog from Texas, has consistently criticized excessive spending associated with the Big Beautiful Bill. However, despite his previous criticism, he ended up casting a vote in favor of it at the last moment.

In May, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who is often vocal about preserving Medicaid, argued against its reduction, stating that it would be detrimental both ethically and politically due to the impact on health insurance for the working poor. However, by July, he had voted in favor of reducing Medicaid benefits.

Ultimately, it was Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska who cast the deciding vote. In a public gathering held in mid-June, she expressed her stance on the matter, stating, “I’ve consistently emphasized that we cannot progress with a bill that reduces Medicaid funds.” However, despite the fact that approximately 40,000 Alaskans (over 5% of the state’s population) may lose their healthcare coverage as a consequence of the bill, Murkowski appeared to yield.

Sarah Longwell, the creator and editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, didn’t hold back in her critique of Murkowski. In her words, “this particular act encapsulates the pitiful state of our current political climate.

“Selfishness: I’m taking care of me and mine, the rest of you can pound sand;

Lack of accountability: I know the bill is bad, hopefully someone else will fix it;

Timidity: I feel intimidated by Trump and his supporters, and to maintain harmony with my Republican peers, I find myself conforming rather than standing up for what I believe.

Moral rot: I know the difference between right and wrong, and actively chose wrong.”

Not exactly Superman. Sounds more like Lex Luthor at his most self-serving and callous.

In the House, we don’t require individuals capable of outrunning bullets or jumping over skyscrapers; we don’t need political figures with superhuman abilities like Superman.

What’s needed is for our ordinary individuals, like Clark Kent and Lois Lane, to take action. We require our true champions at this moment in time. Perhaps Crank, Roy, Hawley, or Murkowski will watch the movie this weekend. Maybe they’ll muster the strength for the upcoming decision.

Maybe.

ML Cavanaugh is set to publish a new book titled “Scars That Shine: Your Pathway to Transcendence Beyond Your Current Self.”
@MLCavanaugh

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2025-07-13 13:31

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