It's a Wonderful Life

Can you believe it? I had actually never seen 'It's a Wonderful Life' before last night. I know, they're always playing it around the holidays - been doing so for years. People always refer to it. It's an American classic of the highest order - but I'd never seen it; consciously avoided it, even. Last night, I decided to have a look.

Without a doubt, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is a rousing affirmation of everything that's good in America - at least, it was back when it was made. Hard-working, principled family man runs into financial trouble. He's at the end of his rope. 'Deus ex machina' solution sets everything right again. It all happens on Christmas and audiences can go home with a teary smile, believing in the essential goodness of men and God.

The movie also may have unwittingly pointed out the flaw that would eventually bring on our present fiscal difficulties. While watching the film, I hoped for it; I eagerly anticipated it; I relished the thought of it coming. It never came: I wanted to see Potter's reaction when it became clear that Bailey was saved. I wanted to see Potter racked by remorse; suffer a stroke - anything. I wanted to see him exposed. I wanted to see this villain pay for his sins. Nothing of the sort happened - not in the version I saw, anyway.

We, Americans are so quick to forgive and forget. Often, we forget before the villain has been punished. In recent years, we've even forgotten to look for the villain. The result has been that villains now expect to operate with impunity. What Americans fear most is guilt. Better to just clean up the mess quietly without asking too many questions. We forget that punishment is also a deterrent; that it would help us immeasurably in the long run if more of the rascals would get the message.

Now we've got rascals in government and deeply embedded in every one of our major institutions. We find ourselves reduced to just shaking our heads and muttering under our collective breath, "The system failed." We feel we're safe with that. Again, we're off the hook. We’re absolved from having to accuse, try and meet out punishment when an abstract ‘system’ can be blamed. The system doesn't care if we make use of it or not. It won't suffer regret and apologize. It won't change its ways. A system is merely a tool - in the hands of men - like a gun. We say guns kill, but it's not guns - it's murderous men. ...and men must be held responsible.