“Many of us feel that our country is at a tipping point,” Boren said. “Will we tip toward continued greatness and continued leadership in the world and a high quality of life here at home? Or will we tip, as other countries of our age and position and experience, toward decline instead of revitalization.”

A self-described “militant moderate,” Boren said he fears the country has become too fragmented and polarized to continue as it has in recent decades. He recited statistics he said illustrate a growing imbalance of wealth and opportunity in America — and with it, a growing cynicism about government.

Boren said fewer Americans are optimistic, and more of them have become disenchanted with the Republican and Democratic parties.

Perhaps, he said, a centrist third party will emerge to capture what he called the “moderate majority.”

“I tell my (OU) students they might live to see a president who is neither a Republican or Democrat.”

Again and again, he returned to his concern that the United States is tearing itself apart rather than overcoming differences to unite in a common cause.

“Why can’t we love and respect each other?” he asked. “Why can’t we do that? Why can’t we forget all of this nonsense? The answer is we can. But it requires each one of us.”

Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365 randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

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