A car attack on a Christmas market by an immigrant has a civilizational significance, even if the criminal act itself isn't meant that way. The very Western values that are said to be so important to the liberal democratic world are increasingly under assault as a result of the expansion of the definition of whom these values apply to. "The killer driver from the Magdeburg Christmas market is in custody, and the attack is now being addressed politically," reported ARD last night. "The main issue is whether the authorities could have prevented the crime. Interior Minister Faeser announced that every stone would be overturned." Chances are the German authorities won't address one of the main factors in the erosion of our value system: Political and corporate short-termism that has a profound negative impact on our political decisions, business policies, educational system, child development, financial stability, defense capabilities, interpersonal relations and social assurances. If concern for country or civilization isn't sufficient for giving pause to this, concern for one's own family - especially at Christmastime - probably should be.