This old world is a fright
You know my future ain’t bright
And I’d just crawl in a hole if I could …
“Two Cents Worth” by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh
In a predecessor to this blog (a few years ago), I complained of the behavior of a few over-zealous supporters of Ted Cruz taking a “My Way Or The Highway” approach regarding his then-semi-viable candidacy for President of the United States. I ended the posting with a reminder of the dangers of mixing personality cults with politics … of which history provides many cautionary tales. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, our increasingly polarized political situation has resulted in even more personality culting all along the perceived ideological spectrum.
The most obvious example is what I’ve come to call the “Drumpfenproletariat,” by which I mean the fanatical bleeding edge of the Trump movement who seem to think their man can do no wrong, and that whatever he does is, by definition, right and just. That such an individual can inspire such uncritical loyalty is impressive in a rather frightening way …
To be fair, Trump is hardly the only political figure who has engendered such a following. The apparent mirror-image of the Drumpfenproles would be the BernieBros … followers of the admittedly Socalist candidate for the nomination of the Democratic Party. The two groups share many common traits (as do their idols, but that’s a story for another day). The continuation of this already troubling trend could, and likely will, have a long-lasting effect on our republic.
I’m certainly not an expert, nor have I always been innocent of the ideological scapegoating of others, but it seems to me that a return to good old-fashioned politeness might not hurt. Additionally, one might actually consider talking to another human face-to-face once in a while … pardon me while my inner introvert shudders.
Boil it down: Basically, what your kindergarten teacher told you is true; if you treat people with a little respect and kindness, they’re more likely to respond in kind. Also, keep in mind that intelligent people of good will will occasionally come to conclusions different from yours. Rarely does this make them bad or stupid people (it might make them annoying, but that’s a different story). Given how turbulent and crappy things have been, let’s give ourselves and each other a break.
… Or maybe live out in space
Or some other far away place
And not come back to this earth till it’s good
“Two Cents Worth” (Livgren and Walsh)
