I feel like I am a spy in the Republican movement in this country. My circumstances have somehow removed me from the tribe with which I once identified.
So here I am participating with people with whom I thought I had nothing in common. And I get to listen to the propaganda of their political agenda as though I belong with them. What is most striking for me is the absolutely well reasoned and thoughtful positioning of their/our political agenda for prosperity, security, freedom, democracy, health, and moral action. On the one hand is the upright, moral posture that the conservative agenda is fully aligned with the vision of the United States as a world power, moral standard bearer, and caring country. On the other hand is the clear certainty that the leadership of the Democrats are sock puppets of the military, pharmaceutical and corporate interests. The Democrats are sure to destroy democracy, they are totalitarian fascists bent on removing all our liberty, for the sake of protecting the status quo of the billionaire elites who own the wealth and means for wealth all at the top.
As a refugee of the once dear-to-me movement of the Democratic Party, I also hear the Democrat agenda exactly the same as the Republican agenda. The words and the accusations of the other side; and the moral correctness and position on the right side of history are both spoken with equal fervor and confidence. The Republicans are owners and slaves of the military, pharmaceutical and corporate interests. The Roublicans are sure to destroy democracy, they are totalitarian fascists bent on removing all our liberty, for the sake of protecting the status quo of the billionaire elites who own the wealth and means for wealth all at the top. (Yes, that is a copy-paste.)
I find myself stepping back from this braying of donkeys and honking of elephants. If I were a better satirist perhaps it would be humorous. But I’m not, so it’s not. I am heartbroken. I see so many people about who I care, and whom I know care so much about every other person in the world, screaming about how evil the others are. Those people, about whom we all claim to care in any other context are in fact evil, foolish, ignorant, sheep, blind. Our conversations are strained, there are topics which are taboo. We avoid speaking of the things that are most important to us. We imagine our dearest friends and most loved family members will either judge us, or that they are among the dreaded fools, that they will never hear what we have to say.
My solace is in the thought that as urgent as the leaders of either side, want us to think this is, that however bleak both sides want us to see the situation, neither side is capable of stimulating any meaningful change.
So here I am participating with people with whom I thought I had nothing in common. And I get to listen to the propaganda of their political agenda as though I belong with them. What is most striking for me is the absolutely well reasoned and thoughtful positioning of their/our political agenda for prosperity, security, freedom, democracy, health, and moral action. On the one hand is the upright, moral posture that the conservative agenda is fully aligned with the vision of the United States as a world power, moral standard bearer, and caring country. On the other hand is the clear certainty that the leadership of the Democrats are sock puppets of the military, pharmaceutical and corporate interests. The Democrats are sure to destroy democracy, they are totalitarian fascists bent on removing all our liberty, for the sake of protecting the status quo of the billionaire elites who own the wealth and means for wealth all at the top.
As a refugee of the once dear-to-me movement of the Democratic Party, I also hear the Democrat agenda exactly the same as the Republican agenda. The words and the accusations of the other side; and the moral correctness and position on the right side of history are both spoken with equal fervor and confidence. The Republicans are owners and slaves of the military, pharmaceutical and corporate interests. The Roublicans are sure to destroy democracy, they are totalitarian fascists bent on removing all our liberty, for the sake of protecting the status quo of the billionaire elites who own the wealth and means for wealth all at the top. (Yes, that is a copy-paste.)
I find myself stepping back from this braying of donkeys and honking of elephants. If I were a better satirist perhaps it would be humorous. But I’m not, so it’s not. I am heartbroken. I see so many people about who I care, and whom I know care so much about every other person in the world, screaming about how evil the others are. Those people, about whom we all claim to care in any other context are in fact evil, foolish, ignorant, sheep, blind. Our conversations are strained, there are topics which are taboo. We avoid speaking of the things that are most important to us. We imagine our dearest friends and most loved family members will either judge us, or that they are among the dreaded fools, that they will never hear what we have to say.
My solace is in the thought that as urgent as the leaders of either side, want us to think this is, that however bleak both sides want us to see the situation, neither side is capable of stimulating any meaningful change.