Let The Guardian do it:
Trump has been paralyzed on healthcare and tax reform, but his administration has been active in eroding safeguards and protections elsewhereIt has been rattling around in my head and aimed mostly at me that the liberal constituency in my country is largely composed of self-satisfied whiners when it comes to Donald Trump. Hurling brickbats like "shame" and "irresponsibility" and other criticisms is LITERALLY like criticizing a wall. You can't convince a crazy person s/he is crazy and you can't speak to people who lack a sense of shame about shame. They simply cannot hear you any more than a wall can hear the most heart-felt critiques. If someone is simply incapable of hearing you, this puts the onus on the one screaming, "You're deaf, for Christ's sake!"
To apply the word "shame" or "irresponsible" is to assume the target also has a sense of what is not shameful and what is responsible. And these are qualities Trump and his merry band of old white men simply do not have. Why should they feel shame for what they are forever telling us they are not responsible for.
Once upon a time there was such a thing as the "wood pile" -- the destination of any youngster scheduled for a whupping. But mincing liberals like me lack the stomach for the smack-'em-upside-of-the-head directness which seems to be the only alternative. It's too Republican, dontcha know.
Forgive me father for i have sinned. I have harbored fantasies of retribution.
ReplyDelete"...the liberal constituency in my country is largely composed of self-satisfied whiners when it comes to Donald Trump."
ReplyDeleteWhat, a Paper Tiger Time again? Exactly which News / Talking Heads / Political Figures are you referring to? Or are you reacting to local political inaction? Is Ms. Earth Mother Birkenstock across the street with the marvelous stock portfolio grating because she wants save the environment, healthcare, the immigrants and her tax breaks? I can see why she might. Is it your neighbor down the block? Who are the whiners?
While I may share olcharlie's fantasies of retribution and your desire to smack someone upside the head, at my age (60+) and experience I believe that acting on these ideas of violence would be as ineffectual as simple whining, and will likely make my own personal situation worse not better.
In addition to keeping informed as best as I can I advocate 1. personal emails, letter writing and phone calls and 2. trying to find authentic political action groups and support them with some cash, and participate in group communication and action, perhaps joining in some demonstrations (all with a large dose of caution and skepticism).
I try my best to consider the situation from more than one point of view. I think I have learned that in politics and government blocking or, when you object to the action, "obstructing" can be the most effective thing to do for one's belief system or agenda until those with similar beliefs come into power.
I do wish that I or someone I trust and who would share his / her information had a direct line to the so-called liberal leaders like Nancy Pelosi so that I had a sense of whether they actually have a game plan and what it is.
One last bit.
ReplyDeleteIn the USA the "Wood Pile" is usually held only on election days. For Federal offices it's every two, four or six years depending on the position (Representative (2yrs), President (4yrs) or Senator (6yrs).
BUT. When the offense(s) of the office holder are deemed bad enough by enough of the represented an office holder can be removed soon. For the presidency it's called "Impeachment."
I support Impeachment. Im hoping that the Mueller investigation helps towards that end. We already have like violations of the Emoluments Clause and I would like to get rid of the Republican leaders who have refused to act on that alone.
"I do wish that I or someone I trust and who would share his / her information had a direct line to the so-called liberal leaders like Nancy Pelosi so that I had a sense of whether they actually have a game plan and what it is."
ReplyDeleteAmen to that.