I love politics.
Really.
I love the strategy, I love the behind the scenes action, and I love the struggle for power played out on grand stages. What I am watching this week, however, is not politics at all. At least it isn’t what politics should be.
Watching most of the speeches, and listening to the interviews it’s apparent to me that we have entered an entirely new phase in America. A period that none of us should want to be a part of in the year 2016.
But many are.
The disappointment I have becomes amplified with almost every speaker. What I see and hear from the speeches and interviews scares me, saddens me, mostly it angers me. A lot of things deep down I already knew, which have been festering under the surface of American society, have finally burst out in the open at the RNC Convention.
1. Self-responsibility is dead– Nothing new here concerning the Trump campaign. From day one he’s said things that were sexist, xenophobic, racist, and ignorant. He’s always addressed them the same way, by either denying what is on tape or blaming someone else for having the audacity to point them out. What is troubling from this week is the realization that so many people are willing to let these sorts of things slide just to be on the winning side of an election.
2. The divide isn’t shrinking– Scan the crowds, listen to the speakers, watch the interviews. This election is coming down to simply and us against them mentality. Whatever progress we’ve made in the last century, it now seems many are willing to flush it down the toilet. Whether it’s, racial, religious, socioeconomic, or just regional, this campaign is built on division.
3. Anger is the new discourse– Trump has offered zero real plans. He hasn’t answered any questions with substance during the entire campaign. After two days of this convention, we still don’t have anything, but anger and hatred spewed into the microphones. Instead of real solid ideas, we have even more angry, drum beating diatribe.
4. What happened to right and wrong?– Every single issue that has been pointed out as a problem with this campaign has been answered the same way by the apologists. “Well, Hillary did it too.” or “But Obama was worse.” That type of defense doesn’t work with our children, why should it be sufficient for the potential next leader of the free world? When we begin to justify wrong in these terms, America loses more of its moral high ground.
5. America’s greatness is truly on the line– America’s history is no longer enough to garner respect in the world. The collateral that we built up for what we accomplished in the past is evaporating. The world is watching us closely, to see where this goes. What they see this week, is anger, hatred, division, and fear. The greatness that once made people from all over the world want to come here is dwindling. We are pissing it away because of our inability to see past our faults.
So as you watch the last few speeches, listen. Don’t just listen to the hyperbole and vitriol being spewed. Listen for what isn’t said. More importantly, listen to who isn’t saying it.
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Photo:Getty Images
People get so easily distracted by the cartoonish portrayals on each side. It’s the same thing as a magician using distraction and misdirection to successfully pull off his best magic tricks. People, it’s time to look behind the mirrors and learn what’s really happening behind all the bluster.
Please, read this article by a very well respected international journalist:
http://johnpilger.com/articles/silencing-america-as-it-prepares-for-war
This guy isn’t some internet hack. Check out his credentials for yourself:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pilger
“4. What happened to right and wrong?– Every single issue that has been pointed out as a problem with this campaign has been answered the same way by the apologists. “Well, Hillary did it too.” or “But Obama was worse.” That type of defense doesn’t work with our children, why should it be sufficient for the potential next leader of the free world? When we begin to justify wrong in these terms, America loses more of its moral high ground.” This kind of thing doesn’t justify Trump in any way, but neither should Hillary get the pass for those things… Read more »
Trump’s strategy is vote against Clinton. That seems to be the exact same strategy the democrats are using, vote against Trump, at least when Clinton isn’t discussing her qualification. Vote for me because I’m a woman and wouldn’t you want to see history made. So we can laud Clinton for her genitals, but Trump talking about his is a problem. There’s massive hypocrisy on both sides with the main stream media aiding the massive hypocrisy of one side. You forget Clinton’s all rape accusers except for those accusing my husband should be believed. The Republicans have used the strategy don’t… Read more »