It Isn't About Politics

It isn't their politics. It's their lack of morality.

A couple of friends have made this comment recently, and I think they are correct. People are free to believe what they will. They are free to support whichever political party best aligns with their beliefs. The world is a better place with a diversity of beliefs and opinions. We may learn something by learning about others' beliefs. But there is a limit to which beliefs I can and will accept. That limit has been reached.

I was raised in a Republican family. I moved away from those political beliefs in early adulthood. My beliefs are not necessarily better or worse than those held by others, but they are decidedly different. There was a time when those who supported different political parties could coexist. They could discuss their differing opinions and points of view. They would seek common ground and compromise. Those days are long gone.

I am generally a live-and-let-live person. But I draw the line at the unwavering, unquestioning, absolute fealty to the cult leader shown by too many members of the Republican party. As a student of Russian and Soviet history, I am well aware of the cult of personality, which is a hallmark of totalitarian and authoritarian countries. Nazi Germany had a cult of personality, as did Mussolini's Italy, Stalin's Soviet Union, and North Korea to this day. The United States has had its own cult of personality since the rise of the current president. He can do no wrong, in the eyes of his slavish followers. Anyone who disagrees with him faces dismissal and even threats.

What we have seen during the past 4+ years is the rise of a cult leader who has no concern for others, whose only goal is self-aggrandizement and endless amounts of praise. If he isn't sufficiently praised by others, he praises himself. His first (and thankfully, last) term is the best in American history, according to him. He alone is responsible for the rapid development of coronavirus vaccines. His inauguration was attended by the most people ever (it wasn't, by a long shot). He is the smartest and greatest president of all time. He knows more about the military than do any of the generals and admirals. He knows more about the economy than do the best economists. Such are his delusional beliefs.

This pompous arrogance leaves no room for compassion. Not once has this president expressed condolences to the families of the more than 365,000 Americans who have -- so far -- died of Covid-19. Not once has he addressed the police killings of several unarmed Black citizens. Not once did he honor the members of our military who died in the line of duty.

And his followers eat up all these lies. They don't question the veracity of his claims. They continue to insist that he has made America great again, but when asked to provide examples of what he has done, they are silent. They are totally lacking in critical thinking skills. They are totally unaware or they refuse to accept that he is using them, that he disdains them. He appeals to their racist and misogynistic beliefs, and because he shares and voices those beliefs, they feel free to be more open about their hateful attitudes. They are emboldened to physically threaten legislators, governors and public health officials whose policies don't agree with their.

To be fair, some Republicans have spoken out against the cult leader. These Republicans, such as Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, still hold to the party's old beliefs, when political differences were about policies and fiscal issues rather than about getting even or firing someone who disagrees or about bragging about oneself endlessly.

What happened on January 6 was an attempted act of sedition encouraged by Trump and his attorney Giuliani. It was as much an attempted coup as anything that has occurred in a number of Latin American countries. He watched the riots and looting on television in the White House, hosting what was essentially a watch party with his family and other sycophants as one of them danced as she watched the destruction. He reportedly enjoyed the chaos, pandemonium and destruction they unfolded. Given the chance, he most certainly would overthrow the government and install himself as dictator. He has already attempted to do this. He and his sycophants in Congress were willing to overthrow the will of the people.

  

What has happened in this country isn't simply expressions of differences of opinion about political issues. It isn't a difference of opinion about government spending or the scope and role of government. It isn't about foreign policy decisions or how to deal with rogue nations. 

 

It isn't really about the morality of these people. Rather, it is their utter and complete lack of morality that is the issue. 

 

I and millions of other Americans have nothing in common with these insurgents. We clearly don’t have shared values. One group believes in the rule of law. It believes in science and fact and equality and equal opportunity. The other believes in blindly following a cult leader that appeals to their insecurities, their racism and misogyny and their misguided hatred of "socialism," although they lack any real understanding of what socialism really is.

 

The perpetrators of this insurrection and attempted coup -- from the president and his attorneys on down -- must face the consequences of their efforts. Those who participated in the takeover of the Capitol building, as well as the destruction of government property, the theft of mail and other items, and the harm inflicted on police officers -- must pay the price for their acts of sedition.

Anything less is unacceptable.