Basic Premises
By Charles E. Kraus
Are you an enabler? Do you hide from the facts, ignore reality, deflect, obfuscate, refuse the path mapped out by our nation's basic premises, in an effort to give cover to our President?
Lately an outbreak of fake sincerity has spread across the land. We might call the malady "hysterical disregard for reason." Some people have received a vaccination protecting them from this illness. Others, the disingenuous crowd, refuses to be vaccinated. They claim that logic is fake reasoning. They know better than reality. A lot of their pronouncements are given with a straight face and a crooked backbone. Their "facts" are dubious. By some coincidence, most of these fabulists happen to support the current administration.
I find it impossible to have serious conversions with Republicans. They do not seem to believe in the American Way. That our country’s foundation rests on basic assumptions such as equality under the law. Free Press. A three branch check and balance system to restrain abuses of power. What could be more bedrock?
We inhabit a world of complexity, filled with pressing political, social, environmental, moral and practical challenges. More than ever, we are dependent upon reason and reasonableness to keep us on course. Missteps can lead to catastrophic outcomes. We have enough to deal with without factoring in the kind of delusional pronouncements so frequently introduced by know-nothings.
Weather patterns are changing, and not to our advantage. Children are being separated from their parents. Self-dealing has become normalized. Does anyone truly doubt these statements? Evidently, the answer is yes. Or at least certain people are willing to tell you they do. Are they winking at one another when Nancy leaves the room?
Approximately a third of the Republicans say they'll support the President, even if he completes his term from a jail cell. Some people think he lies constantly and that disqualifies him from the job. Other's think he lies constantly and it's okay because the lies seem to be moving the country in a direction they happen to like.
Thank you Justin Amash for being the exception to the rule. For being the lone Republican standing against deception and corruption at the highest levels. But where are your fellow party members? Many talk a good game, but their standards are so low even a tyrant like Trump can pass muster. Their standards are so low, even they can pass them.
I have a feeling that if Mr. Trump personally shut the cage door, locking up immigrant children, then carted them off to work in the Mar a Lago kitchen, his supporters would overlook the broken laws, reject empathy, dismiss common decency, and with quasi-sincere enthusiasm, cheer on the proceedings. They'd use words such as 'decisive' and 'unorthodox' to describe their leader.
It is always interesting to discuss politics with people whose opinions different from my own. Unless, of course, the conversation is a sham, and the opposition's plan is to deceive rather than enlighten.
