It might be evident to some that I’ve consciously retreated from commenting on current affairs. Well, mostly. I’ll throw the odd jab here and there, but I don’t address specific topics, not even when those topics dominate the news and/or are of supreme importance to humanity in general.

But don’t be fooled. Inside, I have plenty of opinions and, increasingly, my concern for the future of this country (and the world) leads me to pessimistic estimates about the path we’re traveling.

For instance, I believe both Republicans and Democrats systematically — and for different end-goals — weaken the Constitution and the rule of law as they engage in an ideological power struggle where the public and the public interest are but pawns to be played and sacrificed.

A few years ago, it would have seemed impossible, but I believe we’re watching the dismantling of our system of government. I don’t know what will replace it, but I’m certain a large percentage of the population won’t like it . . . and it will be too late to do anything about it.  

At this point, someone might say I’m overreacting and that we’ve faced this and worse in the past. Yes, we’ve faced similar threats in the past and we — in each instance — recovered and came out of them arguably the better for it.

I’m not sure it’s possible under the current climate. What got us out before were the will of the people and the courage of a few politicians and newsmen. What’s different now is the mindset.

. . . and education, and fortitude, and the lack of honesty, blind acceptance of lies, party or group loyalty in place of the examination of facts, and the unwillingness to admit ever being wrong.

Mind you; it’s difficult pinpointing who’s more to blame because we started on this road decades ago; however, at this juncture, I point to Republicans/Conservatives and ask if they’ve lost their mind . . . along with common decency, honesty, and all traces of honor.

Democrats lost their minds three years ago when they decided the political process wasn’t working for them (after eight years spent undermining said process).

Now, Republicans/Conservatives take center stage, and they do so by rallying at the feet of a person devoid of honor, disdainful of honesty, derisive of duty, and arguably one of the most unstable and corrupt (morally and materially) POTUS we’ve ever had.

Republicans openly bragging about subverting the rule of law leaves me dumbfounded, and even more so when major Conservative figures cheer them on.

Imagine, if you will, any judge and jury openly declaring what their verdict will be before hearing evidence, and after attempting to suppress said evidence, and despite the perpetrator admitting — in a public forum — to many of the crimes they’re charged with.

What’s more amazing, the self-titled Party of Law and Order (the concept, not the TV show) sees nothing wrong with this because they’ve concluded they’re best suited to decide what’s right and wrong . . . anything they want is right, and all else is wrong.

. . . and the majority of Republicans/Conservatives rank-and-file not only agree, but cheer . . . and remain silent when some in their ranks threaten civil war and armed resistance should things not go their way, itself a tacit endorsement of treason against the United States of America and in violation of the sedition laws they were so eager to enact. 

And within that group, the most hypocritical, cruel, and disgusting group of all: Evangelicals. Claiming guidance from the word of God, they instead reinforce the notion theirs is a cruel, unjust, spiteful, weak, eunuch of a God but one they nonetheless are happy to follow blindly. No doubt, that’s because the morally corrupt can only be guided by a similarly morally corrupt leader.

Evangelicals (and many Christians who sit on the sidelines without saying anything, without voicing opposition, thus proving they don’t live by what they profess to believe) endorse and support this grotesque version of a public servant. A public servant titularly charged with the welfare of all of the people in the US, and not just those who willingly and enthusiastically kiss his ass. They’re solidly backing Trump in support of their campaign of hate and their desire for a Christian dicktator, even if in name only.

Some might wonder what prompted this post.

I’m worried.

Think of the current times and the current challenges as an intelligence test. It looks to me like barely a third of the class (humanity) is poised to pass the test. Not just here, but worldwide.

I’m generous here; I assume and hope it’s at least a third but my gut tells me the number is much lower.

Run a test and see for yourself: pick any topic — immigration, war, religion, race and racism, education, gun control, civil rights, and on and on — and add up the public voices you hear.

Group them thus:
-public individuals claiming to have easy answers while denigrating opposing easy answers and proposing draconian actions.

-those who admit those are difficult topics requiring measured consideration and discussion and compromise.

I bet the first group contains 99%+ of the public speakers, and this includes prominent politicians and social “leaders” at both ends of the political spectrum.

Their message is one of discord and calls for the marginalization of opposing ideas. Their message is one of a take-no-prisoners war with no quarter given, an ideological war that’s already dabbled in physical conflicts and that promises the escalation of confrontations.

Heck; POTUS promises as such, stoking people for the eventuality.
And Republicans/Conservatives cheer.

On the other side, loud voices claiming indignation for what they would happily endorse where they holding the reigns of power and promising to fight back; fight violence with violence; practically a necessity, they say.
And Democrats/Liberals cheer.

Some might say I’m distorting the situation.

Nah; I subscribe to Left-leaning and Right-leaning newsletters and keep a pulse on Conservative and Liberal websites (a few religious ones, too). I’ve seen the shift in rhetoric and the shift away from reasoned discourse in favor of unfounded accusations, outright lies, and calls to arms.

I’ve tried speaking to what I thought were otherwise sane individuals only to realize that under their outward normal façade lurks a rabid fanatic uninterested in a discussion, only blind acceptance of their narrow worldview.

I can’t tell you the number of times I gently pushed back and got rabid snarling in return.

Want to know an even sadder fact? Not once do any express a nuanced or even an original thought.

Nope! It’s sound-bites all the way down. It’s the only thing they can process, you see. Small words, tiny ideas made to sound grandiose, vague concepts that only the ignorant and willingly uninformed find legitimate.

Whew . . . glad I got that out of my chest. Holding it all in was causing major discomfort. Now, I can return to my photos and fiction writing for another few months.

By the way, if you are insulted by what I wrote . . . well, consider you might have recognized yourself in my descriptions. Perhaps you should rethink blindly following a party platform which makes you complicit to every vile thing they’re doing and saying.

I look forward to any comments contesting my assessment and offering a ray of hope that everything isn’t as dire and hopeless and upwardly fornicated as it appears.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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