At This Horrific Point in U.S. History, Too Many Bright Americans Are Toeing the Line
A friend who missed our 40-year reunion (at Trinity College in Hartford, CT) asked for my observations on the event. I responded:
Here’s something worth mentioning:
So here I am with a bunch of old friends at one of the most turbulent times in U.S. history. In particular, our president is a sociopath. In a period of less than five months, he’s shown his tireless resolve to accomplish things like:
Destroying our environment
Alienating traditional US allies
Buddying up with the world’s most tyrannical butchers
Institutionalizing racial and religious discrimination
Making the rich richer at the expense of the working class (the precise opposite of what he promised the morons who voted for him).
Rolling back the rights of women, religious minorities–everyone but wealthy white guys
Putting a final nail in the coffin of our failing, corrupt democracy, replacing it with a full-on Russia-like kleptocracy
Embarrassing and humiliating our formerly great country, making it the laughing stock of the world
Now, guess how many times the name “Donald Trump” came up in the day and a half I was there…including references from classmates, their spouses, and all the professors and administrators who spoke at various events? Keep in mind that you’re not talking to a wallflower here; I went out of my way to drum up a conversation with everyone I laid eyes on, young and old alike, and I listened intently when they’d answer my questions like: What’s happening in your life?
The answer: Zero.
To my astonishment, the Trump presidency is a taboo subject–even among people associated with an esteemed institution of higher learning, situated in liberal New England.
There are a few theories that could explain this:
The Elephant in the Room. It’s such an awkward subject that people would prefer to avoid it–especially at a reunion, where the focus is on martinis and good food.
Actual Trump Support: As we both know, some of these preppies come from families with more money than God, and there is no doubt that Trump is good for wealth creation and preservation for the super-rich, through enormous tax breaks and revocation of regulations on businesses of all types–especially banking. Needless to say, I don’t respect this amoral viewpoint, but I certainly understand it.
In any case, the way I see it, we’re looking at the unfolding of Watergate on steroids. It doesn’t get any more intriguing than this; “current events” get more outrageous with each passing day. Thus, it’s a sad commentary on our population that a bunch of people who are supposed to be “intellectuals” (at some level) would rather talk about their kids, their careers, their vacations, and the all-nighters we pulled to eke out a C in Econ 211 or whatever. If these people aren’t interested in this watershed moment in the course of our nation, it’s hard to imagine who would be.
Craig,
You’re right, the President is a very divisive figure, obviously not suitable for light-hearted social discourse.
You may also find many people, who are not Trump supporters dismayed by your extreme position and venomous statements.
May I suggest:
1) Ceasing to call the President a sociopath, it’s insulting to his family, and his supporters, but mostly it’s just meaningless abuse.
2) Destroying the environment; Debatable, in fact some of his measures may prove beneficial.
3)Alienating traditional US allies: Who exactly? Most US allies have learned to cope with Trump, and most are quite capable of taking a longer view.
4) Buddying up with the world’s most tyrannical butchers : Again who exactly? The US President can’t pick and choose who he talks to. Can you name one US President in 100 years who didn’t pursue excellent relations with tyrants ?
5)Institutionalizing racial and religious discrimination: Where’s the evidence ? Where is the legislation ? That’s right it doesn’t exist !
6) Making the rich richer at the expense of the working class: Again, there’s no evidence to support that claim. In fact the nearly 1 million working class unemployed who have gained employment since his election would disagree.
7)Rolling back the rights of women, religious minorities: This requires legislation, so where’s the legislation ? Oh, that’s right it doesn’t exist !
8)Embarrassing and humiliating our formerly great country, making it the laughing stock of the world: no that’s plain silly, and insulting to the rest of the world. You seem to have a weird notion that the rest of the world is in awe and admiration of the moral virtue of the US ! Sorry, but it ain’t true !
Perhaps if you where a little less ferociously antagonistic toward the administration, people would be less afraid to discuss aspects of the Presidents effect on US politics.
Just a suggestion.