Nosmo King
Gold Member
Once upon a time, not too long ago, those who identified themselves as Conservatives and voted Republican held an aspirational outlook. They aspired toward a smaller, less intrusive government. One with fewer regulations and dictates from the federal government. A government that taxed them less, spent less on the social safety net and, in their aspirational outlook, believed that such conditions would make it easier for the economically and socially disadvantaged to improve their own lot.
While I personally disagreed that a Conservative utopia would indeed make the poor better off, I did respect their sincerity.
But those aspirations have rung hollow and have now all but disappeared. The outlook is no longer aspirationalal. It is now instigational. The Right Wing is now more apt to pick a fight than offer a solution. They put their perceived grievances up front.
From the triggering culture wars to the inhumane immigration policy, Right Wingers act more like snowflakes than the Liberals they originally tagged with that epithet. Starbucks coffee cups during the holidays sets them off. A crying child wondering where her mother is while a uniformed guard leads her away gets the back of their hand.
A president who engaged in sexual misdeeds is forever thought of as a wretch. Another president pays hush money to a porn star is lauded. Same sex couples in a loving, committed relationship are demeaned and discriminated. And a senate candidate who is a pedophile gets votes and support.
We are told there are conspiracies lurking everywhere. We should not trust government or media because they are responsible for your lot in life. Before they told us that we as individuals were responsible for ourselves. This breeds cynicism. Cynicism eschews expertise. And that breeds ignorance. And here we are.
When Trump leaves to pursue his next endeavor as a pundit or gadfly or internet troll, who will tell you 'I alone can fix it!' and tell you who to blame?
While I personally disagreed that a Conservative utopia would indeed make the poor better off, I did respect their sincerity.
But those aspirations have rung hollow and have now all but disappeared. The outlook is no longer aspirationalal. It is now instigational. The Right Wing is now more apt to pick a fight than offer a solution. They put their perceived grievances up front.
From the triggering culture wars to the inhumane immigration policy, Right Wingers act more like snowflakes than the Liberals they originally tagged with that epithet. Starbucks coffee cups during the holidays sets them off. A crying child wondering where her mother is while a uniformed guard leads her away gets the back of their hand.
A president who engaged in sexual misdeeds is forever thought of as a wretch. Another president pays hush money to a porn star is lauded. Same sex couples in a loving, committed relationship are demeaned and discriminated. And a senate candidate who is a pedophile gets votes and support.
We are told there are conspiracies lurking everywhere. We should not trust government or media because they are responsible for your lot in life. Before they told us that we as individuals were responsible for ourselves. This breeds cynicism. Cynicism eschews expertise. And that breeds ignorance. And here we are.
When Trump leaves to pursue his next endeavor as a pundit or gadfly or internet troll, who will tell you 'I alone can fix it!' and tell you who to blame?