All you have to do is read the Associated Press headline that “conservatives are on a mission to dismantle the US government and replace it with Trump’s vision.”
Suppose Trump’s vision isn’t exactly your vision? And that dismantling the US government, blemishes, warts and all, wouldn’t float your boat?
Gazing out across the political landscape, right now, we can all see plenty that could use some fixing up… some tender, loving care… which probably will get me accused of being ‘woke’. Didn’t I just hear, somewhere about someone on Fox, I think it was, accusing progressive folks of always sipping their Chardonnay? That’ll probably get wine industry lobbyists all wound up, and it mischaracterizes progressives. Not that I’m totally one, myself… I was conservative, at one time.
And Chardonnay — and wine, overall — isn’t my cup of tea, so to speak. So, already, I may not fit the stereotype.
Dismantling the US government isn’t any way to go, because, with apologies to various political actors on the far right, God knows what they might come up with instead. To put it bluntly, and to prove I’m not a Chardonnay sipper, some of those political actors have been known to pull thoughts, philosophies and demands out of their rear ends, wanting us all to believe it’s gospel.
And while it’s difficult determining former President Trump’s actual beliefs, because hasn’t he opportunistically juggled them around, could it be that he’s emulating some of those other actors, conjuring up thoughts from behind, so to speak?
Or are they the ones emulating him?
It makes no difference, really, because dismantling the US government simply wouldn’t be a good idea. Tweaking some, yes, but doing away with the essence of it? They’ve got to be kidding!
Have you been hearing the word ‘cult,’ a lot lately? And that “Donald Trump meets most if not all characteristics of a cult leader,” according to a recent article in Salon?
Like I’ve said, in some of my past columns, I’ve known people who had to flee, by the skin of their teeth, from countries ruled by iron-fisted authoritarians… authoritarians who held sway over their followers, like cult leaders hold sway over their acolytes.
As convincing as cult leaders can be, authoritarian rulers can be just as convincing. What are those words for describing them… ‘Snake oil salesmen’? (Or ‘salespersons?’)
About cults, maybe everyday folks need one of their own, with discussion groups attempting to get a handle on the nation’s gun culture, and women’s health issues, and healthcare, overall… and civility.
Refreshingly boring is what a cult like that could be. Maybe almost as refreshing as a glass of Chardonnay?
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.