Friday, June 30, 2017

Trying to Make Some Sense of It All

There's a guy who stops by periodically to leave nasty comments on my blog.  I have no idea why he does it: I mean, if you don't like my blog, don't read it.  But he likes to keep reminding me that "the left" is ruining America, and that my blog is just a bunch of "liberal garbage."  Of course, he's entitled to his opinion about "the left" in general and my blog in particular, but I still find both comments puzzling.

As I see it, there's no such thing as "the left"-- not every Democrat or liberal marches in lock-step, and no, we don't all take our cues from the (gasp) Saul Alinsky playbook, the way Newt Gingrich and other Republicans say we do.  (I must admit I was unfamiliar with Mr. Alinsky until about a decade ago. I mean, yes I heard the name before, but he wasn't someone I studied in college or even in grad school.  I guess I received an inferior education in what Democrats allegedly believe.) My point is, there's a wide range of beliefs on "the left," as I am certain there are on "the right."

When I first began blogging several years ago, I hoped that I'd be able to do two things:  thing one was express my views on various current issues (and for Rush fans, that included talking about our favorite rock band now and then); but thing two was to create the possibility of dialogue between folks on the left and folks on the right.  Of course, I never expected that my little blog would bring about world peace, though that would be nice to accomplish.  I just hoped that maybe some folks who don't talk much to Democrats might come to the conclusion that this Democrat isn't such a horrible person after all, nor are most other Democrats.  Both political parties don't always agree on issues, but at least I hoped we could have an exchange of ideas and seek some common ground.

Ever since Mr. Trump took office, however, I've noticed a change in tone, both in our politics and in how we communicate.  Day after day, I read endless postings on social media that demonize "the left."  They say we're all violent (umm, I thought we were all a bunch of too-sensitive snowflakes; now suddenly we're violent?).  Or they say we're all fascists.  Or Mr. Trump says that Democrats are keeping him from moving his agenda forward (Democrats find this a bizarre claim, since Republicans control all three branches of the government. If things aren't getting done, don't blame us.)  Meanwhile, every conservative I know is firmly convinced that the media are liberal, and college professors are liberal, and anyone whose views they disagree with must be liberal, and every problem in society was caused by someone liberal.  In the age of Donald Trump, it seems more people than ever believe the big problem in life is the existence of liberals. 

I know how much conservatives love that Mr. Trump is a "fighter" who "punches back" when people "insult him."  But as Democrats like me see it, he's not a fighter; rather, he's an autocrat who doesn't like criticism of any kind. Of course, this is a major difference in our two parties, but at least we always used to have a president who acted with courtesy.  This one does not.  Whether it's a cable news commentator on MSNBC or a member of the White House press corps or Democrats in general, Mr. Trump is always ready with a rude (or sometimes crude) comment.  He shows no interest in staying above the fray or acting in a way that historically was considered presidential; nor does he show any interest in bringing both sides together.  He seems perfectly happy to perform only for his base and say what they want to hear.  Everyone else is just "the enemy."

More and more, I see many of Mr. Trump's supporters modeling his behavior-- they see no need to talk to anyone on the other side, and they not only applaud the president each time he makes another combative or insulting remark-- they also emulate his way of speaking.  And if the folks who are on his side regard everyone else as dishonest, terrible people, it does not bode well for the future of our country.  As a professor of communication, I worry when people praise a man who believes name-calling is a good thing; and who believes it's okay to be lash out at anyone who disagrees with him.

It's not just that I don't like many of his policies: I respect that he won the election, and I've disagreed with presidents before.  But what I really don't like is how he talks to people.  Rather than bringing out what Lincoln called the "better angels of our nature," he is empowering the worst in many of us. And in a world where angry and impulsive behavior is considered normal (and even admirable) by his followers, what's the end-game?  Are we becoming a country that is re-segregating itself, not by race this time, but by ideology?  We already have a country where people watch/read/listen to media that reinforce what they already believe. Should we now have a country where opposing beliefs aren't wanted? 

That's not a vision of America I'd welcome, and it's not just because I'm a Democrat.  I would hope there are some Republicans who also don't like the way things are going.  Showering insults on those who disagree with you may be comforting; but it's no way to solve the problems our country faces... And no, the problem is not too many Democrats.  It's too little kindness, too little empathy, and too little commitment to following the Golden Rule.  I admit I don't know what to do about the ever-widening divide between us.  But I still want to believe there's a positive discussion we could have-- although lately, that seems like less and less of a possibility.

19 comments:

  1. I couldn't have said that better Donna. Excellent piece, and one that DESERVES to be discussed. Respect.

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  3. Too little kindness and too little empathy from the Democrats....Don't BS, Donna. The vitriole is at a fever pitch from the mainstream media and you know it. Don't play the little innocent bleeding heart liberal when it is people from your party building the foment and rage. Open your eyes. You'd do yourself a lot of good if you would be honest with yourself. You are not, though.You speak in terms of how you would like the progressives to be.... yet they have hijacked your party and have thrown civility to the winds. Don't turn this around, Donna. I see through your veneer.

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  4. Now let's get down to brass tacks on issues. Let's take one argument at a time and debate it. You would do your readers a service. What do you say?

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    1. Life's too short, my friend. You come by, make rude remarks and then ask me to have a conversation. Why would I want to do that when you show me no respect?

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    2. I don't need to coddle you. My directives are to the politicians you endorse. Get past your feelings and let's think about issues.

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  5. My language may be terse, but it is the truth as I see it. Please convince me otherwise here for all to see. Let's confront issues and make this blog worthy.

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  6. Your "truth" often involves rudeness and insult. I began blogging several years ago; it has provided me with a way to express my beliefs about a variety of subjects (sometimes it's politics; but this week, I blogged about Rush lyrics). I did not expect that my blog would make me famous, nor did I expect it would win anyone over to my point of view. I did, however, expect that those who came to this blog would at least be respectful of my opinions. Unfortunately, that's not something you seem willing to offer. Feel free to believe what you want to believe, and by all means, feel free to continue to justify it. I lack the time and energy to play this game with you, especially given that there's nothing positive that will come out of it. I wish you whatever you wish me.

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    1. If you have the time and energy to write a blog with controversial statements then you should be prepared to defend your words. Right?

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  7. But...but...you have no response to my questions. That's all I ask.

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  8. Who has spewed the most venemous language in the time since the inaguration happened? Be honest. CNN? Your thoughts?

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  9. I have many responses, but every time we get into a discussion, you come back and say something insulting. If I thought for one minute we could have a courteous conversation, I'd have one. But there's no point. Much love to you.

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  10. You deleted the cool image of Hillary selling the Nasty Girl tee. Why Donna? You aren't into censorship are you?

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    1. I just wish I understood what your goal is. To annoy someone whose views you oppose? To prove once again that you are not "politically correct"? I accept your right to speak your mind, but surely there's other people you can have a conversation with, folks who share your perspectives and agree with your talking points. (No, CNN does not "spew venom," contrary to what Mr Trump says.) As for censorship, I generally have no visual images of any kind on my blog; perhaps I will in the future, but for now, it's words and some occasional links. And as for your accusation that I'm unwilling to defend my views, I have done so on many occasions, including sometimes even with you. But now, I'm unwilling to continue to have the same predictable exchanges with you over and over, especially since (as I said) nothing positive ever comes of it. The internet is a big place, and lots of folks have blogs. I am sure you can find someone else's to mock or insult, can't you?

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    2. Donna, I'm just calling you out on your "progressive" thought process. Please help me to understand your position. Surely, as an educated doctor, you can offer a positive rebuttal that supports your position?

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    3. I've already tried in previous exchanges. But you're not here to "understand." You're here to troll, and there's not much even an "educated doctor" can do in that situation. Btw, I was raised in a working-class family, and I put myself through college by working a variety of jobs while I studied. Took a while, but I did it. It's never too late to go back to school-- I went back at age 55. You may wanna take a course or two yourself. Regards to your family.

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  11. So far you are using your ultra sensitive feelings to avoid the crux of the matter. I have found this quite common with left leaning folks. Avoid the conversation by feining their hurt feelings.

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  12. Last time: I haven't avoided anything. I had a number of discussions with you on a wide range of topics after previous posts. It still ended up with you coming by and slinging more insults. Nothing to do with my "ultra sensitive feelings" and everything to do with putting my time to productive use. Be well.

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