Guns, Guts, and Glory –The Birth of The “New” Democracy
The ship of democracy has hit an iceberg, and we’re taking on water fast…
My sixty-year-old nephew is sure it’s going to happen.
Battle lines are being drawn.
Republicans against Democrats. Conservatives against Liberals.
He’s certain it’s only a matter of time before “enforcers” will begin knocking on doors confiscating guns, gold, and any loose cash they find hidden under the mattress.
Under the guise and authority of liberal policies and political overreach, these Gestapo-esk, loose-cannon socialists — all Democrats, he tells me — will institute a no-tolerance policy for anything that might threaten their ability to hold the American people hostage.
Not only is he dead set against this fantasized scenario, he’s willing to fight to prevent it.
Chalk up another victim of media-inspired crazy-talk that’s motivating listeners to buy AR-15s and bullets by the caseload. Because in their mind, they’re going to need them — to protect themselves from radical left-wing liberals who promote such outlandish, immoral ideas as gay marriage, pro-choice, and preventing the mentally insane from buying assault weapons.
And what will the new world order look like when the dust settles and the bodies are buried?
My nephew is calling it the “new Democracy.” A place where the law is subjectively “interpreted” to the advantage of white conservatives.
You know the ones . . . good ‘ol boys, salt of the earth types who’ve never taken a day off work and would never consider taking a dime of unemployment benefits. “These are the men who worked to make America what it is,” my nephew tells me, “or rather, what it used to be before all the damned liberals took over and ruined it.”
Oh, and did I mention my nephew watches Tucker Carlson and others like him who are paid to stir the pot and incite the emotions of those who refuse to think for themselves?
Apparently, my nephew is not alone.
About forty percent of Americans put their faith and confidence into the media’s violence mongers, not realizing these people are peddling white nationalism, fear-mongering, and catastrophic yet irrational and unsupported “what if” scenarios.
That says a lot about the media’s part in contributing to the huge political divide in this country.
And surprisingly, it’s one of the few conclusions that both Republicans and Democrats agree on.
According to an article originally published in the Washington Examiner, those who originate and spin illusions as “alternative facts” are a definite part of the problem. Here’s a quote from the article:
“There was some agreement on “fake news” being a serious problem. A super-majority of Republicans, 92%, said it is a problem, as did 74% of Democrats. Overall, 83% said it is a big problem.”
Ironically, these numbers illustrate the greater supposed dissatisfaction with fake news comes from the party that employs it the most.
Dismissing the truth as fake news is often the first-choice weapon of radical conservative propaganda. You don’t have to prove it wrong to declare it false. If the truth doesn’t fit the message, it’s simply dismissed as a fabricated deception.
My solution?
If we dispensed with the tongue-wagging, lying, and violence-inciting rhetoric that constantly pours out of the mouth of these media charlatans, we’d be much further down the road to solving the problems that divide our nation.
But don’t tell my nephew that. He’s convinced these idiots are the only ones telling the truth. And there’s no telling him otherwise.
And that poses a big question . . .
What kind of country have we become when logic and common sense have been replaced by a philosophy of rebellion and riotous conduct subliminally advocated by those who endorse selective bias as an integral part of reporting the news?
Yes, I know I’m challenging the first amendment rights of those with whom I disagree. But wrapping up personal opinion, innuendo, and conjecture with a pretty red bow and calling it the indisputable truth is not protected speech.
It’s the false rhetoric of revolutionaries, autocrats, and tyrants who support rebellion by any means, including unlawful attempts to depose the current administration and, in the process, change the very definition of Democracy.
Unfortunately, vulnerable minds are interpreting this radical, uncompromising, and often Trump-tainted fascist propaganda as a growing justification for vigilante violence and mob rule — and a prelude to a second civil war.
Call it what you will, this strategy of divide and conquer is working.
And worse, it’s spreading.
Today, the concepts of compromise, cooperation, and negotiation are often replaced with confrontation, bullying, and outright violence. An unintentional mistake is often interpreted as an intentional attack, requiring immediate retaliatory action.
And it makes me wonder . . .
Is my neighbor getting ready to gun me down because I voted contrary to his choice of candidate?
Compared to a year ago, is there an even greater likelihood of being targeted as “undesirable” because of race, heritage, or country of origin?
Is victory at any price the philosophy of the new American mindset?
I wish there were answers.
I wish there was an obvious solution — a way to diffuse a ticking time bomb that continues to move closer to midnight. But I’m afraid another ten-step program to learn how to love they neighbor won’t cut it.
At best, it’s six years too late.
I’ll leave you with this . . .
As our world becomes more diversified and our sense of a shared history, traditions, and culture becomes less of a commonality, we can no longer make assumptions about shared beliefs, values, and attitudes.
For example, fifty years ago, if you asked an American if they were a patriot, the overwhelming majority would say “yes.” Today, you’ll get the same answer, but that doesn’t mean they support the current administration, a governing democracy, or for that matter, the constitution.
So I hope you’ll make up your own mind.
I hope you won’t be swayed by false drama, fabricated news, or the deceitful agenda of those who seek to mislead others into supporting hostility and conflict by using the dictatorial strategy of divide and conquer.
Most of all, I hope you stay safe while maintaining control over your own destiny.
Thanks for reading,
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Roger A. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified NLP trainer with degrees in engineering and business. Roger is the author of Better Mondays and Speak Up, and host of Success Point 360 Podcast, offering tips and strategies for achieving higher levels of career success and personal fulfillment in the real world.
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