I thought I should try to write one more post before the election of 2018. I understand that my efforts to explain likely reach very few that disagree with me, but this is the reality of social media. We tend to focus on those who think as we think.
My take on the political scene since 2016 is that the country elected a leader that appealed to individuals fears and self-centeredness. Trump was able to free feelings of resentment and mistreatment and to blame the “elites”, other countries, our country, and “others different from us” We have been cheated even though we are of great intelligence no matter the education we have or effort we have invested in learning. We have been cheated by other countries that have taken advantage of the softness of the United States. We have been cheated by others just assuming they can become citizens like us. We have been cheated by folks who just sponge off the government rather than work for what they need. We are more intelligent, more hard-working, more Christian, more honest, and as a consequence simply deserve more.
All of this is a convenient, but inaccurate reality justified by occasional anecdotal examples, self-serving bias, and ignorance. The truth is government oversight is necessary to deal with universal needs. Unbridled capitalism leads to tremendous advantages to those who already have and supports the development of the magnifier of stable families, inherited money, and a history of quality education and connections. Those without these advantages seldom overcome. They must rely on support so their children can be cared for when they work or attempt to go to school. The are unlikely to be able to afford the type of education necessary for most to escape low income careers. They find themselves in more difficult and unstable situations making a stable family situation, healthier life circumstances, and the learning opportunities in school and out that allow the children they have to not face the same predictors of lower opportunities.
This cycle is just the reality for those in this country. The potential immigrants that seem to raise such great fear face not only these circumstances but also violence beyond the comprehension of those who see them as an invading horde.
Most politicians likely have these advantages. Trump makes a great example of someone who denies and ignores so much. Much of his wealth and education can be attributed to what he inherited. He promotes fear of the other while marrying several immigrants from other countries and ignoring the chain migration that allowed the family members of these individuals to become citizens. He has declared bankruptcy multiple times taking advantage of government protections for those with failed businesses. He relies heavily on investments from other countries to fund his businesses. I have no idea what to make of these facts or the reality that the money he can access make legal challenges to his practices difficult for those who received no payment for their work or investment. My point is that there is a lack of sensitivity in his behavior that should have been created by his own experiences is a major character flaw among many character flaws.
When you vote, be thoughtful regarding your own life situation and the situations of others. If you don’t have a pre-existing condition, you are lucky. If you can send your kids to college, you are lucky. If you have a good job allowing you a reasonable income and a feeling of being meaningful, you are lucky. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are lucky.