17 Mar The Gulf of America
It is a geographical phenomenon, for sure, one nearly as large as our country’s central and southern regions. Strong winds stir up in it, and those storms cause damage when they strike our coasts. And immigrants from the south have struggled to overcome it.
It is the real Gulf of America – the wide, daunting gap between Trump-loving middle America and the Trump-despising coasts. It also is the deep, frightening chasm between the Trump-admiring “working class” and the Trump-abhorring “elites” throughout the United States. It is the seemingly impenetrable divide between a pro-Trump and anti-Trump vision for our country.
I don’t care what the body of water is called south of Mississippi, east of Texas, west of Florida, and north of Cancun. But I do care greatly about the body of humanity caught between the Trump haters and the Trump MAGA-hatters.
How Bad is the Storm?
The Base Trumpeters appear to think their conductor can do no wrong, at least not as to policy and political action. Oh, they may acknowledge that his “personality” is lacking, but they brush that off as meaningless compared to his excellent policies – as if being a dishonest, corrupt, immoral jerk is merely an inconsequential (maybe even helpful) personality style.
Channeling their leader – who boasts “I have certain hatreds of people” – many of these Trump lovers in turn despise “the Left,” “Libs,” and ordinary Democrats as “America haters.”
It is no better on the other side of the aisle. Those who loathe Trump often cannot resist loathing his voters nearly as much, referring to them as “racists,” “misogynists,” and “fascists.”
This divide is proved by data, as well as evidence we all see everywhere. Republican views of Donald Trump are nearly unanimous in their approval of his various statements and actions from the Oval Office, according to national polls. Non-Republicans disapprove by nearly the same margins whenever Mr. Trump does anything or doesn’t do something. They seem to detest Every. Single. Thing. that President Trump even considers, and all who support any of his ideas.
The destructive nature of this swirling storm is most sadly evident in its effect on our personal relationships. Families and friendships are torn apart over the question of whether Mr. Trump and his policies are great or grotesque. I need not elaborate, as you have seen this on Facebook and on faces at family gatherings.
Of equal importance is the insidious distrust the Trump Effect has had on institutions. Schools, legislatures, international alliances, even churches have been torn asunder.
How to Still the Storm
I have a few ideas for how to calm this destructive tempest, and they start with each of us. My ideas are questions, really, that one could ask oneself when evaluating the daily onslaught of political announcements and “breaking news.” Using today’s theme as an example, if the report is that President Trump has ordered Mexico to be changed to America in The Gulf of _____, we each could ask:
- Do I hate this because of who is doing it?
- Do I hate this because my own political leaders and influencers hate it?
- Would I mind this if someone else was doing it?
- Would I mind this if my own political leaders and influencers wanted it?
- Do I really hate the people who have different views from me on this?
- Is it possible they are victims, too, of being misled or misinformed?
As you apply these questions to the myriad issues and policies being tossed about, I hope this helps you avoid being swept away or engulfed in the storm of hatred.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic, principled political posts, as this blog will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
Gary Russell
Posted at 16:57h, 17 MarchBrilliant – those are eactly the questions to consider. Maybe if each of us start there, we will slowly come together a little more.
BRAD SCHROEDER
Posted at 12:43h, 18 MarchGreat questions to ponder, Quentin. Good piece!
Doug Phish
Posted at 18:26h, 18 MarchWell written Quentin.
Not liking someone used to sound like, “I don’t like him or her” or “they give me bad vibes.”
Now it sounds like, “he’s a toxic narcissist who triggered my generational trauma.”
Every petty grievance is wrapped in inflammatory language that absolves the self of any responsibility and casts everyone else as the bad guy. It’s socially corrosive at least.
Real victimization and oppression never receives the weight it deserves when the language is used to describe spilled milk and paper cuts.
Kim Cosens
Posted at 18:49h, 18 MarchGreat questions to consider in this tumultuous time. Thanks for another great article.
Darren Knight
Posted at 20:32h, 18 MarchAll democrats are not the same. All republicans are not the same. There is very little–if any–good faith anymore. People on both sides devolve into “gotcha” positions and statements almost immediately. Now, how about a controversial statement that may cause some of your readers and folks in general to flip-out? There is less good faith and more divisiveness on the left–than on the right. Dems/collectivists, (especially the leftist part of that very large group), trust institutional government more than they trust people. Studies actually bear this out–dems typically contribute much less to charitable causes–than republicans. (This is skewed to a degree due to contributions to churches at a higher level by the republicans). Regardless, the dems believe that government should take care of those in need–and in redistribution by Big Gov. The GOP slants more towards individualism, less government involvement–and less trust in government. Because the dems are much more suspicious of people and trusting of big government–they have less good faith when dealing with political matters. The problem is that giant government always–always–leads to giant corruption. It doesn’t matter who is in charge–absolute power corrupts absolutely. In addition to corruption, power slanted overwhelmingly in one direction, leads to inefficiency and poor performance by those providing services. So–back to Trump–despite his over-sized ego and the constant obsession with everything involving Orange Man–the dems would be just as outraged and intransigent–and unwise–if it was Prez Desantis–or yes–even Prez Nikki Haley. The dems (and the pro-democrat-anti-republican media–which is 90% of the traditional media), hate all republicans policies and only want dems to win–all the time. Mr. Q–your statements about Trump above–immoral, corrupt, dishonest–could be applied to many, many presidents. Biden, Kennedy, Nixon, FDR (yes-FDR), Jefferson (yes-Jefferson), etc. [One example so people don’t think I’m making things up–FDR cheated on his wife, put Japanese Americans in prison, sent Jewish refugees back to Germany–and tried to pack the Supreme Court–we have a 2 term amendment because of FDR–all of these actions were worse than Trump stuff-but FDR was still an above average prez–and wasn’t impeached.] These presidents all had huge problems with honesty and morality–just as much so as Trump–actually more so. I am not defending Trump. I wish the guy would stop bragging and insulting. But, as you noted, I’ll take his policy agenda over that of the dems. Although some of his policies do make me nervous sometimes. Ironically and interestingly, Trump often operates with more good faith than his opponents. He is very transactional in nature and willing to work with those that have adamantly opposed him and called him names in the past. (VP Vance likened Trump to Hitler a few years ago). At the end of the day, we need more good faith all over the place. The overwrought irrationality surrounding the current administration is ahistorical and unproductive. Good faith all around. Dems and the GOP can vote for each other’s bills when it makes sense to do so–once upon a time–they used to do that.
Paul Silseth
Posted at 22:10h, 18 MarchI sure like Darren’s thinking. Even though you refuse to admit it Q. It appears you can’t wait to have dems in charge again. You write some pretty thoughtful stuff, and have a lot of followers,
Oh well it would be better if we just kept tanking the US than try to steer a different direction.
Quentin
Posted at 22:23h, 18 MarchIt’s interesting that you have that reaction to my blog, Paul. In today’s post, I spent as much time pointing out the Democrats’ strident reactions to Trump, his policies, and his supporters as I discussed anything else, yet you took this as a sign that I want “the dems in charge again.” I am not seeing where you get that idea, other than that I criticized Trump’s character and corruption. I want people with the right principles in charge. Oh, and I strongly oppose “tanking the U.S.” (your words).
R Fredin
Posted at 15:42h, 19 MarchAnother great post Quentin! And also liked Darren’s thoughts too. President Trump is FAR from perfect, but if you are not at least encouraged with what he is doing in the first two months, you will NEVER be happy with a president that is not from their party. Examples: Border crossings down 95%, exposing waste & fraud in government, & trying to have 2 different wars stop the killing. If you’re not in favor of any of these 3 examples, you may want to look up TDS remedies………. My suggestion is Turn your TV off, go outside, & go for a walk. We really are blessed, even though we all have moments that we feel we have not been…… 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Laurie Bergren
Posted at 00:38h, 20 MarchIt’s obvious to me that the commenters supporting Trump here aren’t watching or reading any news about what their hero is actually doing. Pretty difficult to engage in meaningful dialog with people who insist on being respected while also remaining intentionally and relentlessly uninformed. I’m done trying to have rational discussions with cult members (and yes, to answer your questions, I would feel EXACTLY the same about any non-Trump supporter who behaves like this).