Hypocrisy Rules

Another post coming back, with a few updates, due to the current political climate as we barrel toward the presidential election with this country drifting in a sea of division. Buckle up as its going to be a crazy ride through at least November and likely well beyond.

       Hypocrites to the left of me, hypocrites to the right of me. Into the valley of death they drag this country. Being retired, I have the time to peruse various media outlets, and witnessing the craziness spouted by the extremists on both sides, I’m reminded of the refrain from the Steeler’s Wheel song “Stuck in the Middle with You”: “Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right. Here I am stuck in the middle with you.” In this case, the “you”, at least I’m hoping, is the majority of Americans.

       Both sides use double-speak that would make George Orwell proud (if you don’t know the reference, read his novel “1984” – if it hasn’t been banned already in your town/state - or at least watch the movie). Daily we hear one side accuse the other side of doing exactly what they themselves are doing. Evidently the particular action is only bad when the other side does it. In addition, the spin used continually is enough to make me reach for an airsick bag. It’s tough for me to comprehend how neither side nor the media is regularly and loudly calling out the blatant hypocrisy – unless it’s just a game played by those in power to further divide us…

       Then there is the constant rhetoric from the far-left about how horrible this country is. Funny how they want schools to teach real U.S. history but conveniently forget real-world history – ALL countries are now populated by people who conquered those before them, and slavery was (and still is) a global issue, it was not created by or limited to this country. On the other hand, the far-right has chosen to tell us how horrible this country has become because of “wokeness” (and progress in general) and chooses to glorify dictators like Erdogan and Putin.

Those who think this country is so terrible should read “Gulag Archipelago”. Not just the far-left, but also the far-right who support the tactics and tyrannical rantings of “leaders” like Ron DeSantis (who recently had signs bearing “The Free State of Florida” erected while he continues to enact laws curtailing the freedoms of its residents) and his ilk. The former to see what an evil government/system is really like and the latter to see how they’ve taken Stalin’s playbook to heart – in the name of saving the country. A question for those of you who share those negative views: if this country is so bad, why do so many people from all over the world want to come here, some risking their lives to do so?

       The escalating rhetoric from both extremes should be a wakeup call to pay close attention to local, state, and federal government and judicial (especially now!) words and actions. Understanding the real issues, what the truth is, and what the purpose of that spin is, will allow for informed decisions that support rather than threaten our democracy.

       The left is so far over the top with forcing their concept of new norms (which translates to, what they say goes) on everyone, making race and sexual orientation people’s only defining characteristics, condemning those who dare to push back, and judging the past based on their current idea of utopian society that they can’t (or won’t) see how anti-freedom they are. And they are too caught up in their alternate reality to comprehend why there is blowback that is pushing the right further and further into fantasy land – and turning away those of us stuck in the middle. I suggest this group look up the definition of “irony”, after “hypocrisy” of course.

       Not surprisingly, the right has gone the opposite way. Harkening back to a nostalgic delusion of 1950s America, but with a totalitarian twist that they use to punish those with whom they disagree. They use an even more insidious double-speak by claiming that all of this is necessary to save the “collective” country from ruin. I get the knee-jerk reaction to the far-left’s platform, but the authoritarian actions and words are far from those that protect the freedoms so many Americans have fought and died for. To these zealots, freedom is only for those with whom they agree, all others be damned. As an example, one of the far right’s loudest mouths had the audacity to claim the Republican party is all for women’s rights - as they continue to work to take women’s position in society back to the 1950s or worse. This from the woman who believes that religion (hers of course) should steer government. Again, look up the definition of “irony”; after “hypocrisy”…

        For those of us in the middle it’s sickening to watch both sides work to shred the fabric that holds us together, and if we don’t wake-up soon, and steer the country back to common ground, one side or the other is going to destroy our democracy – in the name of whatever cause bolsters their power. I believe the majority of Americans agree with a little on both sides but don’t fully embrace either ideology. From the left, I get the intent but I’m tired of even their most extreme beliefs being forced on me, and being tarred and feathered if I am not on board with their wackiest concepts – just live your life and let me live mine. From the right, I get the conservative side but bristle at potentially being punished if I don’t get in line with their warped vision of the future. I fear the scope of their ire will widen as their power grows, to ensnare more Americans who don’t fit their ideal mold and to expand their censorship of things they don’t like.  To both extremes I say, “let those without sin cast the first stone”.

        Can we please get back to working together for the overall good of the country? Yeah, that can be hard. It requires actual thought, conversation, debate, agreeing that facts are facts and opinions are not facts. It requires compromise which means your side won’t win all the time, but in the end the whole will win.  It also means taking responsibility for one’s own actions and words – and that goes for EVERYONE not just those on the public stage. That’s how a democratic republic is supposed to work. Remember that as the political posturing and rhetoric heat up to play on our emotions while offering no solutions to the real issues we face.

Please be part of the movement to get us back to sanity.

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  07-29-2024