We are divided. Every event and every issue
breeds predictable reaction. No compromise, no conversation, no mediation can
bring the sides together. In fact no one is trying to bring people together. We
all emphasize the differences and refuse to move from our positions. We all
think we are absolutely, without a doubt, right. It’s insane.
Throughout history there have been
instances of widespread insanity. They were labeled “Mass Hysteria”. I think we’re
seeing an aberrant form of that aberration. I call it “Mass Obsessive
Compulsive Zealotry” and it’s seen all over the world, especially the English
speaking world.
Not only do folks refuse to consider
compromise they take great pleasure in vilifying those who might disagree. I’ve
heard good, kind people (usually) call their fellow citizens fools. idiots,
a-holes, sinners, crazy and worse. And it’s not just Democrats talking about their
Republican neighbors. Nope I’ve heard exactly the same epithets from the other
side.
We’re a passionate people. We get worked
up about issues large and small. Often we get the most worked up over the
smallest issues which distracts us from the really important ones. But it doesn’t
matter how big the issue. We’re divided. And there is no leader that seems to
know how to bring people together in a quiet, reasoned way to find some sort of
common ground. Discord happens over and over and we treat every issue the same
way. Doesn’t the cliché go something like – insanity is repeating the same
behavior over and over and expecting to get different results?
And I haven’t got a clue about how to fix
anything. I look at the gun control issue and I see Mass Obsessive Compulsive
Zealotry on both sides. No one wants to take a small step. All or nothing seems
to be the mantra. There are numerous laws on the books restricting all kinds of
weaponry. When was the last time you saw rigid enforcement of those laws? If we’re
not enforcing laws we already have who could expect new laws to be effective?
But it doesn’t matter about that. New laws aren’t going to be put up for a vote
because there is no one leader who can effectively argue for common sense
compromise. The leadership all is suffering from the same mental disorder.
How about issues of constitutional
importance? There is a basic disagreement over whether the Constitution is a
fixed document or a flexible document. Well the answer is actually quite
simple. The Constitution has an established procedure for making changes. It’s
called the Amendment Process. But no one has the patience to follow that. One
side is rigidly denying any change. The other side is looking for ways to make
changes without following the process. It happens over and over again. There is
no one leader who will state that the obvious solution is right in front of us.
“MOCZ” strikes again.
Every issue – immigration, equal rights,
government spending, taxation, tattoos, marriage, and divorce – has polar
opposite sides. No one gets near the middle. We scream, swear and demonstrate.
We refuse to consider any possibility of finding a little common ground. We
blame each other for intransigence. No leader ever emerges with a plan for
compromise. But it doesn’t matter because that leader would be up against “MOCZ”
and he or she would be shouted down before anyone could hear the plan. Sad,
really sad.
Well, I’ve had my say. I’m interested in
reading your comments. And I’ll do my damnedest to try and understand your
position. Really I will. I’ve been in therapy and I think I’ve got the “MOCZ”
under control these days. Not sure about my other phobias and disorders but
that one seems to be in remission.
Now have a fine day.
