These are very strange political times. It seems that no matter how incompetent or even corrupt a politician may be, many people are more than willing to give them a free pass so long they agree with their politics. As President Trump famously said, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”
It wasn’t always this way. Not so long ago, we used to think it was important for politicians to be ethical, to be able to demonstrate sound, logical thinking, and be able to work well with others–even those they didn’t agree with–in order to win accomplishments for the people.
Things are much different now. Politics has become little more than a contest of which side can best insult, defame, and smear their way to victory. Facts have become mutable and even immaterial. Reasoned debate over important issues is almost impossible to be found.
I don’t blame the politicians for our state of affairs. I blame ourselves. The politicians we elect reflect our own poor judgement. Our representatives are little more than performers providing shows that will pack the most fans into their arena. And we, the voters, have made it clear that we have no interest in watching operas and symphonies. We much prefer the blood and violence of wrestling matches no matter how fake, canned, or valueless they are. Hulk Hogan trumps Handel.
So what can be done? I, for one, feel compelled to operate under the assumption that the quality of our politicians does matter very much. The decisions they make have profound impacts on us both at the national and local level. Because if we take the opposite approach and assume nothing can be done to change the state of affairs and that all is lost, all will be lost.
And so I encourage others who feel the same way to also step up and speak out. Demand better behavior from your local, state and federal officials. Refuse to participate in the low-brow, conspiracy-driven style of politics we have today. Insist on logical, level-headed debate based on substantiated facts and be sure to call out others who don’t.
Remember, only together can we “Make Democracy Great Again.”
Sincerely,
Steve Dondley
