Save the middle path
In politics, the “middle path” is always the most difficult, and in the end, most rewarding, because it appeals to the broadest cross section of the populace. I believe the “middle path” can and should be called democracy.
The extreme paths are easiest because they require so little critical thinking among followers.
Extremism is the path of least resistance. The extremes offer a feel-good opiate offering fleeting releases of righteous indignation; empty-calorie self-expressions of tribalism that tap into the populace’s frustration, anger and isolation. Extremism flourishes in a vacuum of spiritual emptiness and lack of national purpose, meaning and hope for the future.
Extremism in the face of record employment and an accelerating economy is a serious symptom of something gone terribly awry in large swaths of our society separate and apart from healthy job and disposable income reports.
Our nation’s political dialogue is being debased into nothing more than a “nursery” filled with screaming, infantile partisan tantrums on both sides, ranting for the instant gratification of control and power.
The behavior of our politicians can be seen as a societal “Rorschach test” pointing to a rapidly metastasizing disease. This cancerous dialogue has been set in motion and injected at every turn of the political path by President Donald Trump and his enablers.
How and when the unrelenting Trump-induced political “fever” will break is unknown, but break it will.
It is important to know that compromise and unity are the enemies of authoritarian ambitions.
Compromise leads to consensus … and consensus leads to unity, which is essential for a stable, healthy democracy.
After nearly two years of the Trump presidency, there can be no doubt: Trump is a selfproclaimed, virulent enemy of civility, the democratic process and truth itself. Trump is a major threat not only to America but the entire world. I implore all who read this to vote on Nov. 6 like your country, democracy and your life depend on it.
It is important to know that compromise and unity are the enemies of authoritarian ambitions.