Dreams up in flames

Former President Trump is truly a genius at manipulating his loyal supporters. If he disparages mask-wearing, they will die for him. If he claims, without evidence, that the election was stolen, that becomes their unshakable “truth.” If he encourages them to attack the Capitol, tragically they do so, thinking they are heroic patriots. Without consequences, he goes to Mar-a-Lago; they go to prison.

Trumpist epistemology is basically, “Don’t believe your eyes, ears or reason, but only the lies I tell you; otherwise you are the enemy of the people.” Congressional Republicans should ponder if this will become their legacy: “When truth and democracy were under siege, and genuine patriots were desperately needed, I abandoned my constitutional oath and shamelessly hid in the dark shadow of Donald Trump.”

The insurrectionists on Jan. 6 believed that they were “true patriots” while committing felonies by using American flags to bludgeon Capitol police officers. Such a total loss of reality perspective illustrates the danger when a talented demagogue casts his manipulative spell on supporters’ dreams, fears and anger.

It is ironic that devout Christians could support this truth-denying, hate-engendering style of politics. Trump’s loyalty is not to marital partners, his supporters, the spirit of Christianity or the Constitution, but only to his laser-focused pursuit of power, revenge and fortune. Transactional selling of the soul for shiny political policy bribes from a dangerous demagogue is not a moral high road.

Putin and Xi must be smiling about Mr. Trump’s remarkable success at fanning the flames of partisan hatred that so effectively weakens the strength and soul of America. If we genuinely care about our freedom, we must always stand up first for truth and democratic principles and only then for partisan preference. If truth dies and the fire of partisan hatred ignites, all of our dreams will surely go up in flames.

JERRY HENDERSON

Little Rock