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I have tried to write about anything and everything, particularly what is happening in our country’s capitol.
There is just so much about which each of us might disagree.
As conservatives we want things handled this way or that, which, of course, may fly in the face of what we as liberals may want. It is a rare exception when both sides agree. Even rarer (if ever) that we can come together as a people and agree on anything.
And that is what makes America strong. The disagreement is not the source of our strength. Rather it is our ability to disagree with one another, talk it out, make a negotiated decision and continue to move our country forward.
That means, on the most part, we live and govern by majority rule.
Sometimes we don’t.
For example, when we elect a President, it is the number of votes received in the electoral college that governs… which may or may not represent the majority of votes cast. The President, in particular, is not elected by the majority of voters. And that seems to irk some people a lot.
Still the President is our President, and we as a people must march forward.
Except when the very fabric of our country is threatened. Then people become emotionally charged and things heat up.
The current crisis we all feel may have its roots in the election of President Barack Obama.
Ever since Obama’s election, there had been in some quarters an underlying, unsaid but raging torrent of resentment. In case you hadn’t noticed, President Obama came from a dual heritage. He was half black and half white. Or, to say it another way, he was all black and all white. Well, it is more like… he was actually… how do I say this… a mixed race person.
There was a stink about this in some quarters. These folks covered their feelings by saying that President Obama was not really born in America. Of course, he was. But that didn’t matter, because he was… you know… half and half.
A lot of people did not like our leader to be anything but white, Christian and male. President Obama was only half white, rumored to be Muslim (according to detractors), but, he was male. Well, that is only one and a half out of three. And so it started. The racial carping. The feeling among some people that the old way was disappearing. White people were no longer running things, and darkies were not paying homage.
Some people thought this was terrific and a long time coming. Some people thought this was threatening and coming too fast.
All that brings us to Donald Trump.
He said a lot of things during the campaign, and as President, and is still saying stuff that some people like. Make America Great Again… with a white, Christian, male President. Drain the swamp. After all, no one would seem to like all these embedded politicians. Fix the healthcare system. Modernize the armed forces. Reduce taxes. Improve infrastructure. Force liberals to tow the line with adoption of a strictly conservative agenda.
He also said things that many of us overlooked. Things that sounded a lot like dog whistles to a white supremacist and nationalist crowd. Things that now make my skin crawl and the hair on my arms bristle.
Things that excite those who have a bone to pick with non-white peoples (brown, black, yellow and red), non-Christians (Jews and Muslims), and immigrants (legal and illegal).
Things that include tearing down and eliminating anything and everything that a mixed race President worked hard to accomplish.
It is an old game played throughout history. The Romans crucified those who were not citizens of Rome, including Jesus Christ. Hitler killed those on his list of non-desirables. By blaming minorities, it is easy to scapegoat one’s own failures and to whip crowds into a frenzy. The MAGA crowd loves to get together in a coliseum and sacrifice their enemies.
All of this poses very real threats to our way of life. Donald Trump and his ilk do not condemn neo-Nazis, white supremacists or hate groups. Rather they seek out the support of these evil doers. In fact Donald Trump is on record time and time again stating that the liberals are to blame for the hostilities exhibited by neo-Nazis and other ultra white hate groups.
We as a people cannot afford to condone the beliefs and actions of those who are morally empty. We can not sit by and allow people who would tear us down to openly avow hatred and worse to our fellow Americans.
The simple truth. Skin color, religion, sex and heritage have nothing to do with being an American. But acceptance of people regardless of skin color, religion, sex and heritage has everything to do with being an American.
Contrary to what Donald Trump has indicated in his words and actions, there is no such thing as a second class American, or for that matter a second class human being.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, former Shippensburg University Trustee, awarded numerous patents, as well as Founder and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx provides cloud-software for automated sourcing and managing of mail marketing, swag, packaging, and all things print. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur,
published author and commentator. He can be reached at Bill. Gindlesperger@eLynxx. com.
