“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew. …”
— Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”
It would be easy and gratifying to wish a visit of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future on any number of political and other public figures in the news currently.
Yes, there is one in particular we have in mind.
Ebenezer Scrooge is not alone — prior to the spirits’ intervention — in his character traits as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.”
This is not to label anyone a “Scrooge” simply because of disagreements over the political direction of the country and how best to serve and balance the interests of liberty and security; faith and freedom; generosity and thrift.
Scrooge, it’s assumed, remained a capitalist after his conversion; but more Warren Buffett than Martin Shkreli.
Nor would we suggest there isn’t a place for anger in politics. Anger over a denial of self-governance inspired those who founded our nation. It helped free those who were enslaved. It gave women the right to vote.
But we can hope for a change of spirit among those who seek to elevate themselves by mocking and belittling others, particularly over issues of gender, sexual identity, race, religion, economic status, genuine political beliefs and more, and then cynically propose ideas based on those prejudices.
Such attitudes and the vitriolic attacks they inspire could be ignored were it not for their contagious nature.
To be specific, the frequency and coarseness of Donald Trump’s attacks during his campaign and his defense that to oppose him is just so much “political correctness” have encouraged uglier comments and even violence by some of his supporters.
There are plenty of examples of similar behavior on the left and the right, and it didn’t start with Trump, of course; it’s as old as politics itself.
But Trump has learned how to turn dissatisfaction and fear of “the other” into political support, giving no concern for where that could lead the country.
Absent a Dickensian transformation, Trump will still be Trump. And his supporters will excuse anything he says or proposes as their guy “speaking his mind,” as if candor were any sort of justification.
Many, particularly those in the Republican Party, assumed Trump would at some point say something that would knock his own feet out from under him. With months remaining in the campaign, that’s still a possibility. But he is nothing if not resilient.
There are others among the Republican candidates who better represent the party and its ideals, and do so without seeking to inspire violence and use hatred to gain support.
The lessons of Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” are likely lost on Donald Trump; Bob Cratchit, in his eye, is a loser. Same goes for that crippled kid of his.
Scrooge’s lessons don’t have to be lost on us.
And so, as Tiny Tim observed, “God bless us, everyone!”
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