Because of societal norms, we always think that somehow both sides of a controversial issue have a point. This, psychologists tell us, is because we inculcate the values of the groups that nurture us and that we identify with.
So I refuse to normalize or accept where the right wing in America have taken us today. Trump is a litmus test that clearly shows how right Isaac Asimov was years ago when he explained the strong American tradition of “my ignorance is as good as your knowledge.”
We are not living in a time of divided ideals. We are living in an age where ignorance and lies demand to be put in the same category as caring and intelligence. That Trump is a liar who will do anything or say anything to advance himself is so obvious a fact that anyone who claims that both sides of out national divide have validity is just plain naive or unwilling to think for themselves.
The simple fact is that a great many Americans seem incapable of caring about those that they don’t personally know or identify with. And that they lack the character to sort through the nonsense in the media and see that obvious lack of truth and decent human values exemplified by the Trump administration and his sycophants in Congress.
Tribalism is dangerous. But so is just knowing the “truth” that contradicts obvious facts. Anyone who wants to pretend this is not our reality merely needs to consider that present global warming controversy.
Rick Walker
Snohomish
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