What’s to come when some can’t accept a loss?

Growing up hundred years ago (or so it seems) it was always impressed on me the importance of being a gracious winner and, when required, a good loser. In the years since then I have always tried to follow that guidance. Life, by its very nature, is a series of wins and losses.

Unfortunately, not everyone learns that lesson. There are some people who go through life never taking responsibility for their actions, never accepting when they are wrong, or that they lost a contest. It is my observation that these people grew up rich, pampered and protected from the harsh realities of life; in other words these people are real (blank). (I will let you fill in the blank).

I expect these narcissists to selfishly act this way. They have no reason (or incentive) to act otherwise. What I don’t understand is why other people defend their actions. We all know a poor loser when we see one.

What are we telling our children and grandchildren when we make excuses for a poor loser? Are we telling them that when they lose a soccer match, a football game or a school election that they should immediately and endlessly cry foul, claim that they really won, but their opponent cheated? Is that the way that we want our children and grandchildren to behave? Is that the way we want our society to behave?

When I look at the people who defend and promote Donald Trump’s baseless and endless claims that he really won the 2020 election I wonder if they realize the message that this type of selfish behavior is imprinting on their children and grandchildren. If they think that this is acceptable behavior then I hate to think of what society is going to look and act like in another 20 years. I probably won’t be around to see it, but it won’t be pretty.

Doug Beyerlein

Mill Creek