The Two Americas

Misanthropic Boom

Our nation and democracy are in trouble. It is not due to Donald Trump…he is merely the worst symptom of a problem that has existed since the nation’s founding. Simply put there are two Americas. There is the America that is presented publicly to both ourselves and the rest of the world: fair, egalitarian, generous and strong. Then too there is the real America; the one that cannot look itself in the mirror nor open its Kimono all the way for fear of being seen as avaricious, duplicitous, and cruel. The two Americas co-exist in a fragile symbiosis which up until now has allowed a semblance of sanity and possibility, providing hope to those of us who want to believe in a nation successful due to its reliance on the rule of law. Law the great equalizer and guardian of possibilities.

That there have been two Americas from the very beginning is evidenced by the dual nature of the reasons for the country’s schism with Great Britain. While what Jefferson detailed in the Declaration of Independence is true and justifiable, it is also true that there was another just as true motivating factor…the acknowledgement by the rest of the world (Europe) that slavery was cruel, inhumane, and immoral. Slavery was, at the time of our founding, being outlawed in most of the civilized world. England, being part of that world was outlawing slavery, which meant that it would be outlawed in the colonies. This would have caused great economic distress since the colonies heavily relied on the use of slaves in support of both its economic and social way of life. In order for the colonies to thrive their participation in slavery was essential…thus the two reasons for the break with the Motherland; one public and one private.

The early success in the duplicitous approach of the justification for her actions was further exacerbated in the drafting of the Constitution. Wherein it was decreed that all men are created equal (however as George Orwell would point out some one hundred fifty years later “some are more equal than others”) yet women, slaves, and Indigenous Peoples were denied the vote and Equal Protection. That established a pattern that has been followed ever since…tell the people what they need to hear to keep them peaceful and content while providing the “landed minority” with the special treatment which would allow them to attain great wealth and power without being subject to the laws by which everyone else must abide. This is how we wound up with a grifter con-man in the White House.

Our current problems with Trump and his seemingly endless coterie of sycophants is exacerbated by a media which apparently isn’t as liberal as advertised. While everyone is complaining about Rupert Murdoch and FOX they are ignoring the fact that no one in the main stream media has challenged Trump and his mendacity as he is spreading his lies. That is to say, they allow him to lie without calling him out direct and in real-time. The result is that half the nation buy into the con because it is never directly exposed…he has time to shore up his public grievances before he is called out. The civil action by the state of New York is a good example of this. He has lied directly into the cameras about not being allowed a jury trial and it is only later on the news shows that the reporters and pundits point out that it is as he and his attorneys wanted it. By that time the half of America that only watch FOX and listen to Right-wing radio talking heads never hear the truth.

And now the same thing is happening with the Republican Party. They spin tall tales and support this sociopathic misogynist in the hope of gaining power and, once again are only challenged after the fact…when again half of the electorate believes their lies. Ron DeSantis continually complains about the Liberal Left spreading the philosophy of “WOKE,” yet no one has challenged him to define “WOKE.” The expression was commandeered from the minority community where it is meant to define a hyper-awareness of one’s surroundings, meant to keep young people on their toes so as to avoid problems with those on the Right.

Finally, there is a Supreme Court that, for the most part, is bought and paid for by billionaire elites, who would destroy the power of the United States Constitution. This tactic is taken straight from the playbook of Augusto Pinochet, who after assassinating his predecessor hired Right-wing American economist James McGill Buchanan to help rewrite the Chilean Constitution to put all power in the hands of the dictator. The billionaires bribing the Supreme Court are using the same playbook.

The 2024 elections will probably be the most significant in the nation’s history. If we don’t hang on to the Presidency and Senate, and take back the House the Right will destroy the ability to govern and with it the nation. This is all so much bigger than “little Donny Trump.” Or, as I like to call him Trumplethinskin.

WOKE UP

Misanthropic BoomeWOKE UP

What is “Woke?” Why is it important? What will “Wokeness” do to our nation; to each of us? I believe, given the apparent import of the word and its frequent use in explaining the jeopardy from which the nation and “We the People” must be extracted and protected, requires a closer examination.

Right leaning Politicians are worried about the consequences of “Woke.” Media pundits are now using the word in their reporting as though it were representative of a well understood concept. “Woke,” has in the last six months, become the “flavor of the month," as it were. It is a demon that threatens our way of life (as if we, collectively have a single way of life).

Not since the 1950s when it was Communism that frightened half the nation into a deep mistrust and fear of the other half has a word invoked such a strong reaction from every strata of the political and social spectrum. “Woke,” has become something to, if not fear, at least be reckoned with.

Yet, something about, “Woke,” as it is being presented, just doesn’t seem to ring true. It is being used to, at various times in a variety of situations, to frighten, to brag about knowing how both to prevent and to fight its effects, and to influence as yet undetermined legislation. Yet, once again, something isn’t right. Something would seem to be missing.

What could it be? What does it need? What is missing? Wait. I think I know. Could it be that none of those who are using the word have the faintest idea what they are talking about? Yes, that’s what it is. “Woke,” has never been publicly defined by the people using it. Neither have those who have weaponized it, nor those who help legitimize it’s use. None of these so-called leaders and experts have any idea what “Woke” is about. Ask Senator Tuberville, who’s worried that our Military is becoming “Woke,” to explain in detail what“Woke” is. Make Rick De Santis explain the intricacies of “Wokeness.” They can’t, and they won’t. They’re running a game on the American people, and half the nation has gone for it.

The word “Woke” is part of set of words which would seem to define consciousness: awake, awoke, wake, etc. As used to represent a concept, its definition comes from the Minority communities. To define it “Woke” in its simplest coded form means to be aware; hyper-aware of every aspect of one’s environment and the consequences of not paying attention. From the veracity of the man who comes into a room dripping water and tells you it’s raining; to assessing each social and cultural interaction for the subtleties that tell the participant the direction the encounter will take.

So, contrary to what opportunistic politicians having been spouting about “Woke,” it is really good to be in a condition wherein you are in tune with reality and completely aware. Such awareness can, if followed to a logical end, can help us find enlightenment. And, just perhaps help to make the world a better place. Stay “WOKE”

Post Script…it was a real pain placing quotation marks around “WOKE” each time I used it, however, I felt the need to constantly draw attention to it…just like our fearless politicians. I’m hoping to make it go away: certainly not as a useful concept….but definitely as a poitical hammer.