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| At the Heart of Common Sense |
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| Walking Meditation |
“Mom. Are we going to have a civil war soon? Yesterday, I
watched the republican convention with uncle Travis at my cousins and everyone
was talking about the demon democrats taking over. That’s what Travis calls
them. Aren’t you and Dad democrats? Doesn’t Travis know that and why does he
think we’re demons. Mom. This is scary.”
Teddy’s young, teenage face with its wisps of man hair
sprouting above his lip wore alarm and hints of determination within his clear,
grey eyes. He liked to ask a lot of questions which drove his mother crazy
because they always seemed to come when she was cooking or paying bills or
trying to relax.
“Ted. All I can say is that people who like Trump, often
say stupid things that they see on Facebook or Twitter. I can’t believe Travis
said that when you were listening. What did your cousins think?” She hoped he’d
get bored with this topic, but if he stayed fearful and nervous about the “civil
war” and “demon democrats” she’d call Travis and rip him a new one. What an
insufferable jerk her nice and loving cousin had become over Trump. More than
once he’d talked trash about her husband, an Iraq War vet, who loathed everything to do with Trump, and more than once she’d reminded her cousin that no one in her house talked
trash about them and their political views.
“Well, Jean doesn’t care or pay any attention to
politics. She hates when anyone starts talking about elections, voting, taxes
and as far as she’s concerned the only party she supports is a birthday party –
her words, Mom. Lisa does listen to her parents and their friends talk about
how fake news on tv lies about corona virus, the police, baby killers, guns,
monuments and she’s scared a lot. That whole family and a lot of people in our
town are scared of democrats and they blame the virus, the protests and riots
on the democrats.
But, Mom, aren’t the republicans in charge now? The
convention makes it seem like the virus, lock down, masks, black lives protests,
riots are because of democrats, but Dad complains that they keep getting shut
down because of the republican majority. He says that republicans own the
senate and the president. So, the democrats keep trying to get laws passed to
do something about corona virus, health care, climate change, minimum wages,
alternative energy, and the president just wants to destroy Obama care. He won’t
listen to the democrats who bring bills to the senate because he hates
democrats, so nothing gets done.
Mom. Does the president only work for republicans? What
happens to what everyone else wants? Are there more republicans than anyone
else, maybe?”
“Ted. You are driving me crazy, okay? Google this stuff
and ask your Dad when he calls tonight.”
“Mom. I just looked it up. Wikipedia
says that ‘As of May 2020, Gallup polling found that 31% of Americans
identified as Democrats, 25% identified as Republican, and 40% as Independent. Additionally,
polling showed that 50% (of independents) are either Democrats or Democratic
leaners and 38% are either Republicans or Republican leaners.. In 2018, the
Democratic party was the largest in the United States with roughly 60 million
registered members.’ So, how can the republicans just rule the country for
themselves and not for everyone. It’s not fair that the smallest group has the
most power over us.”
“Talk to your Dad, Ted. Please, and when your uncle and
cousins talk about Trump, ask to come home. You can tell them it’s not fair
that the republicans do not care about the majority of Americans who are
democrats and independent democrats, but they will continue to dredge up the
latest facebook conspiracy lie that makes them the victims and the rest of us villains in some
far fetched delusion.
Even though they are the ruling party, they want us to
think that they are victims of anyone not like them and that it is their
missionary duty to convert or dominate non-believers. They can’t accept the
idea of ‘live and let live.’ So, just say you’d rather not talk politics,
religion, or money. You’re fine with whatever they decide because you’re not
some missionary converting the pagans. Okay? Maybe your Dad will have more
helpful ideas.”
“What’s a delusion, Mom?”
“Look it up, Ted.”
