When are we going to lay the cards on the table? At least a portion of Trump’s base should realize that the growing scandals surrounding his administration are caused by his own paranoia, and not a deep-state conspiracy. Of course, there’s a tinge of liberal joy in the spectacle of his sufferings, but the media circus is adequately offset by Fox News faux outrage and Kristallnacht exhortations.
At this point, we should all be assured that the system will work, and at least a part of the Trump contingent will face liability of some sort. Even if Trump retains his office, he will be damaged politically. And so will his GOP congressional die-hards. But they will not face permanent debarment, as legitimate political interests tend to survive. One need merely note the anti-Federalist tendencies that have existed since the Constitutional Convention.
The real problem in which supporters of our Republic should be concerned is the intransigent Trump base, better known as the Deplorables. Yes, Deplorables. Fascists, neo-nazis, know-nothings, country bumpkins, beer-bloated militiamen “patriots”, and losers of all types. And by losers I mean those who are too lazy to read a newspaper objectively or improve their economic position by seeking additional skills or training. The Sacramento, California region has its share of this rabble, duly encouraged by congressmen such as Tom McClintock and Devin Nunes.
This list is not intended to exclude the leftist anarchists and petty criminals who periodically invade our public squares and colleges, claiming the rightful ascendancy of some superior ideology. Most assuredly, none has read a single sentence of Rosa Luxemburg, Lenin or Le Bon. Even Steve Bannon beats them here. But they sure have learned the style, but not the acuity or polish, of Goebbels, thus also earning them the title of “Deplorable”.
It is clearly an example of the failure of our family structures since the 1970’s, following the retirement of “Our Greatest Generation”. Our educational system cannot be blamed, as every Junior High and High School has admirable history and civics courses and dedicated teachers. But for the last 40 or so years, only a few students, those with engaged parents, actually pay attention to those lessons and become productive, moderate citizens. The remainder are too consumed with their “4-20” breaks or their bible studies, and deteriorate intellectually within a matter of a few years. Thus, Hitler’s Children.
Just reading the public comments on the Sacramento Bee and The Washington Post and listening to the call-ins on C-Span’s Washington Journal will easily confirm these observations. There is definitely a polarization in this country. It is responsible, moderate, discerning citizens versus the mostly-white trash, who do not deserve to reside in this country or call themselves Americans.
The basis of this divide is curiosity, or the ability to ask at least one question of any position in order to consider a workable consensus. A universal reading of Kant’s Critique of Judgment or Paul Goodman’s Critique of Pure Tolerance is not to be expected. However, a few passages from the Federalist Papers could be a starting point.
As a very practical matter, though, perhaps it would not be inappropriate to qualify every current citizen’s right to vote on the successful passing of the American Civics test which all new foreign-born applicants must take to become U.S. citizens. And begin the process on national television with the live test-takings of Donald Trump and Sean Hannity.