State of the Union

It has truly puzzled me, why so many people support the current President given the actual state of the union. Granted, some are simply drinking the Kool-Aid no matter how rancid, of the Democrat party, just as some do the Republican flavor. Yet there has to be more to it than simple party-line adherence and anti-Orange Man fervor.

In an attempt to understand, I listened to the State of the Union address the other night with as open a mind as I could muster. Dissecting the points made or claimed for veracity could, and most certainly would, come later and by better, more knowledgeable minds. Instead, I simply, intentionally suspended critical thinking skills and just listened.

It sounded wonderful. The economy is on the rise, even booming. Millions of jobs created. Manufacturing returned to US soil. Care and concern for children, raises for teachers, compassion for those fleeing horrors abroad and merely looking for the same opportunities that brought most of our ancestors to our land. Expression of sympathy for the daughter murdered by an illegal, with a reminder that American citizens commit the same type of crime.

In short, hope for the future predicated on the successes of the recent past of an experienced elder statesman who unfortunately inherited a world turned upside down by a global pandemic. Further, the ills of the recent past are set to return, visiting untold future calamities if this President’s predecessor regains office. The proof of that is how that xenophobic traitor blocked the passage of a bill that would have fixed the border crisis, an issue on the minds of most voters.

As for the economy, if you personally aren’t feeling the turnaround, you will soon. Prices are down, unless you look at your grocery bill. But that is the fault of evil corporations putting fewer chips in the bags of snacks that are a staple of every American’s diet. Millions of jobs have been created and there’s more to come. Good paying jobs, jobs making six figures a year without need of a college degree. Oh, and you’re gonna get some cash too via tax refunds while we stick it to evil rich people and corporations who care only about lining their own pockets at the expense of the little guy.

Beautiful, hopeful words described a country that lives in the mythos of every American. We are a caring, compassionate people who believe in working hard, getting, and giving what is fair. If you haven’t yet received yours, just vote for him and it will materialize like a wish from a genie in a bottle.

Finally, I have an inkling of why so many support this party and President. All it took for me to understand was a full suspension of critical thinking skills, complete ignorance of facts, figures or history spanning just the last four years, and a measure of gullibility that leaves me open to drowning in a spring rain shower. So, for those who struggle with mastery of opposable thumbs, it is understandable. But it doesn’t explain how so many apparently intelligent, educated, people have come to savor the taste of this pablum.

Then it hit me. People are tired. Tired of war, of strife, of arguing, of the bickering and insanity that has permeated every aspect of daily life, at least according to the media. There is nothing so easy as to convince those who want to believe. Paint a pretty picture for them and they will choose to stare at it rather than the ugly reality around them. Tell them if they are not feeling the love, it is because of the Bad Orange Man and his minions, they are simply not trying hard enough, or to just be patient, their time will come.

I almost wish I could be one of them.

Category: 2024 Election