In his best seller, “The Greatest Generation,” Tom Brokaw tells the story of a generation of American citizens who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America. He proclaims that this generation was united not only by common purpose, but also by common values, duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself.” This astounding generation must wonder what went wrong with the progression of its progeny? What, essentially would cause this nation’s transformation from one of a stoic reality to a sybaritic lifestyle, and one demanding safe space?
There is little doubt our affluence has contributed to our complacency and created a trap to entitlements. Merit doesn’t merit consideration and hence wealth re-distribution and equal outcomes are defensible. We clearly have fallen back on the stench of tribalism. We believe moral authority has disappeared and that we are in an age of increasing misinformation and mistrust, and decreasing attention spans. Hence, we no longer trust our government, our corporations, our churches or our national media.
Fyordor Dostoevsky, Russian author (1821-1881) provides another possible cause. He once said, “If God didn’t exist, everything is possible and without God there would be nothing to serve as the definitive guide for human acts. The infinite and universal law that God established is etched on every human heart, an awareness of the difference between right and wrong. Take away the belief in God and we fall prey to barbaric savagery.”
I am cognizant enough, while living in this 21st Century, to do so with concern and humility. I truly judge people by their behaviors. Yet, I have come to understand that as a white privileged Christian with a deep moral code that no matter what I say or do I will not escape others belief in my implicit biases within the tribal context to which they operate. To wit, the field of Democratic presidential candidates and their progressive followers comprise a regime of a claimed virtue, revealing itself in social justice activism and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion. Ironically, they demand that everyone must take their side, and if you disagree in their belief and subsequent demand, you will, metaphorically and summarily be bludgeon by the them into submission whether the issue is socialism, racism, homosexual and transgender lifestyle, etc. They continue to make vivid and stupid accusations, while demanding legal remedies without any proof that their declared enemy’s conduct was injurious or discriminate. They substitute good policy such as a serious debate concerning foreign policy, for crass politics such as Pelosi’s and Schiff’s blood feud. They ignore Chief Justice John Roberts’ advice that “The way to stop discriminating based on race is to stop discriminating based on race.” They employ corporate owned news organization, social media giants and Hollywood cornering a near monopoly in news report which prominently slants free speech toward their progressive agenda but condemn the few remaining conservative stations such as Fox News.
It has been said that ignorance lies not in the things we don’t know but the things we know that ain’t so. We believe that we are too clever to fall prey to other’s manipulations. Yet we are often reminded that “pride cometh before a fall.” The would-be Alinsky enlightened know and understand that on some level they can bait most with flattery, dialectical entrapment, the fear of not being liked or even shame to win them over.
The City by the Bay is one of many prime examples of Democratic stewardship. Under the continuing tutelage of Democratic leaders, it has become tragic to watch as San Francisco has become engulfed with open narcotic use, where commonplace homeless encampment dominates public spaces and human feces laden sidewalks. You would believe voters would have become the wiser? Instead San Francisco voted Chesa Boudin as their District Attorney. Mr. Boudin’s biography states that after college, he moved to Venezuela to work for Hugo Chavez. His parents were members of the terrorist group Weather Underground and were imprisoned for felony murder for killing two police officers and a security guard during a 1981 Brinks heist. Mr. Boudin states he should not be judged by his parents, and rightly so. However, he made their incarceration a campaign center piece of what he claims was injustice. He has no sympathy for murdered police officers and has placed a target on the back of the San Francisco police department. He declared the following crimes are not crimes and will not be prosecuted public camping, offering or solicitation of sex, public urination, or blocking sidewalk all of which pretty much abdicates his dealing with the homeless.
Mr. Boudin ideology and profile are in sync with names such as, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tliab , Alexandra Cortez, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, et al pulling the Democrat Party to socialism and intentional lawlessness. We reacted horridly to the news of an American family murdered by a Mexican cartel, yet in cities such as Chicago rival gangs often target any civilian getting in their way. The Democrat candidates and their followers unite against law enforcement including the dismantling of the US Immigration and Custom Service, while advocating for open borders, and hasten hostility toward law enforcement with groups such as Black Lives Matter. The Democrats political position has caused law enforcement to steer away from proactive policing and reduces potential police candidates. Democrats ignore the US Constitution with attempted work-arounds of the First and Second Amendments. Because of Democrats politics of envy every millionaire is a policy failure. Yet in their rush to punish the wealthy, their planned tax policies will reach down to middle-class. Ironically, they continue to utilize political correctness in conjunction with their mantra of diversity, equality and inclusion as a mechanism to maneuver their cancel culture. They do no subscribe to Lincoln’s “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Essentially, we have a Democrat Party which clearly is tilting at windmills. The Democrat Party is maneuvering for a total win in 2020. If the Democrats succeed, every city in America will eventually come to resemble San Francisco.
Dennis Petrucelli is a resident of the Village of Bonnybrook.