Today's MOZEN: Don't Get Trumped

Words and photo by F LoBuono

One of the things that I have always appreciated most about Stella is her ability to cut through the bull shit to get to the heart of any matter. She has that uncanny maternal ability to see through lies with laser-like clarity.

It happened again just the other day.

We were having a conversation about politics and how particularly lame this year's crop of GOP candidates seem to be. Of course, the conversation wound around to discussing the current front runner, Donald Trump. I went on to an elaborate dissertation on why I believed that he was leading the field. I explained that he's managed to tap into the dissatisfaction that the public has with the way the government is being run by both political parties and are looking for someone with a different way of "doing business". I understood why that seems to be the case. However, I also added that I didn't get why people saw HIS particular way of changing things as a viable alternative. After all, what he says seems so mean-spirited as to be absurd.

Stella replied, "not so fast, Frankie! That may be true, but you're missing the key point. Trump is getting traction because he says things that many people have in their heart but are afraid to say in public".

The proverbial light bulb went off in my head. Of course, Stella's analysis was right on! Trump is the mouthpiece for every petty, deeply rooted, unsubstantiated fear that, unfortunately, too many people harbor deep within themselves. In other words, he gives voice to the fear and loathing that most of us keep suppressed - and for good reason. They are the darker angels of our nature. We all struggle with preconceived notions about race, culture, and how they affect our lives. It is impossible to be without some form of prejudice. It is to be human. How we react to those feelings is what makes the difference. Do we give voice to them, alla The Donald? Do we rage against those less fortunate than us, or look different from us, or speak with an accent, or were born elsewhere? Do we look for scapegoats to blame for OUR problems? Or, do we make an effort to understand WHY we feel this way and WHY it is wrong to give those feelings expression?  And, make no mistake, it does take effort to overcome these feelings. They can be strong. Trump knows that and he makes every effort to not only acknowledge them but to exacerbate them. That's his job - at least as he sees it. Our job is to resist, secure in the knowledge that might does not make right - a compassionate society does.

If you need someone to express your anger for you, please vote for this guy -