 |
| F LoBuono |
[dis-sat-is-fak-shuh n, dis-sat-]
1.
noun
the state or attitude of not being satisfied; discontent; displeasure.
dysfunction
dysfunction
[dis-fuhngk-shuh-nl]
1.
not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body;malfunctioning.
2.
malfunctioning part or element:
It is hard to get bills through a dysfunctional congress.
3.
behaving or acting outside social norms:
All the siblings in their extremely dysfunctional family lost contact as adults.
When analyzing the surprising rise of Donald Trump and to a
lesser extent, Bernie Sanders, it is important that we distinguish between
these two similar sounding but, ultimately, disparate words.
Mr. Trump has managed to surprise the GOP field virtually
from the beginning by playing to the dissatisfaction
of voters with the status quo in
Washington. Democratic candidate, Bernie Sanders, is receiving similar (but
less spectacular) traction for the same reason. This is a good thing. Business
as usually by our leaders has led to questions regarding not only their skill
as politicians but their motivation, as well. To paraphrase the fictional
newsman, Howard Beale, in the award winning film, “Network”, People are mad as hell and they’re not going
to take it anymore! And, when anger is focused, it is a powerful force.
Now, here is where it gets dicey. We cannot allow our dissatisfaction with “the system”
bring us to the point of dysfunction
in how we intend to change it. It can be argued that the only way to fix a
broken system is to completely dismantle it. However, there are others who call
for restraint – we shouldn’t throw out
the baby with the bathwater. The very way we effect that change will
make all the difference in the end.
One of the definitions of dysfunction is behaving
or acting beyond social norms.
This seems to be the very embodiment of the Trump campaign. He has
played with peoples’ fears to the point of extreme behavior. His fiery rhetoric
focuses anger on any group he singles out as potential “enemies of the state” –
HIS state. He encourages people to tear down without offering any
solutions as to how we may actually build
up. Instead of building a consensus, he’d rather build a wall. Instead of including, he is all about excluding. His campaign rallies are
raucous affairs where the message is STRICTLY controlled and dissent is
squashed. Violence against groups or individuals who disagree with “The Donald”
if not actively encouraged, is tacitly so. This is the true meaning of the word dysfunction.
Senator Sanders has also found success in tapping into that
same vein. However, in my mind, Sanders offers change in way that lacks the
dysfunction of Trump and his followers.
In a sense, he encourages change in a kinder, gentler way. Both agree change is necessary. How they would
go about accomplishing that is radically different. Of course, Hillary Clinton
offers her own brand of harnessing dissatisfaction and turning it into votes (another
conversation for another entry).
One of the things I find distressing is the fact that Trump
continues to gain momentum by accentuating both dissatisfaction AND dysfunction
while Sanders’ platform seems to waning.
Trump preaches Fear and Loathing and his devotees sing “Hallelujah”! The
meaner and angrier he gets, the more they seem to love him for it. Instead of
being embarrassed by it, it is almost as if they wear their dysfunction (i.e. anti-social behavior)
like a badge of courage. And, the uglier it gets, the more they seem to like
it.
hings needn’t be so mean-spirited to effect real change. I
think we can ALL agree that a new way of doing things in Washington is
essential. It all comes down to WHAT we want to change and HOW we want to
change it.
The choice is ours – don’t allow your DISSATISFACTION become DYSFUNCTION.
No comments:
Post a Comment