INDIGNANT DIGNITARIES

For decades, the political folklore of most Americans has been that democrats are underdogs and republicans are ‘robber barons’ at heart…or lack thereof. That folklore was firmly ingrained in my generation, and the generation before that.   

That folklore is underscored by the metaphorical adage, “If you are not a liberal when you are young, you have no heart, and if you are not a conservative when you are old, you have no brain.” 

I’ve seen Classic Films before they became classics. Most of them are masterpieces, whether sophisticated comedies, dramas, or overtly political films. Invariably, republican characters in  comedies are ‘good-naturedly’ lampooned; in dramas or overtly political films, conservative characters are heavily portrayed as wealthy “robber barons.” Adapted to current society, that convention is alive and well. Attitudes die hard.

Folklore also dies hard. Most democrats (especially political commentators, university professors, and wealthy celebrities, hang on to stereotypical political folklore under the guise of implicit or explicit definitions like ‘social justice,’ or ‘identity politics.’

For the past year or so, the ‘no heart’ and ‘no brain’ folk have reversed their roles, at whatever their age. Now, it is the democratic politicians who have no heart. For example, Chuck Shumer is threatening Supreme Court Justices, gangster style. His words and the tone of his voice are spine-tingling, e.g. he publicly warned his republican opponents “…You will pay the price…you will not know what hit you.”

Of course there is no shortage of invective on the other side of the aisle. But the traditional rivalry between republican and democratic officials is spiraling to the level of street brawls. For example, Representative Maxine Walters’ demeanor and incitement for violence are those of a guttersnipe.