Emotional Contradictions Brought on by New Hampshire

Results from the recent New Hampshire presidential primaries prompted a wave of alternating and contradicting emotions in me. First, I experienced an expected sense of disappointment. The ever-present dreamer in me seems to always hold out hope for a Walter Mitty-esque development to many a situation. And, as is usually the case, reality rushes in to corral my expectations. Since this is so commonplace in my world, I have developed a strange anticipation of disillusionment. Seeing the polls (which I take lightly), hearing the so-called experts make their predictions, and knowing the history and demographics of New Hampshire, I knew my hopes were a long shot. So, I was not surprised that Trump and Sanders won in that state’s primaries.

Then, after the initial anticipatory letdown, I became a little shocked and quite bewildered. Taking a step back and assessing this snapshot of our nation’s situation made me feel as though I’d entered some altered, nightmarish dimension. Is our country actually considering electing either a megalomaniacal corrupt capitalist or an unapologetic socialist to its highest office? It’s an absurd thought for this representative republic, right? Isn’t this the country founded on the principles of independence, freedom from tyranny, equal opportunity, and with its rule of law set forth in our Constitution, including a Bill of Rights? Yet, that is what was staring me in the face on every media outlet covering the primaries. Has the American Dream really transformed that significantly? Surely not. Although it should be an unreal possibility, this condition, no matter how insane, how un-patriotic, I’m afraid, is for real.

So the next phase of realization that hit me was an about-face to the dazed and confused position I had previously held. I realized that, of course, this is the current state of our nation. This is the obvious segment of our journey as a country given the directions we’ve been following over the last few decades. We’re just traveling at a higher rate of speed than ever before, careening out of control down the most dangerous of highways, being driven by deviants and clowns. Thankfully, we haven’t crashed, though. Not yet, anyway.

Since the days of Woodrow Wilson, the progressive movement has had its eyes set on this day. With calculated steps, members of this movement have implemented policies, elected and selected officials, enacted laws, interpreted laws, and transformed our country and its unsuspecting populace into a place where entitlement, wealth distribution, lack of incentive, and a reliance on a governmental Goliath is the norm. This movement now travels with abandon out in the open. Progressives have created this environment and are no longer afraid to reveal their true colors. Therefore, a self-proclaimedsocialist just defeated an unproclaimed socialist in the Democratic presidential primary in a state with the motto, “Live Free or Die.” Sickening? Definitely. Inexcusable? Certainly. Shocking? Well, actually no.

Ok. So that makes sense in a rather nonsensical way. But what about the Republican side of this political teeter-totter? Shouldn’t the conservatives offer some sort of counter-balance? Hypothetically, yes. History has shown that conservatives have stabilized the left-shifting pitch of the U.S. on occasion (remember Reagan?). However, the scope and depth of the progressive movement is massive. Society has been inundated for years with its precepts and ideologies. The entertainment industry and mainstream press have subtly asserted their perceived correctness of progressivism into every avenue possible. As the brainwashing has progressed, the wayward shift has continued in both the public and private sectors. Speed bumps have arisen on rare occasions and citizens have stirred from their hypnotic states for brief enlightened moments. But the force behind the momentum is impressive and seemingly unstoppable at times.

In recent years, though, multitudes of people have begun to awaken. In their groggy mindsets, they feel a sourness in the air. They know something is not right with America. The fog has lifted; the blinders are coming off. Taking stock of the situation, good people are seeing the errant path upon which our country currently marches.

And they are angry.

Nevertheless, the damage from generations of progressive indoctrination has its side effects still. Many of those livid folks are so misinformed or uninformed they turn to the very sources that helped perpetuate the problem for the answers. So a dealmaker, an egotistical blowhard, a celebrity garners their support. Their opinions are formed from the manipulations of quick sound bites and talking heads, not deep thought and deliberate research.

Bill Clinton was a lady’s man who made some impressive sounding promises and played the saxophone on TV. Fun guy. That’s what we needed, we thought. Obama was an articulate, dynamic speaker, whose race would make his election an historical moment. He was propagated as a celebrity. His interests and policies were unimportant. Proved to be a smart move. Twice.

Today, Trump talks tough. He uses vulgarity and bullying tactics. His message is all about himself. He is filthy rich (stressing the filthy part), and most importantly, is a highly recognized celebrity. Somehow people are convinced that he is the answer to our problems. He will do great things, or so he says. The specifics on how he will do those great things are unimportant to the masses he has seduced.

So, here we are. My emotions are yet again hopeful, albeit concerned. This is a crossroads. The path not only to prosperity but also to the preservation of our very existence as the nation our founders intended us to be and our God desires us to be is narrow and fragile. Do we decide to venture once again down that path? Or do we sleepwalk rank and file behind the progressives into eventual utter failure? Or do we take such a hard turn that we drive straight into chaos and possible revolution?

This is a dangerous intersection. We can only hope that wisdom and clarity of purpose sweeps away the clutter of our hearts and minds, and we take that important step back in the right direction. Maybe this time I won’t be disappointed in my hopeful outcome.