Image from elections.ap.org
I was talking to a friend tonight, and we agreed that, regardless of the outcome of this election cycle, the country is almost sure to be convulsed by civil unrest. I was reminded of the lyrics to Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who:
"We'll be fighting in the streets,
With our children at our feet,
And the 'morals' that they worshipped will be gone."
It's not just the most obvious suspects (Trump supporters) who are likely to riot; crazed, overzealous supporters of both Clinton and Sanders are also bound to be involved. The cult of personality around Sanders is inherently problematic, as all such cults are. (I say that as a strong supporter of his, but -- I hope -- not an unhinged one.) Clinton's stalwarts, I fear, have a more visceral problem: in my judgment, many of their minds are clouded by issues of gender and the institutional sexism woven into American life. Both are strong invitations to "think with the blood."
Then there are the god-botherers, who are even more certain than normal that the entire culture is literally on the highway to hell. They clearly feel profoundly alienated, left behind (ironically) by a culture that's had its fill of their zealotry and has no more stomach for their systemic bigotry. The inevitable sidelining of Cruz is likely to push THEM over the edge.
What's clearly needed is a core group of calm, reasonable adults -- wise tribal elders, if you will -- who can pump a huge wave of equanimity, civility and balance into the culture. That may prevent, or at least ameliorate, the looming paroxysm.
Civil War: The Sequel is not inevitable, although at present it does seem likely to manifest in some form. Let's hope we can contain the worst of the fallout.
Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro
