I heard the funniest commentary on the radio the other day that I have to share with you. It was a political word association game with a random polling around the nation. “Hillary” evoked the response “liar.” “Trump” elicited “arrogant.” And so funny, I laughed out loud all by myself in the car: “Bush” prompted “Bush.” The presidential election is more than a year away, but like everything else these days, the timeline is accelerated, and it is open season on politicians. My favorite bumper sticker these days: “Bring back Reagan.”
Somewhat akin to watching a train wreck, I, like so many Americans, have been fascinated by the rise … and rise … of Donald Trump. He is something of a freak show, what with his “go-ahead-and-touch-it-it’s-real” hair and his “Oompa-Loompa” like complexion, but that this man has caught on is a reflection of today’s America and to me, it’s a sad one.
I have a theory on his popularity and in-your-face media blitz and it’s this: everyone knows the story of the Emperor Who Had No Clothes.
For those who are vague on the ancient fable: Once upon a time, there was a proud emperor who hired the finest tailors in the land to sew him the most beautiful new wardrobe. The royal tailors knew that their ruler was as stupid as he was vain. They took the money from the emperor and pretended to weave a resplendent gown, but in reality, they kept the money and spun air all day long. The emperor put on his invisible clothes and declared them most beautiful he had ever worn. He was naked but all powerful, so his people went along with the charade and praised him for such finery. It was one small boy who finally blurted out loud what everyone was thinking but did not dare say: “BUT HE IS NAKED!”
What does this have to do with Donald Trump and his impact on the political landscape, you ask? Everything. Not just our country, but our world, it seems, is going to hell in a hand basket.
Refugee toddlers drown trying to reach freedom. Bombs go off routinely at museums, shopping centers, and restaurants. We know all too well the historical significance of today: 9/11, a day forever emblazoned in tears and infamy, a day all of us who are old enough to remember know exactly where we were and what we were doing when the twin towers fell and our world changed forever.
Here at home, just when I think there couldn’t be a story any more horrible, another emerges to illustrate how multi-faceted and creative evil can be. My television news colleagues took a collective shudder over the live, on-air shooting of a young reporter and cameraman in the middle of a morning newscast in Virginia. They weren’t covering a war, or a racial riot, not even a story with a whiff of controversy. They were simply covering a local chamber of commerce piece when their young and promising lives were cut short.
I was once that fresh-faced, eager 24-year-old reporter, willing to get up at the crack of dawn to report live for the morning newscast. My best friends were my photographers, always riding to the scene in the news vehicle, talking up a storm of car chat, ready to cover the story with heart and passion. Sometimes and too often these days, the world simply sucks.
Anyway, I digress. Back to Mr. Trump. He has caught on because he says exactly what is on his mind: unfiltered, unrestrained, he simply calls ’em as he sees ’em. To many, he is the child who is brave and unrestrained enough to declare the truth: the emperor is as naked as the day he was born.
For a country sick and tired of political gridlock and continued nonsense from our elected officials and their lackeys, Trump is a breath of fresh air because he says what he means and means what he says, even if he knows it is unpopular.
While I cannot agree with much of his politics, I have to admit that I cackle out loud when I hear some of the things he says. I may not like what comes out of his mouth — some of it is completely horrifying — but you have to admit that he prompts a reaction, and given the milquetoast sycophantic blather of most people running for office these days, you have to respect him for taking a stand — even if you don’t agree with it.
Yes, we have an immigration problem; yes, we have to figure out how to balance the tax burden; yes, we have our work cut out for us in continuing to improve the economy and raise the quality of life for the vast majority of our countrymen. He is hitting the nail on the head, and people are cheering him silently.
I remember a phrase I heard on the news as a child: the “silent majority,” made popular by President Richard Nixon in a national speech asking Americans for their support. The phrase referred to those overshadowed in the media by the more vocal minority, and it is ever so relevant today, given the loud public discourse by pundits speaking from the pulpit of talk shows and social media.
Trump has given voice to today’s “silent majority”; they have found a platform in his ideology, and their thoughts are frightening.
So dear friends, it’s going to be an interesting year leading up to Election Day 2016. Buckle up, hang on, and even more than ever get out and vote. Our future will depend on good people taking a stand.
