Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL

(Reflecting Ourselves)

Thomas Carlyle, Scottish historian and essayist, vows that:

In the long-run every government is the exact
symbol of its People, with their wisdom
and unwisdom; we have to say,
Like People Like Government.

I take this to mean that, in a democracy, who we citizens elect as our political leadership is a reflection of ourselves.  Consider the past two back-to-back presidential elections as examples.

During Barrack Obama’s election process and two terms in office, he painted a self-portrait of devotion to: Ambition, collaboration, pragmatism, diplomacy, conflict-aversion, respect, risk-taking, dauntlessness, integrity, accepting, openness, control, persistence, fairness, calm, humility, racial inclusiveness, ethics, equality, globalism, partnership, truth as a guide, family, caring, gratefulness, civility, peace, community, and democracy. If Carlyle is right then those who voted for him reflect themselves in some significant measure.  Certainly, not every color on this portrait is reflected, but enough to identify and assign one’s vote.

Donald Trump, during the election process and first years in office, paints a self-portrait of: Paranoia, compulsive lying, vindictiveness, sexism, white male supremacy, nationalism, truth as a utility, impulsiveness, ignorance, crudeness, manipulation, deceitfulness, racial bigotry, hypocrisy, avarice, vulgarity, ego desperation, victimization, blameful, destructiveness, naiveté, illusions of grandeur, anger, nativism, nationalism, populism, winning, contempt, hateful, conflict, individualism, and despotism. Those who voted for Trump find some real measure of themselves reflected back. Certainly, this does not mean every brush stroke reflected on this portrait, but enough to assign one’s vote.

These radically different leadership styles reflect the historical political tensions in our national drama between those committed to democratic intent portrayed by Barrack Obama versus economic imperialism portrayed by Donald Trump.  These back to back elections make the painted contrast vivid and unavoidable.  Democratic intent is devoted to capitalism serving the common good.  Economic imperialism is devoted to democracy being a profit making venture of capitalism.

I am sobered by the notion that who I vote for significantly reflects my own perspectives. I am even more sobered by knowing that the person in the nation’s highest office reflects the nation’s voters.

That we cannot serve two masters remains as true today as yesterday.  Eventually, one will prevail over the other.  As Abraham Lincoln pointed out long ago:

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

At this moment economic imperialism is in the cat-bird seat.  If we want democracy to prevail we must elect those devoted to democracy to house government.  The next two elections will determine the direction of America as a reflection of us voters.  The face we voters reflect will mirror our national destiny by mirroring ourselves.

Robert T. Latham