Ed. Note: Gary J. Carlson is a retired professor of English, and a person who has seen up close
the culture on today›s campuses. Once a Democrat, he has walked away from the party. We present this guest column.
By Gary J. Carlson
Professor of English (retired)
“Are you now, or have you ever been a Republican? Or worse, a supporter of Donald Trump?”
Welcome to the New McCarthyism, the “brave” new world of the “progressive” left, a world where true freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of beliefs, and political freedom are things of the past.
At least, that appears to be the world according to far too many writers, celebrities, actors, athletes, pundits, and politicians these days–who seem to believe that the only good Republican is a dead Republican—or at least an out-of- business Republican.
You know who they are; you see them and hear them every single day–people who are obviously unable or unwilling to accept that in a truly free society, not everyone agrees with you, not everybody votes the same way as you, and horror of horrors, the very person who bakes your all-time favorite pizza pie and profits from your patronage may actually have voted for someone that you don’t approve of!
I don’t know what’s worse—the myopia of these “guardians” of society, or their hypocrisy.
They are the people who want to “cancel” and “tear town” any evidence that greatness and great evil can sometimes intersect and that the whole point of history is to show us the truth about ourselves. They are the people who scream hysterically at those who are “unmasked,” who see nothing particularly wrong in using a “social movement” as an excuse for looting and violence, and of course, who accuse Trump and all those who voted for him of promoting hatred and intolerance, while ignoring the obvious fact that they are practicing the very things they are preaching against!
Hey, if you don’t like someone or agree with their politics, then by all means, go buy your pizza or your wedding cakes somewhere else. But trying to drive someone out of business because you don’t like who they voted for in our last Presidential Election? How UN-American can you get?
Admittedly, Trump can be a boor, and an idiot at times. He often speaks coarsely and imprudently, but unlike most politicians, he actually says what he thinks! And
many people found/find that refreshing and–I have to say it–entertaining!
I mean, for as long as I can remember, people have complained about “career politicians” who speak out of both sides of their mouths, who make promises that they have no intention of keeping, who tell people what they want to hear in a cynical attempt to win an election or stay in power.
In Trump we actually elected someone who, for better AND for worse, did not play
by their rules.
Sure, he can be unpredictable and unpleasant and WRONG at times.
But at least he’s not afraid to speak out, to stir the pot a little, or to take action when necessary
He was definitely NOT a weatherman, waiting to see which way the “wind” was blowing before making a decision (like shutting down our airports, mass-producing the covid vaccine, and strengthening our borders).
And most of the people I know approved of his policies and his actions, even if they objected to much of what he said (or at least HOW he said it–or how the media “presented” it).
And you know what? If you don’t like someone, then you vote him out of office. Which is exactly what happened. But demonizing him, fighting him at every turn, and bullying those who voted for him is not exactly a path to success (or to a truly free and representative democracy!).
After all, look what it got us in 2020. I am convinced that too many people voted against Trump, without ever taking a really good look at “nice guy” Joe Biden or “woman-of-color” Kamala Harris–two of the weakest, most cynical, most incompetent and dishonest executives who have ever occupied the White House–and I go back to Carter and Nixon!
Many moderate Democrats are beginning to realize this, but are either too desperate or too cowardly to challenge the extremists in their own party (OR to incur the wrath of the “woke” media and lose the financial backing of Big Tech, China, and whoever else is keeping them in power and funding their extravagant lifestyles (Instead of pulling down statues or Abrham Lincoln and Columbus, why on earth aren’t we taking to the streets at this point and demanding TERM LIMITS! Can someone please tell me?).
Where we are right now in this country, in 2022, the “Winter of Our Discontent,” is what happens when the only things you have to offer voters are hatred, victimhood, negativity, and the empty promises of a “free lunch” that will never, ever be served.
All they ask in exchange is our Liberty, our Freedom, our INDIVIDUALITY! (Did I forget to mention our schools, our churches, our Constitution, and our CHILDREN?)
Wake up, America. The true “fascists” in today’s political landscape are on the Left, not the Right! (“Antifa,” indeed!) Don’t be fooled by them –not again.
It’s later than you think!