Trump won
Where we pay our attention can tell us how much we value idealized entertainment over a healthy community.
The clear winner of this year’s U.S. presidential election is Donald Trump. And who elected him? People who too often resemble me.
As a dual U.S./Canadian citizen I take a keen interest in politics south of the border. I am qualified to vote in Wisconsin (and I do). I love watching TV about Donald Trump. I find Stephen Colbert delightful in his skewering of Trump’s foibles as a candidate and human being. I enjoy the opening sketches of Saturday Night Live which produce devastating portraits of an egomaniac. I don’t want to miss the “Weekend Update” on the same TV show.
This Hour Has Twenty-Two Minutes takes a certain righteous delight in pointing out that Canada is not the United States of America. . . yet. (And proceeds to give a warning about the propensities of Pierre Poilievre to serve as a poor-nation’s version of Trump.)
Hate Trudeau?
What I’m suggesting is that ego-centred leadership dominates our politics. But even more significant, in my view, is that public-spirited citizens in both countries have succumbed to a model that idealizes entertainment value and media-bytes – the more outrageous or self-serving the better. “Let’s see what Trump has done today.” “Did Trudeau get a new haircut?” “Does Poilievre look better without his glasses?”
Donald Trump says “I like women,” much to the chagrin of a number of women whom he has abused. Trudeau is separated from his wife. Juicy stories all. And boy, are they engrossing to watch on the news.
Time for soup
What’s missing? The solid, substantial insistence on love and respect for each other in Mr. Rogers’ Neighbourhood, as recently pointed out by columnist Michael DeMoor. The encouragement of education by the Anglican (or United) Church women who run thrift shops across Canada and provide low-cost clothing with profits going to educational bursaries. The soup kitchens run by Christian Reformed and Anglican congregations in Smithers, B.C. The patient bridge-building between hunters, fishermen, trappers, bird watchers and ranchers by “Cows and Fish” in Alberta. The time given to constituency work by so many members of parliament or provincial assembly.
None of these individuals and organisations normally make the news, but they are the stuff of a healthy community life. They have little entertainment value. They do not see Jesus Christ as a superstar but as one who listens to others, sees their pains, shares their joy and speaks against the powers of deception.
For too long I have been trapped by a (denied, but real) enchantment with the entertainment value of celebrity. It’s time for my repentance and maybe a resolution for the new year. Time to turn off the news networks, ignore the road signs and serve soup.
As an American, I and millions of others are thrilled Trump won. The biden cartel is gone. A new DOJ will have real justice under Pete a fellow Army veteran. Our FBI will be forced to be honest under Patel. A new day, energy independence again and a return to common sense. Having a military which is not submersed in dei but ready for the mission is essential in these dangerous times. A strong America will be an asset to Canada, we love our northern neighbors..
Threatening to crush the Canadian economy with sweeping 25% tariffs under questionable and changing pretense is not loving your northern neighbors. Not denying the positive aspects of what you stated, but there is also a strong element of ego and ruthlessness.