Show of hands please – how many of you would have clicked on the link to this article if the image for the article was that of President Trump?
Be honest now.
Well, while I’d like to think it wouldn’t matter either way, I’m sure there are many who would have refused just because Trump was on the cover.
Kinda sad when you think about it because this article has very little – if anything to do with Trump.
It has everything to do with perceptions. Please allow me to explain.
Years ago, if I had to guess – I’d say at least 20 to 25 years ago, I was talking with my younger brother about his vacation to Colonial Williamsburg. What struck me as memorable was at one point of his visit – during a tour – the Declaration of Independence was the topic.
Included in the tour was the reciting of the Declaration of Independence. Like all of us, at one point in our lives we have either read this very important document, or have had it read to us, but like myself, we hadn’t really considered the words and their meaning in years.
Now why would I remember a vacation my brother took years ago? It wasn’t the vacation itself, it was what my brother said to me regarding this particular part of the vacation that has remained in my memory.
He said – and this is my best recollection mind you – “The shape this country is in, the Declaration of Independence pertains just as much to the government we have now as it did when it pertained to England.” Meaning, the Government we have now has become more like that of England in the past than what the Declaration of Independence declares the government we want.
And to this day, when you think about it – his remarks have only become more accurate.
Right around this time, 1995, a movie was in theaters called, The American President. It was considered a romantic comedy with a little drama thrown in for good measure and as a fan of “rom com’s” (don’t hate me), I thoroughly enjoyed it. A brief description of this movie is as follows.
A widowed U.S. President (Democrat) running for reelection and an environmental lobbyist fall in love. It’s all above-board, but “politics is perception,” and sparks fly anyway.
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
The movie consisted of two stories. One was the relationship between the two main characters (Michael Douglas as the President and Annette Bening as the lobbyist) and the other was the gun law called “The Crime Bill” the President wanted to get passed so he could basically confiscate pretty much all hand guns.
Being a young romantic back then, I paid more attention to the romantic side of this movie than the political. In fact, I didn’t give the political side of this movie much thought at all.
That changed when I watched this movie again recently. This time through the eyes and mind of an older individual.
While watching this movie, the very first thing that came to mind were the roles the politicians played. Outside of the political issue being gun confiscation, it’s almost like the portrayal of Republicans and Democrats back in 1995 – compared to Republicans and Democrats of today have since switched.
When the film was released, Democrats were the good guys and Republicans were the bad guys. (In the movie, Republican Senator Bob Rumson played by Richard Dreyfuss is the running for President against Andrew Sheperd played by Douglas.)
Democrats believed in free speech and persuasion by debating an issue.
Republicans were hateful, mud slinging, conniving bastards. At least that’s the way Sorkin (the writer) made them out to be.
You have to take into account that this movie came out 25 years ago and the portrayal of both political parties might have been reasonable for the time.
So, what did my brothers experience with the reading of the Declaration of Independence 25 years ago have to do with a movie?
It shows the shift within the democrat and republican parties. More so within the past 12 years. And even dramatically so since the Trump presidency. To the point where both parties have become almost polar opposites of what they once were in their beliefs and the ways they conduct themselves.
For the average republican in the 90’s – they were “live and let live” people. To this day – they’re pretty much the same. Do what you like just as long as you don’t try to force anything down our throats. We were – and still are fairly amicable.
The average Democrat back then was pretty much the same as republicans. Sure – there were differences but they believed in debate and persuasion. Free speech for everyone.
Jump ahead to 2020 and the differences couldn’t be more obvious. Tolerance and inclusion are touted by the left, but ONLY IF you have the same beliefs as they do. If you don’t, cancel culture will be breaking down your front door quicker than you can spit. No discussion, no debate.
Remember – this movie was directed by Rob Reiner and written by Arron Sorkin. Today – you can’t get much more left than these two. However, when you watch this movie, (outside of the gun issue) you wouldn’t know it.
On top of which, how the issues were argued in the film are completely different than they would be today. Today, Reiner is like the rest of the left. It’s my way or the highway. Change is coming. And it will be forced down the throat of half the country. If you don’t like it? Elections have consequences. (He’s absolutely right about that.)
The following clip from the movie is the best example of this. After reflecting on the deal he made (basically stabbing his girlfriend (Bening) in the back by reneging on his promise to her regarding a bill she was lobbying for in order to garner support needed for his “Crime Bill”, he changes his mind about both decisions. Watch the clip and then ask yourself if this is the liberal Democrat of today.`
Keep in mind – what you’re about to see and hear are words written by a diehard Democrat describing a Republican.
Even though politics played a role in this movie, it was subtle. It wasn’t thrown in the face of the viewer. While Sorkin made it fairly clear where he stood on the topics of climate change and gun control, he portrays his views as something to seriously consider, not just jam it down the throat of the nation.
What I find most telling about Reiner and Sorkin is that when anyone has TENS of MILLIONS in the bank, you can pretty much believe what you like and pander to whom ever you like. Nothing any side of the political spectrum attempts to do – affect people like these personally.
IF anyone believes the reason for the entertainment industry is on the left is because they completely subscribe to their ideology – you couldn’t be more wrong.
In my humble opinion, it’s all about Globalism. To the entertainment industry – including sports – globalism is first and foremost in their best interests. And the best example of this is how much they bow to China. China is a incredibly huge market for these two industries. Think they want to jeopardize that? Of course not. And in the Political realm, it’s not just the left. It’s the “establishment” of both parties.
Epilog
There was a time – in recent history, that no matter what side of the fence you were on – no matter what your political beliefs were – you could at the very least, have a discussion about it. Doing your best to persuade the other with facts, common sense, rational through critical thinking or why – for whatever reason – you felt you were right.
Does anyone believe the clip from the movie above represents Democrats today?
No, this no longer happens. Democrats only have talking points. Statements. No argument behind either of them.
The Liberal media are exactly the same. Just the headlines including expectations they demand because of them.
Even if the truth comes out at a later date proving their claims completely wrong, (as is usually the case), it doesn’t matter. In most instances, they won’t even report on it.
They got what they wanted. And a large portion of Americans buy into this hook, line and sinker.
Question nothing. Investigate nothing which might prove Liberals wrong and silence anyone who tries. Talking points and headlines are all that matter, especially if it fits their narrative. It’s enough.
We seem to live in a society where the rule of thumb is, the end justifies the means.
