Desperately Seeking Sanity.

"The masses have never thirsted after truth.

Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master.

whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim."

Gustave Le Bon.

Gustave Le Bon’s 1895 work, The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind, is a foundational text in social psychology. His observation about the masses preferring illusions over truth is often cited to explain how charismatic leaders gain power by tapping into the collective unconscious rather than through rational debate.

In the context of modern American politics, specifically the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, Le Bon’s analysis provides a striking lens through which to view the relationship between Donald Trump and his supporters.

1. The Supply of Illusions

Le Bon argued that a crowd does not think; it feels. It is moved by images, slogans, and simple narratives.

• The Narrative of Restoration: The "illusion" in MAGA is often seen by critics as a nostalgia for a lost American Golden Age—a time of perceived cultural homogeneity and economic simplicity. Trump "supplies" this by framing himself as the only one capable of restoring it.
• Simple Solutions: Complexity is the enemy of the crowd. Trump’s rhetoric often distills complex geopolitical or economic issues into simple, punchy phrases: "Build the Wall," "Drain the Swamp," or "America First." These serve as the "illusions" that offer a sense of control and clarity in an increasingly complex world.
• The "Master" Role: Trump’s mastery lies in his ability to mirror and amplify the grievances of his base. He doesn't just lead the crowd; he is the crowd’s voice, validating their worldviews regardless of external factual verification.

2. The Destruction of Illusions and the "Victim"

The second half of the quote—that those who attempt to destroy illusions become victims—explains the intense hostility toward "fact-checkers," mainstream media, and scientific institutions.

• Hostility Toward Expertise: When "experts" or journalists point out factual inaccuracies in the MAGA narrative, they are not seen as purveyors of truth, but as attackers of the crowd’s identity.
• The "Fake News" Label: By labeling dissenting information as "Fake News," Trump effectively shields the "illusions" of his movement. Those who try to break the spell (the "truth-tellers") are cast as the enemy, or in Le Bon’s terms, they become the "victim" of the crowd’s collective ire.

Isolation from Contradiction: Le Bon noted that crowds are "intolerant and dictatorial." Within the MAGA ecosystem, the rejection of outside information creates an echo chamber where the illusion is reinforced, and the "truth-bringer" is ostracized. 

Let's assume he's right

Let's just assume that mass shootings and mass murders are, in fact, a "mental health" issue.
I just have one question: Why is it so bloody important for the mentally deficient to own assault weapons? Restricting access to automatic weapons to the mentally impaired only affects the gun ownership rights of those who should not own them in the first place. It's pretty simple.

Democracy or Tyranny, you decide.

He treats lust, greed and adultery like hobbies;

                Yet they call him a Christian.

He denies aid and comfort to the destitute and the indigent;

                Yet they call him compassionate.

He is a rich, white elitist;

                Yet they call him a man of the people.

He sold us out to our enemies;

                Yet they call him a patriot.

He held Federal employees hostage for over a month and walked away with nothing;

                Yet the call him a negotiator.

He has bankrupted numerous companies;

                Yet the call him a business man.

He has failed as a diplomat, a dignitary, a politician and game show host;          

                Yet they call him a success.

He cannot spell or punctuate;

                Yet they call him a genius.

This, my friends, is the very definition of a fraud; a con man; a dangerous, self-righteous, unstable, narcissistic lunatic. He is a dictator and now he controls the nuclear football. I pray the day will come when, as a society, we will see him clearly, and honestly ask ourselves, “what have we become?”

Think back upon past governments that attempted to enforce nationalism and mandate morality. These are the very governments that have been viewed as the enemies of our Democratic society from the beginning. The British Reformation, The Nazis, The Bolsheviks, Khmer Rouge, Hamas, Al Qaeda and ISIS are all examples of this. They used fear, intimidation, brutal punishments and a complete deprivation of basic, individual human rights to accomplish their totalitarian control. Tyranny is predicated on total, blind allegiance to a leader and to his government. Freedom from this form of tyrannical rule is the very foundation of America’s constitution and the inalienable rights granted therein. Our freedoms are guaranteed by our government through our right to speak out against it. First and foremost, without the freedom to protest, there can be no true freedom. Perhaps, this is why the framers of American Democracy gave us this right before all others. Our nationalism is autonomous; it comes from within as the product of the gratitude we feel toward a government which is predicated on and devoted to the will of the American people. Ours is a government in which those who are elected are to be the servants and the voters are the leaders, not vice versa. They are the ones whose allegiances should be sworn to us. Have we forgotten this? Or have we simply forfeited our duties and thus allowed those who seek to profit from elected positions, rather than serve the common good, achieve the greatest coup d'état  of all time?

To see the change; be the change.

We cannot dream of changing the world until first we dare to change ourselves.

Recently the specter of gender-based inequality has been front page news. And recently, in real time, it has become an issue in my own.

Without enumerating the specific details of the event just let me say:

If equality is the battle cry, then true equality must be the goal. Injustice is still injustice, prejudice is still prejudice. Equality cannot exist in an environment where inequality is still encouraged and rewarded. They are the matter and antimatter of the social universe.

We cannot hope to foster a climate of real, meaningful and progressive change by simply flipping the script and allowing the victim to become the perpetrator while removing the repercussions. This is not justice; this is revenge, and there is a difference. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children are dying.

Innocent victims are falling dead every day in this country.

We average 1 mass shooting in the U.S. approximately every 63 hours*. At this rate, we would have more than 500 mass shootings during Trump’s 4-year term. Currently the deadliest and most successful terrorist organization in the world to date is white American men with assault weapons.  

If you value gun ownership more than children then you’re too stupid to have either one.

Homicide by gun has been on the increase over recent years, thanks, in no small part, to the lifting of the automatic weapons ban. Gun ownership overall has declined in the U.S., but now we have the ability to kill more people in much less time. Denying the truth does not make it a lie any more than denying a lie makes it the truth. The numbers are there for everyone to see. Gun control is not about depriving the law-abiding citizens of this country of their Second Amendment rights. It’s about strictly regulating access to firearms for people who are psychiatrically unfit or known to be violent or affiliated with criminal or antisocial organizations. But mostly, it’s about ensuring the safety of our children and protecting the lives of American citizens. Mentally unstable people do not need guns and no one NEEDS an assault weapon. If you are an American citizen who can pass a background check, you’re Second Amendment rights are safe and sound. If you are NOT an American citizen, OR you can NOT pass a background check then you have no Second Amendment rights, because somehow; someway, the killing MUST stop.

The time is now!

It is pure political cowardice to argue that nothing can be done.

It is time for the elected officials in Washington to do something. Our government can no longer turn a blind eye. The time is now: to do what is right for all Americans, not just the special interest groups and big money. The time is now: to protect the children not the guns. The time is now, as an anxious nation looks to you for answers, to do what is best for those who have entrusted you with their beloved nation’s future instead of what is best for you, or your pocket book, or your career.

The time is now for us, the American public, to realize that we do not work for those in Washington, but rather, they work for us. They are not our leaders, but our servants. The time is now for us to act, to get informed and get involved. The time is now for us to be clear and state what we as nation of concerned peoples and informed voters expect from them. And for us to expect that our voices will be heard and our wishes carried out for anything less must be considered unacceptable. Inaction and political cowardice can no longer be tolerated. Not one more hate crime. Not one more mass killing. Not one more child lost. NOT ONE MORE.

 

*as of February 20^th, 2018

Political posturing is not the way.

Know your sources.

Separate propaganda from fact and understand that we, as a nation, need to focus on progress over politics and especially over partisan bias. . “Cut-and-paste” hate crimes are being carried out daily on social media.  

Partisan politics are deepening the divisions between us. The path forward can only be reached through compromise and cooperation. When we walk too far to the left or right, we only end up going in circles. Neither political party is always right, nor is either political party always wrong but the best ideas tend to be found somewhere in between. When we focus on separates us instead of what unites us, we miss opportunities for growth and progress. We must make room for the best ideas from both sides of the aisle. Fear and division are the enemies of strength and unity. If we, as the people of this country are to survive and succeed, we must do so with solidarity. Those who seek to divide us, seek to destroy us.

A poem in free verse:                                                                      

Descent

Indignant

Tall in ourselves

Laughing and with words

Falling out like music blaring from high windows

City

Wretched buzzing signs

Dirty carpet at our feet

Creosote, stinking diesel summer

Horrible attraction

Crawling down to the nude defective earth

Grimy mud-puddle mirrors reflecting blue and white

Broken

Shoulder turned to hard laughter

And words

Falling on us

Like music blaring from high windows

Someone I only know through Facebook asked me to help with her son's senior project for high school. I did not know him either. But I did what I could to help make his project a success. That moment lead me to write a letter to this young man. I would like to share it with you.

Have you ever said, “I’m only hurting myself”?

 

This is one of the biggest lies you’ll ever tell yourself. The defining characteristic of humanity is that we have the ability to mourn. Not just those we’ve lost, but even for those we have never met. On the other end of the scale we find that the essence of true human happiness extends from the ability to celebrate the accomplishments of others. These are integral parts of the interdependent nature that makes up humans as a society. As such, it stands to reason that when we hurt, so do they. When we succeed, so then do others around us experience vicarious joy.

 

The fact is that everything we say or do affects those around us; especially those who love us and care about us most. And around those people are still more people; some we know and some we do not. On the flip-side; all of our successes and achievements are due only in part to our own efforts. Behind the scene, there are forces working. Those closest to us, and those around them are pulling for your benefit in ways you may never see or fully understand. When we open ourselves to this concept, we begin to see the importance of positive influence. And when those around us need it, we become open to the idea of lending that sometimes invisible support which can so often become a tangible step toward achievement.

 

My father used to say, “Leave the room better than you found it”. Sometimes this means picking up things; sometimes it means picking up people. When we can do this simply and solely because it is the right thing to do, then we can feel assured that we have left the room better than we found it.

 

Though I’ve never met you, I care about you. Your successes, your goals, your advancements are important. In time, we will hand this world over the care of your generation. You and others like you will determine the course of the world – my world…our world. I need to know that I’ve done my part to prepare you. I need you to know that I’m counting on you; pulling for you. I truly want better for you, than I want for myself.

 

Go forth and fearlessly be yourself.

Sincerely;

Dan