Demagogues

In ancient Greece, the demagogues were the vocal defenders of democracy. The word shares the same root (demos) as the word democracy. Nowadays the TV and radio extremists like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and others are also referred to as demagogues. This seems ironic because it is my impression of these people is that they are anything but defenders of democracy. In fact, I would say they are opposed to democracy.

It seems to me that the overriding principle of democracy is compromise. The democratic system of government is constructed in such a way as to take into account differing views and opinions and create policy and law that reflects widespread agreement – often referred to as ‘consensus.’ The media extremists who plague our airwaves do not seem interested in compromise. They seem to advocate dictatorship, not democracy.

Limbaugh is responsible for the extreme polarization of politics in the US right now. He’s proud of this fact. But he’s a practitioner of a type of thinking that is recognized by psycho-therapists as not healthy. It’s called ‘black-and-white’ thinking and it isn’t a reference to old movies. It’s a description of a mind-set that is a constellation of pre-conceived notions (often referred to as 'ideology') that are imposed on reality and thru which events are interpreted and judged. It insists on dividing the real world into all bad (black) or all good (white) without any shades of grey. It praises and condemns without regard for facts or truths. The problem is that the basic assumptions that are at the foundation of black-and-white thinking are usually completely false.

You can see why black and white thinking and democracy are incompatible. Basically, democracy synthesizes positions which may be direct opposites (black or white) into workable agreements which represent grey areas in-between the black and white positions. This how we’re supposed to get things done in the US. It is government of the people, by the people and for the people rather than government by the King, Queen, Emperor, Pope or other hierarchical personage.

I think you see where my little essay is going – Limbaugh and his cohorts are NOT the voices of democracy but of top-down hierarchical government – what we commonly call dictatorship.

Dictatorships are built on propaganda. That’s really the only way you can have a dictatorship in this world. You have to lie to people and convince them you are telling them the truth, get them to believe you and then get them to believe in you as the source of all truth. Enter Limbaugh. The Source of All Truth.

I’ve been reading about Hitler and I was surprised to learn that one of his understandings, early on in his life before he even entered politics, was the value of propaganda. He held very extreme political views and he understood that he had to disseminate his views via well-crafted propaganda and thereby convince people to agree with and follow him.

Which is what Limbaugh has done. He’s lied to people for 2 decades and yet successfully convinced people to follow him. He’s not Hitler. I don’t think he seeks any kind of political office or power. Most observers think he just wants influence. And he has a lot. He and his venomous cohorts are responsible for the governmental gridlock and right-wing extremism that is infecting our country right now. From the inability to compromise and get anything done in Washington to the assaults on basic human rights taking place in state houses all across the country, Limbaugh and his cronies are the source, the cause.

Thus it is good news that the current Limbaugh crisis may signal the end of his ‘demagogue’ career. He has gone too far – as all dictators and dictator wannabees always do. But he’s also done us a favor. His excesses, extremism and mean, callous and vicious attacks on people have had so much influence and created so much extreme right-wing political activity that people seem to be finally waking up to what has been happening and how much damage has already been done.

I think a large correction is coming. Will it be a large-scale rejection of the Republican extremists and a shift to the Democrats? I don’t know. I also don’t think that would be what is best for our nation. Rather than just swing from right to left, I would prefer that we work to repair and restore our democracy. I think it would be better if we return to civil political discourse, and public debates and discussions where people could speak openly about their ideas and offer proposals that would be given fair consideration, without being attacked and vilified by extremist ideologues.

Wouldn’t it be better if we could return to a time when all ideas could be put ‘on the table’ and where the mainstream really includes the vast majority of American citizens?

Democracy is government from the bottom up, so to speak. People like Limbaugh and the right-wing extremists in power right now are really are trying to create government from the top down (with them and their followers at the top, of course!) They haven’t been totally successful yet and there is still time to reverse the damage that’s already been done. Will we all wake up in time? Will we take action?

Stay tuned……