Disqualification and Normalcy

There was a time when being openly ignorant and publicly stupid would be sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when being caught in a single lie about yourself or your personal business affairs would be sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when advocating violence as legitimate political expression in public political discourse was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when appealing to the electorate with expressions and assertions replete with racism and bigotry was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when speaking disparagingly of the men and women in and out of uniform who have served or, are actively engaged in service to the country, was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when being caught, identified, and characterized as a tax cheat and fraud was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when openly and publicly sympathizing with foreign or domestic enemies of the United States was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when openly and publicly consorting with political and social extremists or various others identified and characterized as being on the ‘lunatic fringe’ of American society was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

There was a time when openly and publicly denying the historical facts of the inhumane atrocities of slavery and or the Holocaust was sufficient disqualification from holding elective public office.

If you’re beginning to get the picture here, you’re beginning to get the point that saving democracy in this country may require a return to a ‘normalcy’ that doesn’t exist today, or, quite possibly, a ‘normalcy’ that may never have existed at all…