Guest Commentary: The absence of reason – Part 1

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Guest Commentary: The absence of reason – Part 1

The frustration I feel about American politics is fueled by the bigotry and ignorance I see daily. Thus, I can no longer stand by without expressing my views.

It is a major paradox of our time that some of the best-educated and some of the most vulnerable of our citizens should seriously believe not only in the occult of 45, but also in the disinformation that has been and is still being disseminated.

The ability to disregard the facts or the act of ignoring the facts that may be in opposition to their strongly held beliefs is truly a headlong flight from reason. In the past six to seven years, a significant number of Americans (some estimates are as low as 33 percent and others at 55 percent) have embraced lies, cheating, justification for breaking the laws, which form the basis of unreality and irrationality in a myriad of forms, including the installation of one in the White House and several as governors in various states.

In addition, the madness that reigned supreme by several members of Congress to overturn the election results on Jan. 6 should be held accountable and prosecuted accordingly. A special prosecutor should be appointed for this group, if one believes, as I do, the Republican Party (people such as Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Marjory Taylor Greene, Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Andy Biggs, Andrew Clyde and, of course, Ron DeSantis) is attempting to give shape to something that endangers civilization and democracy through diversionary tactics.

In the Western world, our civilization has been built on scientific reason and logic, which is the result of the Enlightenment, a period in time, and a movement that was addicted to reason, to humanitarianism and secularism.

This is our tradition, our worldview; liberal, rational and the humanitarian way of thought that has existed for several centuries. Society and democracy function best when our rules serve the populace at large. No freedom is absolute.

Everyone is and has been slightly insane. In the delicate balance between rational and madness, madness seems to have gained momentum during the reign of 45, and still holds some ground. Is there no end to this madness by the right-wingers?

Seven of the nine Republican candidates for president said they would vote for Trump if he was nominated by the party. WOW, is there no end to the madness? (Sorry — not sorry — about repeating this phrase). The spread of lies, conspiracy theories, book bans and disinformation by any group serves only a few with vested interests. Smoke screens! Why? Are we too busy to get various opinions that may be outside our beliefs?

Ray Johnson

DeLand

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