69 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 53 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Americans Just Elected Archie Bunker!

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   3 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Mike Rivage-Seul
Become a Fan
  (54 fans)


(Image by sunshineshirts.com)   Details   DMCA

Remember Archie Bunker? He was the central character in Norman Lear's "All in the Family." Archie was the working class bigot we all laughed when Carroll O'Connor brilliantly played him during the 1970s.

Everyone loved Archie. Someone even printed a t-shirt: "Archie Bunker for President."

The Carroll character admired Herbert Hoover. He longed for a time when "we didn't need no welfare state," and when "'goils' were 'goils' and men were men." He was patriarchal, racist and xenophobic. He despised "homos" and called liberals like his son-in-law "meatheads."

Well, believe it or not: Americans just followed through on that t-shirt slogan. They elected Donald Trump -- a billionaire Archie Bunker. Better put, America's Archie Bunkers voted in Mr. Trump as (in Norman Lear's own words) "another version of themselves."

Like those who elected him, Donald Trump is tired of having to pussyfoot (ahem!) around the sensibilities of blacks, women, Hispanics, non-Christians, and others who have exhibited annoying touchiness around the epithets white men have applied to them so comfortably in the past. Like them, he is the sworn enemy of "political correctness."

True, Trump doesn't know much about history or politics. He can't even define the "nuclear triad." He is mistrustful of scientists warning about human-induced climate change. He wonders: "If we have nuclear weapons, why don't we use them?"

But to his admirers (in Orwell's words) such "ignorance is strength." Once again, it means Mr. Trump is like his constituency. He reflects their own mental processes. For them, what his detractors call "ignorance" means Mr. Trump is unencumbered by indoctrination into the Beltway's arcania and by the restrictions of international business-as-usual. None of that is working anyway. So to hell with it all!

Since things can't get much worse, why not elect a climate-change denier and someone accused of and having bragged about multiple instances of sexual assault? Why not vote for a man endorsed by the Klan -- or one who has promised to punish women who have abortions. So what if he wants to build a wall along the Mexican border, prevent Muslims from entering the country, reinstate torture, racial profiling and stop-and-frisk policies, deport undocumented Hispanics, jail his presidential opponent, lower taxes for the wealthy, dismantle the Affordable Care Act, and punch those who disagree with him in the face?

Archie Bunkers love all that stuff.

And maybe it's just what we all need. It may bring the entire dysfunctional system down. I mean, Donald Trump is hated nearly as much by the Republican Establishment as by Democrats. This may be the end of them both.

And at least he isn't as hawkish as his opponent, Hilary Clinton. His vaunted friendship with Vladimir Putin may keep us out of the nuclear war that Mrs. Clinton appeared to salivate over. As well, Trump seems less trustful of NATO than Clinton who loves that particular engine of war.

Moreover, the Donald will predictably mobilize the "Meatheads" among us. In fact, they somehow seem to do better when people like Nixon or "W" are in power. So after January's inauguration, watch progressives from Black Live Matter activists to Dakota Access Pipeline Water Protectors mobilize in unending protest.

Finally, the surprising election results where (once again) the victor received fewer votes than the defeated, may lead to election reform. It's time to insure that everyone's vote actually matters, rather than those cast in just a few "swing states." Reforms should include shortening of the electoral season, reversal of the Citizens United decision, abolition of the Electoral College, universal reintroduction of paper ballots, reinstatement of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and elimination of voter-suppression tactics that militate mostly against people of color.

Choosing Archie Bunker for president is not entirely without merit.

Must Read 3   Well Said 3   Supported 3  
Rate It | View Ratings

Mike Rivage-Seul Social Media Pages: Facebook Page       Twitter Page       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in


Mike Rivage-Seul is a liberation theologian and former Roman Catholic priest. Retired in 2014, he taught at Berea College in Kentucky for 40 years where he directed Berea's Peace and Social Justice Studies Program. His latest book is (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Sunday Homily: Pope Francis to Women: The Next Pope Should Be One of You!

The Case for and Intimate Relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene

"Cloud Atlas": A Film for the Ages (But perhaps not for ours)

Muhammad as Liberationist Prophet (Pt. 2 of 4 on Islam as Liberation Theology)

What You Don't Know About Cuba Tells You About YOUR Future

Sunday Homily: Pope Francis' New Song -- Seven Things You May Have Missed in 'The Joy of the Gospel'

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend