Public Mindset: What Does Being Right Have To Do With Anything?

Any ideologically driven observer of events in our nation would be understandably baffled by the question: How could the same nation elect two such diametrically opposed presidents as Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama in such a short time? It is axiomatic that Reagan was a limited-government, pro-business, anti-socialism, peace-through-strength conservative, and Barack Obama is a the-government-owns-everything-including-you, you-are-so-selfish-you-deserved-to-be-attacked, peace-through-apologizing-for-capitalism socialist.

To what shall we attribute the fact that this country has exalted both these men to the highest office in the land? The phenomenon can't be legitimately attributed to turnover in voter rolls. I voted for Reagan twice. Soon I will have voted against Obama twice. And I intend to vote in 9 or 10 more presidential elections. My point is this: these two were elected well within one lifetime, mine. And I am far from a unique member of that club. So you can't blame it on a complete turnover of voter rolls.

What, then? If you argue that there is a pendulum effect at work here from conservatism to liberalism and back again, as is common throughout American political history, the stark ideological contrast between these two men would turn your argument into an accusation that the American people are schizophrenic. Some of us may be, but not all. No. There is a problem, and it does reside in the American psyche, but it's not schizophrenia.

It's simple self-centeredness.

What do you remember about Ronald Reagan, the candidate? Ronald Reagan, the man? He was an actor. He was quick-witted. He was good-looking. Articulate. Optimistic. Funny.

What about Obama? Good-looking, check. Articulate, check. Optimistic? His 2008 campaign could be summed up in two words, the first of which was "Hope." His campaign slogan was "Yes we can!"

So what's the point? What's the bottom line? How does self-centeredness tie into all this? It's simple (and sad.)

In the current American culture it's not what you say that counts; it's how you make me feel when you say it.