This weekend I attended my 50th high school reunion.  An enlightening experience to say the least.  Of the 70+ members of my graduating class in attendance, perhaps 10 percent were immediately recognizable.  (Do they have deteriorating portraits of themselves in their attics?)   Another 60 percent were the older versions of themselves you might expect–a few more wrinkles, a little less or grayer hair.  The remainder, however, required a quick glance at their name tags.  Time had not been so kind to them.

As we exchanged personal histories and career paths over the past 50 years, there was  a moment of enlightenment.  Those attendees who appeared in good health and still vibrant were the doctors, lawyers and other professionals.  Many had left their hometown and lived in places like Washington, D.C., Boston or Los Angeles.  Those who were overweight and seemed a bit worn down had stayed at home and pursued blue-collar careers.   I am not suggesting they were unsuccessful in their fields or unhappy.  But there was a clear cultural divide which for some reason was either transparent or unimportant when we were teens.

This class distinction (pun intended) was most evident as attendees sat down for dinner.  One need only look at how people self-selected those with whom they chose to share dinner conversation.  And then it hit me.  I had never been close to or socialized with most of people at the “others” tables.  Some I did not know at all.  There had always been a cultural divide.  However, without the influence of talk radio and 24 hour cable news to remind us of it, it was just a fact of life.  The order of the day was, “Live and let live.”  And most importantly, there was no concern those on the other side of the cultural divide affected my ability to succeed in life.  We did not believe in an economic zero-sum game.  We were all masters of our own fate.

And maybe that is the lesson for these troubled times.  Perhaps we need to quit wasting time trying to close the cultural gap.  It has always been there and probably always will be. Possibly, we need to rethink the social contract.  The foundation would be agreement on a few basic tenets, some of which are already embedded in the Bill of Rights.  It might require the addition of others which define a civil society.  Then, within that framework, Americans of all walks of life could choose careers and lifestyles as long as they did not violate these principles  or expect others to make the same choices.

Some might say that sounds “libertarian.”  But just as there is no such thing as pure democracy or a pure free market economy, there is no reason to believe any pure ideology is feasible.  This blended approach might best be described as, “Accept always.  Impose never.”  I know this is much easier said than done.  And it would certainly be tested in the courts.  Take, for example, the baker who refuses to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.  The baker needs to accept the right of any two people in love to marry but knows it does not require he attend same-sex weddings or even socialize with members of the LGBTQ community.  Likewise, the couple must accept the baker’s religious objection to same-sex marriage knowing the baker cannot impose his views on them.

You probably think this is unrealistic?  So do I.  But not because it doesn’t make sense.  Rather, because we would need to overcome the most rampant virus affecting American society today–“snowflake-itis.”  How can we accept other perspectives when we are offended by the slightest challenge to our personal world view?  And we are all guilty at one level or another.  I bristle at the sight of a Trump bumper sticker or a MAGA red cap.  But these symbols have no impact on my life.  I still write my blog.  I choose not to associate with Trumpsters.  I will continue to do what I can to call out Trump’s incompetence and lack of character and to ensure he inflicts minimal damage to the country or the planet.  And as one did, a Trumpster can tell me I need to take my meds.  Just don’t force them down my throat.

A Wednesday Postscript

Speaking of things that were different a half century ago.  That was when the Christmas season was ushered in by Santa’s appearance at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  Over time, the starting line was moved back to the day after Halloween.  Last night, I had to check my watch to be sure it was only October 17th.  Surely 60 days  each year should be enough to get into the holiday (oops, excuse me, the Christmas) spirit.  Guess not.  Or at least at Hallmark.

While waiting for the Cubs/Dodgers baseball game to come on, I was surfing through channels when I landed on the Hallmark Channel which was promoting (and I’m not making this up) their forthcoming Christmas movie marathon to begin on November 5th.  This increasing infringement on the secular calendar deserves its own label.  Perhaps it should henceforth be known as “Xmas Creep.”

It is one thing for a cable network to use Christmas as an advertising ploy.  It is their right.  As I have the right to flip the channel and find entertainment somewhere else.  As private companies and individuals, both Hallmark and I are guaranteed the right under the First Amendment to conduct our religious affairs any way we choose.  And the language in that amendment makes it clear that CONGRESS does not have the power to make laws establishing a national religion.  Unfortunately, it does not apply to the chief executive.

As he has with most business deals during his career, Comrade Trump has found a loophole where he can do whatever he wants without technically violating the law.  Last Friday night at the socially conservative  Values Voter Summit (a oxymoron if there ever was one), Trump challenged the spirit of the Constitution if not the letter of the law.

You go into a department store.  When was the last time you saw ‘Merry Christmas?’ You don’t see it anymore. They want to be politically correct. If I’m president, you will see ‘Merry Christmas’ in department stores, believe me, believe me.

Really? Trump thinks he can require department store employees to say “merry Christmas.”  I’ll let William Shakespeare respond.

It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP