I generally hate sports metaphors, but sometimes they are too apt to ignore, so bear with me…
I recently had a conversation with a friend who–like me–remembered the “old” days of politics, when Republicans and Democrats differed on some issues and agreed on others, and when those conversations and debates were about policy.
When I served in Indianapolis’ City Hall (I know, a zillion years ago), city leaders often met with the state legislators elected from Indianapolis. Some were Republican, some Democrat, and while they reflected the priorities of their opposing caucuses on most issues, they frequently came together to support the priorities of the city. They worked with the Mayor on initiatives that would be good for Indianapolis.
Back in that day, Republicans and Democrats were two teams. The thing about teams is that they are playing the same game and obeying the same rules. That political “game” was governing, and the goal was to score policies that benefited your constituency. (Yes, both teams had players who were all about themselves, or in the pocket of some moneyed interest, or embarrassingly dumb, but those were the exceptions. The majority really did care about legislating policies they believed were sound, even if they disagreed about what those policies were.)
Those days are over.
Over the intervening years, the “Red team”–the Republican team I played on back then–has morphed into a tribal cult. Its more liberal, moderate and thoughtful members have been ejected, leaving virtually everyone unwilling to accept the new tribal identity without a team. Some of us became Democrats, others, disenfranchised Independents.
The problem with that change from teams to tribes should be obvious. While teams are competing to win the same game, tribes aren’t interested in either competition or the game–instead, they are intent upon clearing the playing field of those despised “others.” Rather than engaging in policy debates–the “game”–or concerning themselves with issues of governance, they are focused on defeating those not in their. tribe. They are intent upon establishing dominance.
In other words, today’s tribal folks aren’t interested in governing or in the relative merits of policy A or B–their goal is much simpler: to own the “libruls” and put those uppity Blacks, women and gays back in their proper, submissive place.
Historically, tribal bonds were crucial for survival. Membership in a tribe offered deep psychological and social connections, and contributed to human well-being and achievement. However, as we are seeing, the persistence of strong group loyalties based upon identity can foster extreme attitudes, undermine democratic principles, and inculcate an “us versus them” worldview that is deeply corrosive. When tribes are based upon racial and religious homogeneity, rather than common values and aspirations, there is no middle ground.
So here we are.
The White “Christian” Nationalist tribe that has “evolved” from the once-respectable GOP is uninterested in anything but regaining social and political dominance. They are unconcerned with the Trump administration’s destruction of our federal government and its flouting of the constitutional rules of the game and unperturbed by Trump’s embarrassing and damaging international antics– because governing in the national interest isn’t the “game” they’re playing. The tribe believes that making America “great” means putting them in charge.
It’s no wonder the Democrats are at odds over how to proceed in this new environment. Most Democratic politicians still think of themselves as members of a team that is concerned first and foremost with matters of public policy, and they’re ill-equipped to face opponents whose “policy” preferences are limited to eradicating opponents and establishing White “Christian” Nationalist dominance.
I have no idea how we extricate the country from this mismatch. If this sports analogy is right, pious exhortations to find “common ground” are unrealistic, to put it mildly. Americans will simply have to choose between the team and the tribe.
you said this was NoDak? ive never lived in such a place after being bred and raised in the cities. but, after the move to here in 1984, theres been a building of this so called tribe warfare. it seems to have started after the farm bill was written by two demo Sen,Dorgan and Dashel. that basically saved the family farm. then came, the buyout of the news farm/local stations AM variety. mainly KNX yankton SoDak, the tax to death screaming became john thunes backdrop from whoever bought KNX. this was also the time limbaugh was getting on air here. then KFYR fell in Fargo. again, right wing blatter about taxes. Dorgan and Dashel fell that next election..this buy up of stations was a lead in the rightwing BS info wars. this was back in the Clinton years, and we know how that fueld the BS.. now we gotta thank those few stations here that started this mess. funny how no billionaires are agast by the trumps takeover eh?
Another day I have deleted my lengthy comments in response to the posted issue. My disgust after watching early morning news reports brought an old Elvis tune to mind, “A little less talk, a lot more action…”.
I will just remind you that, like the Jews in Europe in the 1930s, Trump’s military takeover has rendered us useless as citizens. We are no safer as citizens in this Republican Red State of Indiana than those we watch being patrolled by the masked and armed National Guardsmen and pseudo-military ICE troops in major cities.
I agree with what you say about the “Baddest” Tribe, however – the Less Bad (my words) Tribe – for simple example: The Less Bad’s haven’t gotten a Majority of the white vote – women occasionally – but as a whole not – in a LONG time – rely strongly upon the Black Vote – particularly Black Women – and seemingly ONLY care about Black Folks in general at election time. Black People – increasingly either aren’t voting for the Presidency – or aren’t voting for the Less Bad’s – Duh! They aren’t as stupid as the LB’s are! Chuck isn’t as bad as a few, but… Mamdami – in NYC- the Democratic Nominee – actually – campaigns – seeking to reach people and many LB’s – prefer – the “safe guy” – corrupt – horrible…..
I like the analogy because both sports teams are owned by the billionaires, just like the political teams. Even the umpires work for the oligarchy. I believe the Green Bay Packers are owned by the people, and look at the fan excitement in that city!
And who pays for the stadiums where professional athletes play? That would be the suckers – we the people. 😉
I am waiting for Trump and Bessent to bail out the farmers who lost their major buyer as a result of the tariff bonanza against China. Yes, like the buildings where sports teams play, we, the people (the suckers), will pay for Trump’s ineptitude. Although “He knows tariffs better than anybody!”
Sadly, the oligarchy is going to own college football soon. They’ve been ruining the game little by slowly and once they start paying wages to the players, the amatuer sport will be over.
Once again, I return to Einstein’s 1949 dictum, “Why Socialism,” where he stated that the primary problem with the USA is its focus on competition versus collaboration. Capitalism is all about competition and free markets, but as illustrated above, once the government sides with corporatism (fascism), there is no more competition. The only power exerted is to defend their wealth.
And my mistake from yesterday is that Bari Weiss is not the new CEO of CBS News, but the Chief Editor. She has described herself as a “fanatic Zionist.” Speaking of “fanatical Zionists,” so are the two Ellisons, who are consolidating their media empire. They’ve even donated money directly to the IDF that is committing genocide. I’m sure their media empire will be as fair and balanced as Fox News.
JoAnn is right on this.
Here in Indiana the dangers imposed by the extremist Trump administration on Chicago and Portland seem distant and small. We go about our daily lives with determination even as anxiety bubbles deep in our souls with every news flash of unconstitutional action by Trump, Miller, and Vought. We want to do something but know not what. There is a constant drip of fear and uncertainty. “Should I sell my stock? Put off buying that new car? Maybe we make no plans for next year that we can’t get out of. What should I be stockpiling that might become short in supply? Should I buy a gun? More ammo?”
Then we bring ourselves up short, and it’s the self reassurance talk in our heads. “This will pass. It isn’t as bad as that. Get a grip, girl.”
Then another blast of “Breaking News”, and it all starts over again.
These times are what is known as “living a nightmare.”
Governing form extremes has never worked out well, as Sheila so aptly states.
IF we have midterms, and Trump does not like the outcome, he will get extremer…not a word, but he won’t care.
Theresa – a poetic description of these times.
Most of us who read Sheila know who the fascists are, what they are doing and how and why they are doing it. These are no longer the the most urgent questions. This is. What am I going to do about it?
If you are just talking about resisting, but doing nothing else, get off your ass and get to work. If you are already working, recruit others. No one can do everything but every one can do something. If you feel helpless, go to Indivisible or the ACLU or 50501 or Vote Vets or Hoosiers for Democracy or any of the other organizations involved in the resistance and follow their lead. And tell everyone you know what you are doing and why you are doing it.
To follow my own advice, I am donating to ACLU and IYG and recruiting friends and I will be at a No Kings rally on October 18th. I’m doing these things to protect your freedoms as well as my own.
Thanks for putting the current situation in perspective, Sheila. It’s what I’ve been thinking, but couldn’t find the words to describe it.
Todd said it best: competition versus collaboration brought to us by entertainment media in all its forms. Media oligarchs who own social media are part of the same fraternity as those who profit from sports, a diversion from life that is built on competion. Other forms of this are corporations competing for consumers who are also employees within the corporations.
All of this encourages everyone to collaborate with others who share the same team affiliation, such as corporate, political, sports team, work team, community, or religious alignment, but compete for resources of all kinds with the opposing teams. That’s the world we have built for ourselves to the point of dysfunction. It was a good idea in moderation, but it turns out to be a terrible idea when taken to extremes.
Sports were a significant part of my late spouse’s interests and entertainment after years of working as a private businessperson. Most of those sporting events were broadcast on major media (CBS, ABC, NBC, ESPN) with free access to the viewers provided by the advertisers. Over the last decade and more, that access is no longer free to the viewers as corporations have discovered huge profits to themselves and their shareholders (the majority of whom are the 1%) in charging not only the advertisers but the viewers the advertisers hope to reach for the privilege of watching.
One of the most significant things about the team culture was that the poorest and richest sat in the bleachers and box seats, shared the triumphs and failures together. Suites and sky-boxes changed all that. The wealthy (mostly white) attendees could segregate themselves from the hoi polloi to insure that their status as superior to others was on display. Most went to the games to be seen not to watch. It is so reminiscent of the games in antiquity, bread and circus to control the “others”.
I once was a casual sports fan, mostly motor sports, basketball and baseball, watching with my spouse as our main source of entertainment. No longer. The streaming services required to do that now would mean a monthly bill exceeding the total of all my utilities put together.
Isolation and segregation is the whole point of separating the wealthy from the rest of us. It is racism and misogyny at its core but always about control. As the professor often says, who gets to decide remains the most important question.
Local affiliates of all the major networks are nothing but infotainment at best. Don’t bother to view if local, state and federal policies interest you.
I access BBC, The Independent, The Guardian, etc. for international and national news, Indiana Capital Chronicle and Indiana Citizen for local/state news.
No Kings on October 18. RESIST.
I was under the impression that there are more voting women in this country than men. If that’s the case then they should all vote and, perhaps, we can then end this nonsense of “men are superior.”