We are in the middle of an undeclared CIVIL WAR

Email Stephen L. Goldstein: trendsman@aol.com

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 from The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, August 19, 2012        

            We are in the middle of an undeclared civil war. And no matter who wins in November, it appears that hate speech, fueled by unlimited Super PAC and billionaire dollars, is never gonna stop, and the divisions that it stokes in the country will grow wider and more toxic than ever—to what end I’m afraid to imagine.

            Sadly, we live in a post-Pandora’s box world, in which bad is the new good, vile is the norm, and there’s little or no hope things will change for the better. It’s gotten so bad, that some career-level haters are “eating their own.” Recently, leaving Sean Hannity speechless on his own show, a totally unglued Ann Coulter demanded Romney (never her favorite candidate) fire his spokesperson Andrea Saul (“the moron,” her word) for praising his Massachusetts healthcare plan in an attempt to deflect a negative, pro-Obama ad, thereby exposing Mitt’s Achilles heel. (Where would we be without Greek mythology?)

            So, imagine the verbal volcanos—and who knows what else?—that will likely erupt after one of the following possible outcomes of the election:

            First: Obama wins and Democrats achieve significant majorities in both houses of Congress. The entire FOX (it isn’t)News organization undergoes emergency psychiatric therapy. Republicans demand the resignation or impeachment of Eric Holder for overturning voter suppression laws that should have been able to prevent Armageddon (their word). In an attempt to overturn the election, birthers Donald Trump and Orly Taitz file lawsuits alleging Obama isn’t a U.S. citizen. Trump “goes native,” undercover in Kenya in search of documents and testimony proving Obama was born there. In states where the GOP remains in control of government, elected officials will redouble efforts to pass legislation to thwart federal law and initiatives. There’s talk of secession, especially in Texas and South Carolina. So what’s new? No matter: Obama and Democrats seize the day and pass the most progressive legislation in recent memory before the mid-term elections, stoking the fires of discontent.

            Second: Obama wins, Democrats lose the House and maintain a majority in the Senate, but it isn’t filibuster-proof. With possible Supreme Court nominations at stake, Harry Reid uses the “nuclear option,” lowering the number of votes needed to invoke cloture. Republicans go wild, scream “Dictatorship!” “Unconstitutional!” The GOP-dominated House votes to impeach the president, but is thwarted in the Senate. Gridlock and the war of words are worse than ever. Routinely, en masse, Republicans walk out of the Senate chamber and vilify Democrats on the steps of the Capitol.

            Third: Romney wins, Democrats have a majority in the Senate and the House. Washington grinds to a halt. Democrats vow to make Romney a “one-term president,” and Republicans cry foul. MSNBC has a field day replaying quotes of Mitch McConnell vowing to make Obama a “one-term president.” Right-wing commentators go ballistic and insist that “elections have consequences” and Romney should be able to implement the programs and policies he promised “the people.” MSNBC runs endless interviews of Republicans’ blocking Obama’s initiatives during his first term.

            Fourth: Romney wins, Democrats have a majority in the Senate but Republicans maintain their lead in the House. Democrats block Romney’s Supreme Court and federal judicial nominations. Tea party/GOP efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade, undo Obama progressive social legislation, and enact an ultra-conservative social agenda lead to mass demonstrations by affected groups.

            No matter which scenario occurs—and there may be others—expect no relief from the political equivalent of a barroom brawl for the next four years. I just don’t see the mechanism or mindset for accomplishing anything that even approaches minimal civility, truthfulness, or well-intentioned consensus-building. It’s as though the only payoff comes from stirring the pot. Our leaders have absolved themselves of responsibility for solving the nation’s problems through the normal give-and-take of politics. In fact, the more extreme and unyielding their positions, the more millions pour in to their campaign coffers. The public seems evermore eager to watch a fight.

            So, our airwaves and public discourse will remain poisoned. Some family members will stop talking to each other. People will stop doing business with people of whom they are politically wary—or at least will proceed, agreeing to disagree and avoid open and honest discussion. Minds don’t change.

            Of course, we have always been a divided and contentious nation. The Civil War was brutal. But it had a beginning, middle, and end. Now, we are embroiled in a battle that seems endless—and unendable. In mythology, after all the bad stuff left Pandora’s Box, only hope remained inside. If only we could access it#