Editor’s note: This commentary is by John Egan of Essex Junction.
On Jan. 5 as I exited a store and brushed some snow off the back of my truck, a young man came up behind me with a long stick-like object. No, he did not assault me, but brushed the remainder of the snow off so I could have a clearer view out my rear window. I thanked him and he replied: “That’s what this country needs now, to be helping each other out.” He did give me a clearer view.
The following day, Jan. 6, we saw the takeover of the Capitol building by rioters, followed by Congress ratifying the result of the election for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In support of our democracy, I thought about flying the American flag out by our mailbox, but hesitated to do so lest it be interpreted as support for Trump. But is this not the trap our country has fallen into: good things, positive qualities, usurped by Trump?
He who was not a patriot hid behind the idea of patriotism. He who loved only himself was behind the idea of “loving America.” He who cared not for saving American lives as evidenced by his handling of the coronavirus hid behind protecting the call to save the life of the unborn. He who had no identity with the truth hid behind the banner of “telling it like it is.” He who never let the rule of law stand in his way hid behind the image of being the champion of law and order. He of the country clubs hid behind the image of “man of the common people.” He who corruptly played the economy hid behind the banner of capitalism. And he who at his inauguration talked of bringing the country together delighted in taking it apart, as that worked so well for him. And so on and on.
That distortion is his manipulative smartness. Years back he stumbled upon the strategy: “Wow, if I say certain things, I get a powerful response, a devoted following.” And so good people who believed in good causes were seduced. And now we have good people on “both” sides yelling traitor at the other.
Come Inauguration Day I will still fly the American flag, and hope it will, like after 9/11, again become a sign of a united country.
