An Immigrant’s Thoughts

27 Days after the 2020 U.S. Election — A simple immigrant’s thoughts about a complex process — article 3

11/29/2020

During a recent political discussion on TV, one of the guests quoted something in French. I did not quite get it at the time, kept thinking what did he say and how it related to the conversation. Finally, I was able to recall. They were discussing the fact that the power of an office is not easy to let go of for some people. History is full of these instances. But, I was thinking, is it really difficult only for some people? Is it not difficult for almost everyone? Being the most intelligent creature on earth (at least that is what we claim to be), people develop some plans (laws, processes, procedures,etc.) to tackle difficult situations tactfully. Well, sometimes things do not go according to plan.

Recently, I was reading an interesting article. It described bees and their behavior in details. I was especially interested in the process of choosing a new queen. It was surprising. I found their process complicated, politically charged and sometimes ruthless. It seems, though most of the time it goes smoothly, but from time to time, chaos erupts. A lot like ours. Sometimes the old queen wants to linger in the power, and is reluctant to let go of the fabulous lifestyle she has gotten used to. Unfortunately, everyone must follow the protocol and procedures and abide by the public’s (in this case, the worker bees) decision.

l’état c’est moi (Re: Louis XIV)

This quote that I heard for the first time was “l’état c’est moi.” The translation can be ‘the state is me’, ‘state is mine’ or ‘I am the state’.

But, why were these analysts talking about it now? They were analyzing the current political situation and expressing their opinions. In the past there had been monarchs and heads of states who believed themselves as invincible and absolutely the only right person to lead a kingdom or a country. Is it an illusion they create for themselves? The question is, how do they get to that point? Is it all by their own blind ambitions for power? Total disregard for people and their opinions? Is it not the public like us who made someone believe that about himself/herself?

They could be called followers, base etc. But, why do people follow someone so blindly? Is it because they believe this is the only person who understands them, listens to their side of the story? I think many of these leaders who in a short time can command so many people’s absolute loyalty, possesses an incredible insight to identify an actual gap in a group of people where void or a gap is growing. This includes groups of frustrated people who feel they are being shunned, abused, ignored and short changed and looking for a savior. I feel, a very keen individual identifies this void and sows the seeds of powerful negative emotions (hatred, fear, greed, etc.) and lets them grow — with little regards to the consequences. The blind devotion to this savior will grow exponentially. Social gurus can point fingers to many things, blaming many people. But, until a void is addressed effectively, it will keep growing in worse ways.

Moving Forward

I have lived and worked in both northern and southern states of this great country and I loved all the places and people. Still do. I understand, there are many groups of people who feel their contributions are not being recognized, their needs have less value, they are being short changed. I mean it will be a continuous effort for our leaders to heed their grievances.

I hope, the politicians and leaders will pay special attention to these types of gaps while they are still small. Unless their concerns are addressed, the powerful emotions of these people will keep growing. It maybe easy to push aside or ignore one group of people in favor of another. If we continue to do that, as history teaches us, someone will come along, take all these strong emotions, declare himself/herself a savior, and start a wildfire destroying everything in its path including lives, properties, the Constitution, democracy, state, country.