The attack on our basic institutions

In November 2009, Rush Limbaugh rabidly attacked the science of climate change in a portion of his radio show he called, “Climategate.” During that show he called the basic institutions of our society: government, academia, science, and media, the “Four Corners of Deceit.” Since then, the right-wing attack on these institutions has only intensified.

The truth is our country’s greatest achievements have always come about when these four pillars of society have worked together. (Think of the space program, or World War 2, or the interstate highway system). There was a consensus about what we wanted to accomplish, and all four institutions worked together to bring it about. Our citizens generally trusted these institutions and took great pride in America’s successes.

In fact, the basic functioning of our democracy depends on these four institutions working together. Science and academia, using methods and procedures refined over centuries, identify, research, and develop new ideas, goods, and services which are standardized by the government and shared by the media. These institutions, though certainly not perfect, are not the cause of America’s problems, they are, and have always been, the foundation through which we find solutions.

Undermining democracy

In our democracy, decisions are intended to be reached by an open and fair discussion followed by a majority vote. The best decisions result when a mutual consensus can be reached. Policy discussions are intended to be based upon mutually agreed upon facts established by rational, peer-reviewed research. Without facts, established ground rules, and a basic level of civic trust, the process fails, gridlock occurs, and nothing gets accomplished.

By choosing to constantly and virulently attack our basic institutions, the right-wing media has deliberately and consciously chosen to place themselves (and, frankly, almost the entire Republican Party) outside the rules and norms of the Constitution and our democratic republic. By attacking and undermining the basic pillars of our society, they are, by definition, committing treason.

Betraying trust

Treachery is characterized by a betrayal of trust. The right-wing media has dedicated themselves to the task of destroying public trust in American institutions. Their desire is to substitute themselves (and their demagogue President) as the only arbiters of “truth.”

This, of course, is not democracy. It is fascism. The big-money propagandists are again using corrupt and immoral tactics to brainwash and control the masses. Immigrants and minorities are again being scapegoated as the cause of everything bad. Meanwhile, a narcissistic leader is again using mass rallies to whip up authoritarian ultra-nationalism and violence.

In an open, free, democratic society it is perfectly fine to disagree with your government, challenge the findings of science, question the academy, and choose your own preferred media sources. But to denigrate ALL of them ALL of the time as being sources of deceit, while promoting a single network (Fox News) or a single person (Trump) as a never failing source of truth and inspiration, is irrational and extremely dangerous.

Do not be bullied by this idiotic nonsense. Speak out and defend the mainstream media, real science, and our traditional academic and governmental institutions. Do what you can to wake up others. The barbarians are at the gates!

I am your voice. I alone can fix it. I will restore law and order.

Donald J. Trump

Surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

Satan (Moses 4:1)

Sources: David Roberts, “Donald Trump and the rise of tribal epistemology,”Vox, May 19, 2017.
Yoni Applebaum, “I Alone Can Fix It,” The Atlantic, July 21, 2016.