The year of living dangerously

"This is the season of living dangerously. We are very, very close to losing control. Pray the Red Team can keep control of the House of Representatives. For if a baseless impeachment comes, our ship of state could run aground."

Wow! Welcome to the blood sport of Minnesota, better known as the political season. At one time, the political season was called the "silly season". As of late however, there is nothing "silly" about it. It can be absolutely brutal and harsh. When I say harsh, I am talking name calling harsh, threatening statements harsh, unfriending harsh, and severing relationships harsh. And why is that? How in the world has it come to this?

I heard an interesting article on the news the other day about this same issue. Most everyone of an honest nature will say the same thing about our political discourse today - it is toxic. But when did it start becoming that way? The pundit in this article believed it was during the Clinton Administration. That "Slick Willie" and his life partner, were allowed by the press to get away with so much. PLUS (and this is a big one), that was the first time the press sold out being objective and were totally in bed for the Clinton Administration. In fact, CNN was so pro-Clinton, many referred to CNN as the "Clinton News Network".

After eight years of Clinton shenanigans, the nation decided, in the closest race in Presidential history, to reject Al Gore and elect the son of a former President.  The "Clintonestas" who were still roaming the landscape, hated that outcome. So the toxicity level went up a few more points. For eight years, the press and the Loony Left were all over this good and decent man. It is during this administration, that the press really showed its now true colors. And - conservatives hated what was happening to our country.

The rest is history we all know. Under Obama things got an order of magnitude worse, and now with President Trump, there is no middle ground - on anything. You either love Donald Trump, or despise him. Then one might ask - where do we go from here?

Back to the blood sport. Since there is no middle ground on any issue, the midterms, which used to be a yawner of an event, has become THE make or break event for the country. Instead of a mild tide change should one party or the other gain seats, the outcome of this election will be a tidal wave or tsunami. In fact, it could be the match which lights the fire. How so? The Democrats, along with rich sycophants like Tom Steyer, are looking to take over the House of Representatives for one main reason - to impeach this President. Then our toxicity might go from harmful to lethal.

This toxic atmosphere has even permeated the MN GOP party. There is a nasty race developing for Governor between the endorsed grass roots candidate (who has been working on this race for many, many months), and an interloper lobbyist, who is coming in from New York, filled to the brim with donor cash. How nasty is this race? Big time nasty, and will probably get more so as the weeks to the primary pass by. 

The frosting on the cake however, was an article in the local newspaper this morning about the MN GOP Party Chair. Seems some of her own have been throwing some shade at her - and worse. Like calling her some pretty tough and disgusting names. One name which was alleged, I have not heard for decades. She did say she knew who in her own party was behind this. My vote? Name it and claim it Madam Chair. If you have the names and proof, time to clean house. 

In any event, stepping into this ring is not for the weak or meek. It is tough out there. It is easy to get your feelings hurt. However, it you believe strongly in your position, in your candidate, in the future of the state and country, it is worth the battle. The hardest part for me is to be tough and firm, yet respectful at the same time. Sometimes it is very, very hard. I know I come up short on this more than I would like to.

This is the season of living dangerously. We are very, very close to losing control. Pray the Red Team can keep control of the House of Representatives. For if a baseless impeachment comes, our ship of state could run aground. Then the blood sport of politics might just devolve into an era of brutal and bloody history.