The silly season is upon us

Each election cycle seems to get crazier than the last. It is evidence of something, and it may not be good. There is already some troubling rumblings out there. If true, this may be the last election held in this country as we know have known it.

It has been called the silly season in past cycles, because it seemed rather harmless. However, these latest developments are like what Thomas Jefferson described as a "firebell in the night". Jefferson was referring to the sectional controversy that existed prior to the Civil War. This situation isn't exactly like that one, but the differences are stark, and the stakes are high.

A presidential election preceded the last Civil War. This Civil War, if it comes, may well come down to the results of a presidential election. If so, who will be most responsible for the breakup of the Union? What will be the issues that are being fought over?

Some might say personalities. But it isn't about Trump's personality at all. The personality aspect is part of the rampant dishonesty that is part of the silly season. It isn't about Biden's mental faculties either, despite the fact that he really has some issues there. So what is the real issue here?

We'll be lucky if that question gets asked. The silly season is rampant with phony issues. It's like what the late Herb Cohen once said: "Once you get past the phony tinsel, you get to the real tinsel." We'll have trouble getting past the phony tinsel part the way we're going. More Russian collusion. Please spare me the nonsense.

There is no honesty and integrity out there. On that count, I'd say Trump has it all over Biden. The Democrats are hell bent on gaining and keeping power. There is no such thing as a loyal opposition for these people. If there was respect for a loyal opposition, would the Democrats be trying to destroy Trump? None of their accusations are made in good faith based upon something real. The Democrats are conjuring up a monster, while ignoring their own monstrous behavior. The persecution of this man is unreal. All he did was to beat them at an election. For this, he has committed the greatest "crime" ever committed. What kind of mentality could think that way? Not one that has been the long time tradition of this country, which included the freedom to disagree.

But if they really respected the institutions, such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, would they treat the opposition so shabbily? The founding documents allow for a loyal opposition. There's something terribly wrong when it becomes a crime to disagree with the powers-that-be. It is downright un-American. That is, it would have been said to be so at one time in the past, but not so much now. The country has lost its sense of self.

Make America great again? I'd settle for making America its true self again. The greatness came from that. The spirit that made this country great is on trial now. The outcome of that trial is in doubt. There's nothing silly about that one. If you are inclined to pray, then this country needs one right now. Perhaps it is too late for that. Better to do it anyway with all the humility and sincerity that you can muster. That is, if you care enough to be concerned about it.