Three Reasons to Love the Cruz Convention Speech

Three Reasons to Love the Cruz Convention Speech July 21, 2016

I guess everything has been said that can be said about last night’s RNC shocker of Ted Cruz not endorsing Trump and appallingly encouraging the American people to “vote their consciences”. How hatful of him. As an aside, I’m sorry to be writing about politics so much. I’m really meant to be writing about how better to arrange your cupboards and how to read the bible so that it doesn’t kill you. Actually, can’t remember the original perimeters of this blog. The fact is, this political season, lasting as it is for eternity, has inserted itself into the darkness of every cupboard and conversation. Like a separation between Church and State, I always thought there ought to be, in appearances at least, a separation between Politics and Life. But Facebook has ruined that illusion. And these are pretty exciting times. Even a mediocre housewife with an Internet connection can have political opinions. Yay Women!

Where was I? Oh yes, Lyin’ Ted Cruz Ruining Everything. What a great moment. Here’s why it gives me hope for humanity.

First of all, I know that politics is cut and thrust and mean and dirty. That you malign someone’s character publicly and then, after losing to them, you give them a big hug and kiss and offer to buy them all their burgers from then on. I understand that this is the accepted mode by which our system operates. But it doesn’t make it good. And every time a Chris Christi or a Ben Carson or even a Hillary Clinton–after articulating pertinent truths about the opposing candidate–crinkles up the eyes and goes in for big fake smiling handshake, a baby bunny in heaven loses her wings and has to hop down to hell. To say it another way, It’s Really Gross. Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t make it good.

Mr. Trump was personally awful to Mr. Cruz. And I am so charmed and gladdened with the wondrous joy of gladness that Mr. Cruz would retain his dignity enough to not turn around and give Mr. Trump a big fake hug. Oh, I know it’s all calculated politics, but for once it’s not completely repellent.

Second, we need the space to be contrary. One of the saddest outcomes of the Inclusion Lie is that we don’t actually get to all be included any more. Whereas before, when we had free speech and thought, two people could disagree pleasantly about very important matters and still get up and carry on with their lives the next day. Now, of course, we all have to agree dammit, no matter what. And that seems to be true on the Left and the Right, which is metastasizing into a more confused and oranger version of the left. It is right and good for some people to stand up, in public, and have a loud and contrary point of view. This important element of human society is slipping rapidly away from us and we should savor every moment of it that we can until it’s all gone and there isn’t any more.

Third, incivility is not the same as disagreement. You know what’s annoying and disrespectful? Shouting at people while they’re talking. This happens to me all the time. I’m sitting, talking to someone–my husband perhaps, or a friend, or even a passer by–and suddenly a loud, out of control, screaming throng will beset me and demand Popsicles, a walk to the park, the use of the Xbox, and tortillas lathered in Nutella. I reel back, embarrassed, amazed, shattered. The noise, so deafening as to be totalitarian in its quality, discombobulates everyone and, you won’t even believe this, “shuts down dialogue” and even my own “free speech”. Plus, it’s completely childish, whether it’s children screaming for screens, or adults screaming for you to shut up. Kudos to Mr. Cruz for smiling and waving and walking off the stage calmly at such a disrespectful moment.

Really, the only way to get through this political season is to wholeheartedly embrace the doctrine of Total Depravity. Humanity is not good y’all. All sin and fall short of the glory of God. People love to shout and shut other people down rather than talk sensibly. It’s just the way we are because we corporately hate God. See, I can always bring it back to the bible. Bla bla bla the bible.

Have a lovely day! Cheer up! Things will definitely get worse.


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