B L I N D
Over the past decade, I have become resolved to the fact that I am becoming deaf. Since November of last year, I have become increasingly aware that I am also partially blind. It is not glaucoma or macular degeneration, where part of the visual field is obscured. But it is a similar affliction. My blind spot has nothing to do with my visual acuity. It is my mind that has occlusions. There are certain things I simply can not see. “See”, as in understand.
Again today I am forced to face this realization when I saw a graph showing that Donald Trump had won the popular vote in 2024. I am baffled. How is it possible that more than half of the voters in our democracy would choose a man to lead their country who is a felon, a vindictive, mendacious, narcissistic, wannabe autocrat?
Friends have explained that voting is not a rational act. It is “all about emotions” they say. I simply don’t understand. I consider myself to be above average for males on the emotional scale. Why can’t I understand the emotional state of mind that would lead one to vote for this terribly flawed individual? They must see him differently. It is not surprising that some may identify with Trump’s bombastic behavior. But over half of the US voting public chose him to be their president? This is simply beyond my capacity to understand. After repeatedly trying, I find that I am incapable of seeing him in a positive light. So, after seeking to gain insight, and failing, I have decided to quit trying, and accept the fact that I am partially blind.
Copyright 4/8/2025 by Theodore “Tod” Lundy, Architect