The concept of Addition by Subtraction supposedly originated when a sports coach suggested they didn’t need more great players to be successful, and instead, should focus on getting rid of under-performing players. I think Miles Davis was way ahead of them when he said, "It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play." And sculptors have spoken about art revealing itself because of what is removed from the block for generations.
Republican, being republicans, are seeking to pioneer Division by Subtraction. Rather than trying to improve our country by promoting its core ideals, they seek to divide it into squabbling factions by picking away the bonds between us. They barely give lip service to the concepts of liberty and justice for all. Instead, they create artificial grievances, instill to raise fear and distrust between us.
There are a lot of things they are trying to subtract from the soul of the United States:
Unity — The idea of One Nation has no meaning to the tRumpisstas. they champion RED vs. BLUE, rural vs. urban, white vs. everyone else, and have vs. have-not (where it doesn’t conflict with the other divisions they foster). The history of our country is about the struggle to come together and overcome our differences. That is meaningless to today’s republican cult.
Liberty — The only liberty they pretend to care about it is the one they’ve manufactured by ignoring a clause in the amendment. They are using their questionable interpretation as a lever to divide, not caring at all about the consequent death and maiming they’ve endorsed.
Justice — The current republican position appears to consist solely of the words “It’s OK if you are a republican.” They happily support an openly criminal president. tRump University and the tRump Foundation were shut down because of fraud. He violated laws when he payed off Daniels, et al. Most recently, he perpetrated an orgy of Hatch Act violations.
When presented with obvious evidence of structural racism, the response is to shout loudly about backing police, because they are keeping the black and brown hordes from overrunning us. It is laughable to claim justice is applied equally, regardless of race, creed or orientation.
Freedom of the Press — Demonizing the press is not healthy. Pushing fact-free propaganda and complaining when it is debunked is the least obnoxious attempt to undermine the free exchange of ideas. Calling the press the enemy of the people is beyond the pale.
Honesty, Decency, Compassion, Empathy: While these traits are not explicitly laid out in the founding documents, they are values that we have traditionally held in high esteem. Their culture of protecting privilege is robbing us of any claim of such virtues. They accuse us of creating a “Cancel Culture” while they are busy cancelling humanity.
I hope this is enough to get the idea percolating. Especially, since the publication deadline is rushing at me. I’d like to finish with a question: What else do you think they are trying to take away from us?
Bonus Alliteration: Bunker boi believes bounty briefings belong buried between big brick bastions and barbed-wire barricades, beneath barrels brimming with baneful botulinum.
Bonus RNC Verdict: tRump made up for the distinct lack of excitement surrounding the delivery of his marathon acceptance speech by filling it with and excess of excrement.
Up the Resistance!
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