Like a lot of Canadians, I suspect, my family have spent more time thinking and talking about U.S. politics in the last few years than ever before. Among other symptoms of this peculiar and unbecoming habit was the inclusion of a fair bit of U.S.-focused podcasts in our listening habits. One of the podcasts my husband has been listening to is called "What Trump Can Teach Us about Con Law". In the days following the U.S. election, I found myself reflecting on what Trump can teach us about behaviour, hence the title for this post.
Everyone except those closest to him can see they are dealing with someone who has been insulated, by family and handlers and privilege, from the consequences of his actions for, presumably, his whole life. He has, reportedly, taken unfair advantage of others in matters financial and personal, routinely lied without being called on it (or, if called on it, doubled down on those lies), been verbally, physically and sexually abusive, and on it goes. What makes him think he can get away with it, we ask? Of course the answer is simple: because the people in his life prevented him from ever experiencing the consequences of his actions.
So what does this remind us of? Nothing more or less than the long-term consequences of insulating our loved ones from the consequences of their own actions and choices. We do this for love, out of fear, to prevent potential harm (of all types), to save time, and for many other very good reasons. Maybe I'm a meanie, but I take a small, secret amount of pleasure whenever my son suffers (mildly) as the result of his failure to make his own choices, whether that be getting wet because he didn't check the forecast (or the sky), or not being able to purchase something he desires because he didn't monitor his bank balance, or anything else that is perhaps unpleasant or unhappy-making, but not actually dangerous.
