Picking winners, And Sticking With Them

PEOPLE PREFER WINNERS. Experiments reveal that by the age of two people are starting to differentiate between successful people, sorting them out for admiration and emulation. The stronger parent, and so forth. By success is meant social status. To be associated with high status people is to achieve a kind of social status one's self, to rise higher on the great pyramid of life, if only vicariously, which seems to be good enough for most of us. In America, we are especially accomplished at venerated "achievers",or people perceived as such. And although little tend to sort out the legitimate achievers from earned respect honestly from the imposter, or those who did not come about it through fair play, as adults we don't always do this. Hence the continuing popularity of Paris Hilton, famous for being famous, Ohio State and U. of Maryland football, the enduring loyalty of Catholics to their faith, and ongoing, seemingly unshakable support of Donald Trump's political base. A winner, after all, is a winner. Some of our greatest heroes are gangsters and criminals. America has always admired successful criminals, those who spurned the system and got away with it, from Jesse James to John Dillinger to Billy the Kid. WE have a special fondness for those who dare challenge the powerful elite, a reverence for Robin Hood types. We also tend to worship the powerful elite, captivated by the big guys, and above all, by celebrity. We turn more people into celebrities than political life turns into criminals, and that's goin' some. Being famous for being famous is a uniquely American phenomenon, we give away fame for no reason, other than to have somebody to whom to look up. When given out, our loyalties are difficult to dislodge, no matter how compelling the reason for doing so. We really shouldn't admire Jesse James and Al Capone, but we do. The football coach at Ohio State should be fired, not retained because he wins national championships. Instead, he got a perfunctory slap on the wrist. The entire coaching staff at the University of Maryland should be sent to prison, for torture and abuse of human rights. Instead, their fans continue to support them. The Catholic church has forfeited all claim to to credibility, and deserves neither the respect nor the loyalty of its votaries. and yet, the faithful remain faithful. Above all, Donald J. Trump, demonstrably, massively corrupt, should be removed form office. Instead his supporter, though a shrinking minority, only entrench themselves deeper within his swamp. As Thomas Jefferson said, paraphrased, in the Declaration of Independence, history hath shown that we are more inclined to suffer under traditional forms of leadership than to change forms, and stop tolerating the intolerable. The Ohio State football coach and Donald Trump still have their jobs, but that will change, albeit belatedly.