Politically, culturally and geographically, we suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder. More particularly, Mexican Borderline Personality Disorder. Clinically, Borderline Personality Disorder (“BPD”) is a prolonged disturbance of personality function. It involves mood instability, chaotic relationships and image, identity and behavioral problems. It causes those afflicted to see friends and loved ones as enemies and is marked by self harming, self destructive and/or self sabotaging behavior. Sufferers are extremely sensitive to criticism. Their decisions are informed by a reckless impulsivity. Without proper care, the sufferer may even attempt suicide.
Our cultural BPD is most evidently manifest in the recent conflict over the systematically sustained breach of the Mexican border. The border conflict is the most evident manifestation of the prolonged disturbance of our national identity and our collective ability to function within its construct. We are no longer united by a national identity, the pursuit of a secure border, and the protection of our homeland. Cultural self loathing has caused us to turn against one another.
Advocates of secure borders are viewed as paranoid delusional Smith and Wesson bull action rifle toting protectionist racists resisting “immigration reform.” States besieged by border crossers and rampant escalation in violent crime have taken matters into their own hands with home grown border patrol and the promulgation of controversial enforcement legislation. “Reformers” are viewed as skirt over their head entitlement slinging ballot box whores purchasing political power with American patrimony. Embracing the millions who have entered the country illegally with voter registration cards and with a “what can we do but pay for their medical care, education and make them citizens shrug.”
All parties are extremely sensitive to criticism and have all but abandoned respectful disagreement. Honest debate about who these people are … what their conduct constitutes … and how the porous border should be dealt with to stave off problematic growth in the numbers of undocumented aliens … seems virtually impossible given our cultural condition. Understand … the harm is self induced. As a nation … we stand on the ledge … looking at the ground below … the subconscious debate raging … will we jump? Principally ravaged by the abrogation of the rule of law and intellectually compromised by western civilization apologists … we are unable to assess the historical, cultural and socio political implications of our own “condition.” Confused by the fog of political correctness, the extinction of discernment near complete, we are collectively compelled to step closer to the edge beckoned by the crowd below to jump.
Perhaps this is the time to step back … pursue proper care of our condition and endeavor to make a determination as to what’s in our best interest as Americans. That requires collective self examination and a national dialogue concerning our national identity and social, political and cultural objectives. Who are we? What do we stand for? Are we who we say we are? Do we behave in a way that is consistent with who we say we are? What do we hope to achieve as a society … and what is the best way to achieve it?
For my contribution to the national dialogue, I submit that we are Americans. We stand for liberty and justice. We are a nation of laws. The rule of law is paramount. Adherence to the rule of law is one of the most important attributes of our national identity. It is the rule of law in the context of the principles of liberty and justice that necessarily brings peace and facilitates personal and economic prosperity. If we are a nation of laws ... then what does the law say about the issue of undocumented aliens? Is it ever in our best interest for some of us to agree that it is okay to break the law and/or not enforce the law from time to time? Why is it that some of those who have been charged with enforcing the law … have failed to do so contrary to their oath of office? Is there something in it for them? Is it okay to agree that they shouldn’t have to enforce the law or that the law shouldn’t be enforced if there is something in it for you?
It is each of our civic responsibility to understand this issue. It is symptomatic of a much larger condition. We suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder. Our refusal to treat it is cultural … economic … and socio-political suicide.
That’s my “diagnonsense.”