A few days ago in an interview with Reuters President Trump made the statement, “This [the Presidency] is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier.” Amazingly enough, being a public servant is more difficult than inheriting a fortune. Who would have thought? I also couldn’t help but be reminded of a similar quote from President George W. Bush, “If this were a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier… as long as I’m the dictator [maniacal laughter]”. I guess republicans just don’t think being the President is that big of a deal.
Later a liberal Facebook account made a post where they characterized the comment as whining. As you might expect, supporters of President Trump vehemently disparaged the post and defended the President. Contrary-wise, opponents of President Trump enthusiastically agreed with the claim that his statement amounted to nothing more than whining. That got me thinking about whining and its use in political commentary.
My favorite definition of whining is “Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution.” Many attribute this quote to President Theodore Roosevelt, and I’m pretty sure Ron Swanson from the television show Parks and Recreation quoted it as well. Nowadays, however, when it comes to social issues the word whining is used a little differently. When you dislike or disagree with the person making the statement it is called whining. This is a convenient way to justify ignoring the concerns of the person without trying to understand them or providing contrary evidence.
It is all too common lately, particularly for conservatives, to brush aside even legitimate complaints and criticisms as whining; the people called names like “snowflakes”. It is utterly moronic. It immediately redirects the conversation from the issue. The accuser doesn’t even have to think. They get to stay in their bubble devoid of facts and depth and everyone else is just too sensitive. Want to see a conservative act like a sensitive snowflake? Exercise your constitutional right to free speech by burning a flag. You could also refuse to stand during the national anthem, or you could simply wish them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. You see, it is not that people are too sensitive to issues; it is that people are not sensitive enough to opposing points of views.
As far as that liberal Facebook account’s post goes. I suspect their intention was more to point out the hypocrisy of President Trump’s behavior than it was to legitimately claim that his statement was nothing more than whining. Personally, I don’t think President Trump was whining. He was barely complaining. I find it somewhat big of him to admit that he underestimated his job as President, and at the same time I find it deeply troubling. Additionally, if you listen to more of his recent speaking he has proposed a solution. His solution is to eliminate the checks and balances of our democracy and just let him do whatever he wants. I think most of us can agree that is a bad idea.
So, can we just stop with the “snowflake” bullshit and start listening to each other? Instead of redirecting the debate away from the issue, learn something about it and contribute something useful. If you disagree with someone, instead of calling them names provide evidence and reasoning. If we want to continue to progress as a society more of us need to start behaving like adults.
