Adding Fuel to the Fire

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we all know what that means… there will be carving of turkeys, baking of pies, and rubbing of bellies. In light of this holiday season, I thought I’d share my all-time favorite recipe that is certain to add just a bit more spice to your evening:

'After the food is served and the blessing is said, sprinkle some salt onto grandma’s bean casserole and toss out a few political comments to go along with it. That’s all. Now, sit back and enjoy as the whole table erupts in a well-mannered, patient, and respectful conversation about elections, policies, and politicians. Congratulations, you just made everyone’s Thanksgiving a day to remember!'

After re-reading that introduction, I wonder if I should not write satire until I’m actually good at it.

The point I’m trying to make remains, though:

Why is the topic of politics so inflammatory?

And why is it such a rare thing to have a civilized discourse about politics?

The answer is simple: Those who do not share my political opinions are crazy and lack common sense. That’s all there is to it.

Sorry, I wanted to give the whole satire thing one more shot. I think I might be getting better at this.

No, of course we want to go deeper than ‘the other side just sucks’. We want to look beyond policies and politicians, elections, and campaigns. I believe there is a more profound answer to be found, one that is not dependent on current political events but can be found in us and in our hearts.

I believe the answer is this: We love allowing politics to outrage us because we cannot change their course.

Let me explain:

Let’s say I can do only one pushup, and I hate that. I wish I could do more. I complain to my friends about it, and I am enraged that I am so weak. At some point, my friends will have had enough, and they will say, ‘You know, if you want to get stronger, all you have to do is start training. If you want something to change, take control and change it.’

Imagine my response to their comments is this: ‘Thanks for the advice. I don’t want to change anything, though. I’m not going to train. I just absolutely hate that I can’t do more than one pushup! I'm so weak!’

People would think I’m going insane. There is something I don’t like; there is a solution provided; I refuse to accept the solution; I remain enraged.

In many areas of life, people will hold me accountable if I express a desire for change. My words of discontent will require me to take responsibility and force me into action.

Politics are not like this. Over 150 million ballots were cast in the 2024 US election. My voice counts as 1 in 150,000,000. Effectively, I cannot change anything in politics. If I participate in every election, I am doing the most that can be expected from the average citizen.

Usually, being dissatisfied with something requires a change of behavior. We are all responsible for our own lives. This makes politics the perfect battleground for those who want to be outraged without taking responsibility to make things better themselves. They can hate the policies of the current party in power. They can accuse politicians of making their lives miserable. They can watch the news ad nauseam in disbelief at how incompetent the government is.

And all the while, they will have to change nothing, for they are only 1 in 150 million.

This behavior is problematic for several reasons:

1. People see themselves as victims of circumstances outside of their control. Making oneself out to be the victim of external events is equal to giving up all responsibility and relinquishing authority over one’s life (read more about that here).

2. Complaining is not virtuous. It is condemned by Marcus Aurelius, who says, ‘Don’t be overheard complaining…Not even to yourself.’ (8.9)

   Complaining leaves no room for gratitude. By complaining about the world around me, which is beyond my control, I will only frustrate myself. Complaining about myself is perhaps even more pointless because I have the ability and responsibility to cause change within myself.

3. Fools are outraged by things outside of their control; wise men focus on that which they can. One can always control one's response to external stimuli.

4. Focusing on uncontrollable events pulls one’s focus from personal responsibilities that require attention and can be controlled. Perhaps this is why arguing about politics is so popular. It allows people to forget about the pressing responsibilities of life. It is like a real-life video game pulling them from things that desperately need their attention.

Discussing politics is important and necessary, but that is not what I am addressing in this contemplation.

The question is, should we allow politics to enrage us? When we do, it shows a lack of self-control and poor prioritization of values. It is highly unvirtuous and dishonorable behavior that introduces nothing of value to the world. Additionally, discussing politics in this uncontrolled fashion can and will drive a wedge between friends, family members, and loved ones.

Do not take the bait.

Do not add fuel to the fire.

'Stars and Stripes' - taken in Georgia