The American collective family is dizzy with disequilibrium. With the possibility of Hilary emerging as the nominee, the primal fears of Mom taking over the family are welling up inside all of us. The country is going through what we all have gone through growing up. The question of “who’s in charge” still plagues us. We were traumatized by the battles until the matter was settled. For many of us it never was and we’re still trying to work it out.
Trump is often compared to Archie Bunker, while Sanders is criticized for retreating to the bunker. One says “they’ll never do that to me,” the other walks away refusing to be involved in uncivil discourse about civil rights.
Those who think that the Donald is like Archie have it wrong. He’s really more like the other Donald - Donald Duck. If you are familiar with this Disney character, he is known for two characteristics - his optimism and his impatience. He is a happy character until someone challenges him or frustrates his desires. Any taking him to task triggers his rage. Bernie comes more out of the “Father Knows Best” mold, softer in tone and full of good advice for the country.
Together, Donald and Bernie provide a counterbalance to the strong female in the scenario. Even though many Americans are ready for the first female president they are anxious about taking this step, especially on the heels of electing the first black president. Too much change, too soon for some.
The real contest is not between the candidates themselves, but between competing views of masculinity and how we are going to deal with the ascendance of women in our culture and our politics. Neither of these men will ever be president, but someday we’ll thank them for showing us why it’s time to put a women in charge.
Tom Bissonette