The Willful Destruction of Order

 Hello my followers and readers,

'tis a sad day to be writing for the first time in the new year.  In 2021.  As 2020 faded and ended with the release and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines the world seemed to be on an upswing.  Here in the USA, there was still much turmoil around the President and many of his supporters who would not accept the fact that he lost the election.  The danger in his  histrionic behavior was apparent to many free thinking intelligent people- so many of whom had supported him in the past or voted for him. In full disclosure, I am not one of them.  As I've mentioned in so many other pieces, the US is hamstrung by an outdated thought process that we must really limit ourselves to only two political parties.

While I freely admit to being a member of the US Republican party, I would prefer to be independent except that it would take away my privilege to participate in the primary elections on every level.  Vote for everything, not just for when there's a Presidential election.  I voted, I voted for every level that was up for election.  I voted Republican.  I did not vote for the sitting President, not in 2020, and notfor him  in 2016.  I've written in a candidate for President three times.  Everyone should vote their mind and not with the masses if they so wish.

Everyone should vote, period.

All elections are important. All of them.  I can agree to disagree.  I cannot agree to any-- ANY level of dishonestly, impropriety and misinformation.  Unfortunately the inciteful manner, going back to before the election, of the President and his supporters was driving all three, all of this was taking place and people believed it.  People believed that he cared about more than his ego.  As one that is always up for debate, I've lost friendships and disenfranchised family members who believe whatever they are told by others with their mindset.  Irrespective of factual information that debunked all of the lies and misinformation all marched like lemmings. Like all good parents and teachers have said "Do Your Homework." 

Then came Wednesday, January 6, 2021.  The date that for the first time in 54 years of life there were incidents in not only our nation's capital, but Capital Building.  The Capital Building is supposed to be the safest place in the country outside of the White House. The incidents had me explaining to colleagues and friends something that I've done professionally for nearly three decades.  Civil Insurrection and Riot.  Truth be told, Answerman is not a Superhero, but an insurance professional.  In Life Insurance documents that I've written the exclusions of payment include;  suicide (for the first two years), insurrection, riot, commission of a crime or war. 

There is no mention of civil insurrection as that would be an oxymoron.  Insurrection and riot are actually not synonymous.  What I've long explained is that while the two are related they are not the same.  On 1/6/21 we saw both.  In the last seven months we have seen both numerous times.  However, not an assault against our country.  An insurrection is: An act of revolt against civil authority (hence, the common "civil insurrection," or government (Webster's dictionary).

A riot, at least in terms of the insurance industry is an active engagement where the insurrectionist become an engaged combatant.  Violent public disorder (Webster's dictionary).  The mob, and it was a mob, which again is defined by Webster's as; A large and disorderly group of people especially one bent on riotous and destructive action.  No, not all that gathered could be defined as rioters.  Some were really present to exercise their right to free speech and expression.  To them I circle back to my statement that I can always agree to disagree.  What has made this country great is that we are provided the privilege of free speech.

A willful destruction of order followed.  Mob mentality is one that when individuals who are not free thinkers see others of similar mindset react, will react in concert.  It happened at the highest level, incited by the President, who lied to the supporting masses that he would "march with them."  He then went back to the safest place in the country and let the insurrection and rioting take place before finally saying half heatedly "Go home, your special, we love you."  Hardly words of non-support.  

The Answerman says "We are better than this as a country, as a people.  I am deeply and negatively affected that idiocy and groupthink has taken over for the will to make our world that touches us a better place.  Love thy neighbor, agree to disagree, hold public discourse in an orderly fashion.  Facts bely fiction.  Live each day to make the world a better place for EVERYONE, not just yourself."