There’s something unfair happening in how people talk about politics.
Leaders and powerful people get extra protection for their feelings.
And the real problems of normal people get ignored.
Here’s what this looks like:
Yelling about “Disrespect”
A so-called “leader” in a position of constitutional power and authority gets triggered if someone is unkind to them.
They yell about it.
That same leader doesn’t really care that much if a policy they advocated, created, and support enforcement actually hurts people.
Turning Criticism into a Personal Attack
Criticize a leader’s idea, they say you’re being mean to them personally.
Disagreement with their plan is an ad hominem attack.
Care About Feelings, Not Consequences
People worry: “Does the so-called leader feel like they’re listening?”
The so-called leader doesn’t worry as much about: “Did my decision actually cause people problems?”
The Real Problem
The core issue: Who decides whose pain matters?
Powerful people can say other people’s suffering doesn’t count.
At the same time, they demand that everyone be nice to them.
It’s not that they’re mean.
It’s that they have power.
They can set the norms, rules, and standards about whose problems matter.
And whose don’t.
