The Era of “CLASS” is over
Editor’s note: This classic column is roughly a decade old. I wrote it as Donald Trump’s emerging political career was ushering in a new low in political rhetoric, and I was lamenting the loss of values my parents taught me. Trump has, of course, gotten worse as the years go by, and to me, his crudeness diminishes the accomplishments he’s made in the areas of border security, immigration, and inflation. I recalled this column after a friend sent me a similar, but more current column, written by Dr. Brian Mattson (PhD, University of Aberdeen) who serves as senior scholar of public theology for the Center for Cultural Leadership and is publisher of The Square Inch Newsletter. You can read Mattson’s column HERE. At the time I wrote this piece, I was supporting Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign. Since then, I have voted for Trump for president three times, and have celebrated the MAGA and America First agendas. I do not, however, support his tariffs, nor his flagrant violations of the Constitution with regard to separation of powers. Trump’s ego seems to have reached new heights with the re-naming of the Kennedy Center and his open campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize, which he may very well deserve. Trump’s rhetoric as POTUS is rescued from being the worst in modern times by the failed presidency of Joseph Robinette Biden, which was a disaster in word and deed. This column was written on March 2, 2016, and is presented unedited.
Photo: Lynn Woolley for WBDaily
I’m beginning to feel like an anachronism.
I was brought to up believe that honesty, integrity, and class were desirable traits. I try – not always succeeding – but I try – to conduct my dealings with class. I treat my callers with respect (most of the time) and I turn in every cent I make –even tips I get playing music – to the IRS.
But the idea of “class” is fading.
In politics, there is no such thing. Locally, we’ve seen charges of assault, and setups. Nationally, we’ve seen Donald Trump’s constant gutter statements and attacks on anyone he doesn’t think is “treating him nice.” Columnist Cal Thomas – someone I have a lot of respect for – says it’s out of the gutter now — and into the sewer. Remember the days when young men dressed nicely and opened the car door for ladies? Now kids wear prison-style baggy pants and work hard to look really bad.
Remember when suave was cool?
Maybe it was Elvis and his pelvis or maybe was the “mop-heads” from Britain, the Beatles – but something happened to change “cool.” Cool used to mean classy. Remember actors like Cary Grant in “North By Northwest,” Sean Connery as James Bond, and Robert Vaughn as the sophisticated Napoleon Solo?
James Dean played the part of the rebel in three movies – and that might have been when things started to change. In today’s world, we buy jeans with holes already in them and guys wear scruffy beards to get that I-forgot-to-shave look. Fortunately, this trend has not shifted to women. Most of them still take pains to look beautiful – and thank God for that.
To cheat or not to cheat?
Let’s say you do a job off the books. You know – the way that a lot of illegals are paid by reputable businessmen. You’re paid in cash – maybe a couple thousand dollars. Nobody will know. Do you turn it in with your taxes?
In today’s world, you likely would not – with your justification being that taxes are too high. When I was young, my parents taught me that cheating is a form of lying. Lying is form of dishonesty. And dishonesty lacks class.
Class in politics – or – rolling on the floor laughing!
Cal Thomas points out a few things about Trump that we all know, but try to avoid thinking about – that is, if we subscribe to the idea of “class.”
Trump criticizes former Mexican President Vicente Fox for using the F-word when Trump did the same thing in New Hampshire. He attacks Rubio for being repetitive when Trump “repeats himself repeatedly.” He went after the appearance of Carly Fioria – when Trump himself has a fairly unflattering appearance. [Trying to say this with class.] When asked a hard question by talk show host Hugh Hewitt, Trump responded by calling the host a “loser” and saying he had no listeners.
Trump: The Art of the Deal is a 1987 book credited to Donald J. Trump and journalist Tony Schwartz. (Wikipedia)
Thomas says there was a headline in the Daily Beast referring to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s endorsement of Trump: “Bully backs Blowhard.” Thomas wants to know exactly how Christian ministers and leaders such as Robert Jeffress of Dallas’ First Baptist Church and Pat Robertson are able to keep their religion while backing the guy. I’d like to know that, too.
Hillary is – if anything – worse.
Trump will soon face the Clinton Machine operated by the Clinton Crime Family. He will have the scum dished out to him as fast as he dishes it out to Hillary. She has no core values and has become as dishonest as she needs to be over the years of being in politics. It’s going to be Trump charging sexual and financial misconduct against the Clintons while they respond that trump is a racist. Classy, huh?
And yes, I know that lot of the charges will be true.
That’s what we get in a society that places a premium on not being classy. Yes, I know I rent this computer space from GoDaddy – a company with all the class of a drunken wet t-shirt contest in a pigsty.
I’m not sure about Trump as President. Who is?
He might be great. He might make America great again. He says he will, but he has no details on how. So we can all toss the dice or go for a conservative with specific plans like Ted Cruz. But there’s a bit of a problem with Ted Cruz.
Cruz has class. Lots of it. And that’s not what America in the 21st century seems to want.
Lynn Woolley is a Texas-based author, broadcaster, and songwriter. Follow his podcast at https://www.PlanetLogic.us. Check out his author’s page at https://www.Amazon.com/author/lynnwoolley.
Order books direct from Lynn at https://PlanetLogicPress.Square.Site. Email Lynn at lwoolley9189@gmail.com.
This book has class and lot’s of it. No F-word appears. There is no gratuitous sex. The story is what matters.
