It's a Bizarro World

When I was a little kid, I used to read comic books. Like most kids. My favorite was Superman. I mean, how could it not be? He could do anything, he always did what was right, he helped those less fortunate, and never sought credit for it. (A great role model, looking back on it.) But once in a while in the comic books, they talked about "Bizarro World." Bizarro world was just like the earth, except shaped like a cube. And everything was backwards. Bad was good, stupid was smart... You get the idea. The biggest heroes were just like Superman, except instead of saving lives, they killed as many as possible. And were admired for it.

It recently occured to me that we have come to live in a Bizarro world of our own. I've heard this reference lately, but it wasn't until now that I realized how applicable it is.

I recently saw a video of Trump giving a speech at his New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Logo. He was saying his usual stuff, and of course, all the people would cheer. But they saved their loudest and most boisterous cheer for this: "We're going to get rid of Obamacare." The place went wild. Of course, this place was filled with really rich people, most of whom have never had to worry about enough money to go to a doctor. And yes, if Obamacare is repealed, they could conceivably get a decent tax reduction. Not that they need it of course; the rich keep getting richer in this country, and nobody is questioning that.

But what bothered me was this: I can understand objections to Obamacare. And I can even understand why some people think it should be replaced. But just repealed? Cold turkey? It's not clear that's what will happen, but it's clear that a lot of wealthy people WANT it to happen. Just get rid of it, right now. And millions of people will now be without any way to afford even simple health care. You  would think these people would care, just a little bit. Don't they feel bad that some people will get sick and even die because they can't afford to go to the doctor? And if they don't feel bad, why doesn't every other single person in this country think those people are just selfish, cruel, people? Or is this the Bizarro world where it's become cool to love rich people and hate poor people?

In fact, that is exactly what we've become. Remember "It's a Wonderful Life?" Who was the bad guy? Mr. Potter, the greedy banker who wanted to take over the town. The good guys were the poor guys who worked hard, for almost nothing. That is no longer the America I know. In Bizarro America, we would cheer for Mr. Potter, and scorn the low-life working class. In Bizarro America, it has become cool to praise the rich guy. We don't care if he gets paid more in an hour than his workers do in a year. And it's fine that when one of these guys gets fired because he was incompetent that he gets a multi-million dollar bonus. All that's OK. But just wait till some fast food worker who is trying to support his family wants a wage he can live on. Now that's horrible! Really, isn't this Bizarro World? I mean, how is it not?

But what makes this even more sad, it's not just the rich people who feel that way. Just hang around on Facebook sometime when a story comes on about minimum wage. You'll see all kinds of hardworking people slamming these poorer hardworking people. But the rich guys who get zillions? That's all fine.

In today's Bizarro World, we adore and praise the wealthy people. They are the "job creators" and the "backbone of our country" and "the brains we need to run this country." And we despise anyone poorer than us. Treat them as slugs living off the system. They're "welfare queens" or "spoiled brats" who "need to get a real job." Or "lazy scum who just want a free ride." Or something like that.

I remember when we used to have empathy for those who couldn't make ends meet. And we wanted to help them. (Like Jesus told us to, if you need a reminder.) Now, we chastise them. After all, if they had some work ethic, they'd be doing just fine. (sarcasm intended)

Now, I know this is a cyclical thing. Periodically the world gets messed up. We start turning against each other, try to cut off rights for anyone "not like us." And in general, just get selfish. And since it's cyclical, I'm pretty sure this will turn around, and we'll get back to the times when we all work together and watch out for each other.

But I'm not holding my breath.