An Evil "Mother"

 

Sigmund Freud’s brilliance  provided us with inordinate amounts of insight into the motivation of man.  One  significant concept was the negative implications of the occurrence of an incestuous fixation or attachment to mother or a  mothering person. Psychologically, this begins pre Oedipal and was represented by an extraordinary amount of psychic  energy.  This fixation, according to Freud,not only affected man's capacity to relate to women.but  with this attachment, expressed itself  with an inordinate amount of dependence that interfered with his inability for independent and autonomous thought and behavior . The focus of his essay is  a negative attachment to “mother.”

As a result of genetics, the newborn is totally dependent for his survival on the mother or some other mothering person.  Without mothering, the infant parishes. That helpless infant craves care, nourishment ,warmth, certainty,

protection and satisfaction of its needs unconditionally.  During development, without having to be responsible, it pursues a longing for unconditional love, without any expectation of a loving response on his end.  This dynamic is not unique to adults.  Adults, although in many ways not as helpless , do become so much more aware of the dangers and risks during life's journey-  social forces beyond control ,accidents, unforeseen sickness and death.

During the numerous hazards and obstacles common during life, man's motivation becomes a longing for power or control which provides certainty, protection and love on a different level.  So, it's not surprising that man is driven relentlessly to pursue that previous  “ paradise."

Can  a "mother" be found in order to relieve the risk and the tragedies that occur during life ? What is more desirable and comforting  than to  receive unconditional love, protection and security ?  Initially, it's the personification of the mother.  However, that original mother ,as a person ,is often replaced or assisted by the family ,clan, those that share the same blood and/or have been born on the same soil.  Further, the size of the group increases to race, nation, religion or political powers that have now replaced and become the guarantors of protection and love.  In other words, there can be representations or representatives of the "mother."  So, the transfer of the motherly connection from the real mother  then proceeds psychologically  to the family, clan, nation, race, and so forth.

Factually, everybody's mother is likely to die before her children and therefore the need and requirement  for a mother figure becomes immortal.  Also, the attachment to one personal mother leaves one alone and isolated from others who have different mothers.  However, if the whole clan, nation, race, religion or God can become the common mother , then everybody is on the same page in the praise of the mother , and without rivalries or jealousy . Therefore, the “great “mother can become the cult of nationalism and patriotism.  Further, there is a close correlation between persons with a strong or incestuous fixation to their mothers and those with exceptionally strong ties to a nation, race, soil, and blood.

Additionally, and significantly certain learnings in various degrees affect and influence one's  orientation and personality . For instance, security, being saved, rescued , assisted, dependent, loyalty, obedient ,persuasiveness ,being a victim ,helped with the reduction of anxiety and being entitled become psychological and  behavioral tendencies.  These factors also fall within the province  and fear of losing love, affiliation and affection  Further, because and with  the degree of attachment, the loss of objectivity, reason, morality, truth also occur .In  essence,the  psychic energy for a powerful and emotional need for a powerful “mother “figure can’t be minimized . 

With that being said, turning to politics,  Donald was victorious over  two perceived “weak “ mothers” for the presidency.  Perhaps ,there are additional reasons why Donald captured the presidency.  However, his rhetoric ,persona and behavior was associated with being that  powerful "mother figure." Donald boasted and promised,promised, and  promised .

"From the day I take the oath of office,  we will rapidly drive prices down and make America affordable again" during the summer of 2024.  Did he mean groceries, electricity bills, buying a new car,  housing, inflation, good paying jobs or low  interest rates?  Reality did not matter for the gullible as he  easily misled his voters.  This "mother figure" was believable  and  to be feared.  Tariffs were also going to bring back manufacturing so he said. 

Donald claimed America was under attack from within, and immigrants were poisoning the nation's blood.  He also said we have to fight like hell to get our nation back, suggesting potential civil war and he would restore greatness by making America great again,  In other words, the threats from within came from the Democrats in Washington, fake news attorneys, universities, human rights groups, Blacks and other people of color especially those  across the border.

Trump  spread fear which resulted in a cohesion because  survival depended on following the leader while  eradicating the enemy.  In other words, patriotism becomes persecution, especially the invaders on the left  and of course,he promised and posted to save the Christian soul. It was an existential crisis !

After all,the border was porous with rapists, drugs and murderers coming to harm our citizens.  In fact, he attacked and dictated he would ban  people of color, attempting to migrate to the United States.  These people were vermin ,contributed nothing positive and would  infect and destroy our Republic.  He alone was the only one that could stop the flow and rid the country by deporting these undesirables irrespectively .

Donald asserted he  would also expose the Democratic pedophiles in the release of the Epstein files. Also, comedians, judges and others not loyal to him were the enemy.  Once again, only he alone would and could  protect and save the people.from these non loyal  despicables .

Trump also criticized and posted about  the economic  and health care policy of the evil Biden.  He would reduce the cost of living with the beautiful tariffs.  He would reduce and eliminate fraud, big government,  government handouts and had a health care plan..  He alone would fix the drug problem and make things better .At his rallies, he  also told the crowd that he loved them.

Ukraine, Russia , Israel and  Hamas wars would be eliminated the day he took office.  In other words, people of color, the economy and wars were weakening this Republic.  He would make America great again by being  able to provide economic security, protection and safety from these external threats. And, if opposed ,he would unconditionally retaliate, avenge and punish .

In summation, there's a mutual relationship occurring psychologically and politically.  On one hand, we had that charismatic "mother" politician whose rhetoric and actions perpetuated fear and anxiety  thus furthering  uncertainty, doom and gloom, feeling unsafe, being  vulnerable ,and  without safety, comfort and status .  As a result, many voters consciously and unconsciously expressed tendencies and an orientation for economic relief,and other insecurities  thereby  reinforcing the psychology of human nature .  The "mother" phoenix rose and promised to be the only one  that could  be the rescuer- ,just like the Pied  Piper .  It did not  matter that the “mother” had  no  credible  plan. The voters wanting and seeking to be rescued now became the victims.  This bad "mother "  not only lies, and “rescues” but also punishes his victims with sadistic cruelty.  

Barriers to Happiness

 

Walter  Isaacson's most recent book "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"  refers to "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable  Rights, that among these are life ,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"  written by Thomas Jefferson and assisted by Franklin and Adams.  This essay pertains to the pursuit of Happiness, which means man's ability to fully develop morally, intellectually and emotionally.

Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 and died in 1826. Intellectually, he was influenced by others . Notably,some of the writings before and after Jefferson - Karl  Marx, Shaftesbury, Jean- Jacques Rousseau,Karl Jaspers , Albert Maslow and others also  characterize man's quest within  his society. 

 Marx's protest was against man's alienation; the loss of himself and his  transformation into a thing . Man’s problem was related to dehumanization  and the automatization that’s related to Western Capitalism and industrialization. How can man realize his potential  with Capitalism? 

More specifically, Marx was  not concerned  with the equalization of income, but with the liberation of man trying to work that destroys his individuality by changing him into a thing which makes him a slave of things.  And ,when the worker had no part in the direction of the work being employed  he becomes  part of the “machines,’" He serves and becomes transformed into a thing and becomes dependent on capital .”

For Marx ,alienation was about the change of being alienated with meaningless labor,  into productive free labor. Better payment of alienated labor, private or by the state was irrelevant.  In other words, his concept of socialism was emancipation from,alienation and the return of man to himself.  

 A few quotes from Max’s youngest daughter, Eleanor.  She described the  relationship between her parents.  In a letter   shortly before her mother's death.( Moor) Marx's nickname got the better of his illness again.  Never shall I forget the morning he felt himself strong enough to go into mother's room.  When they were together., they were young again-she a young girl and he a loving youth both on life’s threshold,  not an old disease ridden man and an old dying woman parting from each other for life.

This quote pertains to walks with his children when he told them tales, tales not measured by miles ,not chapters.  He read the whole of Homer, the whole of Nibelungenlied,Gudrun, Don Quixote, Arabian nights, etc.  As to Shakespeare, he was the Bible of our house and seldom out of our hands or mouths.  By the time I was six,I knew  scene upon scene of Shakespeare by heart.

Recently, I had a conversation with Deb, a realtor that I've known for  the past 25 years.  She retired approximately a year ago and is having difficulty adjusting.  I asked her if she wanted to return to selling real estate and she emphatically replied no.  I asked her if she wanted to return to work in another area and she replied she didn't know.  She added that she liked her career in real estate.  If Deb  actually liked her career in real estate and is unhappy with her retirement, why not consider returning? 

Shaftesbury, grandson of John Locke ,wrote that it's natural for man to exist in society and declared that his moral sense is inborn .This moral sense consists of a sense of order and harmony and  can be reached through thought and introspection.  

Rousseau stressed that experience had great value and he condemned society and its influence on man.. He believed that  society generated egoism . And, that this interferes with man’s needs and capacities. This conflict results in frustration, doubt,and  suicide, Rousseau advocated new system of education, a new attitude toward religion in full recognition of the rights of man by the state.

Karl Jaspers wrote that our  highly technological mass production society, with its emphasis on mass communication, propaganda and conformity results in the individual being lost . Man’s task or  struggle  is to awaken the possibilities of his for an authentic and meaningful life within the standardization of this type of society.

Albert Maslow wrote about man  developing his fullest by becoming self-actualized.In Maslow's study of self-actualizing people ,he identified 15 characteristics of a self-actualized person.  He wrote that  these people were not perfect , had ordinary human feelings and occasionally were ruthless and alienated  others. Briefly, a few of these  characteristics follow: They had a more efficient perception of reality and that these self-actualized people readily detect falseness in another and judged people accurately . They were able to tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity more than others.  These people also had less guilt, shame and anxiety, accepted themselves and were less defensive. They were  not ego centered, but rather oriented to problems outside of themselves. These external problems  in which they became devoted became their mission .They were independent  within their environment.  They experienced ecstasy, inspiration and strength from basic experiences in life.  They had a dedication, sympathy and affection for mankind even though they were troubled by the many shortcomings of the species.They respected people  and related to them irrespective of birth,blood, family and nation .  They tended to be philosophical and non-hostile in their humor  These are a few of the characteristics that describe  a self-actualized person according to Maslow.

It's difficult for individuals , in our republic, to become self-actualized because of a number of reasons affecting health . In our environment, we have the occurrence of global warming and its effects on health.  For example, residing  in California, my residence is  just under 12 acres and  adjacent to BLM land.  In other words, the prospect of  fire is a concern for me  as well as the surrounding area in the foothills.  As a result, there is  anxiety about fire and air quality .  Also, our streams, water,rivers and oceans have become polluted as a result of the consequences of industrialization.  Add the toxins, fertilizers and  pesticides associated with growing food . Supposedly organic food is grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides; free from genetically modified organisms; produced without artificial fertilizers; processed without artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and certified by a recognized organic certification body.

Next, we have all the processed foods found in our supermarkets.  In fact, most of the food  on the shelves is not  healthy.  We have too much sugar, salt ,fat and ingredients that are difficult to understand and pronounce.  It's no wonder that life expectancy is 79 1/2 years and does not measure up to other industrialized countries. We are living in  an unhealthy and  sick country.

Our present government's policies are stressful and are  also contributing to ill health. There has been elimination of government jobs; pertinent  health research; toxic round up of individuals; threats and attacks on universities,law firms, comedians, "enemies” of Donald; cuts to foreign and domestic aid; attacks on a number of Democrats; and murdering individuals in  small boats many miles from our country.  And, health care and vaccinations are also under attack.

The idea that healthcare as a human "right" in a capitalistic system is conflictual to say the least.  Healthcare is part of a capitalistic system and is about profits.  A  short story from years ago.  I joined a provider group to deliver psychological services.  Each patient was to receive up to  five visits irrespective of diagnosis or condition.  For some, I requested additional visits.  Shortly after, I wasn't receiving any referrals.  With a phone call I was told that they found another provider  with less educational qualifications and less expensive .  

The following is based on "The Whistleblower: Confessions of the Healthcare Hitman" by Dr. Robert F. Rost.  1.  The healthcare system is financially designed in a way where your illness generates profit.  Your wellness does not.  And the system is not broken.  It works exactly as intended.  2.  The healthcare system is controlled by four power centers-what test you get, which medications you are allowed, whether imaging referrals or surgeries are approved  and the timeline of your care.  3 Doctors get 6 to 12 minutes per patient in most systems; medication is the fastest way to treat; insurance algorithms  deny tests until disease proves itself; keeping you managed is more profitable than curing you.  4.  Doctors use approved medications, follow insurance scripts, stick to corporate mandated pathways, maximize billable activities and limit unnecessary testing.  Dr. Mark Hyman   "We don't have healthcare in America.  We have disease care."

In summation, becoming self-actualized for most of the individuals in this country is unrealistic. As an adolescent, I had the opportunity to attend the  University as an undergraduate . Graduate school was relatively inexpensive and I had the drive and desire to enter the assisting profession first as a teacher and then as a psychologist . I had the intelligence ,drive and good fortune to maximize  socio-economic's   Further, my  psychological history ,additional research, continuing education , and a behavior orientation toward health furthered my options and choices in pursuit of health and well-being  Today, the  political,  social ,educational and economic realities are not designed for opportunities for the pursuit of Happiness. The capitalistic system is supreme and  the God  to worship  for the rich. The  powers in this  Republic favor the rich and despise the rest.

Reference

Barrett W. Irrational Man; a study in existential psychology..

Bottomore,T.B.Translation from Marx’s Economic And Philosophical Manuscripts..

Fromm,Erich. Marx’s Concept of Man

Maslow ,Abraham H. Motivation And Personality

In Decline

 

On a Thursday morning, I heard Kennedy Jr. state, what  we all know, that America is a sick country. I also know that Trump's bill  cuts  Medicare , Medicaid and  10 - 20 million are  losing health coverage  passed by the  GOP and signed by Trump. Further, 50 to  60% of the population have chronic disease health conditions;  cuts in food subsidies during the government shutdown and the Epstein files  cover are terrible from a moral point of view.In addition  2 ,articles from May 11, 2025,edition of The New York Times titled The Financialization Trap and Have We Quit On  Learning?  are relevant to this essay   All the above are  symptoms occurring in our Republic and suggest cracks in our  experiment  in democracy  with rule by the wealthy . 

French historian Fernand Braudel’s  provocative insight  in detailed cycles of economic history are pertinent with his research that included Venice, Amsterdam and London.  These cities ,at one time , were the financial centers of the Western world and then faded into the background. In their day, commerce prospered and investment in their surplus resulted in building new centers that actually became associated with their decline.  

In the 17th and 18 century, Amsterdam’s merchants became bankers and began  seeking better returns from fast-growing London.London had become  a more sophisticated market for moving their money. Prosperity was controlled by the elite ; and its satellites no longer needed as many workers . In essence, the city's economy became more dependent on  the vulnerability of finance . For instance, In 1782, much of  Amsterdam's capital had been lent to foreigners instead of financing their own development.  In fact, when  Louis XVI didn't pay back its debt , that greatly contributed to a loss of economic power and advantage for Amsterdam . 

In 1944,  victory became our power to dictate the global economy;  the freedom to trade ; and the US and its allies agreed to establish the dollar as the basis for an international monetary system.  Trade barriers were dismantled which resulted in the golden age of prosperity.  Blue-collar workers, for example ,with their living wages, were able to buy cars, houses , other toys and go on vacations while rearing their children in the suburbs.  They enjoyed economic prosperity and captured that “dream “home .

In the late 70s ,as a center of the global economy,  New York found its commerce and industry, leaving the city.. In  fact, during the next few decades the following occurred.  Donald Trump built towers along with his bankruptcy casinos. Wall Street dominated, income inequality blossomed  and the working class wages  became stagnant .  Trump stated that America was losing its wealth and power.  And, in 1987, he spent $94,801 on full-page ads in The New York Times and two other papers.  Basically, he proposed billing Japan, Saudi Arabia and other countries for US military spending and stated that  it would reduce our federal deficits and allow for  tax cuts.

Trump employed the fear factor, blamed  and scapegoated other countries and so forth for America's woes as he called us patsies. Now, he's proposed tariffs while “attempting “ to force American companies to make products for our markets and providing  tax cuts for the elite.  In other words, his rationalization and denial - other people and other countries are exploiting  the US and we can solve our problems with revenge .Trump’s policies  are disastrous for most in our country.  In the past what was good for General Motors was good for the country according to Wilson.  Today that's not true. What's good for Trump is good ! There is no such thing as trickle down economics.

The dollar has allowed America to purchase imported exports more cheaply while making America's exports more expensive . For decades, US companies began  pouring money into foreign markets, building their global business.  For example, Apple  spent billions of dollars in China.  It has trained their workers to build Apple’s I Phones. However, Apple now has competition with China. Not only can these trained workers  build  phones , they can transfer their skills to other areas, such as building drones and so forth.

Some believed that the national defense budget was a price for power and trade was the reward. US prominence was assisted with the rise of finance and tech companies.  However, we are in trouble when finance replaces manufacturing according to the French historian.  In the 1970s, factories produced about 45% of corporate profits and finance about 15%.  Over the last 20 years, finance has now produced a larger share.  Further, the rich don't help the poor .However, the rich help Americans by allowing them to  purchase  cheaper goods . The rich also help  themselves by exporting  products and employing cheaper foreign workers.  

The rich build homes for themselves, but not for others. It is now harder to get an education, harder to earn a living wage,harder to save,  harder to afford housing and medical insurance .The minimum wage in Mississippi is $7.25 per hour .Actually, 75% born in 1950 ended up earning more money than their parents.  However, being born in 1980, only 50% have ended up doing better than their parents.  Also in the US there is less economic mobility compared to  much of  Western Europe and the US is less egalitarian than Denmark.

Moreover, with our technology and with AI  we have eliminated more jobs than China . Also, trade has made the rich richer while reducing the earnings  for about 70% of those workers who don't have college degrees. Poverty, homelessness and starvation rates are rising.

40% of students entering college do not graduate.  Also, reading scores are lowest in decades thanks ,in part, to social media and computers. AI is also contributing to our dumbing down.  Furthermore, this government has no goals pertaining to learning or  in improving reading  arithmetic, science or increasing high school graduation rates.. Public education is no longer elite and many parents are sending their children to charter schools, private schools and homeschooling . In the last five years, this  number has increased to more than a million .

Trump nominated a wrestling promoter to head the Department of Education while reducing its workforce.  His curriculum is based on having schools focus on race,  transgender issues and creating a patriotic curriculum.  Those ideas have  nothing to do with school performance  civics, interest in learning,or rational inquiry . Teacher pay ,counselors, health and social support are not even considered but are factors associated with assisting our failing educational system

Trump's agenda is not contributing to raising our educational systems standards  for the majority, but instead seems to be dumbing it down.  Teaching was once considered a noble profession, but there are so many problems that teachers are facing, because of low pay and being hassled by parents on what and how to teach .It’s no wonder that teachers are exciting and schools of education are  having  difficulty attracting students. 

Our Republic is headed  for a  fall . The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer.  Too many individuals are physically and psychologically ill; have low educational achievement; economic stagnation; can't afford housing ; in debt ; without medical insurance; homeless and/or not experiencing optimism.  In addition, there's an enormous amount of hate,division,  fear, stress being exemplified at the expense  and being perpetuated by malignant,  narcissistic and greedy people with economic and political power.