Dementia

   According to world rankings, the United States citizenry does not do well regarding physical health.  What are the cognitive health statistics ?  Centenarians are the best super agers cognitively.  This country has about 60,000 centenarians. Not surprisingly, the United States, as far as the number of centenarians(age 100) , does not fare well. For instance, Japan has 3.4 3 out of 10,000 people,  France, about 2.70 out of 10,000, Sweden about 1.9 2 out of 10,000, United Kingdom 1.9 5 out of 10,000 and  the United States about 1.7 3 out of 10,000.  This disquisition pertains to mild cognitive impairment( MCI) , dementia, hydrocephalus dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury.. Dementia is not a specific disease.It’s a term for a group of symptoms caused by different disorders that affect the brain.

Briefly, numerous studies show that much of the causes found in being able to reach 100 or a super age are related to lifestyle choices. These behaviors include 1.  Regular exercise ,at least 150 minutes per week 2.  Sleeping approximately seven hours per night. 3.  Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables , lean protein and whole grains 4.  Quitting smoking or non-smoking 5.  Handling stress well 6.  Having a strong social network with lots of mental activities.

Unfortunately, MCI is an imprecise term that describes the stage between age associated memory impairment and dementia.  One study suggests that people with MCI have difficulty remembering important family events ; have trouble remembering what was just said and read; have problems with essential paperwork like taxes;forget to take medications; use a memory list and have some problems doing complex tasks like some meal preparation but can still prepare and eat meals.

 Importantly, individuals with MCI can still perform activities of daily living like getting dressed by themselves, preparing meals without assistance, eating meals and going on walks without getting lost. The incidence of MCI's is increasing to about 4% annually.However, iIt is found in 10 to 20% of Americans aged 65 and older. Many with MCI do not progress to dementia . Older men are about 50% more likely than older women to develop MCI.  One study found that the rate of mild MCI was 1.5 times higher in men than women and women  transition from normal cognition directly to dementia at a later age than men.

Some of the risks  well-known for MCI are behavioral choices:  1.  Five year study with MCI found that those that had  vascular risk factors like hypertension and high LDL cholesterol were twice as likely to progress from MCI  to dementia.  2.  Having three or more of: excessive weight, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high blood sugar markedly raised the risk of mild cognitive impairment. 3. People with prediabetes, diabetes,  have three times the risk of developing cognitive decline in the form of mild cognitive impairment.  4.  Those that had sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea were twice as likely to develop MCI or dementia than women without these conditions.  The study showed that the risk for MCI would be lowered significantly if people would a.  Stop smoking  b.avoid alcohol/sedating drugs c . Use nasal spray to open passages.  d.  Control weight and blood pressure. e.know apnea symptoms and seek a medical evaluation regarding apnea. 5.  Regular  vigorous exercise for 45 to 60 minutes a day four days a week improved cognitive functions.  Another study found that those who did moderate physical exercise like brisk walking, swimming, yoga, aerobics and strength training in midlife were 39% less likely to develop MCI.  Those engaged in exercise later in life were 32% less likely to develop MCI. 7. Several studies have shown that low carb ,low calorie diets with lots of fruits and veggies ,getting regular restful sleep and keeping the brain active with new learning will lower the risk of developing MCI and improve functioning of those diagnosed with MCI.

There is not  an exact or precise definition of dementia,  it’s not a specific disease. There are many signs and symptoms and  some dementias  can be treated and reversed.  Factually, 1. Age is the biggest risk factor because of increasing human life expectancy.2. Dementias are becoming more common and currently found in 14% of Americans age 71 and older. 3. Lifestyle and genetic expression  affect the risk of developing dementia.4. Individuals with dementia usually experience problems  that interfere with their ability to carry on normal activities of life.5.  Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. But, memory loss, by itself, is not dementia.

Significant symptoms of dementia include  A . Disorientation to time and place. Difficulty reading a watch with hands and reading a digital clock with month ,date and year. B. Difficulty in concentrating with loss of initiative and tiredness, C.  Trouble with the executive functions like planning, setting goals, organizing , and abstract thinking,D.Language disturbances as an aphasia.  There is some difficulty in finding words, especially nouns .E. Impaired motor performances F. Problems in spatial reasoning.  G.  Failure to recognize common objects- agnosia. Difficulty in identifying an elephant, a rake in a drawing or some road sign and calling a TV remote a camera.  H.Ppersonality and mood changes like depression,low energy and discouragement . I.Neglecting  personal hygiene and safety.

  One significant or common sign of dementia is asking the same questions repeatedly. The question could again be asked 15 minutes later etc. within the same day. The individual is unable to retain that information.  Also, areas and locations that were once familiar become unfamiliar or unrecognizable.  Another sign is forgetting names of familiar people or even forgetting that there was a  previous history with individuals. With conversation, the details of that conversation are either forgotten or recalled incorrectly.

Declarative memory is a memory of facts, events, dates, telephone numbers  of which some  become impossible to retain. These are long-term memories.  An Episodic Declarative memory is a personally experienced event such as to what you ate for dinner last night or what happened on your 21st birthday party.  Remembering a string of time-based life events is an Autobiographical memory and this also becomes disrupted with dementia.  A Semantic Declarative memory is memory for facts that are not tied to one particular time.  These memories would be the car you drive, words of language, numbers, arithmetic operations, addition,and  multiplication tables.This is the general fund of knowledge and also impaired.

 Procedural memory is the retention of the ability to engage in  motor activities such as making coffee, driving the car, tying shoe strings, and playing a sport.  These are  athletic routines and with repeated practice  is called muscle memory.Procedural memories become habits and can be practiced. In other words, depending upon what memories that are lost, can significantly impair normal everyday functioning. If so, that individual requires assistance in doing day-to-day activities. It's like an adult who has regressed to a much earlier stage of development with minimal retention in some areas.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a dementia that can be treated.  Essentially it's the inability to reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid back into the vascular system.  This results in a buildup of fluid on or in the brain that  increases intracranial pressure . The treatment is placing a shunt inside the head to drain fluid from the brain.  Nowadays, the cerebral spinal fluid can be regulated with the shunt.  In the not so distant past, the neurosurgeon could insert a shunt but was unable to regulate the CSF flow .Symptoms of  hydrocephalus dementia are mental status changes, urinary incontinence and gait disturbance. 

 This hydrocephalus dementia  injury is caused by a trauma to the head and called TBI.  It's a major public health problem, especially for young Americans. TBI can be caused from car and motorcycle accidents, equestrian activities as well as from sport participation especially football.  These TBI's can cause dementia, but the symptoms usually stabilize or improve over time.  Even if the symptoms improve, many TBI survivors will still have impaired mental functioning that can interfere significantly with activities of living.  Sometimes the symptoms will improve to a level where dementia is not present and technically be a reversible dementia.  However, moderate to severe TBI injury dementia symptoms typically do not return to pre-entry levels of functioning after recovery.

Symptoms for TBI depend upon the degree of impact to the brain.  Symptoms are also highly variable from person to person, moderate to severe.  TBI typically results in dementia with major problems in attention, concentration, memory, problem solving, judgment, lack of empathy , impulse and emotional control, social interactions, depression and anxiety  .Improvement in recovery from dementia level symptoms depends upon the nature and extent of treatment, rehabilitation interventions and family support. It's not a surprise that some  parents are not thrilled with their children's participation in playing football, riding a motorcycle or horse.  My  oral surgeon cousin almost had a coronary when he learned that I took his Stanford graduate son ,on my Harley Davidson, to Alice's restaurant and Half Moon Bay.

Statistically we are not exceptional when it comes to cognitive  health. However,  Musk,Bezos, Gates  and Buffett are exceptional at accumulating money.  Both physical and cognitive health are about 70% related to behavioral choices .Are Musk, Bazos, Gates and Buffett exceptionally healthy?  What is the correlation between being exceptionally wealthy and having exceptional cognitive and physical health?  By the same token, a study correlating the wealth of the top 1% with their physical  and cognitive health would be revealing as well. Unfortunately,Ponce de Leon could not find youth In hot humid Florida. However, that does not stop today’s old on their search.Capitalism provides its own unique mythology while paying old, overweight people to testify the benefits received from a memory supplement. Just take a supplement?

Reference

Understanding Dementia.Institute For Natural Resources.

Sick Republicans

 

The January 6 congressional committee revealed significant information regarding Trump’s coup attempt. Much of the under oath testimony was  provided by the Trump White House staff. Their testimony has been  damaging and has reinforced the lies that have been propagated. Yet, too many seem unconvinced. Why can’t they take the blindfolds off? This disquisition pertains to some of his loyal followers.

The loyalists cannot be called the tribe because the tribe is a social division in the” traditional” society.  However, his group  might have a very general common culture within.  A clan is defined as a group of close knit and interrelated families.A cult is a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.  A fraternity is defined as a group of people sharing a common profession or interests.  A loyalist is  defined as a person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt.  In any event, Trump's followers are loyal to him and exhibit cult-like characteristics - excessive commitment. Doubt and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

The testimony from the January 6 congressional committee revealed : 1.  Bill Barr and others in the White House told Trump that he lost the fair election.  2. The over 60 lawsuits that were filed claiming election fraud were denied or thrown out of court.  3.  Prior to the November election, plans were put in place to overturn election results. It  continues even today. One example was Trump claiming fraud 4.  Fake electoral college results were submitted.  5.  Attempts to seize voting machines, calling out the National Guard; putting Clark In as Atty. Gen.; calling Georgia's Atty. Gen. asking for more votes; attacking the capital ; putting pressure on Pense  to delay the counting of ballots, and the plan that the vote would  then be performed by the Congress.  Further, Steve Bannon had a fraudulent border wall scheme and raised millions .He was sentenced for not obeying  the congressional committee subpoena.  Alex Jones, another Trump bigot, raised money based on  lies.  He was ordered by a Texas jury to pay close to $50 million at his Sandy Hook trial.  

It has  also been reported that Trump made 30,573  false and misleading claims  over four years.  A few include: 1.  It didn't rain on his inauguration 2. Coronavirus was under control.  3.  Rep ilhan Omar supports Al Qaeda.  4.  The trade deficit with China used to be 500 billion 5.  Trump didn't know about the Stormy Daniels payment.  Further, Trump ran a fraudulent university and  foundation.  In essence, Trump is a pathological liar.His election fraud lie is a lie.He is the one that is fraudulent. He has made millions based on lies. 

Although the January's 6 committee is not done with their investigation, the Justice Department and other courts are investigating the fraud, the insurrection and criminal behavior.  The majority of Americans see Trump as a liar and danger to this country's democracy.  However, many do not. Why would anyone believe a pathological liar and not believe the congressional committee's findings or the Justice Department ? Individuals with a paranoid personality disorder diagnosis believe in nonsense.  

Briefly, basic trust is the key to understanding paranoid individuals.  Unfortunately, these individuals have internalized sadistic attitudes and conscience from parents. As a result , their aggressive attitudes  are directed both against self and toward others. This psychological dynamic becomes a defense from becoming emotionally close and forming meaningful relationships with others. These individuals are on guard , very sensitive to traces or elements of hostility, especially criticisms , being told their wrong from others meaning to be helpful. They are vigilant and extremely vulnerable. Unfortunately, this tendency interferes with actual reality especially when the criticism is minimal or with suggestions for improvement.Others are perceived as the enemy.  In any event, these paranoid individuals magnify potential harm and expect others to also see these actions as they do. Many are unaware of the degree of their repressed anger and hostility.  In essence, they have trouble distinguishing between fact and lies. With a threatened ego,their ability to perceive,think,remember,abstract,generalize and reason is impaired. Moreover, they have identified and become fixated on Trump and his lies.Their damaged superego has internalized an amoral conscience from parents.Therefore, they have no difficulty identifying with an amoral Trump.

  They are denying objective reality and projecting their anger onto others that they believe comes from others.  In essence, these paranoid tendencies individuals are easily misled into believing  the untruths spread by their leader.  People from Mexico are not coming to rape and steal from them; immigrants are not the enemy but actually do well economically and better than most nativeborn's; the Democrats don't eat babies; there's not going to be a second coming; there's not going to be a second Civil War ; buying guns and building bunkers are not going to keep them safe.These paranoids have low self esteem; can’t trust others and have difficulty trusting themselves; believe in various nonsense and hold grudges. 

There's a second group of others that may or may not believe the reality that Trump fairly lost the election . However,  behavior, of some, suggests  that they have sociopathic tendencies. These extremely hostile and aggressive individuals , are using the election lie as an excuse for their purposeful acting out uncontrollable behavior  .Punishments have been ineffective in limiting their behavior.  Even though Trump was president, at the time, he did not lawfully let them lead them in attacking the capital.  The attack on the capital was amoral, not an insurrection , and  was based on a lie.  Criminal charges and incarcerations have followed.  Briefly, those that knowingly knew they were breaking the law and challenging authority are not necessarily sociopathic.

These sociopathic tendencies are illustrated by their seemingly inability to learn in certain social areas.  In other words, their antisocial behavior continues to result in legal prosecution. It’s not necessarily related to intelligence.However, there is some profit or benefit for their behavior.    They don't appear to fully realize, seem to learn nor acknowledge  that what they are doing is socially wrong and dangerous. Neither can they commit  to a peaceful transition of power,  that they have a responsibility to society ,nor have the ability to empathize with the victim.  Attacking the capital was clearly wrong. Attacking  Capitol police officers was totally wrong, defacing the building, breaking windows, smearing feces etc., are examples.They also have shallow feelings , without remorse and are good actors. They have mastered lying,cheating and manipulating.  On one hand,they can express sorry, seem  sincere and forthcoming, yet they repeat the behavior again.It’s not what they necessarily say but what they do. They cannot control their emotional impulses,they repeat their aggression and they are very good at denying their wrongdoing. I did not do anything wrong. On video, there are many illustrations of their remarks ,slogans like 1776, Christ is King, Hang Mike Pence etc.are rationalizations. They have identified with another amoral individual and so these individuals easily follow his attitude and behavior with a passion.  It's permission to act out their repressed  rage.  Likely, they had inconsistent messaging, neglect and reinforcement for their amoral behavior towards others within their rearing.experiences;they were the trouble maker; the bad seed, or the identified patient . Often they unconsciously acted out the repressed family secrets and fantasies. 

In essence, regardless of the congressional hearings and criminal justice findings, a number of these followers cannot take in that information and will still be subjected to the false beliefs and lies of their leader.  A conversion,exorcism or some other magic is not likely to fix paranoid tendency individuals  For sociopathic tendency individuals, punishment is required. Hopefully there's enough clear minded moral individuals to deflect from all the crazies in order for our country to move ahead. However, I see  bumps,turns, and barriers on the road ahead. 

PS 

Economic stress continues. Affordability fell 29% between March 2021 and March 2022. 83% stated , in a poll,  the economy was “poor” or “not so good” found in The Week,June 17,2022. Economic stress exacerbates all types of mental health issues. More negative interpersonal man against man encounters are predicted. 40% ,according to one poll, believe in ghosts.Our country is in trouble.

Reference

Cameron,Norman . Personality Development and Psychopathology

Deciding Motherhood

 

Separation   "The division of something into constituent or distinct elements." Factually, the separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution of the United States.  However, in the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  Recently, the Christian majority in the Supreme Court overturned abortion rights.  I raise the following questions: 1.  Is abortion a medical procedure?  2.  Is abortion a criminal or legal question ?  3.  Is abortion  related to religion?  4. Is abortion a societal issue?  5.  Is abortion a psychological issue?  6.  Do embryos and fetuses have human rights? 7..Are state legislatures'  supreme in  defining  motherhood ? These questions are briefly addressed...

It was reported that a 10-year-old  was impregnated and the doctor that provided the abortion is now facing inquiry by a male politician in Indiana.  " Thou shall not have an abortion” is not a commandment , Jesus didn’t have an opinion about  abortion; and it’s been written that abortions were” common” during his times. Now, that doesn't mean that individuals can’t find  Biblical passages to justify a position. St. Augustine stated abortion was not homicide but was a sin. If it was intended to conceal fornication or adultery.  Clearly, individuals can debate what was written by "someone" centuries ago..However, forget about being able to verify accuracy, credentials or expertise.. Religious beliefs are ideas created by man..  Does a female adult have a right to discuss, with a religious person, about receiving an abortion? Is that a state right? .

From a medical point of view, having an abortion or not to have an abortion  rationally should be a discussion between a licensed healthcare professional and the mother and/or father. That health care provider can explain how the procedures are done as well as the risk and benefits of each. If using medication,,that is called a medical abortion. If it’s a medical procedure,that is called a surgical abortion.  In any event, having an abortion should be done with a licensed healthcare professional..Further, because it is in the medical,field ,research healthcare insurance for additional information regarding coverage benefits.

Should a  pregnant 10-year-old become a mother?  Our society has enough problems without adding to the issue of having youngsters become mothers. If a  teen  wants to drive a car, the teen has to receive a license according to age eligibility . If one wants to join the military, a high school graduation requirement is pertinent.. Maybe we should have a law requirement to become a mother?  Who would make that decision?  Should these decisions be made by congress,state legislatures or the court?

Back in the day, my high school football friend impregnated Carolyn.  Fortunately, Ed was a high school All-American ,college All-American and NFL first draft pick.  Brad benefited and he became a college All-American and NFL first round draft pick as well.  Ed and Carolyn are still married and Brad became a physical therapist after his playing days. That event occurred  in the 1950s. In the 1980s, I was a consultant for pregnant high school teens. I also originated a research study measuring the ego identity of  high school pregnant teens compared to  nonpregnant high school teens.  The results of that study indicated that pregnant teens psychologically had lower ego identity scores, lower self-concepts scores and lower achievement scores.

Currently, statistics on teens are not terrific regarding unemployment;  living with their parents; time spent on leisure; being bullied ; crime; alcohol;drugs; suicide; depression and anxiety. Some  teens that live at home with guns have murdered.  One can raise the issue that parenting is important. For example, according to my friend Dave, an admission official from Stanford University told him that based on test scores and grades, only Asians would be  admitted.

Just think of the homeless problem and all the reports of adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s still living at home because they are unable to provide for themselves.  One has to wonder why parents allow these adults to still live at home with them.  The numbers are increasing.  As of September 4, 2020 ,52% of young adults resided with one or both of their parents. according to the Pew Research Center.  That figure was 47% in February., 2020.  Of course, if a child is caring for their declining health parents ,that’s a different story. Yes, many can’t afford to leave home. Reasons are for another essay.  In essence, parenting is extremely important and that most important decision, which affects so many, should not be made by a Christian court whose members sinned and were misleading during Roe vs. Wade confirmations.

An article in the July 24, 2022 edition of the New York Times made the following points.  The article titled "Religious Doctrine Drove the Abortion Decision."  A few items: 1.  Of the Constitution’s 7600 words including the 27 amendments, the use of the word fetus or unborn can not be found.  2. Religious doctrines drove the opposition to Roe and the courts embraced the religious doctrine 3.  Abortion would soon be illegal in about half the states.  4.  Justice Alioto was insincere when he stated, on one hand, that the courts do not pretend to know how our political system or society will respond to today's decision. He also said we cannot allow our decisions to be affected by any extraneous influences such as concern about the public reaction to our work.  Alito committed a sin   "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor."  5.  Pastor Nelson stated justice is concerned for the fetuses…,overlooked the lives and experiences of women…. Showing no regard for life experience is immoral .  6.  The dissent talked about the effects of pregnancy on women.  The burden of motherhood and the difficulties faced by poor women. And there is no regard for  protecting prenatal life.  I agree, this decision pertaining to the fetus is based on one religious interpretation. To make an established medical procedure governed by  medical insurance  illegal ,is unfathomable , irrational, cruel and sadistic. What about the mother’s welfare and well being ?  To claim that a fetus and embryo has human rights is ridiculous.  How long would a fetus or embryo live if in a petri dish? 

The second article titled "Unconsenting" was  found in the July 17, 2022 edition of the New York Times. This article made the following points: 1. Abortion was considered a crime in the writing of the Constitution because it  did not contain a right to choose to terminate the pregnancy.  2.;A 17th century lawyer’s rape opinion : Did the woman in the rape resist vigorously enough; Had she had cried out loudly enough; Had she sustained   conspicuous physical injuries; Did she  report the crime soon enough.  3. Was the woman simply attempting to say she was raped in order to protect her reputation and dignity and/or was she covering that up her shame at having succumbed to her own desires. What biblically based evil temptresses nonsense.  Historically, people believe in demons, witchcraft  sorcery, voodoo, angels, devil, ghosts, fairy’s,  goblins, wizards, etc. and as Forrest Gump said, "stupid is as stupid does."  It is perfectly natural to have sexual desires. For Hale, it's up to the woman to prove she was raped at that time according to this enlightened individual. Yes, a woman has desires as does a man.  However, having sex, and/or becoming pregnant for only a sexual desire is not rational. Having a child is a most significant decision. However, rape is not about sexual desire but about power and control . Does Sir Matthew address power?  With rape, it’s prudent to discuss power.  Ask Prof. Anita Hill, Esq. and Dr. Christine  Blasey Ford about their encounters with Thomas and Kavanaugh.  These men have no business deciding on women's rights.  Their past behavior of taking away these women’s rights was sadistic  and suggest character flaws in these males.  To have them vote on taking away a woman's right to choose is criminal, preposterous and absurd.  4.  Justice Alioto cites Sir Matthew Hale eight times as evidence that abortion is considered a crime at the time of the writing of the Constitution.  It would've been more relevant for Alioto to cite John Baker's article titled Philosophy and the Morality of Abortion, published in the Journal of Applied Philosophy,Volume 2, Number2, 1985.

For the  justices ,with one religious point of view, basing evidence on the Constitution, written by men,trained on English law  and taking away a woman's right to choose is mentally foolish and irrational.  Hopefully, the referendum in Kansas and saying no to the government regarding restricting abortion is a  favorable sign..Horay for sanity. Will rationality  prevail in the majority of states? I don't expect sanity and rationality to prevail in all the states.  Abortion is about the wellbeing for mother and child . It’s an important medical and psychological decision, not, at all, exclusively a religious or political decision. The individual in question has a right to get as many points of view as possible. But having a law determining that the female should become a mother is the definition of insanity. That decision was not about justice which is a genuine respect for people;with righteousness,equitableness or morality; nor the characteristics of justice based on impartiality,consistency,standing and trust. In essence, these individuals demonstrated a dereliction of duty .Their decision did not address the mental, physical or  moral justice for the majority of women. 

PS

An article found in The Week June 17, 2022 stated, "is it moral to have children in a warming world?  Will humanity prevail and avert the apocalypse and limit global warming? Global warming is  a moral question to consider regarding birth . And, do not forget that many poor single mothers require much assistance after giving birth.  And. what kind of assistance are these cruel religious states going to provide?

Man's Anxiety

 

How does man escape from the anxiousness of being alone in an alienated,stressful, hostile world of war, famine, health insurance ,fire, Covid, global warming,inflation, the bomb,income inequality,unemployment, Depression,Housing Bubble, racism etc.? Some strategies include chemical and alcohol addictions, medications, intoxications, suicide, other self punishments and  identification with some perceived power. This disquisition is brief and describes man's attempts to deal with his dilemma.

 For a long time, man remains as one of the most helpless and impotent of all mammals. Thus, man is motivated by his strivings caused by anxiety which results in irrational self harming. Irrational behaviors that only mask neurosis.In other words, man attempts to escape from his discomfort.

 Man would perish if it wasn't for his caretaker being his helper  as he is totally dependent upon such. The family, especially his mother and father, are significant for that survival. His initial dependency physiologically and psychologically is on his mother. While proceeding from primary to secondary narcissism, that infant begins to individuate.This forms a psychological division between self and other.Before separation, is called primary narcissism He's totally dependent and subservient for his security,satisfaction and survival based on her activity. Then he proceeds  from dependency to individuation or to  secondary narcissism (  separation).  This has been described by Freud  within the Oedipal drama  At first, mother is the helper, the giver of assistance and most important for his survival. Then, through individuation, separation, and growth results in him becoming psychologically alone and insecure. 

Developmentally, psychologically alone, the anxiety of separation motivates him to seek assistance from others .Later others become significant helpers like teachers, coaches, peers, peer groups, lovers, etc.The motivation is to avoid the dreaded anxiety of separateness of being alone. Self esteem can become inflated as well in this process. Within the dynamic of dependency- separation, the necessity for  a helper is repeated throughout lifetime.  Man is essentially figuring out how to cope with his anxiety through this interpersonal dynamic which unfortunately becomes conflictual. For example, In certain character structures, the dependency results in a masochistic dependency.

Roughly 6,000 years ago, give or take, man created  the 10 Commandments. These commandments characterize man as being  sadistically amoral with submission. These rules demonstrate power over man’s weaknesses. Is man's conscience or moral arbiter missing ? Do only some men have a moral conscience? Later, these behaviors were labeled  sinful with the idea that man was essentially sinful. One could've labeled these behaviors as victims dominated by power or just man being man.

In the Middle Ages, there was a religious war, caused by Luther and Calvin. Also, during that time ,there were non competitive guilds that regulated commerce, work,cooperation, wages and so forth. There was a sense of togetherness and solidarity. Man was not alone.However, with the development of a Protestant way of thinking, man was characterized as sinful, wicked,unworthy,useless, despicable and could only be saved by submitting to a God that neither represented justice nor love. The helper in this case was God. God was worshiped because only him could alleviate  the misery that resulted from living in an unjust world. Sen. Rafael Warnock said his dad told him: "God walks beside you through life's dark moments and dangerous valleys.One who never abandons us, especially those who feel forgotten, discarded and lost in a mean, cold world."  Man required all the help he could receive because of life’s conditions. One had to humble himself before God.Then Calvin’s idea of predestination  prevailed. Mysteriously, some men were chosen to be saved, while others not.  It didn't matter how you lived your life. God somehow decided if you were going to heaven or going to hell. Of course this was all according to Calvin.

At the same time , the Guild system was being supplanted by capitalism. In essence, Protestant religion’s teachings included the idea that man is now able to face the greatness of God alone( Church not required). The purpose of man's life was God's glory and nothing of his own. Man's activity had no further aim outside of himself and man is insignificant, subordinate and now alone. Man is now prepared to become a servant to the capitalistic economic machine.

Under the Guild system ,labor was more or less regulated and generally the product was sold irrespective of supply and demand.  Capitalism grew and the notion of activity, efficiency and time mattered. Work is good as long as it doesn't interfere ( interests) with being in God’s grace . Now with capitalism,  similar to Protestant thinking, a set of character dynamics began to be developed as a result of the different socioeconomic activities that surfaced. There is competition to sell products for profit.Monopoly’s are just fine. With rivalry , profit, and accumulation of capital, exploitation surfaced with character tendencies for egotism, greed, selfishness and control. The pursuit of profit was supreme. In essence, with capitalism, economic gains were the result of man's intelligence, diligence, courage, thrift, or luck . His own merits and actions creates a potential to rise above previous economic obstacles such as caste.Self interests of egotism become powerful motivators with the rise of capitalism .Capitalism has become the master of man. However, today’s worker bee is likely to be enslaved with a Sisyphean pointlessness of individual labor. His activity provides  wealth for the already incredibly wealthy at the expense of well-being, dignity, and happiness.

Dependency,  inequality, wealth and being prosperous was good because it’s worthy. It was your effort alone . it was your fault if you were poor.With competition, rivalry, and monopoly ,man became controlling, exploitative, domineering, greedy , selfish and irrational in his pursuit of masking the anxiety of being alone.Thus, sadomasochistic  character qualities were developed of owner with his pursuit and dependency on money and accumulation of capital. Money became his helper.It was survival of the fittest and/or to destroy or be destroyed.

Currently, there are CEO rankings for salaries, for sports, for happiness, for health outcomes etc. It appears that we have rankings for  just about everything that we do.Being first is terrific and the “prize.” If you're second , you are the first loser.  Just think of the time difference between winners of gold versus silver medals in Olympic swimming events. Yes, they can be measured electronically. There is a rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State .Both are two superb educational institutions with sport programs to match. We start talking about who's the best.  In fact, a football coach can be fired ,based on his record, if his team of teens and young adults don't win the big game.  How rational is that fact?  If you listen to NBA players that have been traded, they are always talking about winning the championship for their new team. This talk is supposed to justify the outlandish salaries they received in compensation. The typical person can't tell you who won the NBA championship 10 years ago, let alone five, or even care. With competition and rivalry we have established as fact : good- bad,strong, weak, winners- losers etc. all these words have moral and derogatory meanings. According to Vince Lombardi "sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can."

The helper becomes a magic helper just as mother .She was “ replaced “ by God;by  capitalism and now the mighty dollar. The mighty dollar is worshiped because it can buy  things for consumption. More is better,big is better etc. for  consumption.  Doesn't matter if the products or items are insignificant.  It's about buying and consuming. The individual with his anxiety as a base is driven to consume. Ask Bezos or Musk about their worship ,their idol- fame,the power of money.  They accumulate more and more and have to be number one.  During the process, they exploit,lie, steal, manipulate and are "sinful" with their sadistic interactions with man while submitting and being dependent at the same time. Yes they are extreme examples and are only used to illustrate. However, do these authoritarians favor unions, paying workers more, increasing benefits,allowing a 4 day work week?

These character tendencies for pursuing, dominance, power ,control and submission  are sadomasochistic.  Certainly Musk and Bazos interactions have sadomasochistic tendencies regardless of who's on the other end. It’s not a matter of their emotional strength but their insecurity about possession. For masochism, the impulse driven by anxiety to submit ,to follow ,to desire .It is unconscious and likely beyond awareness.  But we do see that dynamic of submitting to some power or force.  Psychologically, that's a result of anxiety that's triggered by powerlessness ,insecurity and helplessness of being alone.Security can’t be bought regardless of all the possessions or trips in space.  One doesn't do well being alone,for long, in this world. As a consequence, being alone results in a tendency to interact or wanting to be associated or identified with someone or something that has been perceived as omnipotent, and powerful.That someone  or something is supposed to reduce the individuals anxiety of being powerless ,not in control, low self esteem  by magically taking care of, boosting self esteem, and assisting that individual by making things better. It's not rational, it’s the pursuit of illusion and make believe.The degree of anxiety plays a dominant role. It's a magic quest that sits in the unconscious.and drives the irrational behavior in an attempt to rid the anxiety.

If the individual has difficulty functioning in this hostile world,the escape from anxiety that was once supported by mother, father, God is now directed with an identification with another .Our country has a plethora of  socioeconomic, physical and mental health issues.These external forces drive the  anxiety of the insecurity, of powerlessness impotency and loneliness in the quest for security.The identification with the source or magic helper is psychologically enacted  to establish consistency and the” necessary” power to remove the  awful dread, doubt and  adequacy to cope. 

.The psychological factors are now established for a tendency to develop an authoritarian character. The authoritarian character's insecurity  and inadequacy drives him toward some “powerful” figure  to magically provide and regain some form of security, safety and esteem. Therefore, is not surprising that a political party, comprised  primarily of evangelical whites, facing existential threats to power, are motivated to find a powerful individual ,seemingly strong, that favors eliminating abortion, packing the Supreme Court, giving  tax advantages for the top 1%, continuing  war, disparaging and taking away previously established rights and benefits of nonwhites with slogans of going back to old times when the white individuals ruled without competition. White is pure, beautiful ,good, clean while black is dirty ,evil and bad.  It's about the past, not at all about the future.The past brings God into the picture in order to persecute all the heathens.

The current authoritarianism character tendencies of many white evangelicals has been fostered by Protesant ideas and capitalism with its sadomasochistic tendencies of amorality which divides individuals into rich- poor , good - bad, pure -evil, love-hate, religious-heathen etc.categories  of division and not human solidarity. Today, we have too much alienation with  attacks on American culture. A society expressed by those that are looking to the past of an America that was discriminatory and racist.  Sen. Warnock told the story of his father, a World War II veteran returning home to Georgia on a bus.  Even though dressed in uniform, the white bus driver told him to move to the back so that he could give his seat to a young white lad. Sadomasochism characteristics are similar to authoritarian characteristics and used  in describing  the Republican Party with its white evangelical nationalist followers.

 

References

Conservatism's Uncertain Future and My Dad Walked with God.  The New York Times, June 19, 2022.

Fromm, Erich.  Escape from Freedom

It's Time To Stop Living the American Scam.  The New York Times July 10, 2022. 

PS

in the July 24, 2022 edition of the New York Times, David Brooks article.”  I Was Wrong about Capitalism” is relevant.  He stated that over the years, special interest groups have clogged up the  economy with overly burdensome regulations, work rules, and perverse tax structures.  He also added that some of the fundamental flaws of capitalism are that the most educated Americans were amassing more wealth, dominating the best living areas, pouring advantages for their kids. And a highly unequal caste system was forming.  He added that the government would have to get much more active for every child to have an open field and a fair chance.  And, that he was wrong to oppose Obama's stimulus recovery as well as Obama's auto bailout on free-market grounds.