Fair-weather Friends, American Style

Benedict Arnold began life as a British citizen born in 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut Colony. His service in the Continental Army early in the American Revolutionary War, led to being a trusted officer serving under Gen. George Washington. Arnold was dissatisfied with the Continental Congress not giving him promotions and kudos, so he plotted to hand over Fort Ticonderoga to the British. Arnold, fair-weather friend, failed and fled to the British.

American history flows through polarizing events where we demand of ourselves: pick a lane. Colonists or King. Union or Confederate. Our choices are often whittled down to two.

In every instance of political power shifts, Americans tried protect their own interests. I have spoken with people who voted for Trump in 2016 to shake up the system because things hadn’t been working for rural America for decades. In 2020 there was a view that a steady flow of conservative policies would benefit their lives. One would hope that conservative voters did not intend to hurt their fellow Americans with tax cuts for the most wealthy, or riots in our Capital.

I support the democratic ticket, then and now, because their policies are formed to bring the best results for the most people. I understand that be our best, Americans must not be fair-weather friends to each other.