A narcissist with the power America once wielded is a terrifying thing indeed; my hope is that we can put in place guardrails against any true narcissist from rising this high again. The problem is the ruling class is by and large the narcissist class.
It seems to me that most politicians almost by definition have to have at least a streak of narcissism. Few people are so purely altruistic that they are willing to subject themselves and their families and loved ones to the often grueling scrutiny and attacks that running for office can entail. The trick, then, is to identify which have "healthy" levels of narcissism, balanced by a true desire to do the most good for the most people. That can be a potent combination. It's difficult enough for people with stable (almost hate to use that word anymore), balanced, healthy egos to maintain their moral footing in the face of the blatant flattery and fawning from those who are seeking favors, or to refrain from responding to the inevitable attacks with retaliation.
It would be wonderful if voters were interested in actually being well informed and attuned to the true character and mental stability of those running for office. However, as we have see, such is far too often not the case.
Narcissists often get worse and worse as they are begging people to stop them, and they won't stop-- can't stop-- until someone does.
A narcissist with the power America once wielded is a terrifying thing indeed; my hope is that we can put in place guardrails against any true narcissist from rising this high again. The problem is the ruling class is by and large the narcissist class.
It seems to me that most politicians almost by definition have to have at least a streak of narcissism. Few people are so purely altruistic that they are willing to subject themselves and their families and loved ones to the often grueling scrutiny and attacks that running for office can entail. The trick, then, is to identify which have "healthy" levels of narcissism, balanced by a true desire to do the most good for the most people. That can be a potent combination. It's difficult enough for people with stable (almost hate to use that word anymore), balanced, healthy egos to maintain their moral footing in the face of the blatant flattery and fawning from those who are seeking favors, or to refrain from responding to the inevitable attacks with retaliation.
It would be wonderful if voters were interested in actually being well informed and attuned to the true character and mental stability of those running for office. However, as we have see, such is far too often not the case.
My hope Sylvia, is that the world has been taught a lesson by this heinous man about how to identify and reject narcissism in our public servants.