Summary

The article discusses the concept of the shadow-self, as coined by Carl Jung, in the context of political figures and the MAGA movement, suggesting that their behavior may be influenced by unconscious moral conflicts.

Abstract

The article delves into Carl Jung's theory of the shadow-self, which represents the unconscious aspects of our personalities that we often ignore or reject. It suggests that this shadow manifests in impulsive and often negative behaviors, such as uncontrolled outbursts or prejudiced actions. The author draws parallels between Jung's concept and the conduct of certain political figures, particularly those associated with the MAGA movement and former President 45. The piece argues that these individuals may exhibit traits of their shadow-selves, such as impulsive judgment, victimhood, and unacknowledged biases, indicating a struggle with their own moral complexities. The author also critiques the MAGA crowd for displaying similar characteristics, questioning the wholesomeness of their actions and intentions. The article humorously speculates on the personal and psychological motivations of various political figures, hinting at repressed desires and fears, and concludes with a reflection on the duality of human nature, citing Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's famous quote about the battle between good and evil within each person.

Opinions

The author believes that the shadow-self, as described by Jung, is evident in the behavior of political figures, particularly those in the MAGA movement.
There is a suggestion that the MAGA movement, including former President 45, may not be fully aware of or accountable for their unconscious motivations and moral conflicts.
The article implies that the MAGA crowd's behavior, including their resonance with President 45, is indicative of unresolved psychological issues rather than genuine heroism.
The author uses satire to question the moral integrity and self-awareness of certain politicians, such as "MAGAmike Johnson" and "Ron Da di du Santis," hinting at hypocrisy and repressed aspects of their personalities.
The piece criticizes the simplistic view of evil as external, emphasizing Solzhenitsyn's perspective that the struggle between good and evil is internal and universal to all humans.
The author encourages reader engagement with the content, suggesting that active participation in the form of claps, highlights, and comments supports the writer and contributes to a broader discussion on the platform.

What Does the MAGA Shadows Hide?

Only the shadow knows, or so they say. I don’t think that old show refers to Jung’s concept of the shadow though. Jung thought his shadow idea was a moral issue. I suspect he was mostly right, although he did not consider how many moralities might exist. The good news is that they all attempt to do the same thing. Every morality tries to guide current and future generations to be as successful and profitable as possible. Jung tried to explain the shadow-self as that part of our thinking we just don’t want to see. For example, when we say something snarky that just leaps out of our mouth before we can bite our tongue or suck it back in. That might be the shadow-self. When we lose it at the car in front of us. Might just be the shadow-self. When you unload on your mother-in-law. You never know, that could be your shadow-self.

There is a mechanism we all struggle with that overrides conscious thought, no doubt. I don’t know if Jung was completely correct in his assessment of the mechanics involved, but I think his idea can be treated as an effective theory. The shadow-self, as Jung says, has symptoms which are observable. Some symptoms include: Impulsively judging folks for stuff you’re too afraid to do. Being a troll, seeing your weaknesses in other folks and being offended they have the audacity to have overcome them or have not yet overcome them. Acting like you are the victim in all circumstances. You’re willing to step on anyone else to get what you want. Filled up to your ears with prejudice that you will not acknowledge. Oh, and do not forget, you’re biased AF. Above all else, you gonna save the world. You are the only one and the world is sooo lucky you’re here to save the day. You and Mighty Mouse.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you might have noticed some of them on full display in a recent and now former President of the United States. You might also notice many of these same characteristics in the MAGAdoodle crowd as a whole. 45 does resonate with lots of people. But that doesn’t mean that 45 and the MAGAdoodles are wholesome, all-American heroes. They’re really expressing the shadow side of themselves which indicates that they’re not dealing with a full deck.

Maybe as much as half of their thinking mechanism is hidden from them. They just can not look at the thoughts that express as symptoms of the shadow. So, all of the shadow outbursts are indicative of unresolved moral issues, is how Jung put it. It seems that the more stressed we are about our shadow-self expressing what is hidden, the more our shadow-self expresses what is hidden. Sounds like a good time to me, don’t you want to get on that ride? So, what if we gave our imaginations free reign to gallop off where it will with some of the years Shadow Hits? That might be fun. Remember Bobo and Margie Cat fighting on the floor of the Congress? Well, we know Bobo has some seriously repressed sexual impulses. And we know that Margie spent way too much time on the fact that she found butt plugs at Target. So, what were they fighting about, exactly?

How about Page Dog Matt? Why did he make a move on Kevin Brown Nose? Hmm, let’s see. Weren’t Margie and Page Dog an item before the Speaker vote? Didn’t Margie start to wear Kevin’s ring on a chain around her neck once he was Speaker? Did Page Dog’s libido get whooped upon? Wus its feewings hurted? Did Page Dog’s shadow jump up and bite Page Dog in the butt? Well, one has to acknowledge that Page Dog does have some sexual baggage which seems to be unresolved.

How about Mikey the MAGA-nificent Johnson? Isn’t he the one who is soooo homophobic? Let’s see, he shares his porn usage app with his black son, who is or is not adopted? Oh my, if we were to look at this set of circumstances we would have to wonder what variety of shadow Mikey is hiding from himself. I mean, he is building a make-believe ark. Does he want to get to the rainbow-ending of that event? Oh my, Mikey. You naughty boy.

Oh, we can’t forget Ron Da di du Santis. I have so many questions. Why does Ron want to be President? Why doesn’t Ron want to hear the word gay? What does Woke actually represent/mean to Ron? Why does Ron react to 45 like he’s his daddy? What does Ron want from Mickey Mouse? Is Ron afraid of authority? Is Ron afraid he is gay or is he afraid he’ll become infected? If Ron should realize that he is more than his dick, will he suffer being awakened? Is Little Ronny trying to make daddy happy? Does Ronny have a thing for mice wearing short pants? Oooo, that’s so sweet. Really Ron, you’re very sweet, you do know that, right?

Toomy Tumbleville may be afraid he is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Got to do something to show he is too smart. Markwayne surely doesn’t have issues with his own self-worth which he keeps hidden behind demonstrated meanness for anyone asking, does he? Does James Comer need to know he belongs? Is there anything he won’t sell out to do so he can feel like he finally belongs somewhere? What is James’s shadow hiding away from the early childhood rejection memories of this poor man? Was Home Alone a real-life drama for him when he was a kid? Did the bad guys catch him and do terrible things?

Oh, lest I forget, have you ever noticed that De Jailbird del Lardo disparages people about things he himself has done and refuses to acknowledge that he’s done those same deeds? “I didn’t lose, it was rigged!” “Old Joe is destroying democracy”. Umm, Joe couldn’t destroy it in his forty years in the Federal government and you think he can do it in two years now? How did you arrive at that calculation, sir? Sir, are you fixated on revenge? On whom? Your daddy for teaching you to be arrogant? Your mommy for spoiling you and giving you everything you wanted? You don’t know the answer to any of those questions, sir, in spite of your formidable intellect? No sir, this one is not about persons, TVs, men or women or even cameras. Well, sir, many people do ask why you spend your nights, ah, truthing, sir? Many people are saying that you’re so angry because you are haunted by a shadow of all the things you’ve done which you should be ashamed of, but you just can’t admit to because they’re just too scary. No sir, those people are not loyal to you, sir. But as the song says, sir, “Don’t ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to.”

“If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing

to destroy a piece of his own heart?” ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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