I have expressed repeatedly over the past two decades that I support neither party. Ever since the 2000 presidential race, Gore v Bush, I have held the opinion that there were no parties anymore, no politicians; just oligarchs employing actors to entertain and distract the public with the illusion of politics and debate. An illusion that is now being used to divide and subjugate the nation. Yet, still, there are people in my life who are certain that I am a rabid MAGA for no other reason than that I don’t agree with them.

The only reason I can think of for this is that they have an emotional need to be a part of a winning team, to feel superior, to feel smarter, and to feel right. And the only way they can achieve this is if they make a single category for everyone who disagrees with them, because they cannot think on their feet and adapt their beliefs and arguments to debate individuals who have their own opinions. It is like racism, or sexism, but with ideology. The word for this is fanaticism, or zealotry.

There are Willing Fanatics, people who are fully conscious of their actions and beliefs, and there are Unwitting Fanatics, people who are focused simply on being a part of the team. When I look back on our history, the stories told about the achievements of such people as Socrates and Jesus convey the idea that they figured out a way to break the trance of the Unwitting Fanatics. And it is that which completely changed the path of history.

To be clear, I believe that all the people locked into this illusion, on both sides of the aisle, share this trait. The only reason I experience this from the left is because of where I live. And the question that disturbs me most, literally keeps me up at night, is: “How far are these people willing to go to maintain this illusion?”