Elbert Hubbard

10/24

Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915) was a self-described anarchist and socialist but probably more importantly he was the founder of Roycroft Arts and Craft Community in East Aurora, NY, a town just south of where I grew up in Western New York. His influence was felt throughout the arts and craft movement and though the Roycroft Shops closed in 1938 (they were run by his son after his death) his influence is still felt today in the work of artisans who follow in the arts and crafts movement footsteps. Famously he was a curmudgeon that would chase reporters off his property while brandishing a double barrel shotgun. He was eminently quotable and his adages are well worth considering. I have four favorites. One of them could be referring to today’s political discourse.

“If you can’t answer a man’s argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.” 

It was if he was looking into the future because this is what President Trump does on a daily basis. This vileness has rubbed off on all of politics and divided our country.

The need to back-off of is becoming urgent. Government is frozen as never before. Any sense of comity and compromise has totally evaporated even when politicians from both parties come to an agreement it is squelched by Trump, Mitch McConnell or Paul Ryan.

As for the Democrats they seem to have lost their voices.  


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