Re: "The Axis of Selfishness"

To the editor:

David Brooks (The axis of selfishness, 6/2/17) in articulating the 'Trump plan' observes the central role of competitive advantage and selfishness as driving forces as opposed to our innate drive to cooperative with one another and to act from a place of kindness, altruism and righteousness.  As a psychoanalyst I think it is more accurate and helpful to speak of Trump's paranoid vision as an organizing principle. 

For President Trump the world is experienced as a threatening place where one is left attacking or being attacked.  There is no complexity or ambiguity in this vision nor is there personal responsibility - only victimization.  So President Trump is a victim of fake news or a witch hunt; our country is threatened by Muslims or Mexicans; NATO is taking advantage of us; we are laughed at by the world for signing on to the Paris climate accord as if we have shown our weakness. Facts, science - information that threatens this paranoid view - is either ignored ... or attacked.  Adding insult to injury the President creates his own echo chamber by surrounding himself with people who share his paranoid view.

The irony and danger is that this paranoid vision makes it difficult, if not impossible, to effectively manage the legitimate threats we face.  While I have faith in the durability of our country, our President has weakened us all.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry S. Sandberg