FORSETH – Dealing with leaders who have narcissistic personality disorder

I THINK MOST PEOPLE are aware of why England’s Henry VIII created the Church of England. It was out of a belief that he should be able to do anything he wanted. And what did he want?  It was a male heir that would follow him and, at his death, become the next King of England.

His marriage to Catherine had not produced one, so he demanded the Pope to allow him to divorce her.  The Pope of course refused so Henry created his own church, and declared himself the “Supreme Head of the Church of England”, thereby allowing him to annul the marriage.

In other words, he wanted his own way, and because he had the ultimate power in England, he forced his will over the church.

Many (most?) would say people suffer like that from ‘narcissistic personality disorder’.

The Mayo Clinic says, “People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism.”

I’d add to that, ‘a sense of self-entitlement.’

I’ve also heard people say that those suffering from ‘self-entitlement’, or those who inflict their will on others, believe that (to put it crudely) their shit doesn’t stink. They believe they can, and should, be able to do whatever they want – and the same for those who that seek favourtism from them.

That sense of self-entitlement doesn’t really fit well with having ethics, which brings me around to one of the Executive Orders US President Donald Trump signed on Day One of his presidency.

Trump has canceled Biden’s ethics rules. Critics call it the opposite of ‘drain the swamp’  (Associated Press, Jan. 22)

Donald Trump took office eight years ago, pledging to “drain the swamp” and end the domination of Washington influence peddlers.

Now, he’s opening his second term by rolling back prohibitions on executive branch employees accepting major gifts from lobbyists, and ditching bans on lobbyists seeking executive branch jobs or vice versa, for at least two years …

Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the government watchdog group Public Citizen, said in a statement. “Instead of focusing on the needs of the American people, Trump’s only interest is to secure a next deal to line his pockets.”

A man charged and convicted of multiple crimes — including sexual assault and paying hush money, as well as inciting a riot to overturn the 2020 U.S. election (which he lost fair and square) — is now the leader of the ‘free world’.

Is that a major ethical dilemma, or what?

It’s no surprise then that Trump had a tantrum when, during the Inaugural Prayer Service the other day, he was asked by Right Rev. Mariann Budde (Episcopal Bishop of Washington), to have compassion and mercy on the less fortunate, and those who have often suffered from discrimination and abuse.

Following the service Trump was quoted saying, “I didn’t think it was a good service. They could do much better.”

Apparently, he was more animated and angry on his Truth Social site, where he called the Bishop a “radical left hard line Trump hater,” and demanded an apology. (City News – Jan. 22)

That, to me, sure seems, to me, to fit with narcissistic personality disorder – AND – a having sense of self entitlement. And because of that, I fear what his next pronouncements will be, and what kind of reactions may result from them.

For the next four years, the people of the United States of America are in for a roller coaster ride of what will likely be questionable pronouncements and decisions coming from the mind of Trump.

How badly the weakest in American society (and American citizens in general) will suffer because of it, is already unfolding – and I have to say it doesn’t look good.

Agree?  Disagree?  The floors now yours.