Rump Groups, et. al.

Human nature being what it is, there are always people who think they know the fuller truth about everything. And they don’t just tout that thinking; they attack others they believe do not share the same thinking. I call this the ‘rump group’ mentality.

Rump groups usually are small, disaffected numbers within a larger organization. In my experience, even small groups have rump groups. For some reason they always question the decisions made by others. You know the ones, if they were in charge, they’d do it another way. Or, why did they decide on that? Or whatever variation on the same theme.

In social groups layers of group opinion form. In work groups, volunteer corps, churches, charities, political and governance parties, rump groups are legion. They are useful only because they help identify different points of view which will need to be folded into the larger group’s thinking, or rejected outright. Either way the organization’s thinking becomes better focused. And often criticism is justified and welcome.

But rump groups often are rambunctious and rude. They yell instead of talk. They criticize continuously rather than collaborate. Insisting on their way of thinking or no way, they can and often do render the larger organization ineffective.

And that’s the danger of rump groups. Better that they consider constructive methods and  demonstrate their ideas are better rather than tear down those who voluntarily labor for the best product of the group.

We can readily see the parallels of rump group thinking in American political parties these days. This phenomenon has splintered political parties into highly divisive power groups. Republicans have conservatives, super conservatives, moderate conservatives and alt-right proponents. Apparently gone from the scene are the middle of the road moderates. The Eisenhower part of the party seems gone forever. So today republicans are the ‘conservative party’. Best they change their name so they are clear about themselves?

Democrats are much better and healthier, but they suffer from weak groups within the party that stymie progress. Barely anything gets done. Perhaps they ought to change their name to the Do-nothings?

We know what happens in churches. Sects and splinter sects appear and then schisms are formed to create entirely new churches, even denominations. Kind of sad when one goes back to the basics of every religion in which we are taught to love one another. We are not taught one love is better than another. Or that I am better than you. No; the opposite is taught. But then with political parties hijacking splintered religions, hyper speed changes are abroad in the land, especially in Washington DC. Yes, it is sad.

Saddest of all are the fraudulent ‘leaders’ who have no congruence with history or ideals. It is merely a power struggle for them. And they only get more powerful at our expense.

So much more is possible if we each find what we can do for the common good and do it. If that takes a few others to help the process along, fine. If the good of the whole is kept in mind, then we should be good for one another. And not a rump group.

When you find these folks forming their poisoned messages, remind them of the common good and how they could be helping that along better than being super critical. I’m not sure they will listen, but it’s worth a try.

I do know remaining silent doesn’t work at all. It only makes them more strident; I guess they think the louder and uglier they get, their message will be heard. Pitiful.

February 7, 2018