I don't know of any other way to describe Trump 's hold on his base other than a cult. He can do no wrong in their eyes. Things that would be an absolute outrage for any other politician, doesn't phase his base. Stealing, extramarital affairs, possible treason, along with a myriad of other serious allegations of misconduct would have sunk anyone else years ago! But not Trump. Daily he moans about all the injustice he is facing while at the same time demonstrating contempt for the rule of law and how our Constitution. The thought of him winning a second term should be utterly terrifying. Sure, it's a long shot given all of his legal entanglements. But the more we learn about January 6 and his ever increasing sense of desperation, we need to understand there is nothing he will not do if he thinks that will win him the presidency again. The idea of free and fair elections I think are still facing danger. We cannot take the risk lightly as long as there is any chance of a second Trump term. How can this end?
There is no quick fix for ending a cult. Well, there may be one- the cult leaders death. We simply cannot count on that. Trump has access to the best health care in the world. I see two possible good ways this ends and one bad. The bad obviously, he somehow someway becomes president again. If you disagree with this, congratulations! You are in the cult of Trump! My best hope is for the slow wheels of American justice to catch up well before the election next November. Trump in jail and out of the news will lead to his cult quietly fading away overtime. The MAGA hats, T-shirts along with the rest of the merchandise from Trump world will find their way into storage in attics in basements along with the Klan and militia merchandise. Better yet, much of it will find its way into city dumps. There is another contributing factor to the end of the trump cult.
Young people are not buying it. They understand the very real threat we all face from climate change. They are not going to vote for a party of climate change deniers. Nor are they going to vote for a party that obstructs even the smallest attempt at college loan debt relief. Young people are far more open to the LGBT community. They will not vote for a party that scapegoats gays and other minorities. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I also don't think they will vote for the pro shooter drills party. I don't know exactly what the answer is, but I'm certain doing absolutely nothing is not it. I have yet to hear any plan the MAGA Faction has to address the skyrocketing costs of housing. Nor have I heard a word from the few remaining sane elements in the Republican Party. They have devolved from a party with a few ideas into mostly a cult of personality led by Donald Trump. They propose wacky changes to solve imaginary problems of their own creation such as “woke.” The Donald himself is utterly devoid of solutions to actual problems. His focus on 2024 is mostly a grift and a hail Mary pass to avoid jail. I have yet to see a single thing that points in another direction. So, yes this cult too shall pass. What can be done at the individual level?
Calling people names, avoiding the discussion of politics and trying to wait it out are not great solutions when it comes to friends and family stuck in the cult of Trump. What's needed is humility and patience. The "I'm right and you are wrong" approach will not work. One thing that does work is honest questioning. Things like what has he done to improve your life? How has he helped the economy? What does the rest of the world think of him? There are many more such questions. The goal is to get the person to think beyond the level of catchy slogans and macho imagery. You don't have to try and answer these questions for them. The questions will plant a seed. Hopefully, they will start to have their own questions. When and if they emerge from the cult of Trump don't gloat or make fun of them. We have all been deceived at some point or other. It's important to remember we need at least two functioning political parties for a democracy.
A dominant Democratic Party will soon fall into corruption and holding power for power's own sake. Our long term goal should be the revitalization of a functional Republican Party with ideas and goals for the coming decades instead of a party looking for answers in a mythological past.
No comments:
Post a Comment