Donald Trump and the movement he represents are not “just” a matter of politics: They are effectively a public health crisis that touches all areas of American society and life.
These assaults on democracy and a humane society are emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological, economic, intellectual and material. Trumpism and fascism attack reality and truth, seeking to replace them with what social psychologists have described as a state of “malignant normality."
The result of these assaults is a collective state of trauma, anxiety, lack of direction and growing despair about our futures as individuals and citizens of a supposed democracy. These negative emotions are amplified by existential fears about global climate disaster, disruptive technologies such as AI, wars in multiple areas of the world, past and future pandemics and other unpredictable crises.
Fascism and authoritarianism are like opportunistic predators. They seek out societies in crisis whose dysfunction and brokenness allow them to flourish.
If Trump and his MAGA forces take back the White House, whether by fair means or foul — a once-unthinkable prospect that now seems increasingly likely — that might finally mean the end of innocence for those Americans who have deluded themselves into believing that “we are better than that."
Look my friend, I feel the fear. See my other post on this same thread.
But Trump has never been under such a microscope, never faced the forces of justice like he is now. I laughed when the video of him winning 2016 came out. Trump tower, everyone partying, Trump drops his head in his hands. “LOL. He’s scared shitless the government will finally start paying attention to him, bust him for decades of crimes.” I rarely call it, but I nailed that one 8-years ago.
I get the Supreme Court hate, I do. But they’ve made a few sane calls lately, and yes, even regarding elections. And don’t forget, they’re on the bench for life. They owe Trump nothing. They’re conservative, but they’re not his minions.
And yes my friend, we stand on a razor’s edge. I never thought it would come to this in my middle-age. Thank god I can still fight back.