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Randy's avatar

I'm not sure I still believe that most Americans care about doing right by others and aren't like the worst of those who represent them in state and national offices. I could cling to that belief after 2016, when Trump won only a minority of the popular vote. But not now. The authoritarianism, the cruelty, and the attacks on entire classes of people were on the ballot in 2024, and a majority of voters endorsed all of it. They may try to claim they didn't, but the day will come when they have to confront what they voted for, and they will have as little credibility as the Germans who tried to claim they were unaware that Jews were being mass-murdered in their name.

It seems to me that people have a much greater capacity for rationalization than for empathy. My experience with Trumpism bears that out. I see my neighbors rationalizing why they voted for Trump (my cost of bread is too high, or my retirement savings are all invested in the stock market, so I had no choice) instead of confronting what he promises to do. I see them rationalizing votes for TN Republicans (Democrats are too liberal and "elitist")so they don't have to hold themselves accountable for supporting people who want to cut off school lunches for poor kids.

My father always insisted, "You are what you tolerate." I've seen what these people tolerate. On the other hand, my father also said, "Give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove they don't deserve it." With these people, I keep seeing more proof. So I am finding less and less reason to think that the basic goodness of most Americans is anything but delusion.

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Barbara Sanders's avatar

Touché and Here, Here, David! Speaking the truth feels SO VERY GOOD! Let's all just do that from now on. We certainly have to explore and get to know ourselves well in order for us to act in authentic ways though... a hard journey for many of us.

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