Why the Trump Era Wont Pass Without Serious Damage to America

[OxQQme]

>"Conservatism has turned itself into a civic religion and columnist Neal Gabler fears the damages wrought in the Trump era will be permanent and lasting.

By Neal Gabler | December 13, 2017

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Sad to say, this will be my last column for billmoyers.com, where I have written for the past two years. In recent months, in the process of trying to understand for myself the cataclysm of Nov. 8, 2016, I have tried to examine a number of forces — demographic, economic, cultural, media — that may help explain it. I am certain that the question of “what happened” will plague us for decades and that Nov. 8, 2016, will join April 12, 1861; Oct. 28, 1929; Dec. 7, 1941; Nov. 22, 1963 and Sept. 11, 2001 as one of the most calamitous and tragic dates in our history.

snip>
"But I think the real lesson of 2016 lies not in politics, but in religion. We hear a great deal about tribalism as an explanation for the Trump phenomenon. We hear about how Americans have divided themselves into parochial groups that reinforce shared values and interests as well as grievances and hatreds. But if tribalism answers one question — why people seem to hold so firmly to their beliefs in the face of contradictory evidence and even moral opprobrium — it doesn’t answer another, more important question: Why did they join these tribes in the first place?"

snip>
"Moreover, when it comes to cosmology, progressives need to provide an alternative narrative to Trump’s and the conservatives’ that will explain the world without distorting it. It should tell the story of economic inequality, and of plutocracy, and of the role of conservatives in enabling these things. It should also provide a positive vision of community and mutual assistance and global interdependence. It should promote compassion and empathy. It should be simple, powerful and affirmative, and it should be repeated endlessly the way Trump repeats his racist/nativist/sexist/phobic narrative. I am convinced that you don’t fight fire with fire, which is why I am dubious of Democratic efforts to out tough Trump. You fight fire with water.


http://billmoyers.com/story/what-happened-america/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. He's got that right.

I've been saying for years now that our country peaked by 1980, and the election of Ronald Reagan and the subsequent demonizing of all things government except for the military, and the glorification of war and insane spending on our military, was the start of the downward slope. In reality a status quo was maintained until the election of W, and then the events of 9/11 with the further ratcheting up of the military and parallel gutting of things that actually make anyone's life better, was when the downward slope became noticeable. For a long time I thought the downfall of this country would be slow, and play out over the next 40 or so years, as we gradually lost influence and economic power to other countries.

The election of Trump has put things into free fall. We'll never get back what is being lost. People's lives will be worse in so many ways. Well, except for the super rich and they don't give a flying fuck about any of us.

I'm 69 years old, in excellent health and expect to live another 25 years. I've recently become glad that I will never have grandchildren.

[procon]

2. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. That's the core of any good marketing strategy.

Its such a simple concept, and one that even the GOP mastered decades ago; everyone repeats the same message day after day. Dems can't seem to grasp that method and everyone is still trying to float their own ideas with no idea of what works to turn voters interests.

[Cosmocat]

3. that is the core issue

Decades of conservative media head shrinking this country has put the level of stupid at DEFCON 2, and its on the verge of DEFCON 1.

What I don't get is that our 1/3, we see this shit clear as day aren't effected by it.

But, their 1/3, even otherwise decent and reasonable people, swallow it hole and ask for more.

AND, the "middle 1/3" is in a corner sucking its thumb, moaning "they are both the same!"

I just don't get how it totally does not effect us, while it completely sucks in 1/3 of the country and leaves another 1/3 in a state of PTSD.

[MiniMe]

4. America, the economy, the climate, income inequality

Health Insurance, and anything else the orange man gets his hands on