Sadly, as in Nazi Germany, even otherwise good people the world over can be brainwashed to believe an authoritarian can solve all the problems by scapegoating "the Other." I think many of them are religious people who bow to a church authority, so they don't question the fantasy world spun by a dictator. I love who Jesus was as written in the Gospels, but I don't believe the Bible is the literal, inerrant Word of God. I did at one time. I was young and searching, and Hal Lindsay's "The Late, Great Planet Earth" made me view my Catholic upbringing as off-kilter. The Apocalypse was coming, there was a Right and Wrong according to God, and I'd better get on board. Fortunately I matured and now reject that view. The Anti-Christ is particularly attractive to "christians" who feel he (DJT) will bring about the rigid, black-and-white world they have been taught to value. If there is a Satan, he is delirious with joy at his conversion of deluded Christians to worshippers of Evil. Not all of this hatred of "the Other" is religious based, of course, but it is just so much easier to hate and feel part of powerful movement than it is to "love thy neighbor" and work for a better world for ALL. I greatly fear what half of my countrymen will be capable of, whether DJT and DJ win or not. If they win, Project 2025 is a reality. If they lose, they will incite a purge. That's why I don't have a Harris-Walz sign in my yard. I wanted so badly to proudly display it, but the movie "Hotel Rwanda" showed me how easily neighbor can viciously turn on neighbor. I will vote, and continue to be a "social media warrior." Would I be like the people who sheltered the Anne Frank family if it came to that? I'd like to think I would. Would I be one of those who need refuge from the "liberal purge?" I don't know. But I just don't have the courage to be more visible against the evil coming. I'm old, and I'm tired.
Some people seem to crave not having to decide for themselves. They'd rather have An Authority tell them what to think and do. It isn't a phenomenon confined to "the right." I've seen it on "the left" too, and inside the American feminist movement (which always seemed especially strange).
I understand about not displaying a Harris-Walz sign. I understand about being tired. But I am okay with being "of a certain age." Everything that seemed to be the end of the world when I was younger turned out to be short of that. Until the actual end of the world, there is always something which can be tried, something that might make it better. I am holding onto that thought.
As a Canadian, I look at the US elections with great concern. My thoughts are with you all and your country. We have our own similar fight to come next year. Great and interesting writing, as always. Very best wishes.
Thank you. I find myself feeling concerned about elections in country after country, including yours. Much of the North American neighborhood is in the same pickle right now.
But I can look just across the English Channel to see other nations struggling against the same forces (money and power at the top, rage farther down the ladder) that want to undo the USA.
If you haven't read Heather Cox Richardson today, take a look at her latest. That can help us both feel better. In the USA, heavy turnout and heavy early voting tend to favor Democrats. Yesterday Georgia completely eclipsed all previous records for the first day of early voting there.
Sadly, as in Nazi Germany, even otherwise good people the world over can be brainwashed to believe an authoritarian can solve all the problems by scapegoating "the Other." I think many of them are religious people who bow to a church authority, so they don't question the fantasy world spun by a dictator. I love who Jesus was as written in the Gospels, but I don't believe the Bible is the literal, inerrant Word of God. I did at one time. I was young and searching, and Hal Lindsay's "The Late, Great Planet Earth" made me view my Catholic upbringing as off-kilter. The Apocalypse was coming, there was a Right and Wrong according to God, and I'd better get on board. Fortunately I matured and now reject that view. The Anti-Christ is particularly attractive to "christians" who feel he (DJT) will bring about the rigid, black-and-white world they have been taught to value. If there is a Satan, he is delirious with joy at his conversion of deluded Christians to worshippers of Evil. Not all of this hatred of "the Other" is religious based, of course, but it is just so much easier to hate and feel part of powerful movement than it is to "love thy neighbor" and work for a better world for ALL. I greatly fear what half of my countrymen will be capable of, whether DJT and DJ win or not. If they win, Project 2025 is a reality. If they lose, they will incite a purge. That's why I don't have a Harris-Walz sign in my yard. I wanted so badly to proudly display it, but the movie "Hotel Rwanda" showed me how easily neighbor can viciously turn on neighbor. I will vote, and continue to be a "social media warrior." Would I be like the people who sheltered the Anne Frank family if it came to that? I'd like to think I would. Would I be one of those who need refuge from the "liberal purge?" I don't know. But I just don't have the courage to be more visible against the evil coming. I'm old, and I'm tired.
Reading your comment, I am nodding.
Some people seem to crave not having to decide for themselves. They'd rather have An Authority tell them what to think and do. It isn't a phenomenon confined to "the right." I've seen it on "the left" too, and inside the American feminist movement (which always seemed especially strange).
I understand about not displaying a Harris-Walz sign. I understand about being tired. But I am okay with being "of a certain age." Everything that seemed to be the end of the world when I was younger turned out to be short of that. Until the actual end of the world, there is always something which can be tried, something that might make it better. I am holding onto that thought.
As a Canadian, I look at the US elections with great concern. My thoughts are with you all and your country. We have our own similar fight to come next year. Great and interesting writing, as always. Very best wishes.
Thank you. I find myself feeling concerned about elections in country after country, including yours. Much of the North American neighborhood is in the same pickle right now.
But I can look just across the English Channel to see other nations struggling against the same forces (money and power at the top, rage farther down the ladder) that want to undo the USA.
If you haven't read Heather Cox Richardson today, take a look at her latest. That can help us both feel better. In the USA, heavy turnout and heavy early voting tend to favor Democrats. Yesterday Georgia completely eclipsed all previous records for the first day of early voting there.