There is something political scientists and the Democrats haven’t grasped.
What happened in 2016?
Yes, people hate Hillary. Yes, the right wing is better organized and motivated at generating propaganda than moderates, progressives, or the Left. Yes, Comey screwed her over with his late announcement of the reopened email investigation.
Yes, yes, yes.
But what happened?
If the Russians are trolling, why does it work?
The reasons are right in front of us, yet we still don’t grasp them, let alone connect with the people who hold these contrary beliefs.
The forgotten Americans, who have been living eroded lives as their jobs were eliminated, have been truly forgotten.
Our country‘s elite considered them non-existent and—for all intents and purposes—they didn’t exist until the internet united them.
The arrogance of power meant that we never realized the affinities people held within their grievances. Thus, goes any revolution.
Progressives were righteous in their progress, but forgot to include the fearful, and were only interested in punishing them for their presumed or historical bigotry.
“Serves them right,” they said.
Well, “Serves them right”, the bigots replied in return—with their votes in 2016.
I may find your political and social views repugnant, but that’s only a judgment, and judgments are relative and debatable.
I can hate your point of view as much as I want, but we need the same air, same water, and need to exist on the same planet.
We have greater commonalities than differences.
What are we arguing about, anyway?
Do you really want to torment immigrants? Can’t we achieve your ends without being cruel?
And if your ends are unjust, won’t you listen to reason, if I, in turn, am willing to respectfully listen to you?
I‘m sure we can actually ‘hear’ and understand each other, if we try.
We share a common fear. We‘re just not addressing it, because we are agitated and too busy pointing fingers at each other. Panicking only serves to polarize our respective interests.
Political division is accomplished through the old standby, ‘divide and conquer.’
If anyone with an agenda keeps us at each other’s throats—if they fan the flames of chaos—then we’ll never find the time or the clarity needed to defend ourselves and neutralize their aggression.
I believe the disregarded people of this country need understanding. They certainly made their voices heard in the last election.
Without understanding, history will continue to repeat itself.
Because everybody counts.
Even if I disagree with everything you say.