Steven, after reading your words I can see how the “other side” might feel. I personally don’t sit ideally by. My fear is palpable but the greater my fear the more angry I get and the more I engage. I comment, and share posts from other people. I also share appropriate news stories. I certainly will vote. I’m uncertain about the primary. I live in New Hampshire and am an independent. As an independent I can vote in either the Democrat primary or the Republican primary. Part of me wants to vote for President Biden as a write in since he isn’t running in it. I want to send a message of support for him. On the other hand, I am thinking of voting for Haley just to try and boost her numbers against DeSantis and you know who.
Finally, I have tried engaging with the “other side”. After the Lewiston mass shooting through facebook I tried discussing gun control. I was extremely courteous and did not devolve into name calling. I offered the idea that if it is a mental health issue, wouldn’t background checks and red flag laws help keep people with issues from getting weapons. Steven, I was vilified and verbally assaulted. Not one person was willing to engage in a civil conversation. I gave up, told them off and left the conversation.
That is what I find sad. People so entrenched in their beliefs that they cannot debate the issues. Closed minds and incivility makes one ignorant and weak. At least, that's my view. It's difficult to converse with stupidity.
I have my Kentucky sister on a “text only“ program. Can’t bear to talk with her. She doesn’t read she doesn’t listen she doesn’t think for herself Fox News has definitely rotted her brain & living with her MAGA husband doesn’t help but do what you can to keep those people at bay.
Mike you have done what you could and I applaud your sense of duty and your attempts at two-way conversations. Alas, the gun lovers, magats are so entrenched in their views that they don’t want to hear any rational arguments against their beliefs. The only saving grace is that there are more of you and fewer of them, but they are using loud voices in an attempt to artificially boost their numbers.
Steven, fear of change is really a fear of loss. That loss could be a losing the understanding of the ever growing complexities in then world. That loss could be the loss of perceived hierarchy (hence the xenophobia and racism). With so much uncertainty in the world the loss of certainty in their minds about the world and how it works.
It is not just fear of perceived loss. It is the cognitive dissonance in so many minds that they thought they understood the world, but really never did and it is simply too painful to confront oneself with the realization that we never understood the underlying complexity of the world we live in. The coping mechanism of this are conspiracy theories, “knowingness” or as Tom Nichols has coined “The Death of Expertise.”
What is the antidote? Data and facts do not matter or move the needle. But we need to find a narrative story, based in those facts, that resonates with those who fear loss and fear their lack of knowledge and fear uncertainty. I do not know what that narrative is, but demonizing people will not help either. Find progress that they can see and have experienced. That the alternative will take that away (it will). But it is not a one size fits all story.
Agreed--it takes personal skills with ambiguity and the ability to adapt to change. Scorched earth removal of existing government and then restarting with a dictator will not get us there.
Fear can be a catalyst if not allowed to paralyze. We must act and move forward.
“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” - Frederick Douglass
I, naively, keep hoping that the decent among us will somehow prevail. I am truly frightened by the prospect of another Trump presidency. I am mortified by the casual comments of persons interviewed who are undecided or leaning toward Trump because Biden is “too old” - this is beyond my comprehension. Our democracy is at stake. Wake up America, this is the most existential moment in the history of our country--especially the for the younger demographic. How a man like Trump could be voted in for a second term makes me truly afraid. If he’s elected again it will take decades to repair the damage, if indeed he is willing to leave office if he is re-elected. God help us!
Joy of babysitting, my 4 1/2 year-old great grandson, his experiencing joy. .. expressing his enthusiasm for everything -fish at the aquarium, a bunny rabbit while hiking, watching his carrots grow in my garden, the metamorphosis, of puff pastry in the apple tart he created with his grubby little fingers! spend more time with little kids -they will give you hope!
Anger is fear expressed. So there is a lot of fear since there is so much anger.
I feel now compassion for everyone who believes Trump will save him or her. I think once we start to feel compassion, we change paradigms. It is not easy to come to compassion but it is a healing process , for oneself, but also, in a very silent way for the person who is opposite us, it gives space to move in. It is subtle.
So , yes I look f tremendously, lol, forward because I shall fight for what feels right, I shall write tons of postcards, talk to people, I shall do anything to see Joe Biden elected but somehow in a silent way I shall keep nourishing compassion, so it nourishes myself too.
I look forward to the year ahed because I have you and this group to support me. You summed up my feelings in this paragraph from your post: "They look at the words and threats of Trump and see a dictatorial future where justice, the rule of law and democracy are mocked, despised and turned on their heads to serve only the wealthy, the white and the powerful. They see the principles of “one man one vote” and “no one is above the law” as hollow ideals that have failed to live up to their beautiful promise. Some only see Joe Biden as the avatar of a bygone era that pledged justice and delivered injustice and a society that promised stability yet has been corroded by guns, violence and the continuing threat of chaos by a disturbed minority." I want to believe you, that we can save our democracy and we can restore the American ideals on which our country was founded; and it is a nice way to end this chaotic week where 45 seemed to get favorable leniency from the courts, at least delays, which is all he needs so that he can pardon himself if/when he wins in 2024, where we observed the 11th anniversary of 26 elementary school children, teachers and school support staff being massacred by gun violence, where I saw interviews of Iowans on CNN who truly believe that January 6 and everything that followed was all a setup to make Trump look bad and take away his legitimate victory. I will need your political group therapy as we move through 2024. I will need your encouragement that we can act and we can make things correct. Thank you, and thank you to this great group of people who really care about the real America.
Wonderful article...and so important. I fervently believe that a lack of imagination has hindered us where creative ideas for problem-solving are needed. Otherwise, a steady drip, drip, drip of fear and loathing will replace thinking. It has already leaked into our legislative branch and threatens to spill over into the judicial branch.
Issues of choice aside, the Texas abortion case with Mrs. Cox is an important example. Republican lawmakers should care about supporting research for women’s reproductive health care instead of wielding legal sledgehammers to punish them when a pregnancy is non-viable for any reason. At the very least, wouldn’t it be good for the state’s health care economy if obstetricians could practice there with all the tools they need to help their patients through their pregnancies? Texas lawmakers, by threatening to exact punishment on a woman with a non-viable pregnancy, are putting their energies on vilifying and criminalizing necessary reproductive health care instead of finding creative solutions.
Their lack of imagination on this issue alone begs the question: Should a woman who, through no fault of her own, be intentionally held criminally liable for medically necessary reproductive choices? Whose behavior is criminal in these cases...hers and her doctor’s...or the lawmakers who would charge her with murder in the first degree? Have they asked themselves this question? I could imagine that they have not.
One other aspect in fearing change is the unhappiness that comes from grasping at something that is always changing. To escape that we must first understand and accept that nothing remains the same (unchanging).
There are more of us than of them, no matter what the polls say. We just need to vote, to contribute to the campaigns, and to advocate for our side whenever we can. If we turn out our voters, Trump will lose again. We will also keep a majority in the Senate, and retake the House. Republicans are backing a loser.
I see 3 elements that turn people to autocrats and “strongmen”. Fear of the future; anger and blame. At one time elite was often used to mean the finest; the most knowledgeable, the cream of the crop. Now I hear it used as a positive once in a great while - usually reserved for athletics.
It may seem frivolous to focus on one word. On the other hand, wannabe dictators go for the educated class, the leaders and the “elites”. Their followers need someone to blame for whatever perceived slights and disadvantages they experience and fear of the future.
“Elites” fit the bill and so does “retribution.” The fear and anger justify retribution The wannabe dictator needs retribution to remove obstacles to his power. Anyone not onboard is an “elite.”
People who live in fear and anger are not open to logic and reasoning. We’ll have a better chance focusing on people who have their wits about them.
Steven, thank you very much for this inspiring and important article. This is exactly the right message at the right time. Thank you for your vision and leadership; I really hope that your message is amplified many times over.
I think my fear of the future is the ability of leadership globally that supports the takeover of other countries for their resources. I hope people look at Argentina, which just voted in one of these autocrats and whose population is now appalled to find what they have put in place. In our country, nothing much has been done to resolve ongoing problems vs political antics by people inexperienced in governing. Russia has a stockpile of missiles and their economy is fine. Ukraine needs in the neighborhood of $600B and the US House is fighting a $300 M outlay.
What frightens me most is the willful ignorance of many. The DOJ was weaponized under TRUMP. Children are dying in their classrooms, but somehow the right to own a lethal firearm is more important than their - and my right to live. The cognitive dissonance of Trump supporters who see him as a Godly man who is fighting for them, despite the actual reality. I used to believe that people were rational and logical - I have learned sadly that they are not. The ability to say "I was wrong" has left American society. This is seen as a weakness, instead of an evolution. Lincoln changed his mind about slavery, which is one of the things I admire most about him. He went from it being a necessary evil to understanding it was a crime against all humanity to enslave another. We have lost that capacity and I fear we cannot revive it.
Steven, after reading your words I can see how the “other side” might feel. I personally don’t sit ideally by. My fear is palpable but the greater my fear the more angry I get and the more I engage. I comment, and share posts from other people. I also share appropriate news stories. I certainly will vote. I’m uncertain about the primary. I live in New Hampshire and am an independent. As an independent I can vote in either the Democrat primary or the Republican primary. Part of me wants to vote for President Biden as a write in since he isn’t running in it. I want to send a message of support for him. On the other hand, I am thinking of voting for Haley just to try and boost her numbers against DeSantis and you know who.
Finally, I have tried engaging with the “other side”. After the Lewiston mass shooting through facebook I tried discussing gun control. I was extremely courteous and did not devolve into name calling. I offered the idea that if it is a mental health issue, wouldn’t background checks and red flag laws help keep people with issues from getting weapons. Steven, I was vilified and verbally assaulted. Not one person was willing to engage in a civil conversation. I gave up, told them off and left the conversation.
That is what I find sad. People so entrenched in their beliefs that they cannot debate the issues. Closed minds and incivility makes one ignorant and weak. At least, that's my view. It's difficult to converse with stupidity.
Like they say, you can’t fix stupid.
I have my Kentucky sister on a “text only“ program. Can’t bear to talk with her. She doesn’t read she doesn’t listen she doesn’t think for herself Fox News has definitely rotted her brain & living with her MAGA husband doesn’t help but do what you can to keep those people at bay.
I’m sorry, it must make things difficult for family get togethers. She is the type of person TFG grifts off of.
Mike you have done what you could and I applaud your sense of duty and your attempts at two-way conversations. Alas, the gun lovers, magats are so entrenched in their views that they don’t want to hear any rational arguments against their beliefs. The only saving grace is that there are more of you and fewer of them, but they are using loud voices in an attempt to artificially boost their numbers.
Steven, fear of change is really a fear of loss. That loss could be a losing the understanding of the ever growing complexities in then world. That loss could be the loss of perceived hierarchy (hence the xenophobia and racism). With so much uncertainty in the world the loss of certainty in their minds about the world and how it works.
It is not just fear of perceived loss. It is the cognitive dissonance in so many minds that they thought they understood the world, but really never did and it is simply too painful to confront oneself with the realization that we never understood the underlying complexity of the world we live in. The coping mechanism of this are conspiracy theories, “knowingness” or as Tom Nichols has coined “The Death of Expertise.”
What is the antidote? Data and facts do not matter or move the needle. But we need to find a narrative story, based in those facts, that resonates with those who fear loss and fear their lack of knowledge and fear uncertainty. I do not know what that narrative is, but demonizing people will not help either. Find progress that they can see and have experienced. That the alternative will take that away (it will). But it is not a one size fits all story.
Agreed--it takes personal skills with ambiguity and the ability to adapt to change. Scorched earth removal of existing government and then restarting with a dictator will not get us there.
Fear can be a catalyst if not allowed to paralyze. We must act and move forward.
“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” - Frederick Douglass
I, naively, keep hoping that the decent among us will somehow prevail. I am truly frightened by the prospect of another Trump presidency. I am mortified by the casual comments of persons interviewed who are undecided or leaning toward Trump because Biden is “too old” - this is beyond my comprehension. Our democracy is at stake. Wake up America, this is the most existential moment in the history of our country--especially the for the younger demographic. How a man like Trump could be voted in for a second term makes me truly afraid. If he’s elected again it will take decades to repair the damage, if indeed he is willing to leave office if he is re-elected. God help us!
Let's do this!! And yet we persist.
Joy of babysitting, my 4 1/2 year-old great grandson, his experiencing joy. .. expressing his enthusiasm for everything -fish at the aquarium, a bunny rabbit while hiking, watching his carrots grow in my garden, the metamorphosis, of puff pastry in the apple tart he created with his grubby little fingers! spend more time with little kids -they will give you hope!
I look forward to this new year.
Anger is fear expressed. So there is a lot of fear since there is so much anger.
I feel now compassion for everyone who believes Trump will save him or her. I think once we start to feel compassion, we change paradigms. It is not easy to come to compassion but it is a healing process , for oneself, but also, in a very silent way for the person who is opposite us, it gives space to move in. It is subtle.
So , yes I look f tremendously, lol, forward because I shall fight for what feels right, I shall write tons of postcards, talk to people, I shall do anything to see Joe Biden elected but somehow in a silent way I shall keep nourishing compassion, so it nourishes myself too.
Secretary Clinton called them deplorables. I translate that word as worthy of pity.
lol. yes I think there is definitely some in it... Hilary is so cool
I look forward to the year ahed because I have you and this group to support me. You summed up my feelings in this paragraph from your post: "They look at the words and threats of Trump and see a dictatorial future where justice, the rule of law and democracy are mocked, despised and turned on their heads to serve only the wealthy, the white and the powerful. They see the principles of “one man one vote” and “no one is above the law” as hollow ideals that have failed to live up to their beautiful promise. Some only see Joe Biden as the avatar of a bygone era that pledged justice and delivered injustice and a society that promised stability yet has been corroded by guns, violence and the continuing threat of chaos by a disturbed minority." I want to believe you, that we can save our democracy and we can restore the American ideals on which our country was founded; and it is a nice way to end this chaotic week where 45 seemed to get favorable leniency from the courts, at least delays, which is all he needs so that he can pardon himself if/when he wins in 2024, where we observed the 11th anniversary of 26 elementary school children, teachers and school support staff being massacred by gun violence, where I saw interviews of Iowans on CNN who truly believe that January 6 and everything that followed was all a setup to make Trump look bad and take away his legitimate victory. I will need your political group therapy as we move through 2024. I will need your encouragement that we can act and we can make things correct. Thank you, and thank you to this great group of people who really care about the real America.
Let us all advocate for democracy! VOTE VOTE VOTE and get your friends out to vote!
Wonderful article...and so important. I fervently believe that a lack of imagination has hindered us where creative ideas for problem-solving are needed. Otherwise, a steady drip, drip, drip of fear and loathing will replace thinking. It has already leaked into our legislative branch and threatens to spill over into the judicial branch.
Issues of choice aside, the Texas abortion case with Mrs. Cox is an important example. Republican lawmakers should care about supporting research for women’s reproductive health care instead of wielding legal sledgehammers to punish them when a pregnancy is non-viable for any reason. At the very least, wouldn’t it be good for the state’s health care economy if obstetricians could practice there with all the tools they need to help their patients through their pregnancies? Texas lawmakers, by threatening to exact punishment on a woman with a non-viable pregnancy, are putting their energies on vilifying and criminalizing necessary reproductive health care instead of finding creative solutions.
Their lack of imagination on this issue alone begs the question: Should a woman who, through no fault of her own, be intentionally held criminally liable for medically necessary reproductive choices? Whose behavior is criminal in these cases...hers and her doctor’s...or the lawmakers who would charge her with murder in the first degree? Have they asked themselves this question? I could imagine that they have not.
One other aspect in fearing change is the unhappiness that comes from grasping at something that is always changing. To escape that we must first understand and accept that nothing remains the same (unchanging).
There are more of us than of them, no matter what the polls say. We just need to vote, to contribute to the campaigns, and to advocate for our side whenever we can. If we turn out our voters, Trump will lose again. We will also keep a majority in the Senate, and retake the House. Republicans are backing a loser.
I see 3 elements that turn people to autocrats and “strongmen”. Fear of the future; anger and blame. At one time elite was often used to mean the finest; the most knowledgeable, the cream of the crop. Now I hear it used as a positive once in a great while - usually reserved for athletics.
It may seem frivolous to focus on one word. On the other hand, wannabe dictators go for the educated class, the leaders and the “elites”. Their followers need someone to blame for whatever perceived slights and disadvantages they experience and fear of the future.
“Elites” fit the bill and so does “retribution.” The fear and anger justify retribution The wannabe dictator needs retribution to remove obstacles to his power. Anyone not onboard is an “elite.”
People who live in fear and anger are not open to logic and reasoning. We’ll have a better chance focusing on people who have their wits about them.
Steven, thank you very much for this inspiring and important article. This is exactly the right message at the right time. Thank you for your vision and leadership; I really hope that your message is amplified many times over.
I think my fear of the future is the ability of leadership globally that supports the takeover of other countries for their resources. I hope people look at Argentina, which just voted in one of these autocrats and whose population is now appalled to find what they have put in place. In our country, nothing much has been done to resolve ongoing problems vs political antics by people inexperienced in governing. Russia has a stockpile of missiles and their economy is fine. Ukraine needs in the neighborhood of $600B and the US House is fighting a $300 M outlay.
What frightens me most is the willful ignorance of many. The DOJ was weaponized under TRUMP. Children are dying in their classrooms, but somehow the right to own a lethal firearm is more important than their - and my right to live. The cognitive dissonance of Trump supporters who see him as a Godly man who is fighting for them, despite the actual reality. I used to believe that people were rational and logical - I have learned sadly that they are not. The ability to say "I was wrong" has left American society. This is seen as a weakness, instead of an evolution. Lincoln changed his mind about slavery, which is one of the things I admire most about him. He went from it being a necessary evil to understanding it was a crime against all humanity to enslave another. We have lost that capacity and I fear we cannot revive it.