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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump's 'frightened world' of the 'happily stupid'
Thing is, the support of Trump in Texas and I speak specifically of my region, East Texas goes beyond the smart and the not so smart, the educated and the uneducated. It is more a result of what I like to call the happily stupid; the ones who hold stupid views by choice, not due to lack of intelligence, but due to a kind of tribalism. Facts that interfere with their version of the world are there to be ignored Trump has provided a dark, dank hole into which these folks can dump whatever it is theyre mad about
Most of what Trump is selling shouldnt convince a distracted 12-year-old, and certainly its hard to see how a conniving real estate tycoon represents the average person, but those are the people he has made the greatest inroads with Trump could have unhealthy relations with a dying donkey on the White House lawn and they would see it as him being refreshingly politically incorrect, and isnt there a chance that donkey could have illegally crossed the border from Mexico and got what it deserved?
They have decided to hear what they want to hear and dismiss the rest. But this isnt as new as some suggest. What appeals to the Trump supporter is what has long appealed to the Republican party. Before, it was thinly concealed, like a cheap coat of whitewash over bathroom graffiti. No longer. Now we know for certain whats written on the wall, and what has been going on in the basement. Trump is the Frankenstein monster Republicans have been tinkering with all these years, and now Its Alive! and running amok
Its a jungle out there. At least, to hear the Republicans tell it. But what its really about, in earthier conservative circles, is a chance for people to feel important, to think they are standing on the lines of freedom, fighting back the zombie hordes. What drives these folks is fear; but for many, its a delicious fear
Fear sells, and it stimulates. Trump and his cronies constantly tell us, without actual facts, how bad crime is and how evil all foreigners are and you better build that bunker and stock up, because if you dont, all youll have for protection from the certain rise of crazed liberals is harsh language. This is a world so many conservative Republicans feel they can control. A frightened world. A world where the happily stupid, bless their little hearts, can thrive within their own fear-based mythology.
https://whyy.org/articles/trumps-frightened-world-of-the-happily-stupid/
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)orangecrush
(19,237 posts)vlyons
(10,252 posts)that all Republicans want in a POTUS is someone who can hold a pen and sign their tax cuts and deregulation bills. That's it.
I used to live in East Texas, where "God is in control," and where KKK chapters are alive and well. Where "others" are despised, and where the N-word is spoken frequently and without shame.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)dawg day
(7,947 posts)Most of what Trump is selling shouldnt convince a distracted 12-year-old,"
Your average 12-year-old wouldn't watch Fox News.
Trumpers are easily led, shall we say. But only by a real grifter. A more subtler, talented grifter would be wasted on them.
Skittles
(152,965 posts)they make me sick
Mister Ed
(5,896 posts)He said, "No, Ed, they're far beyond that. They're joyously ignorant! Jubilantly ignorant! Gleefully, deliriously, proudly ignorant!"
I'd say he pretty much nailed it, just as the author of the article in the OP did.
DBoon
(22,288 posts)and "War is Peace", and "Freedom is Slavery"
Brawndo
(535 posts)DBoon
(22,288 posts)It is a lifestyle
3catwoman3
(23,820 posts)Throw in arrogance, and you've got a really toxic combination.
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)irisblue
(32,829 posts)SergeStorms
(18,903 posts)This is exactly what people in cults do; they overlook the obvious flaws and hypocrisy of their 'leader' and immerse themselves in the alternative reality the 'leader' has designed for them. Most 'leaders' control their cult members by a combination of fear and a sick sense of love. This certainly sounds like what you're describing and suffering through in East Texas.
It's the same in many places, usually in the south and the rust belt. Otherwise intelligent people taking self delusion to the nth degree.
Mister Ed
(5,896 posts)Like many, I've had the unhappy experience of observing it up close, in a family member. There's no mistaking the behavior. These are cult members.
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)I normally have no problem ignoring silly, ignorant people, but the viciousness of this particular moron left me speechless.
Until next time.
I won't be speechless then.
pbmus
(12,418 posts)Grokenstein
(5,707 posts)Cheney's cult probably still has all the plastic sheeting and duct tape they panic-purchased. And before that, Ronnie the Jellybean Naptime Cowboy's handlers were so good at fearmongering that a couple of hundred coffins shipping back home from Beirut didn't faze his worshippers.
Aussie105
(5,214 posts)Strength through mistrust.
Strength through . . . zero sum thinking, for me to gain you must lose.
Strength through xenophobia, racism.
Strength through . . . get them before they can get you, because you just know they are looking for a moment of weakness in you.
Come on Deplorables, confess. Every time you verbally abuse someone not like you, say something negative about them others, every time you listen to Trump Twitter something abusive, you feel better, don't you?
Anyhow, Trump said it was ok. Abuse, mistrust, pre-emptive defense, are the new social skill, apparently.
So carry on, nothing to see here!
malaise
(267,823 posts)they are not conservatives - they are racists
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)FakeNoose
(32,356 posts)... which makes him something akin to to a fundie/Bible Belt preacher. Am I right?
Gothmog
(144,005 posts)Paladin
(28,204 posts)"The happily stupid." has trump's base ever been described more accurately?
I hope Molly Ivins is laughing over this. The Observer is where she hung her hat for quite a few years.
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)Paladin
(28,204 posts)I got to meet her and shake her hand, one night when I was in college. I had the same privilege with Barbara Jordan, that same night. What great and intelligent human beings.
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)Thanks for sharing!
Boomerproud
(7,889 posts)line by line on the air or interviews the author I will finally have some hope.
KG
(28,749 posts)in the name of 'safety'