. . . the "vote subtraction."
Since 2001 and 2004 Florida and Ohio have only gotten better at "vote subtraction" tactics. This year, Trump "operatives" across the country have gone to extraordinary and obvious lengths to see that votes from black people, residents of democratic strongholds, and other "unfavorable groups" are not counted (like students, who in many places are being barred from voting because they got their ID's more than 2 years ago.... i.e., all juniors and seniors.).
But, that aside. The fact that there are enough of "them" to make the election stealable is horrifying.
I think we need to come to terms with the fact that "mainstream" American culture is psychopathic. Our national "culture" values individual financial achievement above all else. It has no empathy for the homeless on our streets. We have learned to step over them and look away as we go about our “business.” (Even those that still have empathy don’t have enough to collectively demand action – it is assumed that “we can’t afford it.”) It is a culture that values "leaders" who have no empathy or consideration for the "losers" they crush on their road to "success." It pays deference to leaders that cut worker wages and benefits without regard for consequences in the pursuit of profit for the few.
It is also a prevailing attitude that rejects things like universal health care (that would save those leaders dollars and boost profits) for the sole reason that they do not want "those people" (you know, black people and such) to get a "freebie." They may not realize this is the thought that drives them, but I have come to believe that racism is at the core of the failure of any anti-poverty program this nation has ever even considered pursuing.
Years back, I read a book by Bobby Wright, Psychopathic Racial Personality and other essays. I found the essay (or a version of it) online here. At the time, I considered it thought-provoking, but "over the top." The past four years have exposed the psychopathic traits that have infiltrated and become valued. I think one of the roots of the death of empathy is the national blindness and denial of our cruel history and the ongoing structural and interpersonal racism "baked into" every institution.
Sorry if I got a bit carried away, but the "reign of trump" has led to some hard realizations. I'm at a bit of a loss on what to do, even if Biden pulls out a win. I see no obvious "cure" to what is ailing this country.
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is what I suspect the rest of the world is also collectively thinking?
