I was once a full-blown, untreated alcoholic.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

After 15 years sober, I can now look back at those years with some perspective.

I see similarities with my thoughts/behaviors back then and the mindset of trump supporters now.

During the years of insanity I did not, in fact could not, see my own behavior. Any time I was challenged or allowed myself to consider my thinking/behavior as abnormal, the walls of fear-generated delusion, denial, rationalization - and a myriad of other mental protective mechanisms - would present themselves and allow me to justify and continue my behavior.

trumpers suffer from the same underlying psychosis... They are addicted to chaos and anger (i.e., fear). Witness the popularity of irrational fear-perpetuating faux news, right-wing talk radio, love of authoritarianism, etc.... Fear-generated delusion, pride and denial warp their sense of reality. This is their psychosis.

I was once a social worker working with addicted clients. I was able to lay the tools of recovery at the feet of the afflicted. They rarely picked them up. Many died because they did not, could not, see their thinking/behavior as abnormal. Same with trumpers... they cannot see their behavior as you and I do.

And they view us the same way. Perhaps they are right. Perhaps we are warped to some degree, too. I am sure some of the irrational, fear-driven thought processes guide our thinking... After all, we are human and not immune. But I will stick with humility and compassion towards others - whether they "deserve" it or not - as my guideposts... warped or not.

[caroldansen]

1. If a truck is getting ready to run over you, you better do something. Compassion won't work there.

[Amaryllis]

7. Compassion does not preclude taking action. OP author not suggesting no action, only that

he/she chooses compassion over hate personally.

[JDC]

2. And like many alcoholics, they forget quickly the pain

They caused themselves and those around them. Saying to themselves "it wasn't that bad, maybe I am making to much out of this" only to do it again and again and wonder how, in complete disbelief, they got into this position again.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

9. Yep

Been there.

[mopinko]

3. i wouldnt discount addiction as a reason why they are trumpettes.

we know there is a huge opioid addiction problem in MUCH of drumph territory.

[PoorMonger]

4. Glad You Got Sober

This is an interesting perspective to bring to the clearly toxic thinking that brings about Trumpism and just how dug in they are. You mention your social work as not reaching the vast majority of those addicted people - but what would you say the rate of recovery was? Less than one in ten?

I keep telling myself that even though Trump's fanbase is not budging for anything - evidenced by the terrible campaign. But we only really need about 10% of them to wake up and he's toast. Perhaps TrumpCare will be that impetus as it will hit these people in their wallets and in their real lives in a tangible way even they can grasp.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

8. Yes, less than 10% recovery.

But some, including myself, did begin to recover when catastrophe loomed.

I believe your 10% number of those who may awaken is valid. Let us hope.

And welcome to DU.

[PsychoBabble]

5. Thanks for sharing. Nt

[KT2000]

6. adrenaline

is what they are addicted to - they get it from sharing anger and hate.
Some adrenaline junkies do risky sports and others refuel themselves with hate through the various media - continuously. I believe RW media knows this and that is what they have been trading on all these years.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Thank you for your terrific post!

I am glad you recovered, and that you're here with us.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

11. Thanks

Glad to be here.

[Raster]

12. Bravo! Congratulations on your sobriety... one hellavu tough thing to attain and maintain.

Bless Your Heart.

[rug]

13. For these people it's not a disease. It's a way of life.

[Ligyron]

14. One that most willingly embrace.

With alcohol abuse, the friends and family will usually try to intervene once the behavior affects them enough and becomes destructive. With The Trump crowd, almost everyone they know are enablers and drinking from the same bottle.

[The Big Ragu]

15. Modern conservatism

and its associated behaviors are consistent with mental illness.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

19. Yep

[democrank]

16. Congratulations, CS, on the commitment it took to accomplish 15 years of sobriety.

I continue to believe some people want to....and do....change.

[safeinOhio]

17. Dry drunk

I think they call it.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

18. Yep

[Warren DeMontague]

20. I think a big part of their problem is replacing critical thought and skepticism with intellectual

laziness, dogma, maybe a reliance on good-sounding bumpersticker aphorisms as opposed to solid, evidence-based reasoning.

I think it's more koolaid drinking than alcohol.

[Hugo24601]

21. Glad to hear you over came it.