So what are we to think or do, aside from actually voting to
rid our nation of the nationalists/fascists/Nazis among us, including the ones
sitting in Congress—see Steve King? The
awful events keep escalating, seemingly following Trump’s awful rhetoric. His
speeches seem to be getting increasingly violent, and the violence that follows
seems increasingly worse—horrific even.
The synagogue shootings are so despicable it is hard to put it into
simple words. And the acts all seem to
be acts of domestic terrorism. But when our president declares himself to be a
Nationalist, should we expect less? The central issue in his proclamation, of
course, is what does Trump mean when he says he is a “nationalist”? His
detractors, myself included, tend to be drawn to one of the extreme
meanings—that related to Nazism and Nazi Germany, circa 1930s and 1940s.
Nationalism can, of course, be simpler, implying an identity with our Nation,
as distinct from other nations. But
Trump has chosen again and again to employ racial dog whistles about “horseshit
nations”, Mexican rapists and murderers, and now the caravan strolling its way
through Central America, and headed in our direction. The fact that Trump has
promised to deploy thousands (how many seems in doubt) of troops to prevent
their entry, and is suggesting that they shoot to kill should anyone throw
rocks, all seems way beyond a simple preference for one’s nation. It speaks
instead to the type of Nationalism displayed during the 1930s and 1940s in Nazi
Germany. That interpretation is amply supported by actual Nazi and KKK groups
that come out in support of Trump, and which he seems to enjoy urging them to
act out their fantasies.
So, when someone sends out pipe bombs, or enters a Jewish
synagogue to shoot people, or enters a Kroeger’s grocery to shoot black folks,
one can reasonably tie such acts to the Trump MAGA band wagon.
Trump has always promoted violent approaches (see “Lock her
up”) as opposed to rational argumentation.
Mainly I think his rhetoric is drawn to violence because, a) his hordes
of thuggish followers seem delighted to engage in violent fantasies and acts,
and b) his rhetorical skills seem lacking in the extreme. We know that Trump is
a few brain cells under the idiot level. But we don’t really know about all of
his followers/supporters. We know, of course, that the ones carrying torches
and wearing KKK hats, or sporting the Nazi swastika, are likely beyond any hope
of returning to the American dream. For whatever reasons, they seem lost in
their own devilish universe, where most of America is viewed as “the enemy”.
But surely there are other supporters who are
not of the extremist perspective, and who might return to America and the
ideals of our Great Nation. I am told
that, if we continue to simply brand them as evildoers, or idiots, then by
insulting them, we lose them forever.
But, how I keep wondering, might they return to what I view
as sanity? Because, supporting Trump is supporting a potentially terrorist
regime, one that seems aimed at destroying the comity that characterized our
nation pre-Trump. Maybe I am stretching
it to speak of pre-Trump “comity”. But,
having lived through the 1930s and into the 21st century so far, it
occurs to me that, whatever the rhetoric employed by Trump, we are not yet in
the 1850-1860 America period of self-destruction. Yes, we have racism. Yes, we
have Antisemitism. And yes, we definitely have anti-immigrant sentiments. Americans seem vaguely oblivious to our own
heritage.
In my case, my grandparents on both sides came over from Europe
during the 1890s, one side from Scotland, and the other from Austria and
Latvia. Neither set had any serious
money. In fact, that is why they came here, to improve their lives economically. In neither case, did they possess serious
academic qualifications. One grandpa
decorated china by hand painting. The other grandpa was a serious carpenter,
who began building houses after his arrival.
Neither made a fortune after their arrival. They made enough money to
maintain a middle class lifestyle. Now, to be sure, they were all white
Europeans. So, perhaps they were “acceptable” immigrants, as distinct from the
rapists and murderers who come from "shithole" countries, or invade our space
from the South. Still, when they came, we
were largely a welcoming society. As our Statuesque Lady in the harbor suggests
(“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”) we at one time actually welcomed
immigrants. Now, apparently, according
to our president, unless you are coming from Norway, or Sweden, you would not
be white enough to be welcomed.
It now seems
clear that Trump simply derives his power from his rhetoric of fear. If he can
make his hordes fearful enough, they will stay by his side. Evidently, if you don’t
scare your followers, they might continue to think, and Trump doesn’t want any
of that thinking stuff. Since he is
incapable of anything resembling rational thought, he certainly doesn’t want any
of his followers engaging in thinking.
Thinking tends to promote scenarios of alternate universes, and he wants
only one universe—the one he inhabits and, for the moment, rules.
But, how
might we even attempt to engage folks who have been infected with the MAGA
virus? I would exclude, of course, the
torch bearers, and Swastikadets. For the others, and however
difficult, I suggest that there are likely issues on which we might agree with
the folks who voted with Trump. For
example, not everyone who voted for Trump wants our public tax money given to
private charter schools, thereby depriving public schools of needed tax
dollars. And not everyone wants our air
to return to the days of 1950 Los Angeles.
And, likely not everyone really wants off shore drilling just off the
coast of Nags Head.
The hot
button issues such as abortion, gays, and immigrants might be considered issues
too tender to address, but that still leaves dozens of just ordinary policy discussions
one might have with people of MAGA-color.
It is on those cool-button issues that one could reach agreements, or at
the least agree to disagree civilly. Then, because we are treating each other
in a sane fashion—no yelling, curse words, or nasty labels—we might begin to
build the bridges needed to allow folks to return to a civilized society, and
maybe even to vote in their own best interests.
The current
rhetoric being used by the president continues to be worrisome, since he keeps
suggesting that he could not possibly lose influence (read, lose GOP
Congressional seats) unless evil-doers were perpetrating illegal acts of
election fraud. I do worry what might
happen if the GOPers actually lose influence in both houses. Are we on the
brink of a Civil War? Well, maybe not, but the thought has at least crossed my
mind. All those torch bearers are heavily armed one assumes. Hopefully, our military actually is neutral
politically and will not cross the barriers into civil conflict. I would like to think that the 101st
Airborne is on the side of rationality and would oppose any armed torch
bearers.
So, aside
from simply voting, we might all begin to think of civic engagement with our
neighbors, at least the ones who still appear to be rational. It couldn’t hurt. But do vote. Please????
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