2024

I've been thinking about this myself and came to the conclusion that half of Americans (+/- a few % points) simply prefer an authoritarian style system run by a fascist sort of white male wannabe king. They don't care that Trump serves the interests of the powerful (not that Harris wouldn't continue to do the same) as a corrupt, sex offender, felon, con man who's so incompetent he bankrupted three casinos. As long as he shares and expresses the same hatred for the same groups of people that the powerless among MAGA hate because they've been manipulated into mistakenly believing the federal govt. and every one who isn't MAGA are suppressing them and is the cause of all of their problems.

Fascism is a pretty easy sell. Hitler proved you could turn average members of German society with no prior inclination toward hatred to follow you through pandering and manipulation. Americans (or anyone else) are no less susceptible. Fascism is the perfect symbiotic partner for Late Stage Hyper Capitalism. It's ironic, planned, or both, that the Global North exploited the South to such a degree that Southerners have to emigrate/seek refuge in the North where they become the ultimate recruitment tools for the fascists that put/keep them in power. I'd imagine China's Belt & Road Initiative (flawed as it is) sounds better to the average Global Southerner who'd rather see investment in their own country instead of having to flee it for the North. Or maybe not. Time will tell. 

It looks like the Dems have decided that the only way to defeat MAGA fascism is not by offering "extreme" policies that would be considered normal by boring ass white Norwegians, Finns, and Swedes, but by offering a center-right option that won't alienate those on the fence who can't figure out if they're for something at least resembling democracy vs. a fascist - more bombs, more war. All without much of a peep from the handful of actually progressive national politicians - who may have good reason personally and politically to drop their values and fall in line considering the alternative.

Considering the near 50/50 split, if Trump loses, instead of thinking the MAGA movement dies with him I'd be concerned that a 'friendlier' fascist like Vance without all of the Trump baggage and personality flaws picks up the mantle. The GOP may be so far down the path to fascism that they feel that even with a Trump loss, their future is brighter going with candidates the base responds to like Vance instead of going back to candidates like Romney, McCain, or even Bush.

I hope I'm way off and Trump loses in the popular vote and Electoral College by such a degree that even the diehards realize they got their ass handed and any kind of 'stop the steal' crumbles instantly. I'd much rather be critical of a Pres. Harris than Pres. Trump.