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B Carpenter - Thinking Deeply's avatar

I am often asked by fellow Progressive activists why it is that the clear evidence revealed in the January 6 Committee investigation has failed to separate Trump supporters from him. Why do they persist in supporting a politician who is so clearly corrupt and malevolent?

I believe it is because his supporters covet similar power over others. They feel that they have lost influence and control as society has become more diverse and groups who formerly had little power have found an agency and increased influence. Trump's supporters and those of Trump-like Republicans are not at all in favor of the equality of all. Rather they desire a world in which there are “real Americans” and “the others.” Trump supporters wish to hold the power to decide who is in which of those groups and empower the “real Americans” with the ability to govern, to decide right and wrong, whose votes should count and whose should not, what children should be taught in public schools, what books should be available in libraries, who can marry or not, and what faiths are acceptable or not. It is all about power for oneself over the agency of others. It is not simply about admiring or support of him, they truly wish to hold the same type of power over others they see Trump desires or holds.

The biggest danger of Trump is that his narcissism is highly contagious and he is patient zero of a narcissism pandemic.

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Carol C's avatar

Brilliantly said, Bruce. Contagious narcissism and I would add contagious cynicism, too. So jarring that people calling themselves Christian are among the worst affected, the words of Jesus not a being a big influence on them.

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Karen Hessel's avatar

Keep in mind there are plenty of progressive Christians and people of faith who are actively engaged in justice work but the media ignores us and finds us boring:)

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JDinTX's avatar

Rupert has eaten their brains

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Ruth Brinton (WA)'s avatar

Does that mean Rupert is a zombie?

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Ramona Boston's avatar

They are the descendants of the confederacy. They have never recovered from the loss of position. It used to be enough, and still is in some parts, to merely be white male.

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

I liked this for your honest appraisal but not for the truth of what you’ve realized.

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Roy C.'s avatar

They persist because Trumpism is Fascism.

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