It really discombobulates me that there are people, who are either as dumb as a dingo’s dung, or prepared to ignore reality for some inconsistent or opaque goal, that could overturn thousands of years of human endeavour. Why? What do they gain? How do they see that playing out? This is the question that keeps me awake at night. What’s wr…
It really discombobulates me that there are people, who are either as dumb as a dingo’s dung, or prepared to ignore reality for some inconsistent or opaque goal, that could overturn thousands of years of human endeavour. Why? What do they gain? How do they see that playing out? This is the question that keeps me awake at night. What’s wrong with people having equality and equity? What’s wrong with us all living happily together? What’s wrong with trusting our neighbours? With having no fear? Whats wrong with the family down the road having health cover? Why deny science? Why do they want humanity to go back to no dentistry, no anti-biotics, no anaesthetic, dying of a scratch or a rotten tooth. I just don’t get it
If I were to answer that question with two words I would say abortion and socialism. I am aghast at how many people define socialism as taking all their money away and giving it to people who are too lazy to work. As for me, I’d like to give it a shot. Capitalism is a fail. What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Let’s Move on.
I strongly agree that Capitalism is an abject failure. When we fail to take care of the poorest and most vulnerable among us, we are left with nothing to brag about.
Be careful with this line of thought, common with those who have given up on American democracy, which to this day is a "work in progress." America's adversaries, while themselves often adopting Capitalism, use it to attack us.
No. Democracies can exist with economic systems other than our brand of capitalism. That's probably where we are heading. It works in Scandinavia. But that doesn't stop others, specifically the Russians , from seeing the flaws of our democracy as evidence of the failure of capitalism and using it to tout their brand of "democracy," which isn't even "democracy."
I wish I agreed that we are headed in that direction. Unfortunately, we have institutionalized the idea that money is power and as long as that controls who gets elected and which laws get passed, capitalism is here to stay.
Capitalism isn't a failure - Democraciy's role in defining, regulating, and guiding "free" enterprise has failed in America. We have allowed a ride'em cowboy business mentality. Capitalism is an economic model. Democracy is a government model. Socialism (the word) has been painted as communism-lite by the far right, and saving grace by the far left. To my mind, socialism is both economic and government model, which can eventually smother the initiative, creativity, and innovation that actually make America "great." Democracy's job is to assure that both business and citizens have level playing fields, support and infrastructure, but to do that, democracy must have fair elections, uncorrupted government and enforceable regulations, with a free but honest press.
MaryPat, Smart systems borrow or adapt features from others: Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Medicare, Medicare, Veterans Benefits... They're not smothering, stunting, etc.
True. But I don't think of any of them as "Socialism" as defined by the "conservatives" who tried to demolish FDR's New Deal. I think of them as essential safety nets created by a democracy (We, the People, All of Us This Time) for a capitalistic economy. I am 100% for our democracy government to pay for ALL healthcare and education and other programs that FREE business enterprise to take risks, be innovative, create good products and services, and hire
well educated and trained folks at good (if not great) wages. Then We the People (which includes veterans, CEOs, the disabled, POC, workers, teachers, moms at home with kids...) fairly elect leaders who make sure that taxes are fair and appropriate, no one company monopolizes a market, the stock market isn't a cheater's poker game, and there are ratios for CEO to worker salaries so trillonaires can't buy our government. It will always be a game of balance. By taking the word "socialism" out of the discussion, we can serve both the people and the ideals of capitalism.
Thanks. It is fellow HCR fan Frederick's concept of "Democracy Capitalism." He is fleshing it out for an article, so, if it is okay with you, I will forward your responses with mine to him.
I dunno. Capitalism inevitably leads to the means of production being divorced from where the money flows (which, in our perverted governmental system also influences how power is wielded). Perhaps we need a new name for an economic system which rewards innovation while ensuring the well-being of all persons within that system. (I agree that the word socialism has become somewhat toxic, though that toxicity is an invention of the right). But at this point we are so very far away from that ideal that I think it's perfectly fair to say that capitalism has failed. Were you hired to do a job and did it as poorly as capitalism has, you would have been unemployed for centuries.
Reid, I think that we are for the most part in sync. A country's history, population characteristics, natural resources, neighbors, etc., go into the understanding of one's own social system as well other's, in addition to knowing how they are actually effecting the people. It is a are rather cumbersome and difficult equation. Learning this and being able to make in-depth comparisons is also dependent on the age, education, experience., receptiveness of the learner as well as the ability of the teacher. Sometimes small and clear steps, along with appropriate examples fuel good communication.
Yes, I suspect we have the same motives. My concern, though, is that the incrementalism of the kind of educative change you speak of is too damn slow for the mess we are in. In order for us to survive on this planet, we need nothing short of a revolution. Capitalism is also running our environmental response (and the whole world's) and we will die before people wise up. The deaths will be gruesome and cause great suffering. This is already happening, of course, and the pain will only increase. Thankfully I will be dead before the worst of it, but it is painful to contemplate the world we are leaving our grandchildren. We can lay this directly at the feet of capitalism.
Not everyone thinks the same way. Most people do not like change. One book that helped me get comfortable with some of the questions we have all struggled with is “The Righteous Mind” by Jonathan Haidt. It is a must read for our time. It has opened my mind to people who think differently than I do.
They've been convinced -- for many generations going back to the Founding -- that society is a zero-sum game. Whatever Black, brown, Muslim, gay, lesbian, trans, etc., etc., etc., people gain, must be something that white people have lost. In particular, political power and financial power. How do we break that evil spell? By doing what Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are doing now--improving the lives of all Americans, not just the wealthy.
I've been pushing this for a very long time: the attempt to explain to white supremacists that it is NOT a zero sum game is countered by their preachers, their media outlets, their elected representatives (who say blatantly that "politics" is a zero sum game) who are interested only in power not in governing and legislating. It has not worked so far. The spell will not be broken in 4 short years--of which we have, maybe, two before it gets really, really nasty.
Yes! This. We have to understand that we are in the trenches NOW. We have two years to put policies in place that will convince a sufficient number of people that government has the potential to do good, both in the world and for them as individuals. That's why the Biden plan to pass meaningful legislation through reconciliation and then sell the crap out of it, is exactly the right approach.
It’s time to recognize what science has taught us: that the term “race” has been twisted and used to abuse people. The USA is a “mass” culture, consisting of many “subcultures” each of which consist of people of many colors. There are no pure white or pure black pepper. There are only Americans of various subcultures. Why are so many people so thick headed about superficial appearances, when character and personality are so much more important !
It serves certain of the elite to keep the pot stirred, so they can continue to have money and power and to pretend that their rapaciousness is not a problem for others or the planet.
They still think that it will disserve others more than them, the same story told to poor white trash so that they would support the "Plantation Elite" rather than naturally joining with the non-wage slaves to make their voices heard.
Oh, I agree, but when you live in a gated community and have loads of money and probably houses everywhere, you think you can escape. And everyone else should sacrifice, so that you can maintain your life style. Right now here in Oregon, we have some houses on the coast about to fall into the ocean and the rule is no rip rap, etc. to help your situation. But the owners are trying to get the rules that helps to not move the problem elsewhere, changed. Or pollution caused by industry, let's locate near poor (preferably POC) neighborhoods. And on it goes as it has since the agricultural revolution.
Diana, there is a terrific but little known speech given in 1838 by Abraham Lincoln early in his career to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. In it, he warns that there are men of deep and profound personal ambition, who would deprive Americans of theit freedom just to fulfill that ambition. Sometimes people would “overturn thousands of years of human endeavor” just to make their mark.
Lincoln notes, “Many great and good men sufficiently qualified for any task they should undertake, may ever be found, whose ambition would aspire to nothing beyond a seat in Congress, , a gubernatorial or a presidential chair, but such belong not to the family of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle....Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. It sees no distinction in adding story to story, upon the monuments of fame erected to others. It denies that it is glory enough to serve under any chief. It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts and burns for distinction, and if possible it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable, then, to expect, that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to to push it to utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us? And when such a one does, it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws, amd generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.”
One sees no signs of such a person yet, but that does not mean there are not people who do not see themselves in this way. Lincoln stressed the importance of unity among Americans to counter such a person’s effort. 30 years ago, I would have said that Americans were sufficiently united to do so. But look what a con artist like Trump accomplished despite his incompetence. And it may be that there are people like Charlie Koch who have such ambition but are content to go to their grave knowing that they have brought low what was once great. Certainly we now know there are dime-a-dozen politicians willing to sell themselves and the well-being of their nation out for the 30 pieces of silver it takes to remain in power.
There are certainly enough towering egos among congressional Republicans thirsting for distinction. We need to keep pulling the rug out from under them, least they gain traction.
Thank you Kenrick. A powerful Lincoln quote that deserves wider prominence. But then, it's hard to go wrong quoting Lincoln. As Edwin Stanton said, "he belongs to the ages now."
I would say that we have seen such a foul figure: the Twice-Impeached, minus the genius. But he won't be the last.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36. The moral choices we make feed our souls but if those choices only benefit our own needs then our souls wither. How do you turn someones gaze to the light when they are transfixed on self indulgent goals with an fixed attitude that negates the rights of others? One day at a time, one incident at a time, one choice at a time.
And there there is the maintenance of the caste system to keep them profitable and powerful. Basically, slavery mentality. Narcissism and self-aggrandizement thwart consciousness, conscience and compassion for others.
I tried to raise my kids to always be kind (like Fred). My son died in 1999 at the age of 16 in a car crash. He had 10 Catholic priests con celebrate his funeral mass, which usually doesn't happen for the 'average Joe'. But what resonated most deeply with me was when many years later, a woman told me that on the day my son died, her son, who was bullied, told her my son was the only one who had ever defended him from the bullies. Fred Rogers was a treasure and I think my son must have been one too. Kindness and love matter.
And the older I get, the more I realize that very little else matters much at all. If we were all kind and loving all the time, all other problems would be solved. Are you familiar with this Aldous Huxley quote? It's one of my favorites. "It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than, 'Try to be a little kinder.'"
I am so sorry to hear about your son's death. Mine is 38 and I grieve when he has a hangnail. It is hard for me to fathom how I would feel if he were no longer here.
Reid... I forgot to say my son was born at Swedish Hospital. And he was able to visit Seattle before he died. He loved it. He was so proud to be born there. His first tattoo was going to be a Space needle with the letters M I S (made in Seattle)!
Their top priority is the preservation of their advantages over Americans with non-European ancestors. They are willing to give up many comforts as long as they maintain some of those advantages. Ezra Klein’s book on polarization has convincing and well-documented explanations of why.
Love your use of alliteration! "Dumb as a dingo's dung" and all of those words beginning with the letter "W." You're close to "getting it" when you say they are prepared to "ignore reality."
Differing circumstances of people's childhood and adolescent years play a big role in determining their adult politics. If a person grows up in a benevolent family, trustworthy friends and a safe neighborhood, that person is more likely to behave humanistically. By contrast someone subjected to abuse or neglect by parents, and for whom a walk in the neighborhood might be dangerous because of bullies or gangs, is likely to see the world as a rough game in which people must continually defend themselves from others. These contrasting childhood situations lead to different politics, different behavior and different morals. Racism and cruelty are but two of the consequences.
It really discombobulates me that there are people, who are either as dumb as a dingo’s dung, or prepared to ignore reality for some inconsistent or opaque goal, that could overturn thousands of years of human endeavour. Why? What do they gain? How do they see that playing out? This is the question that keeps me awake at night. What’s wrong with people having equality and equity? What’s wrong with us all living happily together? What’s wrong with trusting our neighbours? With having no fear? Whats wrong with the family down the road having health cover? Why deny science? Why do they want humanity to go back to no dentistry, no anti-biotics, no anaesthetic, dying of a scratch or a rotten tooth. I just don’t get it
If I were to answer that question with two words I would say abortion and socialism. I am aghast at how many people define socialism as taking all their money away and giving it to people who are too lazy to work. As for me, I’d like to give it a shot. Capitalism is a fail. What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Let’s Move on.
I strongly agree that Capitalism is an abject failure. When we fail to take care of the poorest and most vulnerable among us, we are left with nothing to brag about.
Be careful with this line of thought, common with those who have given up on American democracy, which to this day is a "work in progress." America's adversaries, while themselves often adopting Capitalism, use it to attack us.
You are equating democracy with capitalism? Just because one acknowledges capitalism has failed doesn't imply that one is fed up with democracy.
No. Democracies can exist with economic systems other than our brand of capitalism. That's probably where we are heading. It works in Scandinavia. But that doesn't stop others, specifically the Russians , from seeing the flaws of our democracy as evidence of the failure of capitalism and using it to tout their brand of "democracy," which isn't even "democracy."
I wish I agreed that we are headed in that direction. Unfortunately, we have institutionalized the idea that money is power and as long as that controls who gets elected and which laws get passed, capitalism is here to stay.
Capitalism isn't a failure - Democraciy's role in defining, regulating, and guiding "free" enterprise has failed in America. We have allowed a ride'em cowboy business mentality. Capitalism is an economic model. Democracy is a government model. Socialism (the word) has been painted as communism-lite by the far right, and saving grace by the far left. To my mind, socialism is both economic and government model, which can eventually smother the initiative, creativity, and innovation that actually make America "great." Democracy's job is to assure that both business and citizens have level playing fields, support and infrastructure, but to do that, democracy must have fair elections, uncorrupted government and enforceable regulations, with a free but honest press.
MaryPat, Smart systems borrow or adapt features from others: Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Medicare, Medicare, Veterans Benefits... They're not smothering, stunting, etc.
True. But I don't think of any of them as "Socialism" as defined by the "conservatives" who tried to demolish FDR's New Deal. I think of them as essential safety nets created by a democracy (We, the People, All of Us This Time) for a capitalistic economy. I am 100% for our democracy government to pay for ALL healthcare and education and other programs that FREE business enterprise to take risks, be innovative, create good products and services, and hire
well educated and trained folks at good (if not great) wages. Then We the People (which includes veterans, CEOs, the disabled, POC, workers, teachers, moms at home with kids...) fairly elect leaders who make sure that taxes are fair and appropriate, no one company monopolizes a market, the stock market isn't a cheater's poker game, and there are ratios for CEO to worker salaries so trillonaires can't buy our government. It will always be a game of balance. By taking the word "socialism" out of the discussion, we can serve both the people and the ideals of capitalism.
MaryPat, I think that your description matches what most Americans would like to see. FDR would nod with approval.
Thanks. It is fellow HCR fan Frederick's concept of "Democracy Capitalism." He is fleshing it out for an article, so, if it is okay with you, I will forward your responses with mine to him.
I dunno. Capitalism inevitably leads to the means of production being divorced from where the money flows (which, in our perverted governmental system also influences how power is wielded). Perhaps we need a new name for an economic system which rewards innovation while ensuring the well-being of all persons within that system. (I agree that the word socialism has become somewhat toxic, though that toxicity is an invention of the right). But at this point we are so very far away from that ideal that I think it's perfectly fair to say that capitalism has failed. Were you hired to do a job and did it as poorly as capitalism has, you would have been unemployed for centuries.
Reid, I think that we are for the most part in sync. A country's history, population characteristics, natural resources, neighbors, etc., go into the understanding of one's own social system as well other's, in addition to knowing how they are actually effecting the people. It is a are rather cumbersome and difficult equation. Learning this and being able to make in-depth comparisons is also dependent on the age, education, experience., receptiveness of the learner as well as the ability of the teacher. Sometimes small and clear steps, along with appropriate examples fuel good communication.
Yes, I suspect we have the same motives. My concern, though, is that the incrementalism of the kind of educative change you speak of is too damn slow for the mess we are in. In order for us to survive on this planet, we need nothing short of a revolution. Capitalism is also running our environmental response (and the whole world's) and we will die before people wise up. The deaths will be gruesome and cause great suffering. This is already happening, of course, and the pain will only increase. Thankfully I will be dead before the worst of it, but it is painful to contemplate the world we are leaving our grandchildren. We can lay this directly at the feet of capitalism.
You are absolutely and painfully right about the environmental response. Yes, however look at other models when considering the environment,
Environmental Performance Index (EPI) :
Turkmenistan (131)
South Africa (128)
Iraq (132)
Kazakhstan (129)
Kyrgyzstan (101)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (124)
Saudi Arabia (82)
Not everyone thinks the same way. Most people do not like change. One book that helped me get comfortable with some of the questions we have all struggled with is “The Righteous Mind” by Jonathan Haidt. It is a must read for our time. It has opened my mind to people who think differently than I do.
Another book is “The Reactionary Mind” whose author now alludes me.
They've been convinced -- for many generations going back to the Founding -- that society is a zero-sum game. Whatever Black, brown, Muslim, gay, lesbian, trans, etc., etc., etc., people gain, must be something that white people have lost. In particular, political power and financial power. How do we break that evil spell? By doing what Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are doing now--improving the lives of all Americans, not just the wealthy.
I've been pushing this for a very long time: the attempt to explain to white supremacists that it is NOT a zero sum game is countered by their preachers, their media outlets, their elected representatives (who say blatantly that "politics" is a zero sum game) who are interested only in power not in governing and legislating. It has not worked so far. The spell will not be broken in 4 short years--of which we have, maybe, two before it gets really, really nasty.
Yes! This. We have to understand that we are in the trenches NOW. We have two years to put policies in place that will convince a sufficient number of people that government has the potential to do good, both in the world and for them as individuals. That's why the Biden plan to pass meaningful legislation through reconciliation and then sell the crap out of it, is exactly the right approach.
It’s time to recognize what science has taught us: that the term “race” has been twisted and used to abuse people. The USA is a “mass” culture, consisting of many “subcultures” each of which consist of people of many colors. There are no pure white or pure black pepper. There are only Americans of various subcultures. Why are so many people so thick headed about superficial appearances, when character and personality are so much more important !
Auto correct is run by Kossacks!
People, not pepper!
:)
This has been promoted by the elite for a very long time to make sure the lower classes did not come together against them.
It serves certain of the elite to keep the pot stirred, so they can continue to have money and power and to pretend that their rapaciousness is not a problem for others or the planet.
Yes I get that. But at the end of the day, a zombie apocalypse serves nobody
They still think that it will disserve others more than them, the same story told to poor white trash so that they would support the "Plantation Elite" rather than naturally joining with the non-wage slaves to make their voices heard.
Oh, I agree, but when you live in a gated community and have loads of money and probably houses everywhere, you think you can escape. And everyone else should sacrifice, so that you can maintain your life style. Right now here in Oregon, we have some houses on the coast about to fall into the ocean and the rule is no rip rap, etc. to help your situation. But the owners are trying to get the rules that helps to not move the problem elsewhere, changed. Or pollution caused by industry, let's locate near poor (preferably POC) neighborhoods. And on it goes as it has since the agricultural revolution.
rules that help. Cannot edit.
Diana, there is a terrific but little known speech given in 1838 by Abraham Lincoln early in his career to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. In it, he warns that there are men of deep and profound personal ambition, who would deprive Americans of theit freedom just to fulfill that ambition. Sometimes people would “overturn thousands of years of human endeavor” just to make their mark.
Lincoln notes, “Many great and good men sufficiently qualified for any task they should undertake, may ever be found, whose ambition would aspire to nothing beyond a seat in Congress, , a gubernatorial or a presidential chair, but such belong not to the family of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle....Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. It sees no distinction in adding story to story, upon the monuments of fame erected to others. It denies that it is glory enough to serve under any chief. It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts and burns for distinction, and if possible it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable, then, to expect, that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to to push it to utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us? And when such a one does, it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws, amd generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.”
One sees no signs of such a person yet, but that does not mean there are not people who do not see themselves in this way. Lincoln stressed the importance of unity among Americans to counter such a person’s effort. 30 years ago, I would have said that Americans were sufficiently united to do so. But look what a con artist like Trump accomplished despite his incompetence. And it may be that there are people like Charlie Koch who have such ambition but are content to go to their grave knowing that they have brought low what was once great. Certainly we now know there are dime-a-dozen politicians willing to sell themselves and the well-being of their nation out for the 30 pieces of silver it takes to remain in power.
There are certainly enough towering egos among congressional Republicans thirsting for distinction. We need to keep pulling the rug out from under them, least they gain traction.
100%. I could read Lincoln all day long and spot on.🙏
Thank you Kenrick. A powerful Lincoln quote that deserves wider prominence. But then, it's hard to go wrong quoting Lincoln. As Edwin Stanton said, "he belongs to the ages now."
I would say that we have seen such a foul figure: the Twice-Impeached, minus the genius. But he won't be the last.
Perhaps you have not read “Dark Money”? If so, put it on your list.
I should read it too.
Thanks Diana. NB, nifty alliteration in the first sentence.
Well, you lovely innocent, there is just no profit to be had in that
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36. The moral choices we make feed our souls but if those choices only benefit our own needs then our souls wither. How do you turn someones gaze to the light when they are transfixed on self indulgent goals with an fixed attitude that negates the rights of others? One day at a time, one incident at a time, one choice at a time.
And there there is the maintenance of the caste system to keep them profitable and powerful. Basically, slavery mentality. Narcissism and self-aggrandizement thwart consciousness, conscience and compassion for others.
Fear, fear, fear is the driving force behind all human disfunction.
"Love is at the root at everything, all learning, all relationships, love or the lack of it."
-- Fred Rogers
Fred was a saint amongst us.
I tried to raise my kids to always be kind (like Fred). My son died in 1999 at the age of 16 in a car crash. He had 10 Catholic priests con celebrate his funeral mass, which usually doesn't happen for the 'average Joe'. But what resonated most deeply with me was when many years later, a woman told me that on the day my son died, her son, who was bullied, told her my son was the only one who had ever defended him from the bullies. Fred Rogers was a treasure and I think my son must have been one too. Kindness and love matter.
And the older I get, the more I realize that very little else matters much at all. If we were all kind and loving all the time, all other problems would be solved. Are you familiar with this Aldous Huxley quote? It's one of my favorites. "It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than, 'Try to be a little kinder.'"
I am so sorry to hear about your son's death. Mine is 38 and I grieve when he has a hangnail. It is hard for me to fathom how I would feel if he were no longer here.
Reid... I forgot to say my son was born at Swedish Hospital. And he was able to visit Seattle before he died. He loved it. He was so proud to be born there. His first tattoo was going to be a Space needle with the letters M I S (made in Seattle)!
What a wonderful connection! It really is a great city, though it is changing so fast and in so many ways.
That and greed.
Their top priority is the preservation of their advantages over Americans with non-European ancestors. They are willing to give up many comforts as long as they maintain some of those advantages. Ezra Klein’s book on polarization has convincing and well-documented explanations of why.
Love your use of alliteration! "Dumb as a dingo's dung" and all of those words beginning with the letter "W." You're close to "getting it" when you say they are prepared to "ignore reality."
Ahem, alliteration: astonishingly absorbing, awesome and also amazing. Agreed? Absolutely! Amen. Adios.
Dumb as a dingoes dung— I like that — are you Australian?
Differing circumstances of people's childhood and adolescent years play a big role in determining their adult politics. If a person grows up in a benevolent family, trustworthy friends and a safe neighborhood, that person is more likely to behave humanistically. By contrast someone subjected to abuse or neglect by parents, and for whom a walk in the neighborhood might be dangerous because of bullies or gangs, is likely to see the world as a rough game in which people must continually defend themselves from others. These contrasting childhood situations lead to different politics, different behavior and different morals. Racism and cruelty are but two of the consequences.
It's all about white dominance and their maintaining their own power -- and democracy be damned.