MAGAt Fear

While it’s true that some MAGAmericans are simply stupid, I have a different perspective regarding the most of them: 

They're scared. 

Humans are not infinitely adaptable, and the pace at which society and technology have changed since WWII is mind-boggling, with no indication that it's going to slow down any time soon. Liberals tend to be curious stimulus-junkies, hence our strong support of Diversity. Conservatives are more Tribal and have difficulty dealing with world 'cultures in collision,' particularly when it challenges the traditional understanding of their privileged social-order and the myths that support it. They need to deny and suppress changes, even though it's them against the zeitgeist.  

Yoda got it right:" Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering."  

This does not in any way excuse their actions, but I think it serves as a useful perspective as to why they act out their outrage and worship a false prophet who validates their fear and urges them to push back, push them back into the closet, expel them, whitewash our history, reestablish the traditional pecking-order, and put their trust in the predators 'who have made it' to the top of the heap and "promise" to bring back the mythological "glory days." It's entirely emotional, which is a far older, powerfully reactive, evolutionary heritage than the rational intellect. In addition, they aren’t entirely wrong in that the economy and availability of public supports has short-changed them and their families. Unfortunately their fear prevents them from joining together with liberals who have been broadcasting that same message. 

I would feel sorry for them if they didn’t enable such dangerous politics. 

I think we need to understand that that's what we're up against, and adjust our strategies accordingly. Facts won’t change their minds, even if they have sufficient education to recognize them; and Insults will only cause them to double-down triumphantly, because they will have made the Resistance sink to their level. We need to utilize an emotional strategy that challenges them in a way that causes them to question their own positions. 

I think we need to persistently ask them “What are you afraid of?” Do you actually know any “illegals” who took someone’s job away? Do you actually know any “illegals” who are fraudulently receiving public benefits, or who have voted? If not, what makes you think those things are true? Why is a murder by an “illegal” worse than a massacre by an angry white boy? Do you think that Fox News is any more truthful than CNN or MSNBC? 

Do you really believe that having a story read to your children by a drag queen will turn your straight child gay? Are you worried about them watching comedies like “Mrs. Doubtfire” or “Tootsie?” How does a married gay couple who love their parents, are good co-workers, pay their taxes, take good care of their property, and volunteer for charitable events affect your life? Why are you so interested in their sex lives? What makes you think that your “God” has deputized you to be His enforcer? 

Why are you afraid to raise taxes on billionaires to pay for your and my health care and education? What do you think they are going to do to you if they have to pay another 2%? Do you think the Wealthy treat everyone else fairly? Do you ever expect to be “rich?” 

Politely: “What are you afraid of?” They won’t like the questions. They’ll deny that they’re afraid. Some of them will definitely become angry. None of them are going to cry “Hallelujah, I have seen the Light!” But perhaps civil questions will set a burr under their saddle, and they’ll spread the word, “Hey, you know what some fool Libtard asked me today?!” Maybe questions will beget more questioning. Maybe they may start some uncomfortable exchanges. 

Let’s turn down our own outrage, stop with the all-caps rants, turn the volume down from 11. It’s not good for our blood pressure, and screaming “Did you hear the latest Lie?!?” is wasted bandwidth, preaching to the choir. It doesn’t advance our Cause. Correct the lie with blunt information, then move on to calling our representatives, attending Town Hall meetings, writing to the Editors, and simply, bluntly, and without heat stating “You’re wrong, and I disagree; What are you afraid of?” 

Let’s see if they might tap into some hidden empathy. Kindness costs us nothing.