I don't care for or about Donald Trump. Yet, I do hope he wins re-election. But the only real reason is that I so strongly dislike the "Trump Derangement Syndrome" I've been seeing in his opposition since he began his campaign of 2016. It never made me join his side, but it certainly made me dislike the "other side" more than I otherwise would have.
Honestly, I don't want the rioters and those who scream at the sky over dead Supreme Courtjesters to get what they want. And it's simply because I find their behavior so reprehensible and childish. If you give in to the tantrums of toddlers, you get more tantrums. And over time, worse tantrums with bigger stakes. I'd rather nip that in the bud.
Donald Trump is not uniquely horrible. He's horrible, yes, but not uniquely so. Biden (Harris) isn't better in any real way-- to prefer him (her) simply because he (she) isn't Trump isn't my style. And again, I don't want to give the screaming toddlers what they want.
Even if some of Trump's supporters are screaming toddlers, too, they aren't as obnoxious about it. At least not in my personal experience.
I'm not going to be upset if Trump loses, though. I'm just not that invested in the outcome.
I think America is doomed either way. Past doomed, really. I think its fate was sealed when the Constitution was written. It's been a downhill slide at variable speed since then. This isn't going to end well, I just don't know when it will end.
Maybe one candidate would accelerate the destruction a bit. I don't know which one that would be, and I don't really care much at this point. Since I think the collapse will be more painful the longer it is delayed, I think it might be better for it to happen sooner rather than later. That might mean Biden would be the preferable "winner" after all.
Either way, I don't need a president, and neither do you. Don't let yourself get too wrapped up in the middle school drama of elections.
Whatever happens, the immortal words of Robert A. Heinlein keep ringing in my ears: “I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.”
I hope I add something you find valuable enough to support.
"Even if some of Trump's supporters are screaming toddlers, too, they aren't as obnoxious about it. At least not in my personal experience."
ReplyDeleteThat may be a function of where you hang out, physically and/or online. At any given time, on any given issue, in my experience it's a coin toss which side is going to be a bigger and more annoying gaggle of whiny titty babies.
I'm sure it's just my personal experience.
DeleteI've watched the behavior (emotional/mental) of the opposing factions in my own family during the Obama years vs the Trump years, and there's a definite difference there, too. Still, based on a skewed sample that is too small to mean anything.
Although I haven't heard any reports of businesses being boarded up because Trump supporters have said they're going to riot if Harris/Biden is declared the winner.
I've also watched the behavior of opposing factions in my family. This year actually seems worse than the Obama years, especially on the "liberal" side. Seems like the more power the state gains, the more terrified people become of "the other side".
Delete"Although I haven't heard any reports of businesses being boarded up because Trump supporters have said they're going to riot if Harris/Biden is declared the winner."
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard any reports of businesses being boarded up because Biden supporters have said they're going to riot if Trump is the winner either.
Businesses are being boarded up in urban core areas on the possibility of "civil unrest," which may eventuate regardless of who wins, in the same way that Chicago may have riots if the Bulls win the NBA championship game, and may also have riots if the Bulls lose the NBA championship game.
There aren't a lot of riots in rural and suburban areas where Trump voters predominate. Even if Trump voters riot, they'll drive into town to do so.
I wonder if "no vote" will win again this year? I love that candidate!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! And it usually does get at LEAST a plurality, often a majority.
DeleteThat's my choice.
DeleteWhat do you thing Heinlein meant by "break them"?
ReplyDeleteI think he meant he would ignore them or intentionally do the opposite of what they demanded he do. Depending on the circumstances.
DeleteThat's one evocative illustration you showed, Kent. I've taken the liberty of copying it for future use. Is it your own work?
ReplyDeleteI found that online years ago and saved it. No idea where it originally came from.
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