It's like a national psychopathy. An alienation from empathy.

[pat_k]

This is a bit of a rant, but I'm trying to articulate (as I try to figure out for myself) what is going on. I share the horror so many others are expressing here and across social media.

First, when we look at the DT "wins," add 5% to Biden to offset the votes suppressed, tossed out, or somehow "forgotten" until "later" by acolytes involved in the administration of elections. This is particularly true of FL and OH. Since 2001 and 2004 they have only gotten better at the craft of "vote subtraction."

However, that aside, the fact that there are enough people voting for Trump to make the election stealable is horrifying.

I think we need to come to terms with the fact that "mainstream" American culture is psychopathic. Our national "culture" values individual financial achievement above all else. It has no empathy for the homeless on our streets (and so many other intolerable conditions we witness). We have learned to step over them and look away as we go about our “business.” (Even those who still have empathy don’t have enough to collectively demand action – the notion “we can’t afford it” is widely accepted.) It is a culture that pays deference to leaders that cut worker wages and benefits without regard for consequences in the pursuit of profit for the few.

It is also a prevailing attitude that automatically rejects things like universal health care (that would save those leaders dollars and boost profits) for the sole reason that they do not want "those people" (you know, black people and such) to get a "freebie." They may not realize this is the thought that drives them, but I have come to believe that racism is at the core of the failure of any anti-poverty program this nation has ever even considered pursuing.

If we recognize that, as a nation, we have internalized racist beliefs and psychopathic traits, it should probably be no surprise that a great many of us are thrilled to elevate an obvious psychopathic racist to the highest office.
It goes beyond individual, group, or interpersonal prejudice and discrimination. We denounce the "racist" that commits overt acts. But the problem is that we all have been socialized in a white supremacist culture.

It is not some "cure all," but I just finished White Fragility and highly recommend it to anyone who hopes to be an anti-racist.

In our efforts as agents of change, we seek to appeal to the "humanity" of others: The people elected to represent us in state and federal government; our fellow citizens. I've have come to believe that a vast majority of these "leaders" -- whether in business or government -- are operating from a kind of psychopathic disconnection from human empathy. They must be "practical" -- i.e., unfeeling.

Years back, I read a book by Bobby Wright, Psychopathic Racial Personality and other essays. I found the essay (or a version of it) online here. At the time, I considered it thought-provoking, but "over the top."

The past four years have exposed the psychopathic traits that have infiltrated and become valued. The essay is worth another look. I think one of the roots of the death of empathy is the national blindness and denial of our cruel history and the ongoing structural and interpersonal racism "baked into" every institution.

Sorry if this is too disjointed, but the "reign of trump" has led to some hard realizations. I'm at a bit of a loss on what to do, even if Biden pulls out a win. I see no obvious "cure" to what is ailing this country.

[msongs]

1. because jesus endorsed trump really nt

[Hortensis]

2. Decency failed, and they haven't hit bottom. Yet.

Btw, history shows that last is the "cure" after all else has failed.

If we prevail and save them from themselves, that will never happen and they won't be distracted from their hostility by struggle for survival; but they would calm down if we could get our nation back on track in spite of them and they came to believe in future wellbeing.

[pat_k]

8. Just to clarity. . .

Do you mean that "hitting bottom" is the "cure"? Or at least a first step toward recovery?

If that is what you mean, what might be the national "bottom"?

I ask because this is something that has been plaguing me. What might be the turning point? A real turning point?

Back in the G.W. Bush administration, I thought the failure to condemn Bush and Cheney and impeach them for torture was an inexcusable failure of our party. A low point. A bottom. To fail to act against crimes against humanity committed in plain sight. Beyond belief. But somehow, I had this hope that when "we" got back in power, we would recognize this was a "bottom" and that meaningful and concrete action had to be taken prosecute those involved.

Then President Obama pardoned those involved while declaring a so called "ban" on torture. He said we needed to look forward, not back. A terrible sentiment. One that excuses any past crime.

I was mortified. If a president assumes the power to ban " torture, then a future president can "unban" torture. It was like having a cop witnessing a series of murders, ignoring existing law against murder, and later declaring murder -- already illegal -- was now illegal.

I don't mean to go off on past failings, but I honestly want to figure out what our "national bottom" might be. What could so horrify enough of us to cause a uproar that could not be put down/ignored/discredited?

[Hortensis]

35. I don't know. Scary. The worst of this is seeing how

intransigently and dangerously deluded, corrupted, and anti-democracy they've become. We've seen what happened in other nations when their leaders got control, fairly quick self destruction through, in the past, war or decades of oppression and decline. And even though trumpers are not behaving militantly right now, these are just the kind of people who cause, even demand, wars. And though they proudly refuse to fight climate change through change, they would send armies to defeat competitors and take what they need from those who have it.

How about mismanaging foreign affairs to the point that an enemy nation took down a significant part of our energy grid? Deaths would start immediately. The main group of Russian hackers that have been in our electoral system this year calls themselves Energetic Bear because they normally concentrate on getting control of our energy and other municipal systems.

Right now, though, the most obvious and more immediate threat to me is one of the many deadly diseases out there, one that kills young adults and children instead of supposedly just "cleansing" society of the old and ill. Our past defenses are now comparatively nonexistent here and abroad, and right now people caught up in this same psychopathy are defiantly spreading disease in many nations.

Dangerous times. Trump was right when he bragged that he could shoot someone down on the street and not lose voters. Turns out that even if he did lose a few he'd energize new admirers.

[LovingA2andMI]

3. This Literally Needs to be REC'ed on the Greatest Page

For Election Night 2020 and ALL of the Straight Up Facts contained in it. Especially, this....

I've have come to believe that a vast majority of these "leaders" -- whether in business or government -- are operating from a kind of psychopathic disconnection from human empathy. They must be "practical" -- i.e., unfeeling.

and this:

I think we need to come to terms with the fact that "mainstream" American culture is psychopathic. Our national "culture" values individual financial achievement above all else. It has no empathy for the homeless on our streets (and so many other intolerable conditions we witness). We have learned to step over them and look away as we go about our “business.” (Even those who still have empathy don’t have enough to collectively demand action – the notion “we can’t afford it” is widely accepted.) It is a culture that pays deference to leaders that cut worker wages and benefits without regard for consequences in the pursuit of profit for the few.

[pat_k]

19. Thanks for the feedback.

It is good to see that some of my thoughts connected. I'm feeling a bit adrift.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. It's shocking that there are so many people who think anything about Trump

is acceptable in a leader. I don't understand it at all. But you might have something; what else could explain this other than people who don't give a damn about anybody but themselves (and misguidedly not understanding how they are hurting themselves, too)? Racism is totally baked into it to the point where people are either unaware of it or are overtly hateful toward minorities. This country does have a long and shameful history that is too seldom addressed - slavery, the genocide of Native people, discrimination against most immigrants, disdain for the poor, and on and on. It's so discouraging. I don't know what to do. The demographics are changing; the US is becoming less white, and while that realization might be scaring the racists and contributing to their politics, eventually the old order will die off. In the meantime, though, we are stuck with a lot of really terrible people and terrible politics.

[TigressDem]

9. Liz Wheeler is supposedly the "gospel truth" and CNN fake news according to Trump supporters

They show videos of Biden stuttering. Being confused. By putting FL in the pic when he's actually in MN.

The have "proof" that Hunter Biden made millions in Russia and some laptop with horrible things he said and did.

Of course all DEMs are child molesters and socialists - equate full government control and everyone's rights gone.


Somehow it's all backwards world to these people.

The sky is green and grass is blue.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. But what is it about them that makes them ready to believe those things?

That's what I don't get - why do they believe things that are so bizarre and improbable?

[TigressDem]

13. Subliminal messaging when they watch? IDK

The "they will take away your guns" meme seems to lead people into the rabbit hole.

AND baseline stupidity from schools teaching kids WHAT to think instead of HOW to think.

My son is honestly equating Socialism with Full Blown Communistic rule by the government and thinks that DEMS want to make US a Socialist society where the government tells us what to think and takes away all our rights.

First, that is complete lack of knowledge of the difference between Socialism and Communism and even pushing fascism into the picture, when it is Trump who is actually trying to be dictator.

They won't LOOK at valid news outlets because they have a "liberal bias" meaning they don't fawn over Trump and support his every statement.

[pat_k]

37. It is all so disturbing

"We" (liberals) are the evil people trying to somehow control "their" lives. The anti- "you people" is all over the place. Anti-education (but isn't education a good thing?), anti-"safety-net" (but where would we be without SS, etc.), anti- IDK. . . just a lot of resentment for some "crime" we've committed against "them." When you try to pin it down, there is no "there there."

[pat_k]

17. You've said it all.

. . .what else could explain this other than people who don't give a damn about anybody but themselves (and misguidedly not understanding how they are hurting themselves, too)?

It's oversimplifying things, but, in "white" culture (European/Western) values of individualism, competition, and exploitation of resources and labor are foremost. Caring about others is not in the mix. In cultures, like ours, based on financial hierarchy, there is an aversion to attending to the welfare of the general population, unless there is some clear and immediate benefit to doing so.

Throughout the 19th century, Western studies of advanced civilizations universally denigrated central administration of resources like that seen in the Incas -- administration that ensured a basic good life for all. According to Western scholars, such systems stifled initiative and innovation. If people have their basic needs met, they'll become vegetables, contributing nothing. “Hard work" and innovation only come as a result of depravation. If needs are met by the collective, there is no innovation. This notion persists. (If we give "them" an "extra" $500 per month, "they" will surely just sit home, basking in the warmth of all that wealth.)

I don't know what to do.

Me either. Right now, I think I just have to make it through this week.

One thing I don't want to do is fall victim to immobilizing cynicism and hopelessness. I am determined to connect with others working to bring about some sort of positive change. Right now, I have no idea what that will look like.

At the moment, I just need to get through until Jan 6 -- it may be a rough ride. Whatever the outcome, if we win the Senate, our immediate job will be lobbying to toss electors from states that systematically disenfranchised voters.

[Beringia]

26. But he must have gotten big support from Hispanics, not "cold-hearted" white people

[radius777]

5. There are more of us that there are of them.

Hillary won the popular vote and Biden likely will win it again. It's the Electoral College that screws us.

I agree though it is amazing how many people are willing to follow along with fascism, if it means they can live vicariously through the 'great leader' etc, even if that leader is conning them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. There are more of us, but it's still shocking that there are so many of them.

In a sane, moral society, people who think like Trump would be ostracized. There wouldn't be many of them and they'd be regarded as social lepers or crackpots, the kind of people the vast majority wouldn't want to have anything to do with - like, for example, Nazis. Which some of these characters - far too many - basically are.

[Hortensis]

36. Yes and yes. How many is what shocked me.

We do have that sane, moral society, of course. Just not all of us.

[TigressDem]

11. But if we can't COUNT all our votes, what does it matter?

My son says, "Trump has said he won't take away people's health care" and I asked him, OK - what EXACTLY IS HIS PLAN? You can't find it, can you? Because it DOESN'T EXIST and he already has by executive order taken away rights to healthcare for Trans people. Who is next? And then next?

The REICH Wing is planting so much FEAR of DEMS as being evil.

The latest my son came up with? OK - Biden's electoral number (whatever he means by that, 30330 is something you text info to Biden is what I have seen.) BUT he says you take 2020 and divide it by 666 and you get 30330, so therefore Biden is the antichrist.

If the TRUTH is FAKE NEWS and conspiracy theories are the REAL FACTS, how can you fight complete and total insanity?

[pat_k]

21. I'm not sure, but I refuse to lose hope and belief in possiblity.

I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Many times in the past few years I have felt bereft of hope.

But I know I can't go there. Hopelessness for me is immobility -- and that is a death of sorts.

I've been reading the book "Slavery by Another Name." I think about the hell we are experiencing as a nation. And I think about how, as a nation, we continued a system even more horrific than chattel slavery for at least 70 years after the so called "emancipation." And then I think about all those who survived and continued to fight to bring loved ones home -- at risk of death and worse.

Don't know where I'm going with this. But somehow in the pain and survival of so many who endured so much before us, there is hope that we can step up and find a way to put ourselves on the line and perhaps make this -- whatever the outcome of the election -- a turning point.

[TigressDem]

31. Yeah. I am up, then down.

I think a march on DC is in order.

[pat_k]

28. P.S.

A post from 2016.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12511811478

[Hestia]

27. More people have voted for "liberals" since 1980, each and every year, but the losers

always win. Michael Moore had the numbers on MSNBC the other night and it was really surprising at the numbers.

We need less empathy and apathy and more Sympathy. "Empathy" as a whole has been coopted by the other side and influencers (sorry, but what the fucking hell? When will we reach peak influencers?) used as a wedge to separate us.

Empathy = everyone *has* to be listened to and assuaged, including stupid people who the MSM seek out, making it look like everyone's stupid to be "inclusive."

Why do I have to empathize with stupid people? They are stupid. If people actually vote for more of the same, they are stupid.

Empathy = those cutey, pabulumistic, platitude meme's that mean absolutely nothing and get us nowhere but make you feel tingley all over but again, nothing is solved.

Quit thinking STEM programs are the answer the world. If only we code this...

Humanity programs have slashed in favor of STEM programs. Both are needed for a well-rounded person.

"Ethics? Pshaw, who need *that*?"

[TigressDem]

32. Empathy means to be capable of feeling the pain of another.

You are talking about inclusiveness, which implies everyone needs to be included.

You can't empathize with stupid. Stupid is a state of being uninformed and unwilling to do anything about it.

Stupid can't empathize with anyone because it doesn't care about anything but whatever shiny object it has in front of it.

Squirell!! Zombies. TRUMP!

[TigressDem]

7. The "cure" is hard work, just like it has always been.

That is why they make a big fuss, but I think the thugs will "let" the DEMS take over and blame US for the mess that Trump made. When we clean it up, they will run again showing how much OUR leadership costs people.

It is a cycle of insanity.

WORSE if Trump steals the election, again. The people who vote for Trump have been BRAINWASHED. My son tells me that CNN is fake news, but that Liz Wheeler is the real deal.

He is convinced that programs for health care are going to lead us into "SOCIALISM" which he equates with complete and utter control by the government. Taking away all our rights.

My son must have drank away his brain. I have no other explanation. Unless they have subliminal programming in these videos.

There is proof now that infiltrators from Texas "the Boogaloo Bois" were literally firing up the riots in Minneapolis and helped set the 3rd precinct to blaze. I've been telling my husband I see far too many out of state license plates here. During a pandemic, why so many people coming from out of state to Minneapolis?

This is an orchestrated push of the population over the edge of sanity.

It's no wonder people are cracking under the pressure.

Thank God for DU.

[pat_k]

24. "This is an orchestrated push of the population over the edge of sanity."

Yes. It's "gaslighting" on a grand scale.

And we must figure out how to get through and restore sanity.

I have no idea how at the moment, but connecting with each other is a start.

As you say "Thank God for DU."

[TigressDem]

33. How to extinguish gaslighting:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/7-ways-to-extinguish-gaslighting/



How to extinguish gaslighting:

1 Recognize the pattern of undermining behavior. ((LIES> PROJECTION> ATTACK> NOW HE'S THE VICTIM> BACKWARDS WORLD > SKY IS GREEN, GRASS IS BLUE))
2 Keep in mind that the gaslighting isn’t about you. It’s about the gaslighter’s need for control and power. ((WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM))
3 Be aware that you are unlikely to be able to change the gaslighter – at least on your own. Gaslighting behavior is the only way gaslighters know to manage their world. ((STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES))
4 Rethink whether the relationship is worth putting up with the constant attempts to chip away at your self-esteem. (((VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE))
5 Develop your own support system. ((HELLO DU)))
6 Work on rebuilding your self-esteem. ((PROTEST WITH 1000 or so friends))
7 Get professional help if you need it. ((COUNT OUR VOTES))

[OneBlueSky]

12. it's like all those people who Jay Leno used to interview . . .

those who had no knowledge whatsoever of politics and government, were indeed representative of about half of the American electorate . . . seems they're all voting for their favorite cartoon character rather than President of the United States . . . they have no idea how dangerous a Donald Trump is to our democracy; it's just a fun little exercise for them to get out their frustrations with their lives and with all that's happened in 2020 . . . they don't understand that the pandemic and the resulting job losses were largely the fault of the guy they are voting for . . . it boggles the mind that people can be so uninformed that they're willing to vote against their own best interests, and the best interests of their nation . . .

think I'll go to bed . . . maybe it will be a different world when I wake up . . .

[Native]

18. Exactly. No knowledge of much of anything. This guy they interviewed on CNN

...young dude said he didn't vote in 2016, but he voted for Trump this time. When asked why, he said it's because Joe looks tired, and he thinks Trump has more stamina. WTF?

Racism and ignorance sums it all up.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I feel absolutely sick right now.

Seriously, physically sick. WTF is wrong with this country? I really want out and I know that is a longshot. My hope is gone.

[pat_k]

25. I wish I had more to offer.

Here is a post from 2016 -- some quotes that help me when all I want do to is curl up and hide under a blanket.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12511811478

[smirkymonkey]

38. Thank you, pat!

That helps to restore the spirit! I still may do a little "blanket hiding" today, but words can be soothing. We will get through this together.

[True Dough]

15. I wanted so badly for Trump to be soundly defeated

He deserved to lose this race in a way that showed him that his brand of politics and ignorance and hatred have been patently rejected by a clear majority of Americans.

But no. The outcome is close enough that when the smoke clears either Trump will steal the White House or he'll be forced out but he'll walk away claiming, and probably believing, that he was "cheated" out of a second term. And who knows how much bloodshed he'll provoke along the way.

The ONLY satisfaction left would be the SDNY slapping Trump with a mountain of charges after a Biden inauguration. But, somehow, I feel like he'll evade that fate too.

I simply cannot loathe him more than I already do.

[pat_k]

29. Yes. Yes. and Yes.

Heartbreaking.

For tonight, that's all I have. Despair (with a spark back there somewhere. . a hope to find hope).

[certainot]

16. it's sex on the wrong brain, and the radio

[NurseJackie]

20. It appears that the soul of our nation is racist. Trump made it okay to hate again.

[TigressDem]

34. MAGA MAHA

MAHA HA HA HA

Sounds like an evil villain laugh.

[GoCubsGo]

22. Yeah, I was really hoping my faith in Americans would be restored.

I have more and more been thinking that we have become The Idiocracy. I dearly wanted to be wrong. Sadly, it seems I am not.

[pat_k]

30. I'm hoping that facing the. . .

. . grim reality will be a call to action.

I think we will pull this out, but we can't just elect Joe. We must do something to transform the narrative and define a saner national identity.

I don't know how we might do it, but if we can find the political will (and i think it's there) we'll find a way.

Some quotes I revisited today that may help keep me "in the game":

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12511811478

[bucolic_frolic]

23. I think you're right, it was racism and pocketbook issues that burnt us

Trump did scare the suburbs with his racist remarks. Once the GOP, churches, and racists are canvassing, calling, and twisting arms, they grab votes.

Economic inequality is only a big issue for those on the outs. Medicare for all and student loan forgiveness make many question who's going to pay. Republicans see them as rewarding minorities, and lazy people. Working stiffs have little desire to pay for someone else's Ivy League degree. That is an issue that will divide our party, young from old, rich from poor. It should have been sold as extending payment terms instead of forgiveness.