We are losing

[markodochartaigh]

32. First of all,

about one third of the population couldn't be bothered to vote against a known authoritarian Strong Leader. As long as they get their hamberders and sportsball they really don't care. The authoritarian Republicans just need to make sure that there are enough hamberders and sportsball to satisfy them until the system is completely rigged by gerrymandering and disenfranchisement.

Of the two thirds who do care one way or the other at this point, almost half do not want the US to become an authoritarian state.

But about one third really do want an authoritarian state, whether it is a White nationalist state, a corporatocracy run by our oiligarchs, a theocracy run of, by, and for, religious leaders, or they just want a Strong Leader in charge.

Of this third about 80% are authoritarian followers and about 20% are authoritarian leaders. Trump's actions have generally had about an 80% approval rate among Republicans. After the failed coup attempt his approval dropped to about 40%, but when it became obvious that he wasn't going to be held accountable it rose to its baseline. About 20% of Republicans don't like Trump, either because he is a buffoon, because he is a liability to the party, or because he wants to muscle in on their profits. But that 20% is willing to go along with Trump because he is necessary for them to remain in power, and now, out of fear, physical and electoral.

It is very difficult for many people who live in blue areas, who are upper or upper-middle class, well-educated, who know corporate Republicans from social and business organizations to believe just how many extreme right-wing people there are across the country, or how right-wing these people are. But it is probably a waste of time to argue about numbers when we are so close to the precipice. Surely we can all agree that need to act is dire.