It’s probably always been this way. I’ve never stopped to think about it. But COVID-19 puts it in such stark relief, that you really have to work to miss it. Thrown out all the political science class definitions of Burkian conservatism and classic liberalism. Throw out the buzzwords and the attempts by one side to slur any term they oppose. This isn’t about a differing set of ideas on the way to a common goal. It’s about empathy. One side has it. One doesn’t. And the one that doesn’t is keenly, if subconsciously, aware of it.
Liberals want to make the world a better and they want it to be better for everyone. Conservatives do not. Conservatives can’t see beyond their own parochial concerns, concerns they reinforce by living in a bubble, information wise and otherwise. It seems like a broad generalization, but when you start thinking about it, it’s not. What are the core tenants of conservative ideology these days? Lower taxes so I can keep more of my money. More money for cops, so we can punish people who come after my stuff. Less money for programs that help people improve their lives.
They will tell you it’s not about not helping people. It’s about the best way to help people help themselves. That teach a man to fish and he’ll eat forever. That pulling money out of the public schools really is a good thing. After all, they’re all good Christians. Not Jesus-y, New Testament Christians of course, but angry Christians, horrified at the world and the people around them and any thought that their actions might be restricted in anyway. That’s why they won’t wear masks. They’ll tell you it’s because they aren’t afraid, but it’s really because masks don’t project them. They project Other People. And the core tenant of MAGA voters is “We don’t give a fuck about Other People.”
And that’s where the projection comes. And that’s why trump, not some neighbor-loving Jew from Palestine, is their messiah. It’s never been more evident than in their screeds against Biden. He’s doddering, he’s a puppet, his child is corrupt. None of those things are true of Biden, all of those things are true of trump. But they follow him because he doesn’t ask sacrifice of them. He doesn’t ask them to think about anyone but themselves.
And they truly don’t see the problem. If you look like them, they’ll say the quite parts out loud until they realize you aren’t with them. Then they’ll either scream it to own the libs or withdraw. Because the cruelty is the point. I’ve listened to people tell me not to worry about the Public Charge Rule, which allows the government to deport legal immigrants who receive assistance, because my wife is long past the time when that would affect her. No explanation that my concern isn’t for her, but for little girls growing up now in the same situation she did. But these people cannot see it from anyone else’s view. Another friend has LGBTQ relatives, but shows no concern they could be fired simply for who they love if trump has is way. “No good employer would do that.” As if we all get to work for good employers all our lives.
They vote for trump because their stock shares are up. Because their prescription prices have dropped, but can’t cite a single policy that caused that (likely a move to generic). They take it as an article of faith that Biden is corrupt, but will not see that trump’s children are raking in tens of millions from foreign governments, that trump’s business record is one of abject failure. That he’s a tax cheat who writes off consulting fees paid to employees and $70,000 worth of hair care. They vote on self-interest and wrap it in the flag, tough love and entitlement. They care nothing for the principles on which this country is founded. They are all too happy to lock ’em up, send armed thugs to intimidate voters and cheer those who would overthrow the government, as long as they look like them and don’t inconvenience them. They want a government designed to give them their way, not one designed to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.
trump’s defeat won’t change them. But it will signal their reign of terror is nearing an end. They’ve stood before every effort to make this country better for 400 years. We’re not going back to the way it was. We’ve seen too many things from our friends, neighbors and family that we can’t unsee. As the last four years capped off government by the selfish, we’ve seen the disguise slip off too often and too casually to truly trust them again. All we have is our ideals and our community and the end community will prevail over selfishness as long as we are willing to look it it the eye and call it out for what it really is.
Oran Today 