American Fascism is on the ballot in November
American Fascism is on the ballot in November
38) That’s not to say it hasn’t already been here for a while <74th OP>
The November 2022 Midterm Election is only 37 days away, and the fact that American fascism is already here, doesn’t make me breath a sigh of relief. But, it does let me already know what people are already contending with across many parts of the country.
I don’t have faith the politicians will solve our problems, but I do have faith that a groundswell of people and grassroots activity will put more pliable elected officials in place who will act in line with the majority of the people.
As for one key issue dominating the headlines (and rightfully so) I understand some people’s concern about abortion being used a form of birth control. I also understand people’s concern about under-age drinking, yet when it comes to young people and under-age drinking, what are the real consequences to actually getting caught? Yet, with abortion access frequently more limited, the United States has grown increasingly more cruel.
There are a lot of sick and demented people in this country. To assume that keeping abortion illegal will bring out people’s better nature is just plain stupid. Some men will prey on women and girls, knowing that their predatory sexual actions will force these women and girls to carry their child. Hence, why even if you consider yourself pro-life, I would think you too would agree that there should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be exceptions to this rule! Honestly, there are usually exceptions to just about every rule.
You might ask - Well, what about the rule “Thou shall not kill”? People already have a rebuttal saying “Self-Defense” What about, “Thou shall not steal”? Robin Hood seemed to make stealing pretty noble.
In trying to read from and hear from people that have a different political persuasion than me, I realize people more closely affiliated with conservative and right-wing groups, speak more of a pending civil war, then any of liberal and/or left wing groups I associate with. The right’s arguments about “cancel culture” and concerns about “changing genders” and the “rise of crime” is really more of a red-herring than anything. If you look at the leadership of the national democratic party, they are majority white and most of them are over the age of 70.
The Mayor of the largest city in America is a former cop of the NYPD, too. And as for concerns about inflation, that’s more of a game of musical chairs or to be even more dour, Russian roulette! This issue was going to rear its ugly head at some point, it just so happens to be under a Democrat’s watch. I also get a kick out of the argument “free handouts”. The right speaks nothing of corporate handouts and tax breaks for the wealthy, that certainly does not trickle down!
I find people like Matt Taibbi’s attempts at threading the needle, albeit noble, but somewhat misguided. I think he often tries to overcorrect himself for behavior that used to always troll right-wing people, (largely to the detriment of everyone). I think to some extent Taibbi really just wants to turn down the temperature of angry rhetoric in this country. At his best, Taibbi is staring down a Category 5 Hurricane, that is constantly ongoing, as he and others continue to try to put up levees. At his worst, Taibbi is using his Hate Inc. playbook to drive up his subscription numbers at his Substack.
“Today, Taibbi is flush. He is no longer affiliated with Rolling Stone, but his Substack newsletter, TK News, is one of the most popular on the site, boasting more than 30,000 paying subscribers. Which means, at $50 a pop, he easily can clear $1 million annually, making him a member of the one percent.” Ross Barkan
One of the most formative books I have read over the last few years was Tribe by Sebastian Junger. In it, Junger spoke of how the increasing divisive rhetoric in our country actually does more to tear us apart then any terrorist network ever could. He mentioned this in a number of interviews as well. Well, some people might read this brief post and be like “Damn right, Josh!” Others of a different political persuasion might think this is at best misguided and at worst flat out wrong. Honestly, to respond in kind to the first group, I say “Thank you!” Although the accolades aren't exactly my intent. For the second group, it’s not my intention to get under your skin or beat you over the head as to why I think I’m right. No, my intent rather is to share with you how I see things.
We all might revert back to our selecting Tribe as Sebastian Junger so eloquently went over in his nice short book. And I’m sure that will play out in this election. While I don’t know who will end up winning this election, or what the aftermath will necessarily be. One thing I’m pretty sure about, is the fact that the American people are exhausted by all these high stakes elections. It seems as if this century has just continued to raise the bar for how consequential each election cycle is. We can go into solutions as to how to better reform our election process, from a Top-Two Primary Voting system we already see in California, to truly creating an equitable system of public financing of elections that have been successful (in part) in parts of the country.
While some people are disenchanted with President Biden, I for one am simultaneously relieved he’s in the White House, and disturbed that the Democratic Party’s “unity candidate” is a man who has been in politics longer than most Americans have been alive. Despite Donald Trump’s many delusions about reinstatement and many other down right crazy/stupid things he says, it is a good thing that Joe Biden will still have at least 26 months being the steward of the most powerful office in the whole friggin world, no matter how these Midterm Elections shake out.
I'm with Joe!
Excellent piece!