Trump and his histrionics have shaken us all up but what is terrifying is the mute acceptance of his below-the-belt tactics by not just the Republican Party but a vast majority of American people and quite a bit of the rest of the world. It is terrifying because it feels like the world is lulled into believing that its all a joke and it does not personally affect them or that it does not matter! It is terrifying because it opens up the can of worms that human hatred can be. All the rules of decorum, public discourse, healthy debates have been shattered by Trump and his supporters and his endorsers without any reproach of any kind. The divide between the Republicans and the Democrats is no longer ideological or policy based which used to work in favor of citizens and helped serve the people better. Instead its a street fight now, where people pay to watch and get entertained. The gladiator world.
Yes, Hillary would be elected as the president and all of this could be forgotten as just a nightmare. She will be the first female president of one of the most powerful nations in the world. But won't her achievement pale in comparison to the knowledge that she won in this sort of an election year? That a big majority is 'only' voting for her because they do not want Trump? Will we ever recover from the fact that a crazy reality TV personality was a few votes away from becoming the president of the United States? Will the next elections be immune to such tactics? Can't another demagogue just as easily rise up and rile people up for personal glory and gains? Is it that easy to brainwash people into believing that diplomacy, truth, public service, good governance do not matter? If he can do it, what is stopping others.
Maybe I am naive to not look to the past which has abundant evidence of thousands of dictators that have existed (and continue to exist) and how easy it was (and is) for them to keep masses captivated by their bulldog personalities. Maybe I am ignorant in thinking that somehow American political system affects the whole world- its economy, social justice, military warfare. Maybe it is dramatic to think that this election could cause irreparable and irrevocable damage for years to come. But to see this happening in real time, right before my eyes has shaken up the optimism I have. Cynicism leads to inaction which leads to it-doesn't-matter attitude which has lead to what is happening right now. That is why optimism is so much more needed at this time! How to be persistent with it, is the question.
Yes, Hillary would be elected as the president and all of this could be forgotten as just a nightmare. She will be the first female president of one of the most powerful nations in the world. But won't her achievement pale in comparison to the knowledge that she won in this sort of an election year? That a big majority is 'only' voting for her because they do not want Trump? Will we ever recover from the fact that a crazy reality TV personality was a few votes away from becoming the president of the United States? Will the next elections be immune to such tactics? Can't another demagogue just as easily rise up and rile people up for personal glory and gains? Is it that easy to brainwash people into believing that diplomacy, truth, public service, good governance do not matter? If he can do it, what is stopping others.
Maybe I am naive to not look to the past which has abundant evidence of thousands of dictators that have existed (and continue to exist) and how easy it was (and is) for them to keep masses captivated by their bulldog personalities. Maybe I am ignorant in thinking that somehow American political system affects the whole world- its economy, social justice, military warfare. Maybe it is dramatic to think that this election could cause irreparable and irrevocable damage for years to come. But to see this happening in real time, right before my eyes has shaken up the optimism I have. Cynicism leads to inaction which leads to it-doesn't-matter attitude which has lead to what is happening right now. That is why optimism is so much more needed at this time! How to be persistent with it, is the question.
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