Destroying America to Own the Libs
How the MAGA movement became defined by spite
A recent survey of over one hundred and fifty scholars ranked Donald Trump dead last of all US presidents.
This is not surprising to those of us not deluded by Right-wing media and still tethered to objective reality. Unfortunately, these qualifications do not apply to a staggering number of Americans who somehow remain unflinching in their devotion and undiminished in their adoration. Despite high crimes and cognitive decline and a stated authoritarian agenda, they remain giddy over his existence.
But Trump’s supporters aren't necessarily pleased with the actual policies, tactics,
or methods but with the results: making other people sad.
That is all that matters to them.
It's the reason they vote the way they do.
It's the reason their support is steadfast through sexual assault trials and acts of treason and human rights disasters and wanton ignorance.
It's the reason they will keep themselves emotionally infatuated with him, even knowing he has leveraged the very sovereignty of our nation with the Russian government.
Trump supporters see his ascendency as a big "F— You" to his predecessor, to the identity politics that they feel has targeted them, and to an ever-diversifying nation that they see as a threat. They want someone to stick it to the world on their behalf, and in their rage-addled state they somehow believe he does that.
It's a nationwide emotional health crisis that seems both beyond repair and belief.
It's terribly sad to admit that a huge portion of this nation is moved not primarily by party over country (which would be bad enough) but by spite: that they care more about flipping Democrats the bird than the sovereignty of our nation. To know that people you respected and loved and live and work with are moved primarily by
anger as an engine, is reason for mourning.
MAGA voters would rather give a strident middle finger to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton even at the expense of the air their kids breathe and the schools they attend.
They'd prefer to "own the Libs," even if their medical bills bankrupt them and businesses migrate away and natural disasters go ignored.
Their white fragility is so profound, that they'll give Trump another a blank check because he's reversing any recent advances by marginalized communities whose gains they see as threats to their own.
They'll gladly welcome the bold type headline of "Trump Wins," without caring to read the fine print where they are being hit the hardest, nothing is trickling down,
and America is not first.
Even professed Christians among them, are willing to abandon any semblance of Christlikeness because they get back the nostalgic veneers and ceremonial trappings of God and Country that Obama couldn't satisfy because of his pigmentation and his embracing of the world and its religions.
And so these people are thrilled now simply at the prospect of Liberal tears and a hollow win.
That is the only barometer for them in this moment of what is good, wise, or productive.
It guides their vote and filters their media and defines their faith and shapes their hearts.
That's why arguing policies or stating facts or attempting constructive conversation with the people who are pleased right now is almost impossible—because spite is irrational and stubborn and unmovable. It wants emotional food that feels good even if it is filled with empty calories.
The only course of action right now is for those of us motivated by things other than revenge and payback and vitriol to be clear, loud, and unified.
We need to reach across all the divides and to be about what we're about and to declare these things with clarity and without relenting or apology.
Our intent should no longer be understanding these people who are celebrating
right now and still emotionally bound to him. We do understand them. We've listened to them. That's why we know that they cannot be convinced by any previously used methods to connect with rational people. Their blind hatred of the Left and their complete adoration of the former President makes them practically speaking, unreachable currently.
They also remind us who we do not want to be.
Being motivated by spite is a really horrible way to go through this life, which is why the rest of us can't make our response now be about these people and the angry wars they want to stay immersed in. It cannot be shaped by our grievances and complaints and purity stances either. We need to gaze higher than that.
The human and civil rights of our people, the future of our children, the integrity of our nation, our standing in the world, and the defense of our Constitution are all far too important to squander using as a middle finger to people we want to piss off.
We’ve seen what that yields.
We need to live and work and vote for equality, diversity, compassion, love, and justice—not for spite.
Agree with everything this article even though it is frustrating to hear people I know praise the likes of Trump. Your writing is getting increasingly more profound and scholarly. I totally appreciate. Kept it up!!
John - I greatly appreciate your writing and thoughts. I sometimes read your work and have to ponder things like - what does it mean to be a Christian (and not the GQP kind)? Is it OK to call people out? To be angry? To give up on people? Depending on the time of day, I read your stuff and think "he shouldn't be saying that" and then literally minutes later, I re-read and think "Preach, man - tell it like it is!" All this to say, I'm still trying to learn my way with how/if/when to express my outrage at injustice. Thanks for the example you set.