THE BERNHARD PERSPECTIVE
If you look closely it’s not hard to see just who Donald T**** is. Yes, he is almost casually identified as a 34-count convicted felon, failed businessman, con man, cheap hustler, grifter, pedophile, ignorant in virtually all matters pertaining to his position, and a consummate liar.
But that’s just his outward, public persona. Based on those criterion it is almost impossible to understand how he could have been elected president once, let alone twice. So who are these MAGA’s who support and believe in him; what do they see in him?
The answer is, they see themselves. For Donald T**** is the personification of their worst instincts, darkest fears and deeply hidden hatreds. In T**** they have found a kindred spirit in their darkness.
If they are racists, misogynists, or if all they care about is money, he’s their guy. If they secretly make fun of disabled people, mock people’s physical appearances or hate intelligent people, T**** appeals to them. Serial cheaters and rapists hold him in secret admiration.
If they envy hustlers, conmen and those have not done an honest day’s work in their lives, they envy Donald T****. If they are unconscionable liars and do so day and night, he is their model. If they are white supremacists, sociopaths or anti-Semitic, and care not one iota about humans who live a lifestyle they don’t like, he is their man.
Now. If he only had two or three of these issues, he never would have been elected. Rather, it is the fact that he has virtually all of them, and apparently millions of Americans are as toxic as he is. They relate to him in one form or another; he is one of theirs.
In truth, it’s never been about T**** at all. It’s always been about the people who finally have their most secret feelings about others validated. He has given “those people” their voices and permission to disparage and hate their fellow human beings without guilt or consequence.
Donald is only symptomatic of a much larger issue. If there is a single truth that characterizes Donald T****’s loyal followers it is this: “He says the things I’m thinking.”
That may be what is so terrifying about Donald T****. Who knew that so many Americans were thinking unconscionable things about their fellow Americans?
Who knew that after years of seeming progress on race and gender, tens of millions of mostly white Americans lived in quiet, seething resentment, waiting for a demagogue to arrive who would legitimize their worst selves? Because that is precisely what Donald T**** does.
That is the essence of Donald T****.
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