I started this blog after the “…very fine people on both sides” comment made by Trump in response to the horrific events in Charlottesville on August 12, 2017. I had already found Trump as unacceptable to be president based on his despicable behavior during the campaign leading up to the November 2016 election. He was morally, ethically, mentally and intellectually unfit for the position. However, his refusal to emphatically denounce white supremacy and racism totally shattered my perception of my America. What was really mind boggling to me was that other people were willing to overlook Trump’s unfitness, his abhorrent behavior, his destructiveness toward our government and our democracy.
I’ve spent the last four years trying uncover why people support him and his destructive policies. I researched news sources and propaganda that shapes attitudes and perceptions. I found a network of radio, cable and online platforms that present an alternate view of reality based on far right beliefs. This “network” convinces consumers to not believe or trust mainstream media, government, experts, science and even democracy, leaving them at the mercy of talking heads and conspiracy theorists.
These far right beliefs have always been with us, but existed on the fringes of society. However, over the past half century a small group of ultra-wealthy Americans have poured billions and billions of dollars into think tanks, academia, right-wing media, politics (including funding the Tea Party Movement and supporting Citizens United which allows unlimited money to finance campaigns) and dubious “philanthropic” entities effectively dividing America.
The worldview (Billionaire agenda) of this ultra-wealthy force of power and greed was shaped by the John Birch Society, the Freedom School, the Libertarian Movement, ideas from author Ayn Rand, and the myth of a purely free market economy. It is for small government and against any social safety net. In other words, they don’t want any government regulation including laws that protect the environment and worker’s rights and they don’t want any government funded programs that help the less fortunate.
This worldview is harmful to the majority of Americans. But somehow this worldview that gives carte blanche to a few billionaires morphed into a populist movement that has a contorted and deformed sense of patriotism. Ordinary Americans have become anti-democratic and anti-government “patriots.” AMERICAN PATRIOTISM IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANTI-DEMOCRATIC AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT THINKING! A patriot who doesn’t believe in democracy doesn’t make sense. It’s like a fish that doesn’t believe in water or an Evangelical who doesn’t believe in Jesus.
Ordinary Americans are being swayed by culture wars that are at times exaggerated or outright false including but not limited to the areas of immigration, religious freedom, gun rights, abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, government overreach, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, voter “fraud”and vaccine/mask mandates. As a result of this misinformation, these ordinary Americans will only vote for those who profess this same misinformation. So, well educated, well off people in power are willing to knowingly outright lie to the American people to perpetuate the false right-wing narrative that is hurting the majority of Americans just to get their votes. And, they are willing to deny or hamper the voting rights of those who don’t agree with their destructive agenda.
Ordinary Americans are unknowingly supporting the anti-democratic anti-government Billionaire agenda by voting right-wing. They are supporting the American oligarchy and giving up their own opportunities and protections. This poisonous thinking has radicalized patriots into domestic terrorists. These toxic views are caused by too much influence from too few people!
We must reclaim America for all. We must honor truth, democracy, civility, citizenship, civil rights, the social contract between stockholders and stakeholders, fairness, and opportunity for all. We need security, stability, livable wages, education and healthcare. Remember, without the foundation we provide, the billionaires would be out of business.
Now that I know the source of our division, I am at a loss as to what to do. I’ve tried fact checking and sharing what I’ve learned, but people just believe I’m repeating some liberal narrative or talking points. I hope that we can save our democracy before it’s too late. Otherwise our lives and freedoms will be dictated by the Billionaire agenda that has no respect or use for ordinary Americans.
Trump brought the darkness of the radical right into the light. Now that we see it for what it is (the Billionaire agenda), we need to save our democracy for all of us. We will only be saved by truth!
reilly m gray 