I am not a psychologist and don't even play one on TV, but---

[Atticus]

It seems to me that there are among us quite a few extremely insecure and unsuccessful folks who choose to spend most of their time searching for someone to blame for their unhappiness. If that is at all accurate, it follows that they feel justified in hurting the people pointed out as "them"---those evil people responsible for their sad lot in life.

And, then, in that explosive atmosphere, a loud, brash, vulgar and "successful" man rises to tell these people who to blame, who to hate, who they would be "justified" in harming. And, while most of these broken toys will not go beyond shouted obscenities and vulgar bumper stickers, some---a small percentage---decide that guns and bombs and arson are what is needed to --- "MAGA". In between the shouters and the shooters are the cowards who send anonymous threats by mail or email or late night phone calls.

Does anyone doubt that the sickies just described are willing to destroy our nation if that will "own" the libs/Dems/progs?

ADDENDUM: This OP was posted BEFORE there was news of the assault on Paul Pelosi by a person shouting "Where's Nancy?" after breaking into their residence.

[Raven]

1. No doubt in my mind, Atticus. n/t

[Xavier Breath]

2. Agree completely.

And, you still can be credentialed if you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

[ananda]

3. Me neither, but I know batshit crazy stupid when I see it.

So many officials fall into that catergory now, and their
followers too.

You're welcome,
Dr ananda

[usonian]

4. THEY'RE A CULT. THAT'S YOUR ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

Just copying the nazi playbook.

Their credo:
"I believe in"
• Racism
• Homophobia
• Anti-Semitism
• The violent overthrow of elected government
• Misogyny, and
• A LIE AS BIG AS THE SUN

These are basically cult practices.

https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=17292041

I used to post some of the attributes. Most came from "When Society is an Addict" and "The Addictive Organization" by Anne Wilson Schaef. Addiction and co-dependence share many behaviors with cults. They suck you in and keep you trapped. (I am not a psychologist. I just needed to understand things around me.) Keyword: PROJECTION. It's everywhere, so we don't even see it any more.

Mainly, words have no attachment to reality. They are used only for effect.
So, issues can flip, as long as they isolate and distance the "others"

Of course, the targeted groups I gave are "easy" for them. Disturbingly, even if members of those groups are part of the cult. "Well, you're black, but at least you aren't Jewish" kinds of crap --- that's played out right now. (and you know who I mean) And then it gets turned around. All very sick stuff.

[2naSalit]

5. +1

[Hotler]

6. Scapegoating and blaming others is one trait of fascism.

The words fascist and fascism are not being used enough when talking about the repugs.

[wiggs]

7. another DU post posited that Trumpism is not political, which stuck with me. Seems

that trumpism might be just a collection of people who have something wrong with them and have a need to control others one way or another. They are visible because over the last 6 years they've been given permission to openly be the as*holes they've always wanted to be

These people aren't connected by policy convictions, a platform, a hope to improve society, empathy...but something more akin to hate, resentment, victimhood.