Is America ready to trade democracy for cheap gas? That's fascism in a nutshell

[marmar]

Is America ready to trade democracy for cheap gas? That's fascism in a nutshell
Americans understand that democracy is in dire peril. That doesn't mean they believe in it, or give a damn

By CHAUNCEY DEVEGA
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 3, 2022 5:45AM (EDT)


(Salon) This recent New York Times headline offers a perfect prospective epitaph for America's ailing democracy and its potential imminent demise: "Voters See Democracy in Peril, but Saving It Isn't a Priority."

The details are grim. Voters "overwhelmingly believe American democracy is under threat, but seem remarkably apathetic about that danger," with relatively few calling it "the nation's most pressing problem," according to a new poll conducted for the Times by Siena College. More than one-third of independent voters in the poll "said they were open to supporting candidates who reject the legitimacy of the 2020 election," because economic concerns were more urgent. While 71 percent of voters agreed that "democracy was at risk," only 7 percent said that was the country's most important problem.

The Times' analysis conformed to a depressing current of conventional wisdom, concluding that "for many Americans, this year's midterm elections will be largely defined by rising inflation and other economic woes," reflecting a deeply rooted "cynicism" about government. This particular portrait reinforces what political scientists and other experts have long known about voting and other political behavior in this country.

Most Americans are relatively unsophisticated in their understanding of politics and public policy, and tend to be disengaged on issues beyond the few that appear to be of immediate concern to them, their families or their communities, barring a national emergency or crisis that demands collective attention. But even that kind of increased salience does not necessarily translate into an accurate or factual understanding of the policies in question. For example, the COVID pandemic certainly became a major national issue, but also fueled widespread disinformation about vaccines and public health measures. The 2020 election transfixed the nation for weeks, but Donald Trump's Big Lie narrative about that election has not faded away. ..............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2022/11/03/is-america-ready-to-trade-democracy-for-cheap-gas-thats-fascism-in-a-nutshell/

[Mister Ed]

1. And after they do, they still won't get cheap gas. n/t

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. You nailed it.

[jaxexpat]

2. Perhaps that knock on their door will jog their priorities.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

3. Always recommend any article from Salon 💇‍♀️! 👍

[sop]

4. Most Republicans I talk to also share a deep disatisfaction with the state of the economy and our

political system. The difference between them and most Democrats is who they blame for it. Predictably, Republican propaganda always blames economic problems on immigrants and minorities taking advantage of the system, not corporate greed and excess. It's the perfect example of misplaced anger.

[Thunderbeast]

6. If the last ten years has taught us anything...

We are no longer a country with citizens willing to make ANY sacrifice for the benefit of their fellow countrymen (gender neutrality just too cumbersome to edit).

No taxes
No vaccines
No masks
No community service
Cheap gas for the 2 ton pickup as a right
No tolerance for the political or religious views of others
Throw their trash and beer cans on our ground in our parks and riverbanks

Half of our country's citizens behave like entitled eight year-olds.

[dugog55]

7. Jeez, an entitled eight year old. Who does that remind you of?

The GOP has always been full of liars and suck ups to corporations and big money. But getting Mango Mussolini elected, just opened the floodgates for childish, improper behavior at a World Class level. The possibly dumbest, most boorish, spoiled brat in the world showed all GOP pols that they can act out and say anything they want to and get away with it. The fact that hardly no one had any backbone in his administration to hold him back has led this country to the brink of extinction as we know it. And as you said, now half of our country's citizens act and feel the same way. "I got mine, fuck you and your feelings". Even though they are helping dig a hell hole they will be living in too.