It is a question that countless Americans have been asking themselves for four years now. The answer is multi-pronged, but not complicated at all. The short answer is because Americans are really prone to mob mentality. As we all know, IQ’s lower as mobs grow bigger.
As voters, we are a fickle bunch. We no longer understand the process. We insist on a candidate who gives us everything we want right away. Compromise is not an option. If we don’t get our way, we threaten, and in many cases follow thru, with not voting.
How many times have we heard a friend say, “My candidate did not get nominated, so I am not voting.” We have forgotten that politics are not a sprint. It is a marathon. As long as the needle is moving in the right direction, we can keep pushing for what we want.
When we decide not to vote, either out of spite or disinterest, the needle moves the wrong way. How much damage has Trump done that will take forever to fix? How far back has the needle gone in the wrong direction?
How else does a Trump happen? Let’s talk about that disinterest. How many times have we heard someone say, “Politics are hard.” or “Politics are boring.”?
This is what politicians want you to feel. If you do not show interest in politics, they get to do what they want. They get to corrupt the system. When we don’t care enough to pay attention, massive wealth is transferred to the rich and powerful. Corporations are declared people. Wages stagnate and the middle class dies.
Finally, at least for this article, a Trump victory happens because we are just plain gullible. EVERY SINGLE DAY, I see someone sharing the Facebook equivalent of the chain letter. In a few cases, the same stupidity gets shared year after year because people recycle it. I think we all remember the Facebook post that has circulated 2-3 times a year about how all your posts and photos will become Facebook property unless you post a nebulous statement saying they can’t. It lists a UCC code and the Rome Act, both of which have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with this stuff.
The same people post the statement over and over again. Each time you point out the bullshit, they say, “Well, just in case.” Just today, a scam involving Lebron James went out. Somehow, by answering an easy and stupid question, he is going to give you $10,000.
Sometimes, I check these out just to see what the scam is. In this case, it is a phishing scam that tries to get you to provide personal and bank information to the scammer. How many people are going to lose their savings because of this? Or the Nigerian scam? Or any phishing scam? But, we do it… just in case.
And that is how Trump wins. Remember when he said, “What have you got to lose?” Democracy. That is what we have to lose.