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In reply to the discussion: A challenge to illustrate the difficulites of breaking through the right-wing misinformation machine [View all]Tansy_Gold
(18,060 posts)I see this in my own household, where One Person constantly analyzes what's happening based on his own (accurate) understanding of the issues, of the economics, of the logistics. No matter how often I tell him "they" don't see it that way and "they" can't be reasoned with using that kind of logical, sane, informed explanation, he just doesn't get it.
The GOP and its various levels of operatives all work on a mindset that accepts inequality (in many forms) at its foundation. Double standards are its stock in trade, because it allows them to offer the carrot while holding tight to the stick. Wealth v. poverty is the easiest one, but there are others. The rich are different and get different rights and privileges. "You can't deny us this extra luxury, because then it won't be available to you when you become rich!" And they use themselves as the examples of how its possible for ANYONE to become rich -- it's not possible but they make it seem so even while they're the ones making it impossible. So the family values preachers can sin and sin and sin again, divorce, mistresses, extra kids out of wedlock, and the RWNJs have no problem with it. Double standards are fine and dandy. Double standards require an "Us" and a "Them." Democrats have a hard time wrapping their heads around this basic concept, and as a result they can't effectively communicate with RWNJs.
I have said here on DU since back in the GWB days, that until things get really tough for the vast majority of (voting-eligible) Americans, nothing will change the downhill slide of the nation. How tough? Tougher than 9/11. Tougher than the implosion of the housing market. Tougher than COVID. A lot tougher than COVID. Until it happens to more of those who believed "It can't happen to ME," we're all going to be stuck with this shit. One or two leopards eating half a dozen faces isn't going to do it; when trainloads of leopards are let loose upon the "But they aren't going to eat MY face" populace, only then will things start to change. But by then it may be too late to save anyone.