(Thread) Sadopopulism
"It's clear he wants to kill us," said @RoArquette after reading about Trump's love affair with asbestos, which is in line with his penchant for politics that cause suffering.
It's time to talk about Sadopopulism again (term coined by @TimothyDSnyder).
"It's clear he wants to kill us," said @RoArquette after reading about Trump's love affair with asbestos, which is in line with his penchant for politics that cause suffering.
It's time to talk about Sadopopulism again (term coined by @TimothyDSnyder).
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder Snyder explains Sadopopulism here: …
20th century fascists like Hitler and Mussolini wanted power. (Hitler's cruel policies enriched ordinary Germans by, for example giving them the spoils from victims)
Mussolini work workman's clothing.
1/
20th century fascists like Hitler and Mussolini wanted power. (Hitler's cruel policies enriched ordinary Germans by, for example giving them the spoils from victims)
Mussolini work workman's clothing.
1/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder 21st century fascists want both wealth AND power.
This creates a policy-making challenge.
When the president of a liberal democracy (like Obama) creates policies, he or she tries to make changes in the best interests of the people, to increase their health and wealth.
2/
This creates a policy-making challenge.
When the president of a liberal democracy (like Obama) creates policies, he or she tries to make changes in the best interests of the people, to increase their health and wealth.
2/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder 21st century fascists (trying to create an oligarchy) can't create policies that allow the lower and middle classes to rise up, because doing so allows others to challenge their right to hold all the wealth (as well as power).
They don't want to share the wealth.
3/
They don't want to share the wealth.
3/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder So what kinds of policies do they enact? They follow a 4-part plan:
🔹They identify an "enemy" (homeless migrants, Democrats, etc.)
🔹They enact policies that create pain
🔹They blame the pain on the "enemies"
🔹They present themselves as the strongmen to fight the enemies.
4/
🔹They identify an "enemy" (homeless migrants, Democrats, etc.)
🔹They enact policies that create pain
🔹They blame the pain on the "enemies"
🔹They present themselves as the strongmen to fight the enemies.
4/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder It's really simple.
When the policies that create pain also enrich the rule, it's a two-fer. They enrich themselves while creating pain which they can blame on the "enemies."
5/
When the policies that create pain also enrich the rule, it's a two-fer. They enrich themselves while creating pain which they can blame on the "enemies."
5/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder Remember when the EPA won’t ban a pesticide associated with health problems in children?
Trump is determined to eliminate affordable healthcare.
Think how much pain is inflicted on families when you create health problems in children and eliminate health care.
6/
Trump is determined to eliminate affordable healthcare.
Think how much pain is inflicted on families when you create health problems in children and eliminate health care.
6/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder For example, a talking point with Fox-Trump-GOP is that we can’t let in refugees because we’re already too crowded and we don’t have enough resources for ordinary Americans.
A country in which all people prosper and share equally in the wealth can’t make this argument.
7/
A country in which all people prosper and share equally in the wealth can’t make this argument.
7/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder “We don’t have enough resources to share with newcomers,” say the billionaires as they seize all the resources, make themselves richer, and inflict suffering on millions.
Sadopopulism is deceptively simple.
8/
Sadopopulism is deceptively simple.
8/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder All the leaders have to do is create policies that hurt people and enrich themselves, and then direct the resulting pain and anger against the enemies.
“How can people be that dumb?” you ask.
For people who live in fear of "enemies," it isn't dumb at all.
9/
“How can people be that dumb?” you ask.
For people who live in fear of "enemies," it isn't dumb at all.
9/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder The followers of the Fox-Trump-GOP get it.
They know Trump and pals are enriching themselves at their expense.
They don't care because Trump is giving them what they want more than free health care or protective legislation.
He is doing battle with their "enemies."
10/
They know Trump and pals are enriching themselves at their expense.
They don't care because Trump is giving them what they want more than free health care or protective legislation.
He is doing battle with their "enemies."
10/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder His supporters thrill at the fight.
They don't care if he's blocking witnesses. They don't care if he's robbing them blind. Because he gives them the thrill of fighting their enemies.
11/
They don't care if he's blocking witnesses. They don't care if he's robbing them blind. Because he gives them the thrill of fighting their enemies.
11/
@RoArquette @TimothyDSnyder What do we do?
These people are less than 40% of the voters.
We can have a landslide in Nov. without them.
Need something to do? See: terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
Feel inclined to make a doomsaying comment about how we're doomed? See my FAQs: terikanefield-blog.com/faq/
End/
These people are less than 40% of the voters.
We can have a landslide in Nov. without them.
Need something to do? See: terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
Feel inclined to make a doomsaying comment about how we're doomed? See my FAQs: terikanefield-blog.com/faq/
End/
