What is happening across the country is a demonstration of what I have called for years the GOP "just say things" strategy - in other words, deny (ex: climate change) or confirm (ex: tax cuts pay for themselves) based on assertions that results in giving their contributors.../1
...what they want, regardless of reality. They never marshaled real evidence, just attacked studies and statistics with conspiracy theories and ridicule.../2
...So, when COVID came along, they were so used to the "just say things" strategy that they relied on it again, without a worry about reality. But viruses dont care about conspiracy theories (ex: "this is a plot to overthrow Trump") or ridicule (ex: "it's just the flu!").../3
...no matter what they SAY, reality will come crashing down on them inexorably. It won't stop; talking points never stop reality. It's like climate science in fast motion - just saying things doesn't work..../4
...it doesnt change reality. But the change moves so slowly that denial through conspiracy theories (ex: climate scientists are frauds trying to take down capitalism) or ridicule (ex: It's snowing outside!) based on lies and ignorance don't work - people just cant see.../5
...the results in a matter of weeks.
In Texas, long ago I spoke to someone with contact to the @GregAbbott_TX task force to "Open 'er up!" I asked, how do they not understand that, after they reopen, COVID will spread like wildfire and force the state to close again?.../6
In Texas, long ago I spoke to someone with contact to the @GregAbbott_TX task force to "Open 'er up!" I asked, how do they not understand that, after they reopen, COVID will spread like wildfire and force the state to close again?.../6
...the answer I got was almost a shrug. "They're not considering that."
Abbot and his gang of fellow GOP idiots like Florida's governor just giggled and laughed and opened up. And now we all reap the consequences of "just saying things." On the federal level, they think.../7
Abbot and his gang of fellow GOP idiots like Florida's governor just giggled and laughed and opened up. And now we all reap the consequences of "just saying things." On the federal level, they think.../7
...they can keep selling trickle down - further enriching the rich through direct payments and regressive tax cuts - without caring that, if the average American is strapped for cash, then even big businesses will lose business. So they smirk and do nothing to help people.../8
..or small businesses that, unlike the rich ones that dined out like pigs on federal support, don't have trillions of cash they could use to weather this crisis.
So,things will get worse and worse as GOP politicians struggle with the "just say things" strategy, learning too.../9
So,things will get worse and worse as GOP politicians struggle with the "just say things" strategy, learning too.../9
...slowly that it won't work, that - in a crisis or any reality - it ultimately couldn't work. GOPrs have been kings of pushing off the consequences of our nation's greed and ignorance onto future generations.But this one is here, now. Talking points won't make it go away.
fin
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...addendum. This is another example. Yes, mass increase of hospitalization rates is a horrible thing. But this act won't matter because Abbott won't shut down the state or require masks. The spread will worsen and worsen. Adding more buckets during a house flood is fine... 
...but if you don't do anything to slow the water pouring in, it doesnt matter how many buckets you add. Eventually, all of them will still overflow.
It doesnt matter how much space Abbott opens up for hospitals if he doesnt act to slow the spread. They'll just fill up later.
It doesnt matter how much space Abbott opens up for hospitals if he doesnt act to slow the spread. They'll just fill up later.
