What IS Trump selling?

 What is Trump selling through his MaGA concept/contempt?

Memories. The Past.

What are the rest of us involved in?

Life, reality, progress.

It is in THAT gap between, wherein Trump has weaponized reality against US all.

All "that" IS our lives.

Not the past.

Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) concept taps into nostalgia for a perceived better past. It suggests that this longing for the past can overshadow the realities and challenges of the present and future. Here’s a breakdown:

Trump’s Selling Point: 

Nostalgia – MAGA is centered around a romanticized vision of a past that many see as simpler or better. This focus on “the past” can evoke strong emotional responses and a sense of identity tied to bygone times, which can be potent in political messaging.

The Present and Future – In contrast, being “involved in life, reality, and progress” involves addressing current issues and preparing for the future. This often requires confronting uncomfortable truths and working towards change, which can be more complex and less immediately gratifying than nostalgia.

The Weaponization of Reality – By leveraging a nostalgic view of the past, Trump can create a narrative that frames current realities as problems to be solved by returning to an idealized previous state. This can be seen as a way to weaponize reality, turning it into a battleground between the idealized past and the challenging present.

The Gap – The difference between a nostalgic vision of the past and the reality of the present. This gap can create a disconnect, where solutions based on outdated views might not address current complexities effectively.

By focusing on the past, Trump’s narrative can sideline the more nuanced and necessary engagement with the present and future. This dynamic is a powerful tool in shaping political discourse and public perception.

It is counterintuitive and counterproductive. But it gives Trump and MaGA leadership, power. It leads to an imbalance as power must come from somewhere. Which is where the rest of us come in.

Donald Trump is actually a very poor debater. But he seems to win debates. Why?

That phenomenon is often referred to as "rhetorical manipulation" or "demagoguery." These terms describe tactics that sway audiences not through structured argumentation, facts, or reasoning, but by exploiting emotions, distractions, or other forms of persuasion that deviate from traditional debate norms. Some of the tactics Trump has used in this context include:

• Ad hominem attacks: Attacking the opponent personally rather than addressing their arguments.
• Appeals to emotion: Using fear, anger, or pride to rally support.
• False equivalence: Presenting two unequal things as though they were comparable.
• Gish gallop: Overwhelming the opponent with numerous rapid claims, many of which may be false or misleading, making it difficult for them to respond.

These strategies can allow someone to "win" a debate in the eyes of an audience without adhering to the logical structure typically expected in formal debate.

There is more involved in all this mess we've been led into today. Things that MaGA and Trump are pushing so hard into the Republican Party that they are no longer the once "Grand Old Party", the GOP they once were.

And it began long ago...

Did you know, Rutherford B. Hayes’ decision to remove federal troops from the South in 1877 played a significant role in shaping race relations in America and has lasting implications. When Hayes withdrew the troops, it effectively ended Reconstruction and allowed Southern states to enact Jim Crow laws, which institutionalized racial segregation and disenfranchisement of Black citizens.

This set the stage for nearly a century of oppressive policies, including limited voting rights and economic inequality, that continued to fuel racial tensions well into the 20th century and still resonate today.

The removal of federal protection for ex-slaves led to widespread violence and intimidation, often perpetrated by groups like the Ku Klux Klan, which sought to maintain white supremacy. Many of these groups, or the broader movement they represent, have ideological ties to today’s problematic militias, which see themselves as defenders of a particular social order.

Back then, “gun clubs” and paramilitary groups often formed to protect white interests, especially as federal oversight waned. Some of the anti-government militias seen today claim lineage from these 19th-century movements, though modern militias are more fragmented and diverse in their motivations.

Turning out backs on these militias, ignoring their misrepresentation of the 2nd Amendment, esp,. in modern times has allowed a counter narrative to grow into a political entity that has set the stage for some very untenable and ridiculous beliefs, infecting a major political party.

1991 interview on The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour Chief Justice Warren E. Burger: “The gun lobby’s interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud — I repeat the word ‘fraud’ — on the American public by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies — the militias — would be maintained for the defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guarantee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires.”

In short, Hayes' decision to end Reconstruction gave rise to segregationist policies and violent white supremacist groups that evolved into organizations that still influence race relations and militia culture today.

Had Hayes not been president, perhaps today the bigotry and racism would be far, far less apparent. We are a nation of mixed cultures. We can work together. We can be pulled together by our similarities, rather than praise politicians and religious leaders who sell us on division and irritation, fanned into fear and hate, all for their personal agendas and success.

We can do better. Obviously.

Cheers! Sláinte!