Paul Krugman’s latest opinion piece in the New York Times, titled “Will Voters Send In The Clowns?” addresses Americans’ perceptions of the current U.S. economy. As might be expected, it’s worth reading in its entirety.
But there was a singular reader comment that is, I think, worth sharing, because it really encapsulates the entirety of what this country is facing right now.
Here it is. The commenter, Orion Clemens, begins by examining Krugman’s assertion that --based on polling — Americans believe Republicans are “better” at handling the economy than Democrats.
The commenter notes:
… Republican voters may be hesitant to tell pollsters what they truly believe - that is, that they love the bigotry, they love the hate, they love the cruelty their leaders demonstrate against Americans not like themselves. So instead, they make vague remonstrances about the economy and falsely blame the Dems.
... These voters love the version of America Trump brought them. And they want it back. So far, Trump has been the only candidate who has given them the kind of America they want to see, and they'll stop at nothing to elect him again.
... If winning means shredding the fabric of our democracy, then Republican voters are all for it.
But make no mistake. Republican voters are getting exactly what they want -- and it isn't affordable health care, sensible measures to address climate change, job retraining programs, or affordable higher education. They want none of this. They only want the hate. And promising the hate is the one thing that Republicans can guarantee.
That’s it. This isn’t about policy, or governmental effectiveness, or the number of indictments. The 2024 election is all about their hate, generated and regenerated again and again by Fox News and the right-wing media universe. That’s what all this is.
Nothing more, nothing less.
For better or worse, we should all keep that in mind.
