I find it difficult to tell between these 3 motivations for Trump's lies over the last 3+ years:
1) He knows the truth, and chooses to lie to advance his agenda.
2) He just doesn't know, so goes with what feels true to him. And, he is not interested in finding what is true or not.
3) Delusional. Despite mountains of evidence that has been presented to him by credible sources, he prefers to believe in "alternative facts" (e.g. false conspiracy theories) that fit his unshakable, irrational, core beliefs.
Before reading the July 25th transcript, I thought that 95+% of Trump's lies fit into category 1 or 2. I have now come to realize that a lot more of Trump's lies fit into category 3. And, that's far more scary to me.
The July 25th call and all the subsequent testimony indicate that Trump believes that all the various intelligence and diplomatic agencies (of the US and our allies) are out to get him. Why else would he employ Giuliani and Barr to go around them?
Thus, to Trump's considerable mental challenges, we now have to add paranoia.
A few months ago, I read the GOP strategy wasn't simply to lie but to delegitimatize the major institutions (the press, FBI, the intelligence community, etc.) that could stymie the oval office occupant's hold on power. That strategy has the goal of weakening the trust by major portions of the electorate in the rule of law and other institutional guardrails while simultaneously creating so much uncertainty and fear that more people will increasingly cling to Dear Leader.
If you want to understand how authoritarian regimes overwhelm ostensibly democratic political systems, we're seeing the playbook unfold here in real time. My biggest fear is that far too many people are complacently becoming the proverbial frog in the slowly boiling pot and are failing to realize that their power and rights as free people are steadily disappearing. I hear first hand people saying "Well he just lies, what can you do", "he's just lying as usual", "I'm just tired of it all", etc. and failing to see the big picture of how easily we could fall into a fascistic tyranny.
We are living in parlous times. God help us all.....
I didn't propose any specific actions people could take, but since you asked, here are a few ideas off the top of my head:
1. Vote as if your life and country depend on it because they do. I've been an eligible voter for more than 35 years, and I've missed one election in that time. My parents who were old enough to have voted when they were younger but couldn't because of laws preventing black people from voting instilled in me the necessity of voting in every election and for candidates who would defend our rights. They recognized how precious and fragile our rights were and made sure I understood that too. Too many people today still haven't learned that lesson but today's climate has hopefully opened their eyes.
2. Tell (don't ask) other people to vote and explain the necessity of voting for candidates who are going to fight for their rights and do right by our country. If someone says that voting doesn't matter, all politicians are the same, etc., be factual, polite yet blunt in explaining why they must vote and vote for certain candidates. Tell them their lives and their families' lives truly depend on them voting for the right people.
3. Do what you can to support candidates, voter registration drives, and voter/election engagement programs. Remember, GOPers don't win elections but Democrats lose them. Why? Because too many Democrats are lackadaisical about the necessity of voting and voting for the right people. If you can donate money, time, logistical support, etc., any of those would be worthwhile.
4. If you encounter someone who is spewing nonsensical right-wing garbage, politely but firmly counter their lies and misinformation. If they demonstrate the willingness to listen to what you say, continue the conversation and educate them further. If they are resistant or become verbally aggressive, remain calm, then politely and firmly maintain your dialog. If this type of person tries to abuse or intimidate you, you can choose to leave the conversation or to continue your attempts to converse. It's been my experience that when you demonstrate your conviction and resolve for your principles and beliefs no matter how much they yell and scream, even the most aggressive people (short of threatening violence or becoming violent) will back down.
I hope all of this helps. We're in the fight of our lives and for our country, and I will never tire from the fight. I trust that you won't either. Good luck.
I find it difficult to tell between these 3 motivations for Trump's lies over the last 3+ years:
1) He knows the truth, and chooses to lie to advance his agenda.
2) He just doesn't know, so goes with what feels true to him. And, he is not interested in finding what is true or not.
3) Delusional. Despite mountains of evidence that has been presented to him by credible sources, he prefers to believe in "alternative facts" (e.g. false conspiracy theories) that fit his unshakable, irrational, core beliefs.
Before reading the July 25th transcript, I thought that 95+% of Trump's lies fit into category 1 or 2. I have now come to realize that a lot more of Trump's lies fit into category 3. And, that's far more scary to me.
The July 25th call and all the subsequent testimony indicate that Trump believes that all the various intelligence and diplomatic agencies (of the US and our allies) are out to get him. Why else would he employ Giuliani and Barr to go around them?
Thus, to Trump's considerable mental challenges, we now have to add paranoia.
A few months ago, I read the GOP strategy wasn't simply to lie but to delegitimatize the major institutions (the press, FBI, the intelligence community, etc.) that could stymie the oval office occupant's hold on power. That strategy has the goal of weakening the trust by major portions of the electorate in the rule of law and other institutional guardrails while simultaneously creating so much uncertainty and fear that more people will increasingly cling to Dear Leader.
If you want to understand how authoritarian regimes overwhelm ostensibly democratic political systems, we're seeing the playbook unfold here in real time. My biggest fear is that far too many people are complacently becoming the proverbial frog in the slowly boiling pot and are failing to realize that their power and rights as free people are steadily disappearing. I hear first hand people saying "Well he just lies, what can you do", "he's just lying as usual", "I'm just tired of it all", etc. and failing to see the big picture of how easily we could fall into a fascistic tyranny.
We are living in parlous times. God help us all.....
What are you saying people should do though? I don't see any action items in your post.
I didn't propose any specific actions people could take, but since you asked, here are a few ideas off the top of my head:
1. Vote as if your life and country depend on it because they do. I've been an eligible voter for more than 35 years, and I've missed one election in that time. My parents who were old enough to have voted when they were younger but couldn't because of laws preventing black people from voting instilled in me the necessity of voting in every election and for candidates who would defend our rights. They recognized how precious and fragile our rights were and made sure I understood that too. Too many people today still haven't learned that lesson but today's climate has hopefully opened their eyes.
2. Tell (don't ask) other people to vote and explain the necessity of voting for candidates who are going to fight for their rights and do right by our country. If someone says that voting doesn't matter, all politicians are the same, etc., be factual, polite yet blunt in explaining why they must vote and vote for certain candidates. Tell them their lives and their families' lives truly depend on them voting for the right people.
3. Do what you can to support candidates, voter registration drives, and voter/election engagement programs. Remember, GOPers don't win elections but Democrats lose them. Why? Because too many Democrats are lackadaisical about the necessity of voting and voting for the right people. If you can donate money, time, logistical support, etc., any of those would be worthwhile.
4. If you encounter someone who is spewing nonsensical right-wing garbage, politely but firmly counter their lies and misinformation. If they demonstrate the willingness to listen to what you say, continue the conversation and educate them further. If they are resistant or become verbally aggressive, remain calm, then politely and firmly maintain your dialog. If this type of person tries to abuse or intimidate you, you can choose to leave the conversation or to continue your attempts to converse. It's been my experience that when you demonstrate your conviction and resolve for your principles and beliefs no matter how much they yell and scream, even the most aggressive people (short of threatening violence or becoming violent) will back down.
I hope all of this helps. We're in the fight of our lives and for our country, and I will never tire from the fight. I trust that you won't either. Good luck.
Thank you sir. I greatly appreciate the response.