This is a classic milestone post: #500 for this particular blog. It seems significant but, really, I would not expect its message to be anything life-changing or even inspiring. It is human nature to want to give nice, round numbers special significance, but why would #498, for instance, hold less power than #500, not to mention #523?
It's the first week of the spring semester, with the word "spring" seeming more aspirational than descriptive this week. The arctic influx of cold air led to very low temperatures for the past week, though a front may be pushing that out and bringing the "warmth" of temps in the 40s -- which is "normal."
Normal may also be an aspirational word these days. Politics aren't normal, that's for sure.
According to many sources, lots of Iowans have expressed a wish for a strongman to lead the country... a sort of dictator or at least strict authoritarian. This may be a reflection of the level of despair some of these white folks who feel left behind by culture and the economy are feeling, but I accept it as true... so far as it goes.
Even those desperate Iowans would quickly change their opinions about a dictator should the guy who captures the power decides to enact policies that don't fit their dreams. Trump is a great example of a guy who could not care less about farmers and failing small towns in the Midwest other than as part of gaining votes. Deep down, they likely know this.
In fact, their despair comes from the fact that nothing and no one is coming to save the day. Not Biden. Not Trump. Not Haley. Not their governor or ancient Charles Grassley.
What they see on TV or in movies will continue to have little to do with their lives. They will continue to be excluded from national conversations beyond being quoted about their blind obedience to the Trump cult. Hey, at least THAT brings some attention, even if it gets them nothing tangible.
I read a provocative column this week that claimed many in the Trump cult are, in the end, looking for revenge. They want revenge for not being part of a booming economy. For not having the education needed to better their lot. For having a majority of the country look down on them -- and I must admit, it's hard for me not to look down on them -- as evidenced in recent elections and the lack of progress in their jobs and bank accounts and how, just for instance, the total number of abortions in the U.S. has gone up since the right-wing Supreme Court ended Roe.
When the dog finally catches the car... in this case when right wingers get federal protections for abortions ended and when they get affirmative action ended, and then nothing improves? That's frustrating.
Do those angry Iowans -- well, some 50K of them in the caucuses who supported Trump -- expect they will have an improved chance at getting their children into an Ivy League school? Duh.
In fact, their recourse is to basically attack universities and scientists and expertise. "If I can't have it, why should anyone else?"
There is a logic to the anger and frustration. Lots of Americans want something, well, different... and they are willing to take a chance on almost anyone or any policy that might change the current dynamic.
I remember a book from some decades ago titled "Been Down So Long, It Looks Like Up to Me." That's where a shockingly large number of people see themselves.
And that despair could return a criminal and mob boss to the White House later this year.
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