Can empathy beat authoritarianism? And why is Trump pursuing the most unpopular possible version of his agenda? I discuss with our resident scholar of autocrats and Trump's former attorney
Radical love and empathy are nice in theory but as Ruth touched on, what if you are talking to people who hate who you are, want you to change or be punished or exiled? Txxxx and his cronies foment hate but there would still be plenty of hate without him (I’m looking at you, American Christian fundamentalism, Proud Boys, etc) and I do think on some level people who hate have to know it is NOT OK. That said, I do think politicians on the left would do well to address the pain and suffering of people who may have voted for Txxxx, and offer them real alternatives - and not judgment or lip service.
We have to remember that these people are just ordinary people who want to lead "ordinary lives." That is not a sin. It can be very frustrating and even infuriating for people who have been more actively engaged in trying to shape our world for the benefit of all of us. But it is not a sin. And on a day-to-day level most Trump supporters are what would in other times be called "good people." They take care of their grandchildren, buy cookies from the Brownies who knock on their doors, contribute to the church bake sale, help out their neighbors and so on and so forth. If you don't believe this or think this is not enough to qualify as good, take the time to get to know your neighbors, chat with them when you go out to bring your garbage cans to the curb, wave to them when you drive off to go to work, offer to get their groceries if they are ill. Avoid politics and talk about the weather, until you have established a friendly relationship and then only if it comes up naturally and then listen more than you talk. Most are not evil. Hate the evil, but not the person who gets swept up in it...and recognize that their fury is not without reason.
The passion with which Michael and Ruth speak on current issues is palpable, and I hope we can mobilize millions of people on marches around this country this summer. More than we had when George Floyd was murdered by a police office.
Love and sympathy for Trump voters makes sense to find some common ground. But what to do with the rage, the disappointment, the frustration with our political leaders in Congress?
I wish Ruth would discuss why forgiveness and empathy didn't work after the Civil War. It seems like it just fed the Beast of anger and racism in the South and we're still dealing with it. Also, is the messenger of love in Turkey being jailed really "success"?
I actually love it when I’m holding my sign in the rally by the busy street corner and someone tells “Trump forever” from their car. I’m doing this for them to be able to do that. I’m not usually brave enough or quick witted enough to engage one on one but this philosophy is the core of all our work.
Sometimes I think Michael Cohen has a career as a psychiatric nurse. His ability to redirect a deeply disturbed person away from a self-destructive decision is epic BUT Michael, when you ask "where are the Michael Cohens?" I think Michael, sane people cannot even get to where that head is to try to screw it on straight. To get him to think like you (or at least to act like he thinks like you), you must have to think like him, which makes me think someone really hurt you long before he got to you. And really, this round of sycophants are self-dealers, not wannabe navigators who hope to minimize the damage. They're going to benefit as it all goes down, so they're certainly not there to minimize his destructiveness. Thanks for trying, all those years. And it's ok to take a break and not think so hard about how someone could appeal to his better angels. He's going to hell, if such a place exists. You did what you could.
I love this!
I think that’s why Bernie and AOC are garnering huge crowds. They are not judging Trump followers and are offering concrete big solutions.🇺🇸♥️
Who Pays Tariffs
YOU PAY TARIFFS
Radical love and empathy are nice in theory but as Ruth touched on, what if you are talking to people who hate who you are, want you to change or be punished or exiled? Txxxx and his cronies foment hate but there would still be plenty of hate without him (I’m looking at you, American Christian fundamentalism, Proud Boys, etc) and I do think on some level people who hate have to know it is NOT OK. That said, I do think politicians on the left would do well to address the pain and suffering of people who may have voted for Txxxx, and offer them real alternatives - and not judgment or lip service.
As someone who has left and healed from a cult, Beth is spot on… they cling the tightest just before they release. Necessary & timely conversation!
I think Love is the ultimate reality.
Tarriffs Equal Taxes
We have to remember that these people are just ordinary people who want to lead "ordinary lives." That is not a sin. It can be very frustrating and even infuriating for people who have been more actively engaged in trying to shape our world for the benefit of all of us. But it is not a sin. And on a day-to-day level most Trump supporters are what would in other times be called "good people." They take care of their grandchildren, buy cookies from the Brownies who knock on their doors, contribute to the church bake sale, help out their neighbors and so on and so forth. If you don't believe this or think this is not enough to qualify as good, take the time to get to know your neighbors, chat with them when you go out to bring your garbage cans to the curb, wave to them when you drive off to go to work, offer to get their groceries if they are ill. Avoid politics and talk about the weather, until you have established a friendly relationship and then only if it comes up naturally and then listen more than you talk. Most are not evil. Hate the evil, but not the person who gets swept up in it...and recognize that their fury is not without reason.
We pay tariffs
The passion with which Michael and Ruth speak on current issues is palpable, and I hope we can mobilize millions of people on marches around this country this summer. More than we had when George Floyd was murdered by a police office.
Love and sympathy for Trump voters makes sense to find some common ground. But what to do with the rage, the disappointment, the frustration with our political leaders in Congress?
I wish Ruth would discuss why forgiveness and empathy didn't work after the Civil War. It seems like it just fed the Beast of anger and racism in the South and we're still dealing with it. Also, is the messenger of love in Turkey being jailed really "success"?
Makes me think of the ethos of Christianity.
Absolutely. This is the only way.
I actually love it when I’m holding my sign in the rally by the busy street corner and someone tells “Trump forever” from their car. I’m doing this for them to be able to do that. I’m not usually brave enough or quick witted enough to engage one on one but this philosophy is the core of all our work.
I think it's the right way to go but will be difficult to get started. The current finger-pointing and hate is not getting us anywhere.
Sometimes I think Michael Cohen has a career as a psychiatric nurse. His ability to redirect a deeply disturbed person away from a self-destructive decision is epic BUT Michael, when you ask "where are the Michael Cohens?" I think Michael, sane people cannot even get to where that head is to try to screw it on straight. To get him to think like you (or at least to act like he thinks like you), you must have to think like him, which makes me think someone really hurt you long before he got to you. And really, this round of sycophants are self-dealers, not wannabe navigators who hope to minimize the damage. They're going to benefit as it all goes down, so they're certainly not there to minimize his destructiveness. Thanks for trying, all those years. And it's ok to take a break and not think so hard about how someone could appeal to his better angels. He's going to hell, if such a place exists. You did what you could.
It's always a delight to see you here.