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Historically, humans do tend towards authoritarianism. That said, I’m so triggered by support for fascism, I may have driven home from the grocery store yesterday just screaming f&@! you at every Donald Dump sign I passed.

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I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. It's maddening how we don't seem to learn from history. Right out of authoritarian playbook. And now buying votes too, thanks Elon Musk, and burning ballot boxes... just wow

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I know, right? It's surreal.

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Summer:

To me, the biggest problem is that intellectuals and humanists like me try very hard to understand why white, straight males overwhelmingly support Trump. After the MAGA rally at MSG, things became much clearer. MAGA is not about "policy." It's about racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Having grown up working class by the steel plants in Buffalo, having worked in them and having been a drywall subcontractor for a while, and having then married a wealthy woman (my first wife) and having thus spent time in country clubs before going on to graduate school to become an English professor, I think I am a bit of an authority on straight white guys of every socio-economic class. I try to explain their motivations and my disgust in this week's Substack, arguing at the end, with a reference to Lysistrata, that our only hope is women.

https://johnsonp.substack.com/p/why-have-white-guys-lost-their-collective

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Oct 29·edited Oct 29Liked by Summer Koester

...and I might add, fear of Other. When the Other starts getting powerful--Oh No! They feel like they're losing theirs. (which of course is ridiculous. There is enough for all.) Other and Change. Which is daily life.

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100% This ^

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This election is slow torture. It takes every tool I have in my self-care toolbox to keep going.

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So true, so real!

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I enjoyed this post. I subscribe. We like each other. I voted for Trump. I don’t own a monster truck. I don’t own a Rottweiler. I do own guns. They are dusty and empty and live in boxes. I haven’t fired in years. We disagree on politics and who the monster is, but find common ground on life.

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I give you props, Robert, for voicing your support for Trump here in this specific thread following Summer’s post. I don’t demean people like Trump does when they voice opposition like that—so props to you. But would you indulge me in responding to two questions? 1) You seem like a guy, with heart, who can think rationally. What exactly then draws you to Trump—without using the non-factual and tired rhetoric from the man and the party? In other words, what “receipts” do you have that proves to you he is the better choice for all of America? And 2) If you “find common ground on life” with Summer, as you say, how does that jive with your political belief when Trump and the Maga movement do so much harm to so many innocent people? What common ground do you share with her?

Thank you for taking my questions seriously and with the open-hearted intent from which they are voiced. I mean you no disrespect. I wish you only wellness and safety in this country—something that, because of Trump, too many people cannot enjoy.

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1. Nothing draws me to Trump. I think he is a Buffoon but I can’t stand what Biden has done to this country economically. That will be tame compared to what Harris will do.

Biden is a senile stooge, a 3rd rate intellect prior to dementia, a party hack, an opportunist, and possibly a child molester. Harris is a far left progressive true believer, possibly a Marxist. She is smart, angry, and hostile to people like me. My son used to work for her as CA AG. I know people who know her professionally, the consensus is what I said above, and that she is a fake and a horrible person who abuses and berates staff.

My receipts such as they are (I live in CA) are $5.00 or near gallons of gas, $120 for a couple bags of groceries, and 6 ish percent mortgage rates, essentially pricing normal people out of buying a home.

2. My common ground with Summer is that she is wildly smart, very deep, and wears her heart on her sleeve as she writes fearlessly. Writing fearlessly is very difficult.

The MAGA movement embarrasses me. Especially the far right crazies. The danger of Trump is wildly overblown by the old media and far left crazies. That media, which is filled with fools who believe things like Trump is Hitler, have done a very effective job of brainwashing good hearted normal liberals turning them into the left’s version of crazy far right MAGAS. They are dupes and useful idiots politically.

I wanted to vote for RFKJ with Tulsi Gabbard as VP. I donated to both. The Uniparty crushed both.

I can live with Trump and wait for Vance and Tulsi in four years. I wish you well too. Your last sentence is troubling, but you are free to think, believe, and vote as you please. As am I.

This country is in serious trouble and we are simply voices on an obscure Substack comment string.

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Thank you for taking my inquiries seriously and not personally attacking me—as is the tendency with most other MAGA proponents. Of course you are free to think, believe, and vote as you please. I also believe rational points that would counter every single one of your arguments would be fruitless as it appears there is much that has been bought into that is of the conspiratorial foundation (I mean, c’mon…Biden a child molester? Robert, that belief doesn’t feel true to who I want to picture you to be. And yet the man you “can live with” is a convicted felon and adjudicated molester of women—facts each.)

That being said, I totally agree with your sentiments about Summer—all reasons why I too look forward to her writing. And like you, I believe our country would greatly benefit from a more robust, more-than-two party discourse.

Props again for allowing for this kind of discourse—one that, even though there is passion on both sides, we engaged in a respectful manner towards each other. I sincerely asked initially because I want to be persuadable. I seriously am interested as to why people believe the way they do—this extended interchange showed me we have common ground such that, if it didn’t happen, I would have dismissed you likely just as you would have dismissed me, and probably using the same language to judge.

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I love that, yes <3

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Oct 29Liked by Summer Koester

Thank you Summer — needed that boost of sanity this morning. I too find myself yelling at the yard signs and am really tempted to drive over them but know that would be wrong as well as dangerous. Keeping up hope, canvassed in PA and will make phone calls to PA from AK to hopefully make a difference.

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You're amazing, Marian. Thank you! Yeah, don't drive over those signs, lol! Just in your mind.

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One more week to go until we know what path we will be on. My brain hurts every day, but your words help to soothe the hurt. Thank you, Summer.

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Thanks, Brien <3

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in a culture where our "go to" is to try and figure everything out, to find a solution and "fix it," of course many of baffled by the closeness of the polls (myself included.) but perhaps we are asking the wrong questions. perhaps questions/solutions are not what we need right now. listening to your daughter, trees, moon, non-human beings,...that is what i want to lean into. does that mean i won't support communities effected should DJT win...of course i will. folks will be deeply hurt by those policies of project 2025. i have family and friends that are "that" community...aren't we all?

anyway, thank you for voting. i have done so.

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Yep, full of truth and wisdom as always, Anne. Thank you <3

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Perfectly put. And jeez, what a photo!

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Haha! Thank you, Ros <3

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Oct 29Liked by Summer Koester

Thank you for writing this. I am in shock everyday when I walk through my neighborhood with so many trump signs …. How can Americans be so blind ? Sadly I’m preparing myself for the worst … I pray that I’m wrong ….I pray for our democracy …

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Is this in San Clemente? I heard OC was getting more liberal, but it was plenty conservative when I lived there.

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I'm trying real hard not to "shame and blame" those who are voting for him because quite a few are in my friend/aquaintance/family circle. Which s#cks but also forces me to see their humanity and in turn I'm trying to shine light on others humanity.

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YES. Me too <3

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Oct 29Liked by Summer Koester

SO good.

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Thank you, Susie! <3

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Oct 29Liked by Summer Koester

Love this. Thank you.

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Thank you Melina <3

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Oct 31Liked by Summer Koester

Truth. Thank you.

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Thank you for reading!

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What I have found fascinating is that commentary from both parties sounds exactly the same when you distill it down and get past the emotion and divisiveness. Each party blames the other for being "blind" and "not seeing truth". Truth is no longer objective in our modern world so this argument falls flat. No one wants a dictatorship, no one wants to be sick, everyone wants transparency and honesty from their politicians, everyone wants to be free as they are. Both parties are playing the same game and this game will always keep us trapped and pinned against each other. There are so many more important thing we can do for our families and communities, irregardless of who your neighbor votes for. Hope everyone takes care of themselves the next week... with love.

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Stephanie, may I disagree with you? Both parties are NOT alike when distilled down. Only one party is basing their entire platform on hatred and division; only one party allows, from the lead candidate down to an insignificant comedian, the active and unabashed promotion of racism and bigotry as badges of pride; only one party plans to hunt down, capture, and deport millions of immigrants; only one party doesn’t give a shit about a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. So, if you would, and this is my humble and respectful ask, share with me how “both parties sound exactly the same?”

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Life is a mystery. Love one another. VOTE VOTE VOTE

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Vote early and vote often!

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