POLITICS
If Trump Wins, Is It Game Over?
Is it possible that our existential dread is overblown and exceeding the prospect of democracy’s alleged fragility?
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Fear is a powerful tool. No one is above using it to achieve their goals, whether they be altruistic or despicable. Parents use fear to keep their children safe from harm. Societies disincentivize their citizens from harming themselves or others by threatening them with punishment should they fail to comply with laws designed to keep the peace. Both Republicans and Democrats are currently in an epic battle to frighten voters into making a choice that will avoid whichever existential catastrophe their side imagines. Fear works.
The prospect of a second Trump administration is simply beyond the pale for many of us. I can barely comprehend how we made it through the first one. We’re suffering from the aftermath even now and it’s unclear how much collateral damage remains. I have no doubt that a second pass would be truly devastating and fully understand the urgency of appeals to reject Trump’s brand of authoritarianism. We should be afraid.
What I’m not ready to do is declare the game over, even if he should win.
