A small business owner who voted for Donald Trump recently posted a video on TikTok, pleading for help as crushing tariffs on China threatened to bankrupt his operation, which imports alloy wheels. His call for support, however, drew little sympathy from some fellow Americans.
“Votes have consequences,” he was told, with many comments from Twitter/X users relishing the notion that another MAGA voter was suffering because of their political choice. The backlash prompted a second video from the man, in which he dropped several F-bombs while criticizing the apparent heartlessness of those celebrating his hardship.
I’m always torn between accusing people of willful delusion, and sympathy for the difficulty of breaking out of a cult you’re culturally incentivized towards. I genuinely think that if the ‘Left’ had the funding the ‘Right’ does, this wouldn’t even be a contest. But one side is playing with a crazy big handicap, and we know from history exactly the kinda of culture that leads to. Discourage critical thinking, and you will find yourself with less and less critical thinkers around you.