…paranoid populism and tribalism derive their power from the instinct for ascribing every misfortune to human will and planning. Again, “they” are out to get “us,” and the proof can be found in our anger or bad luck. So everything we do to stop “them” is self-justifying.
One problem: The world isn’t nearly so bleak and zero-sum…No one is “running” the show…there’s no Oz behind the curtain, no cabal successfully pulling the strings or pulling the wool over our eyes.
American politics is a big, sprawling, buzzing confusion of competing interests, agendas, and arguments. You think everything is going according to Mitch McConnell’s plan? Donald Trump’s? Nancy Pelosi’s? The Koch brothers’? George Soros’s?
Please.