Yikes

“Some Democrats, still gripped by the lure of wonkery, continue to scratch their heads over which policy proposals might have unlocked more votes, but that was always a mug’s game. Trump voters never cared about policies, and he rarely gave them any. (Choosing to be eaten by a shark rather than electrocuted might be a personal preference, but it’s not a policy.) His rallies involved long rants about the way he’s been treated, like a giant therapy session or a huge family gathering around a bellowing, impaired grandpa.” (Atlantic Written by Tom Nichols)

“Back in 2021, I wrote a book about the rise of “illiberal populism,” the self-destructive tendency in some nations that leads people to participate in democratic institutions such as voting while being hostile to democracy itself, casting ballots primarily to punish other people and to curtail everyone’s rights—even their own. These movements are sometimes led by fantastically wealthy faux populists who hoodwink gullible voters by promising to solve a litany of problems that always seem to involve money, immigrants, and minorities. The appeals from these charlatans resonate most not among the very poor, but among a bored, relatively well-off middle class, usually those who are deeply uncomfortable with racial and demographic changes in their own countries.”

“Trump, as he has shown repeatedly over the years, couldn’t care less about any of these groups. He ran for office to seize control of the apparatus of government and to evade judicial accountability for his previous actions as president. Once he is safe, he will embark on the other project he seems to truly care about: the destruction of the rule of law and any other impediments to enlarging his power.”

“An affluent society that thinks it is living in a hellscape is ripe for gulling by dictators who are willing to play along with such delusions.”

I'm starting to connect political thinking. I wrote about a book by Larry M. Bartels. It was called Democracy Erodes from the Top. 

I read that there was a spike in people googling "Why isn't Biden on the ticket?" or something like that to figure out how Harris was on the ticket. They missed that whole drama. I wish I had that good of a filter. I think Americans just tune out politicians and so they have to say something dramatic to get through to people. 

That almost makes me want to put forward John Stewart, or Stephen Colbert. I think it should also be a white guy with charisma. I was thinking that military guy, can't find his name now. But I'm already wondering how I can help defeat Vance in 2028.

I've been thinking a lot about Leslie Knope, the fictional character that Amy Poehler created. I think that's what these times call for, someone with a positive fairly pure heart grinding in local politics, past all the obstacles, and obstruction. I really like that show. There's the libertarian Ron Swanson. There's the young cynical negative April Ludgate. There's the health obsessed Rob Lowe character, who's name escapes me right now. It's filled with quirky characters, and I love that show. 

Given the above quotes, what is the press' role of trying to jolt the American populace into seeing their choices more clearly? Or should they just try to sell papers, clicks and engagement?