119: Trumpism is Cruel Immaturity (2)

【Firsthand Experience】
The Trump administration’s countless persecutions, threats, and cruel policies. Do the Trump voters need to experience these harms firsthand to truly understand the cruelty of it all?
 
That said, only US citizens have the right to vote in US elections, which makes experiencing the suffering of immigrants/refugees firsthand nearly impossible, unless they themselves are first-generation immigrants/refugees who’ve thereafter become US citizens.
 
Moreover, Trump voters are largely comprised of White Americans, the racial majority in the country. This again makes experiencing the suffering of minorities firsthand rather limited from a racial perspective.
 
But what about from a social perspective?
 
For example, people struggling in poverty, or those who identify as LGBTQ, or those living with a disability. People in these situations, even if they belong to the racial majority, may experience firsthand the suffering of those who are significantly disadvantaged in our society, or born into less-fortunate circumstances.
 
Moreover, in a sense, it’s also possible to “indirectly” experience the harm.
 
For instance, over the past several decades, conservatives have promoted irresponsible tax cuts as part of their populist policies. And it’s a well-known fact that many American small business owners are conservative supporters primarily because of these tax cuts. Of course, with the far-right shift in today’s conservatism, many of these business owners have voted for Trump.
 
On the other hand, it’s also a well-known fact that not a small number of these business owners hire undocumented immigrants to push wages low, to make extra profit for themselves. A blatant two-faced exploitation, they loudly profess the global far-right’s favorite slogan “Deport the illegal immigrants because they’re stealing jobs from us!” while simultaneously profiting by employing these immigrants.
 
Not surprisingly, we hear about some of these small business owners in panic mode recently where their employees were forcibly deported due to the cruel Trump policy, the exact policy that they themselves so aggressively voted for. Perhaps, they didn’t think enough about what their favorite slogan really meant. What we’re starting to hear is simply the end result of their own shameless hypocrisy.
 
Next, we also know that American farmers overwhelmingly voted for Trump. However, due to the Trump administration’s shortsighted tariffs, again the exact policy that they themselves so enthusiastically voted for, many American farmers who rely heavily on exports are now thrown into financial chaos as their major agricultural trade partners in China/Canada have cut business with them.
 
And oh by the way, let’s also mention that American farmers have received huge government subsidies over the past several decades. Yet, when others in need of help ask for a similar aid, these farmers furiously bark, “Stop government waste!” This, too, is a shameless hypocrisy.
 
Encouraged by this, the Trump administration mercilessly cut aid to food banks/shelters that support people struggling in poverty. Once again, perhaps they didn’t think enough about what their favorite mantra really meant. As a result, we now hear that many farmers, whose products ultimately supply these food banks/shelters, have suddenly lost their major source of income and are expecting even more government aid for themselves.
 
This toxic pair of hypocrisy and choosing “Self-interest above all else” is a classic case of “As long as it’s fine for us” behavior. As a responsible adult, it’s awfully shameful. This, we must be fully aware.
 
When we become aware of this, and when we accept the idea of “voter accountability,” it may be fair to say that Trump voters are suffering from the harms caused by their own votes.
 
However, since this is a federal election, it’s unavoidable and yet unjust that even Harris voters are caught up in this mess created by Trump voters. Likewise, foreign nationals who legally stay in the US for study, work, or accompanying family members with valid visas, are also caught in the crossfire despite having no voting rights.
 
The national popular votes in this presidential election were Trump 49.8% vs Harris 48.3%.
 
A margin of 1.5%pts, roughly 2 million votes. It’s disheartening that such a narrow margin can create a complete opposite of “the liberal America that nurtures compassion through a global lens, and honestly works to help those in need.” [See＃110]
 
We sincerely hope that Trump voters who chose “Self-interest above all else” won’t make this same mistake again.

Read Next: Trumpism is Cruel Immaturity (3)【Real Question to You】
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