I'm not in the US, so I can't say for certain, but is this the first time people have actually gotten physically violent towards supporters of a certain candidate? I'm reading news stories of shops being burnt down because their owners displayed a Trump support poster. Some people won't even admit that they plan to vote for him for fear of attack. I realise there is always a form of rivalry between parties and their supporters, but this is just getting plain nasty. I've never encountered anything like it in the UK or Australia. People certainly wouldn't lose friendships over a difference of opinion, nevermind breaking ties with family.
My adult student today mentioned that there’s usually rivalry and unrest during Election Years. This sort of intensity plays out every four years. These past several years have been particularly tumultuous. President Trump isn’t a polished politician and breaks away from the Establishment that he’s upset people on both sides of the aisle. For a man that was on everyone’s favorite billionaire list a decade ago, crossing into politics has the system in a big roar. He’s a business man and television reality star. Ironically, he’s been asked for DECADES to run for president. He had lots of ideas on improving business and society and criticized political officials.
The blatant attacks from the sports and entertainment industry is a new thing. I don’t recall pop culture being as opinionated in politics. There’s a lock step attitude. If conformity was ever cool, it’s now. Opinionated, nonconformist people were usually that one relative or friend that would be too serious at holiday parties. Now everyone is a party pooper!
It is true that it is not safe to be conservative at this time. People do lose jobs on top of friends and family connection. It’s very unnatural to alienate one another and makes me think that social programming is an ugly success. Forget about having Trump stuff on your yard or business. Even an American flag is controversial. You do risk getting vandalized or harassed.
This unrest will pass. Society is evolving. This “seasonal intensity” hopefully won’t repeat itself in four years. People will be more discerning and less vulnerable to being manipulated. It’s a good thing that everyone is paying attention to the governments around the world now.
Government officials around the world are probably freaking out from all the attention. Great time for any whistle blowers to expose corruption.
J