Desperate People Almost Always Buy Snake Oil, by Art Smukler, MD, author& psychiatrist

Just saw a terrific show at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City, CA – 44 a musical, portraying Obama’s trials and tribulations in the White House. Great actors, well-written, enthusiastic audience, catchy tunes, all-in-all a wonderful evening.

It got me thinking. Most good shows will do that.

Obama’s era (2009 to 2017) was a time of hope and promoted the idea that we were past Jim Crow, headed for a new America. An America where bigotry – religious, sexual, and racial – was finally in the rear view mirror.

Enter Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Lindsay Graham, Donald Trump and MAGA was born. White supremacy was not to be denied and they wanted the “Black House” to be returned to its proper owners. Slaves built it for the ruling whites and the travesty needed to be reversed.

Donald Trump became the spokesman for the displaced white majority, black and Latino minorities who needed jobs, Jews who totally support the right of Israel to battle Hamas and Hezbollah, and for anyone with a gripe against the federal government. He said and continues to say what desperate people need to hear. I’ll lower the price of eggs and groceries, I’ll close the borders, I won’t let non-citizens vote, criminals will be exported to their homes of origin, transgender athletes will not be allowed to compete against women athletes, pro-Palestinian supporters will have their green cards cancelled and will also be sent back to their country of origin, I’ll dissolve federal control over education and each state will be in charge, I’ll stop taxing social security, no more abortion, no transexuals in the military, cancel green environment support and put coal miners back in the mines, get rid of pennies, have only daylight savings, and on and on. Whatever you want to hear, he’ll sell it. Snake oil for everyone! Coal is clean!

Think about it. I’ll bet you believe that at least half of his promises aren’t bad. In fact they’re pretty good. What is bad is his abusive style, petty revenge tactics, lack of empathy, immaturity, and no regard for the rule of law.

My question is why didn’t the Democrats put more of the above into action? Why didn’t Democrats who absolutely knew that Joe Biden was impaired do something sooner? How could they let a good and caring man stumble almost speechless into that heart-breaking, cringe-worthy debate?

The people of our country voted for a man without a conscience, who made promises that he is on the verge of fulfilling, but at the cost of ruining our democracy. Are there no Republicans in congress willing to stand up and be heard? Are there no clear-thinking, young Democratic leaders who can be a force like Obama? And where are our former Republican presidents? Why are they frozen speechless and not being voices of reason?

Thanks, Art

#44, #trumpsupporters, #Artsmuklermd,

Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist –the Presidential Election, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

Tuesday November 5, 2024, Donald Trump handily beat Kamala Harris and is officially the 47th President-elect of the United States. It wasn’t close!

I wrote numerous posts regarding Trump’s lying, narcissism, racism and on and on.

I obsessively pointed out why no one should vote for this man. How dangerous it would be, blah, blah, blah.

Then after it happened, after I got over my shock and disappointment, I put on my psychiatrist beanie (It has a Penn State Logo on the front).

What came to mind were the many years I spent as an undergraduate and medical student worrying about money. I was living on loans and never had an extra dollar. For me, every extra hour was spent studying and trying to reach my goals – get into medical school and then graduate as a physician. I did it, but paid an enormous price – constant worry and obsession about paying my rent, buying food, and gas. Everything I did was surrounded by an overwhelming fear of financial catastrophe.

I believe that is why Trump won. People overlooked his obvious character flaws to achieve one simple thing. They wanted enough money to live. To not spend almost every waking moment worrying about how they were going to pay the rent, buy food, and pay the medical bills. Kamala’s idea of giving new home buyers $25,000 was ludicrous. In California you can’t buy anything for less than $500,000. $25,000 buys you nothing.

Yes, there are bigots, racists, anti-LGBTQs, billionaires, pro-Israel people etc. who voted for Trump, but I truly think that the overwhelming majority of Americans simply want to pay the bills. They believed that Trump could help them better than Kamala. In this case “Money talks and character walks”.

Thanks, Art

#Trump, #Kamala, #presidentofUS, #moneytalks