I’ve been reading a few articles this week on the US election.
According to some of New Zealand’s pundits, it’s not worth worrying about. The US election is of no relevance to New Zealand, and in any case, would it be so bad if Donald Trump got back in?
When you look at advice from experts like Sarah Kendzior who study authoritarianism, this is what she had to say:
“My theory is that we are repeating the 1920s and the white mob violence and xenophobia that emerged after the Spanish Flu along with 1920s-style inability to handle social change brought on by the rapid influx of new technology and soaring wealth inequality. Instead of WWI, we had the 2008 financial collapse to set us down that road. We still feel the destabilizing effects 16 years later, now heightened by the oligarch wealth transfer that arose after covid appeared. These are the conditions in which fascism thrives, and a global axis of autocrats has emerged to entrench them. We are headed toward the ‘30s — again.”
Seems worrisome.
In New Zealand, experts are already clear that lobby groups have undue influence.
It's already clear that abhorrent views could be permitted and platformed under the guise of free speech.
It’s clear there are foreign actors looking to influence the way we talk about policy.
(Read the below statement, then watch this video.)
It’s clear there is worry about the Venn diagram of Christian dominion theory and the Atlas network.
It’s clear there’s been a choice to frame deliberately underfunded, vital public health services as “blowing the budget”.
This lens is so imbalanced that it’s nearing propaganda, and fails to mention that the budget does not match the demonstrable scale of need, or that we have a right to health, as opposed to right-wing health.
These views create policy, drive culture, inform decisions - and could easily be the same views driving policy in the US.
Saying “a Trump win is nothing to worry about” conveniently does not consider the perspectives of those who represent demographics targeted by those who seek to control.
Culture is influenced by the things we platform and how we platform those things.
It’s influenced by who those in power target.
It’s influenced by what is tolerated and by chosen silence and by deliberate silencing.
Being able to confidently say “don’t worry” stems from utter privilege.
As we continue to normalise inadequate and frankly unacceptable policy across the board, it should be noted that those speaking up are experts, frontline staff, lived experience voices and the public.
Leaders are permitting this through silence and inaction. They are actively working to normalise this level of chaos.
If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.
“I’m as disheartened as anyone. That’s why I focus on maintaining moral clarity, because it is under constant assault. I do not want corrupt people to convince me that what I know is wrong is right or even acceptable.”
- Sarah Kendzior
Those who think there’s no reason to worry should talk to anyone who has a health condition.
Anyone who needs social support.
Anyone who works with, supports, protects vulnerable people in any capacity.
Talk to anyone able to see outside their own bubble and privilege.
There are considerations worthy of worry in New Zealand, which will worsen if they align with the potential blueprint in play for the US.
Sarah Kendzior also recently had this to say;
“The scariest thing about fascism is not the dictator — it is how easily good people accept atrocities.”
But yeah. Don’t worry, I guess.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4prve4ahveqmshvczkaex5hv/post/3l7xaekjtei2f
I find myself constantly hearing words in the mouths of American politicians that we hear here in Aotearoa. Ones that say the people are concerned about this and that. Cost of living, landlords, immigration , tax cuts for the wealthy, wages, and on and on. Atlas right there. We (some of the people) are in the grips of all this. Why some? Because some voted this in, a great many seem to like and want it. I feel powerless to stop the injustice to health services, environmental protections, while it all steam rolls ahead. Then you are left with many of the figures we see on the news wanting this and then fobing off criticism. And Trump.............people will vote for that.. This was a gd read, I will read it again......thank you.