Jay Caruso is the hardball playing editor of the Washington Examiner. He isn't a Trump sycophant but as time goes to infinity it becomes clearer and clearer that libs were right about just about everything and that hurts him, it does.
Still, admitting he was wrong--and that the GOP, yes, bears a lot of blame here, is a brave move (Even if he did lock replies). Of course admitting you have a problem is only the first step. What do you do about it?
The Omnivore's ideas . . . they are not good--but The Omnivore wants to tell you two things he heard (from the same guy!) that gave him pause.
1. The GOP Might Be Driven By Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain is very prevalent in America and could be a factor in Republican ideology. Certainly older people in America are more likely to suffer from chronic pain and there is a noted correlation between anger and suffering chronic pain. Also, according to the numerous links on google, the thing that many chronic pain sufferers lack is empathy from those close to them (concerning the pain). The Omnivore avers that likely leads to an empathy deficit from the sufferers towards, for example, caged kids of illegal immigrants, as well.
A biological basis towards anger and lack of empathy could deeply explain a lot of the foundations of modern Republican politics. After all, if you don't care about other people's suffering, suddenly a whole lot of Trumpism makes sense.
2. QAnon Delivers on The Promise of Trump
If chronic pain did underlie a significant segment of Republican base voters then that's fertile ground for QAnon's roots to sink into. Trump promised morning in America--he promised a return to the America of his voter's youth's. He delivered a dung-heap--and even a steady diet of Trumpist media isn't going to help that much--but something else will: Trumpianity.
If you create a literal religion around Trump--one that cast him as a beset hero against the satanic forces of Child Eating--one who has his stalwart knights of Military Intelligence and General Flynn arrayed around him--and is working tirelessly (from the golf course?) to sink the many-tentacled conspiracy that is the liberal democrats and their agenda--then you think that he is delivering.
Sure, he's being opposed--but you can be proud of your president and you can feel that hope that the red-hat promised you four years ago. Maybe it's just around the corner--after all, you have a powerful spiritual force telling you that American Greatness is coming--coming soon--and bringing terror and bloody justice to your hated enemies.
The idea that this promise can still be fulfilled--in full--and with interest is a powerful motivator (ask anyone who has been scammed by the Nigerian Prince: the promise of an eventual, just-around-the-corner, full payoff is a crazy-making enticement).
Is All This Right?
The Omnivore, of course, has no real idea. It would take research and deeper statistical analysis than he has time or resources for right now--but the basic precepts aren't wrong and the appeal of QAnon is growing steadily---rapidly even--in the GOP. The Omnivore remembers a Trumper scoffing a year and a half ago at The Omnivore's telling her this was coming. The Dems Are Just As Bad, she averred. The Omnivore is Obsessed With Trivial Conspiracy Theories, she told him.
Now, of course, she's silent--but at least Jay Carouso had the guts to admit he was wrong.
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