first they came for the socialists

Always bothered me when people act like Trump is bringing fascism. Not because it couldn't happen here - for one thing, it is already happening here. For another, Trump has almost nothing to do with it. He's the result of our system and our voters, including all the ways votes were manipulated and the way power is structured. The problem is not that Trump is POTUS, but that we live in a country that elected someone like him - and will do so again, if not someone worse. Not as a matter of democratic will, but broader systemic consequence.

Maybe Biden wins this next round - a feat that would practically require the four horsemen of the apocalypse to accomplish - but holy shit, that's about what's happening, right before the goddamn election. Still, if he wins, Biden doesn't change anything for the better. He won't do anything about the police, but he will throw us into a deep austerity, in response to the economic depression that's coming. It will be bipartisan, thanks to him. Yay, I'm sure that will appease the consequent civil unrest.

It will be brutal. A Republican wins in 2024, no problem. This country has gotten worse since 2016. The Republican nominee will be even worse. I'm guessing whoever Biden picks for VP loses anyhow. Predictions aside and point being, voting isn't going to cut it. It doesn't matter who wins. I honestly think we need something more drastic to happen, or yeah, we're heading for full blown genocidal fascism. 

I'm not specifically talking about the riots. These protests are off the charts. I have no idea how serious it's going to get, how long it will go, or how bad the police response will be. Even if it does get crushed or naturally subside, the wave is just going to be even greater next time. I'm just not terribly optimistic about its chances of success, no matter how it goes. I love that people are fighting, but I'm honestly terrified for them. More so that they would just be the beginning.

Thinking about moving to Scandinavia or something. Not the most interesting selection of countries, but in such interesting times, I'm not sure more interesting is such a good idea. Canada isn't at all far enough. Latin America's way too warm with climate change bearing down on us. Africa even more so. Asia's just too unfamiliar. I don't even know if anywhere in Asia would be a good idea politically or in terms of climate, but it doesn't seem like the time to be taking any chances.

I am feeling more capable at life than I used to be. I still have a ways to go, but in a pinch, maybe I could pull it together. I don't think I could say that two years ago. For a while now, I've been feeling with growing urgency, the need to attain some independence. I've been understanding why with growing clarity. I'm afraid losing my social security will be the least of my worries.

I wish Trump were the problem, but no one in congress seems to care all that much. Not Democrats, not Republicans, dare I say not even Bernie. Not really. Sure, to varying degrees, they're mortified - like it's one isolated incident after another. Maybe they're not seeing it all, insulated inside their sociopolitical bubbles. They seem to be in denial about what's happening right in front of them. 

Me, I've been seeing way too much. I'm a fucking mess.

Our cops have always been like this. They were more militarized under our last Democratic president, but fundamentally, they've been like this since their inception. They keep growing, they're not going to change, and it's not about Trump. Our leaders are oblivious at best, as they do whatever the police unions want. The country doesn't have the will to do what needs to be done to stop our jackbooted thugs, even as they're massacring us. This doesn't get better if we ride it out, but I'm afraid we can't win.

It never occurred to me before today, that the issues I have with authority might have something do with actual Nazis, but it's suddenly feeling awfully relevant. Honestly, we should be thinking about running for the hills. Preferably colder higher ground.