They voted like it was "American Idol" . . .

[OneBlueSky]

Are all those millions of people who voted for Trump “evil? I can't believe that. They may be uninformed, unsophisticated, under-educated, even semi-literate, but they're not all evil (though some, to be sure, certainly fit the bill).

For many – younger first-time voters, people who only voted once before (in 2016, for Trump), those who believed Trump's disparaging remarks about Biden, etc. – their prior electoral experience may well have been primarily voting on American Idol, America's Got Talent, and Dancing with the Stars. And they didn't necessarily vote for the best singer, or the best comedian, or the best dancer . . . they voted for whoever entertained or amused them the most.

That's the kind of mindset many Trump voters may well have brought to the presidential election. Not understanding (or being interested in, or even knowing) the issues, they may have simply asked themselves “Which one of these guys is most entertaining? Who should 'move on' in the competition?” Never mind that "moving on" in this case meant four more years of disgracefully bad "leadership."

Don't know what percentage of Trump's base this applies to, but I have a hard time deciphering the reasons anyone would vote for a perpetual liar/snake oil salesman. The American Idol mindset seems as good as any. . .

[Borchkins]

1. Fox News

It has to go or really and truly be fair and balanced. They have had decades to eff with people.

[BComplex]

4. They need to be called out and laughed at every day by people with a public platform

It's time Americans knew that fox is NOTHING but propaganda for nazis.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Exactly!

Well said.

[PatSeg]

3. That is an apt comparison

I can think of some people that would apply to. They are not particularly ideological or racist, but they are very addicted to popular media and reality TV. They have no real interest in government or history. This IS much like voting in "American Idol".

[yardwork]

5. Not all Trump voters are racist.... but it wasn't a deal-breaker for any of them.

Nor was his history of sexual harassment (at the very least), his treatment of the military and their families (still no repudiation of Putin's bounties on American soldiers), his mocking of disabled people, his attacks on journalists, scientists and medical providers, and so forth.

Lying, cheating and stealing didn't deter self-proclaimed Christians from supporting Trump.

I have my own opinion about their morals and decency.

[KatyMan]

9. "evil" might be a strong word

But it works. Dregs of humanity works. Immoral monsters too.

[yardwork]

12. Many Nazis seemed like nice people. To the people they weren't torturing and killing.

I wish I had a more sanguine view, but the Trump supporters I know are educated, well off people. If they're uninformed or confused, it's because they choose to be. They vote for Trump for selfish reasons.

They want to be perceived as good people. They're not.

[KatyMan]

14. Agree, they're not.

They're everything Trump is: racist, misogynistic, greedy bullies who get off on other's misfortunes. I thought that if someone voted Trump in 2016 they can have a pass, maybe they didn't pay close enough attention whatever. But voting for him in 2020 means that voter is no different than him and they deserve to be shunned, mocked and laughed at.

[atreides1]

6. Define evil?

I define evil as being intentionally stupid, uninformed, and unsophisticated!

[d_b]

7. I know people like that

People who voted for Obama because they thought he was cool, and then turned around and voted for Trump.

[mr_lebowski]

8. People who follow politics like DU'ers are a tiny tiny fraction, sadly ...

I would bet if you conducted a poll in any random location like a shopping mall you'd see %'s along these lines:

1) Who is the President right now: 95% get it right
2) Who is the Vice President: 45% get it right
3) What are the 3 Branches of the Federal Government: 20% get it right
4) Who are the Senators for your state: 12% get it right
5) Who is your US Congressional Rep: 8% get it right
6) The Judicial Branch makes the laws (true/false): 30% get it wrong.
7) The Slaves were freed in the Revolutionary War (true/false): 30% get it wrong.

Or somewhere thereabouts. Would depend on the Age cohort, older people would be more likely to score higher.

[JI7]

10. They voted like a bunch bigoted trash. Even the young Idol voters would have

rejected trump.

[happybird]

11. My boss' husband got first hand evidence of this exact thing

He’s rabidly anti-trump. We are a pretty solidly blue bunch, with one Libertarian and one R who keeps quiet with her opinions.

Due to covid, only he and my boss interact face to face (through plexiglass and masks) with customers. They don’t mention politics to customers, but many trumpers bring it up, unsolicited. So, he’ll just ask what it is they like about trump. Most of the younger ones say, “He’s funny.” Or similar.

WTF.

[Ilsa]

15. Trump is funny?

Those people confuse bullying with humor. Trump isn't capable of being funny.

[Biophilic]

13. Finally

That's the most reasonable explanation I've heard. It makes perfect sense (in the very dysfunctional kind of way). Who cares about next week or next month or anything like responsibilities. The exciting thing is right now and the discussions I'll have with my friends and family tomorrow.

Don't know quite how to respond to that. None of my thoughts or emotions seem appropriate. I feel like finding a comfy log someplace and just letting those thoughts drift through my mind. Maybe I'll find some appropriate thought in my current mist of 'can't quite grok it.'

But thanks for that little bit of clarity, I think.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

16. Positive think

And toxic positivity and sometimes regular positive thinking encourages people to live in the now,shunning past and future pretending they are not relavent to being a person.

They shun guilt which socially serves a function to rein in bad social behavior.

Also narcissism is encouraged in this country. As if it was desirable.

[Biophilic]

17. Buddha or statue

It seems if neither past nor future are relevant to being a person you are either the Buddha or a stone statue. But even then a statue will be eventually worn down.

How dull/passive a life without past or future. I'm obviously not a Buddhist. I really enjoy experiencing life with all its ups and downs. I'll be really bummed when it's over.

I think living my life as if I was watching TV sounds really, really boring. And narcissism, well, how small can you make your life? I almost feel sorry for them, but I feel more sorry for the rest of us who have to share their reality.