Four Years From Now?

(Ed. note: Here's a thought exercise you shouldn't read if you're easily depressed, already depressed, or paranoid.)

Let's say we somehow don't perish in the next four years, and neo- fascist authoritarian Donald "Rump" Trump decides he wants to run for re- election.  Further, let's say he loses both the Electoral College and popular vote, but not by a wide margin.

Now, here's what we know are the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which fit Rump perfectly:

   -- Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
   -- Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
   -- Exaggerating your achievements and talents
   -- Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
   -- Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
   -- Requiring constant admiration
   -- Having a sense of entitlement
   -- Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
   -- Taking advantage of others to get what you want
   -- Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
   -- Being envious of others and believing others envy you
   -- Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

Now imagine someone with that condition who's gotten used to being in the most powerful position in the world, who's flaunted the most basic norms, who believes the laws don't apply to him, and who'll have the Federal government's security apparatus at his tiny fingertips.  Knowing that fascists don't give up power peacefully, what's the likelihood someone like Rump and his amoral gang of white nationalists and kleptocrats would? We don't mean to sound like alarmists, but the signs are there, and the demagogue hasn't even violated taken the oath of office yet.

Of course, if Republicans succeed in restricting voting rights further (perhaps through a national voter i.d. law, etc.), this scenario would likely be moot, and we might be looking at even more years of dystopia under Rump. Lovely.

(Don't blame us.  We told you not to read this!)

For survival tips (and a somewhat more optimistic view of the future), we would again recommend reading Masha Gessen's "Autocracy: Rules for Survival."  Resist.