Has Donald Trump offended you yet? Give
him time. Question him and chances are you will be considered nothing
but a dolt. It seems that the Donald calls everyone who doesn't
worship him a “dummy,” a “loser,” or a “stupid moron.” It
amazes me that he has somehow “earned” the presidential candidacy
of the Republican Party. It's worth a look at how this has happened.
“He’s (Trump) always talking
about threatening images and threatening forces operating behind the
scenes or overseas or south of the border,” Matt Motyl, political
psychologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, says. “By
fostering a sense of perceived threat, people become fearful. They
want someone who can alleviate that fear.” Motyl claims in times of
anxiety people also seek out simple solutions instead of detailed
plans.
Trump's simplicity is evident in his
limited vocabulary and his repetitive off the cuff remarks that do
little to reveal how he plans to accomplish his goals. Jennifer
Mercieca, a historian of American political discourse at Texas A&M
University, believes Trump's campaign employs simple rhetoric to
create division – a tactic of intimidation and war.
“One of the things I found so
fascinating was that so much of what he said was…’I'm winning.
I’m the winner. I had the number one TV show. I had the number one
book. I’m winning. I’m winning. I won. I’m great. They’re
dummies. They’re dumb. They’re stupid. They’re vicious. They’re
dumb,’” Mercieca says. “He divides the world that way.”
(Emily Sohn. “Why Trump's Negativity
Is Working.” discovery.com. December 09, 2015.)
It is troubling to me that this
bombastic, contemptuous man could become so popular. Donald Trump has
tapped into the fears of very bitter and angry people to incite their
prejudices – prejudices about politicians, immigrants, foreign
leaders, and any other perceived opponent. He does not care about
mutual and dignity, and he dismisses his lack of civility by claiming
he's sick of being politically correct.
Dr. Robert L. Leahy, the Honorary
Life-time President of the New York City Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Association and author of many books, explains the “Trump Formula”
with these steps:
1. Create an Enemy
This is important in propaganda wars
to incite emotionalism. “If Trump is able to convince people that
the enemy lies within---including immigrants, politicians, and weak
leaders— he can play on anxiety
and target others for attack."
2. Play on Fear
Trump plays on the fears that America
is “being invaded by dangerous people, being threatened by highly
sophisticated enemies abroad, and experiencing a monumental economic
collapse.”
3. Emphasize Humiliation
When people are humiliated they get
angry and when they get angry they attack, so Trump stirs up people
who believe “the antidote to humiliation is a strong leader who
will humiliate others.”
4. Talk About Strength
Trump claims we don't have a tough
leader, so acting like a bully is justified.
5. Describe Catastrophes
Trump claims present leaders have put
us “at the end of days.”
6. Take Everything Personally
Trump is egocentric and “all about
himself.” He personalizes views any disagreements as insults that
require attacks and humiliations.
7. Don't Offer Details, Just
Generalities
Trump says “he will fix everything,
he promises, you have to believe him.” Details are
an after-thought, “only used by
those who lack flexibility in leadership.”
(Robert L. Leahy. “Why Trump Appeals
to People.” Psychology Today. August 12, 2015.)
Read the entire Leahy article by
clicking here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/anxiety-files/201508/why-trump-appeals-people
Ask the average American why he or she
supports Trump and the answer usually involves likeness for Trump's
unabashed candor, his distaste for politicians, and his business
negotiations. Yet, with this man as the GOP candidate, America is
faced with lending leadership to a celebrity known for inflammatory
tactics, emotional outbursts, and a very unproven level of
competency. In short, electing Trump as president is synonymous with
taking a potentially volatile risk on a very unstable business deal.
To affirm that Donald Trump is
entertaining is a no-brainer. No one doubts that his shtick draws
immediate attention; however, his claims of not being political and
not being “all about Donald” are laughable. He enjoys disparaging
others, no matter the arena. If Trump is a “truth teller” as he
claims, he is honest under the guise of his own interpretation of
veracity. Question the man and you too will become the victim of his
maligning nature and likely be labeled a “loser.”
For those who love authoritarianism and
visions of a simple, strong man at the controls of absolute power,
Trump is the supreme leader. To me, that is a frightening vision.
Howard Lavine, a University of
Minnesota scholar of political psychology, agrees that understanding
authoritarianism must be part of understanding Trump’s appeal.
Lavine says when you have voters who describe themselves as
Evangelicals, but who prefer the non-Evangelical Trump over
Evangelical candidates like Ted Cruz (who was deemed to be the hot
candidate this year for Evangelical voters), you have to ask yourself
what is the underlying appeal of Trump to these voters. “It has to
be the authoritarianism,” Lavine said.
Here’s how Lavine defines the term:
“Authoritarianism is essentially a
personality trait, partially heritable, that describes a basic way by
which people differ from one another,” Lavine said. The substance
of this trait “revolves around one’s propensity and ability to
comfortably deal with differences and diversity of people, of ideas
and of behaviors. Authoritarian voters are low in this ability….
“Authoritarians also tend to be
aggressive toward groups that society has deemed outside of the
mainstream on the basis of race, religion and people with
unconventional ideas. So, in the presence of unconventional people,
ideas or behaviors, authoritarians tend to become intolerant.”
(Eric Black. “Why Donald Trump appeals to ‘authoritarian
voters.’” MinnPost. April 05, 2016.)
Adjectives that fairly describe Donald Trump – “authoritative, aggressive, intolerant, egotistical, and vindictive” – all fit the man. Perhaps in the role of business tycoon, this description is less abrasive than in the role of Leader of the Free World. Essential presidential descriptors must surely include “integrity, compassion, and patience.”
In the next several months before the election, I'm sure Trump will attempt to convince America that he is really a “nice guy” with “a pure heart” who has simply "appeared" to be abrasive and outspoken for the good of his country. And this view will come from a man who claims he is not a politician. I expect to see Donald using every dirty trick in the political book to attempt to defeat Hillary Clinton.
But ...
Now Trump has to put on a good show. And, Mr. Trump, you've got a lot of 'splainin' to do. I wonder if you will fess up and give yourself one of the unattractive labels you are accustomed to giving to your competitors -- May I suggest "Dogmatic Donald"? I think it fits you well.
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