I have watched the events of the last week/month/four years/forty years closely. I've seen it all unfurl like a big rancid picnic. I am embarrassed by the small corner I helped spread years ago.
And while I see where we are going, and have a general notion how this will all play out, I am simultaneously enough of a sociopath to be frustrated that the Fascists Are Doing It Stupidly.
The Republicans are too old for the most part to learn the "Learn the language of your enemy and turn it against him" technique that is becoming popular in Pick-up artist circles.
Let's take the big ones:
Climate change.
A republican candidate comes out saying "Climate changer is real. It is happening. I have answers!" These answers are of course structured to increase profits for solar and certain auto makers. Cities are redlined and solar comes with subsidies and assistance in certain neighborhoods (read that white and middle class or higher), while older generating plants are put on austerity measures, and only deliver electricity 4-5 days a week.
The electric cars and hybrids are given subsidies and made popular, while older gas-burning cars are taxed more heavily, as is gasoline. "After all, transportation is one of our largest polluters." Public transportation is not improved, and may in fact be eliminated. Work will become an impossibility for millions of people, freeing up jobs.
Nothing is ever done about the companies who cause infinitely more waste than individuals, deforestation continues, the oceans keep heating up and the growing zones keep moving. And the poor people who can't afford solar or an electric car are shamed and blamed.
Water starts to come under austerity measures. There's plenty for fountains and golf courses but city water is limited to a trickle. Lawns are ticketed for being brown when people have barely enough to drink and wash with. Bottled water companies make record profits. Since not having water and electricity is considered environmental neglect, children can be removed from homes and quietly distributed to work as domestics to wealthy households.
Profit all around, and a reduction in poor people, especially people of color.
Abortion:
"I can reduce abortion by 40%! Let's not ban it, women will always need it for emergency situations. But I can reduce the unwed pregnancy by 50% and abortions by 40% It's been tested and proven."
Long term contraceptives: implants and IUDs, even sterilization are made easier to get, free of charge on the state's dime. IUDs are especially encouraged.
Since work is becoming impossible and water and electric are unpredictable, many people opt for the IUD. Many opt for tubals, since they are no longer forced to be 30+ and have spousal permission.
The abortion rate drops as promised.
But, while there is money for inserting IUDs, there was never money allocated for removal 5 years down the road...
Fewer abortions. And a reduction in poor people especially people of color.
There are other social issues where a republican could stand up and say "Hey, let's BE fiscally conservative, try this in a way that has been shown to save money, and oh yeah, we can make it hurt the right people too."
Riding the Nightmare. 18 gay dreams and nightmares. Includes the Gay Christmas Werewolves
