Gridlock, Frustration, and Political Road Rage
Trump appeals to the selfish — racists, xenophobes, conspiracy theorists, and those who want to impose their religious views on others. But there is something else. In 2016, Trump tried to project the image of a successful businessman who would bring in the best people to fix our problems. No longer. He has morphed his image into that of a wrecking ball. Just as with a mass shooter, it’s an easy way to get attention and demonstrate one’s power to impact. The people he now wants in top government positions are not former CEOs or decorated Generals to do sober and serious work. Rather, they are minions who have been selected to impose Trump’s narcissistic will and seek retribution on his enemies.
Why Did We Vote For a Wrecking Ball?
Polls consistently show that two-thirds of the US is unhappy with the country’s direction. Those on the right and left obviously differ in what they think needs to be done. Should we be doing more or less on environmental and climate issues? Should we be doing more or less on social fairness issues? What about income inequality? How can immigration be handled justly? What about gun control?
Republicans and Democrats have become too polarized to compromise on such issues, in part because those with extreme viewpoints hold too much sway. Further frustration comes from the trend over time of decreasing responsiveness and increasing demands from the government and unavoidable businesses: insurance, pharmaceuticals, banks, landlords, telecommunications, and transportation.
The financially sound have issues with the country’s direction and frustration with those entities. Imagine, however, the financial stress, exasperation, and disgust with institutions felt by those working multiple jobs to stay afloat, those who are only a few lost paychecks away from sinking, and those who have gone under — the homeless.
When policy adjustments seem unable to move the needle on fundamental grievances and financial quicksand has captured or threatens too many, a policy of more the same was not a winning message for Kamala Harris. Rather, the rising frustration with the status quo has engendered a “blow it all up” attitude. Is that what juiced Trump’s victory? Is that why we chose someone for whom oaths and laws mean nothing and who tried to subvert the Constitution in his bid to overturn the 2020 election? Were the 2020 Biden supporters who sat out 2024 passively endorsing a reign of destruction?
The smooth functioning of government and businesses depends on competent people acting responsibly. That’s always a challenge. Too many people — due to lack of effort, lack of competence, and nefarious intent — don’t do what they ideally would, especially in large and impersonal organizations. Consequently, the systems on which we depend function poorly.
How do we compensate? How do we gain control over systems with issues? We add guidelines, rules, and system checks, thereby increasing system complexity, decreasing responsiveness, and creating additional hiding spots for the incompetent and corrupt. Shortcomings and loopholes persist, which the selfish find and exploit. So, ad infinitum, we implement additional guidelines, rules, and system checks.
As more people sense that a system’s overhead exceeds the benefits provided, frustration grows and people turn to the likes of Trump. Whether he fixes or destroys, many are ambivalent. They want change that a gridlocked Congress, in which parity has served to amplify extremist voices, has been unable to provide.
Is there a more responsible way to move forward? Consider Mike Duggan. He is currently the mayor of Detroit and, despite having previously been a Democrat, has decided to run as an independent for Governor of Michigan. He believes he can address issues and make progress by engaging with the moderates in each party, thereby dampening the influence of extreme elements. Might that be a path forward, a way to start chipping away at the issues that have led us to the point of political road rage?
