(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . MAGA Thinking is an Anchor on Progress, and Makes America Worse. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-09-23 In addition having generally abhorrent sociopolitical views and an anti-democratic bent, MAGA “movement” members present a danger to technological and economic progress. As the example below demonstrates, their very mindset stands in the way of advancements needed to improve our lives, so it is in the best interest of our country to assure they “get out of the way” and are isolated from power. In stark contrast to their slogan “Make America Great Again”, MAGA followers nearly always espouse views and thought processes that inhibit technological advance, such as: Their opinions and plans are not driven by facts, data, and objective analysis, but rather start and end with conclusions drawn from others who share their political views, that they accept at face value. They tend to reject anything that is new or requires change, focus on and exaggerate challenges, and perpetuate conspiracy theories that attempt to discredit the objective benefits of progress They attach political motivation to any advancements supported by their opponents, and then refuse to engage in honest intellectual analysis or debate Today I read a social media discussion about Electric Vehicles (EVs) that was a good example. The OP, clearly a MAGA type, posited that “people claiming EVs create no emissions are lying to you”, cherry-picked anti-EV talking points (e.g. producing EV batteries and windmills creates emissions), and went on to list a parade of horribles about challenges of EV adoption (grid capacity, apartment buildings, etc). Their conclusion was that EVs and Green Energy are bad for the environment. MAGA commenters quickly piled on with messages that could be summarized as “you can thank Kamala and the libtards for ruining the earth by shoving Green Energy down our throats”, and “it would be impossible to ever transition to EVs”. This example demonstrates how MAGA thinking stands directly in the path of progress: The MAGA followers reject EVs based on talking points and false strawmen arguments (“Libs claim EVs create no emissions”), without any fact/data driven analysis. There are numerous science-based studies that compare the all-in emissions of EVs vs. gasoline vehicles, that very clearly conclude EVs have a significant environmental impact advantage -- but they will never be viewed by MAGA eyes.. studies that compare the all-in emissions of EVs vs. gasoline vehicles, that very clearly conclude EVs have a significant environmental impact advantage -- but they will never be viewed by MAGA eyes.. They take a “the sky is falling, it can’t be done”, view of EV adoption. Yes, there are many challenges to switching to EVs, but overcoming the challenges associated with implementing advancements is what makes America great, and prosperous! You can bet that theses MAGA types would have reacted the same way if they were around 100 years ago and presented with the transition from horses to cars — and think what it would have meant to the US auto industry if their influence had impeded that advance. You can bet that theses MAGA types would have reacted the same way if they were around 100 years ago and presented with the transition from horses to cars — and think what it would have meant to the US auto industry if their influence had impeded that advance. MAGA people care more about picking political sides and backing their team than they do about the prosperity and well-being of the country. “If Dems are for EVs, I’m against ‘em — end of discussion”. This childish attitude is toxic if it is given influence. While many of us reject MAGA followers based on their repugnant views, I feel that the drag on society and progress that they present, which will MAKE AMERICA WORSE, is an equally dangerous prospect. We must do everything we can to keep their thinking out of positions of influence — beginning with making sure in November that the Trumpster Fire stays far away from Washington DC (with the exception of a federal courtroom) [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/9/23/2272233/-MAGA-Thinking-is-an-Anchor-on-Progress-and-Makes-America-Worse?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/