Title: Retired general warns the U.S. military could lead a coup after the 2024 election

Only in communist countries do they politically brainwash their soldiers.

    • SoyViking [he/him]
      ·
      3 years ago

      They want fascism but it is not likely that they are ready to risk their pampered suburban lifestyle to achieve it. Fascism will come slowly though the ballot box, not suddenly through a coup.

      • 420blazeit69 [he/him]
        ·
        3 years ago

        A lot of people are deeply dissatisfied with their pampered suburban lifestyle. They love fantasizing about it getting swept away so that they essentially have another shot at living a meaningful, fulfilling life. That's the core appeal of a lot of post-apocalyptic fiction (especially stuff where some society survives, and the reader stand-in gets to have a real voice in it).

        Now there's a huge difference between fantasy and actually going forward with something, but the pump is primed, and shit like QAnon is facilitating the steps from fantasy to action. You get the right leader, or the right crisis, or the right enemy, and a lot of suburbanites might be willing to move to action. They're already the most politically active segment of society. And if they see a little bit of success? Well now they're already doing it, and it's working, so there's inertia to stay at it even if objectively they're less comfortable than before.