The Republican Party of Baphomet is gleefully leading the charge from the rear, sending their White Nationalists, Replacement Theory racists, enraged Incels, women haters (might be the same group), and xenophobes as shock troops. Hard to imagine. A major American party is devoted to overthrowing American democracy, and we don’t just accept it meekly; a lot of us call these “Good times.” What the unholy hell? But we didn’t fall from grace by accident. Oh no. We were pushed.
The whispering Q tells us complex, difficult lies. Frowning pundits expand the lies, making them pretty and satisfying. Sly and devilish Republicans build wheedling arguments out of doubts and fears. “All those other people aren’t like you,” they say. “They don’t just mock and disdain; they despise you.” Whispers and hints. “When you’re not looking, those educated elites laugh down their long, Jewish noses at you.” The whispers get louder. “Those city people insult you, calling you dumb idiots.” The orange demon claimed this while bragging about his status with those same city people.
The minions fill in quickly. “But you can reclaim that status you never had!” Gun manufacturers increase their prices with every mass shooting. “Take your country back from those who stole your future from you.” The temperature rises year after year, and oil companies raise their prices to match.
“Everything they tell you is lies,” the False Prophet slips in quickly. “Only I tell you the truth.” And Lucifer closes his first lock.
We were pushed.
The Devil’s sweet voice slips through the commotion. “Your selfishness isn’t a sin,” we hear. “Only chumps believe in civic virtues.” Then he waits, knowing you’re listening. “Being selfish isn’t just smart; it’s honorable. Charity is for losers.” He smiles. “Does your face hurt? Turn the other cheek if you choose, or you can fight back like real men!” And above the cheering, we hear another click.
As people gather, Beelzebub rises on his cloven hooves, invisible to the willfully blind. “Women falsely accuse us! We are innocent! They dress profanely and shamelessly strut like the harlots they are, raising lust in the minds of good men. They’re liars, all twenty-seven, making false testimony under oath in six states, all to cover their lewd behavior. Do not believe them! We must end abortion (contraception (women’s health care (voting rights (human rights)))). Strumpets and whores must suffer for their sins! Is that not the Lord’s way?” he bellows.
The spell covers the crowd, lifting them in self-righteousness. They call their friends and families as the next speaker struts to the microphone dressed in a white lab coat. “If masks won’t protect you, why do they make you wear them? To protect other people? Hogwash! We already know vaccines are worthless or worse, plots to weaken our children. Do not worry! We’re the good people, not subject to their moral failures. Masks are not a civic virtue; they’re tyranny imposed on the good people by usurpers!”
Each lie builds on the one before, but the people don’t care about truth or lies. “I’m not really a doctor, but listen to me anyway. Stop worrying that you’ll sicken the old and weak. We already said they despise you. You own them nothing; they haven’t earned anything. Why aren’t they working hard? You did! You earned everything you have without receiving any benefit from your family or race. The poor today are just lazy, begging for handouts they don’t deserve!”
We were pushed.
The former military man speaks next. “Be afraid. Fear the ravages of homosexuality and pedophilia. Virtue is fading as the wicked defile the purity of your sons and daughters! The world is a barbarous place, filled with the unworthy. Civilization is ending, crushed under crime and sexual abominations. That’s why you must stockpile guns and ammo. Forget what the Bible tells you; this is God’s work! Prepare to use those guns. You will know the Antichrist when I point.”
The last sound was the final lock closing.
I mean, what the fuck? It’s not only that we’re hearing the unfiltered voice of the Devil. Old Scratch went the whole nine yard: he copyrighted it, signed the bottom, and included his goddamn return address! Didn’t your church teach you anything about Christ’s teachings? They’re calling for pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. NRA Republicans add in a side order of mass murder! Didn’t that tip you off?
No, we didn’t fucking fall. We were pushed. The surprise was how willingly we went. Half of us didn’t even push back.
