Disgust proved stronger than the desire for democracy

You can be left-wing (a bit, or very much so), you can be centrist, you can be right-wing (again, a bit or very much so), but to be someone who lives in a state of disgust, you really have to be something special. Fortunately, there don’t seem to be many people who are special.

Here’s the point: I believe that this apparent collapse of regimes such as that of Orbán in Hungary, or the difficulties that Trump seems to be experiencing among his voters, may find its explanation not so much in a sincere desire for democracy — perhaps even before and beyond economic problems — but in citizens’ disgust at what they see being produced by these distorted minds.

I felt disgust — even before indignation or moral condemnation — at the remarks made by Trump and by his vice president about the pope. Particularly the latter, whose name I prefer not to recall, even though he can boast a summa cum laude degree from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy, and who explained to the pope that “he needs to be careful when he talks about theology,” because it is a complicated subject, one that, evidently, a pope (or at least this pope) does not handle as well as someone with a nice bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Ohio. In fact, Leo holds a degree in mathematics, a “Master of Divinity” from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas. 

The images of Trump dressed as Jesus, or of Jesus placing a hand on Trump’s shoulder, are revolting. 

Not just because of the awful artistic style, but conceptually speaking.

They are for me, and I imagine they must be for Catholics and Christians in general. Even though Catholics are known for the institution of forgiveness, I don’t think it will be enough this time. And the Christian churches in the US have already reacted loudly. The Pope is practically silent; two thousand years of history speak for themselves, and in this case, it really isn’t worth it for a Pope to intervene publicly. 

And let’s not even get started on the disgust caused by so many other things Trump has done and is doing, such as: ICE, Iran, Venezuela, the UN, minorities, universities, healthcare, trade, the economy, personal enrichment, the Epstein files… 

Orbán led a small country which, despite itself, was thrust into the international spotlight (against the will of its citizens). Eventually, it grew disgusted by the pitiful state of ethics in public life and by rampant corruption that tore society apart and stunted economic development. The almost totalitarian control of every activity and the closure of newspapers and universities were not enough. The Hungarian people – the majority of them, at least – were prepared to risk a great deal (because fear is always present until the votes are counted) to oust the prime minister, and they succeeded. The disgust was too great.

 I don’t want to sound overly optimistic, but I can also see some clear signs of disgust among Israeli citizens and Jews around the world at Netanyahu’s actions, despite Israel’s domestic laws restricting the freedom to protest. 

Voters have always been quick to vote for extremists, particularly those on the far right. But unless they are forced at gunpoint, as by ICE in the US or the police in Israel, there is a limit to how much they can tolerate before they turn away. And we have probably reached that point.