General Discussion

Real short, cults give "losers" a sense of "winning" by projecting all their failures, fears and weaknesses onto others.

And it's crazy, the message can change or even contradict itself, as "whatabouts" vary or a single outlier (Think Willie Horton) is made up to be the rule, and so on.

In return, like the mob, forbidden or outrageous "oh, I love this guilty pleasure" is condoned, such as racism, misogyny, xenophobia, theft, hatred, violence ...



Trumpy wants BOTH.

But it's always to the cult member's personal loss. Loss of dignity, free thought, or even money and lives. I needn't give examples.

Sooner or later (much later) the "winners" realized they are the marks.

This story is being played out now. Unfortunately, again and again, as charlatans get out the fascist playbook and rabble-rouse when conditions are bad, as they were in Germany, or even when they are damn good, but the propaganda ministry says there is depression and repression, in a thriving economy and increased liberties.

The cult gives them up when it's perceived that "the wrong people" are benefiting, and in the "zero sum" thinking, others' gain is seen as one's own loss, even when it isn't.

Greed, hate and delusions are the "three poisons" in Buddhism, and are the three go-to tools in the fascist toolbox.