What to do?

[lookin]

After Trump got elected, I started wondering what I could do.  I came up with a couple of things:

• I wasn't going to contribute to divisiveness - there's already more than we need
• I would try to help folks who had more problems than I did - MAGA is looking to hurt people

The first thing I started doing right away.  The second has taken some time.  Working with immigrants seems necessary, but I'm not sure how.

President Carter's passing yesterday made things even clearer.  As I thought about his life, it was obvious that he had set politics almost completely aside and chosen to spend his time helping to make life better for those who were much less fortunate.  Aside from showing up at a few political functions, he left that world behind and went to places with diseases he wanted to see cured and he built houses.

I think putting some distance between me and the MAGA movement will be good for my mental health - and probably theirs too.   There are people in that group who have lost compassion for others.  Some of them consider it a good day if they've managed to 'own the libs'.  Hanging around folks with low ambition and negative outlooks won't do me any good.  Jimmy Carter realized that and just walked away from the system.  Although one might say that avoiding that system is itself a political statement.

So I'm learning more about the immigrants in my neighborhood and what they're feeling and what they need.  Those needs will probably become clearer when Homan lands.  I've been talking with friends and neighbors and hope that will lead to work that needs doing.

Anyone else looking for additional things to do?

 

[Latbear4blk]

7 hours ago, lookin said:

So I'm learning more about the immigrants in my neighborhood and what they're feeling and what they need.  Those needs will probably become clearer when Homan lands.  I've been talking with friends and neighbors and hope that will lead to work that needs doing.

 

Perhaps you want to contact your local school district, or teachers' union? In DC, we are getting ready to support families in the event of the massive deportations threats becoming a reality. We have to be prepared for the case of children having their parents kidnapped during the school day. I am currently out of the US, but I have a meeting already scheduled shortly after my return to draft a plan for my school.

[vinapu]

8 hours ago, lookin said:

I think putting some distance between me and the MAGA movement will be good for my mental health - and probably theirs too.   There are people in that group who have lost compassion for others.  

 

considering their  mental state they may soon need compassion themselves

[Suckrates]

10 hours ago, lookin said:

After Trump got elected, I started wondering what I could do.  I came up with a couple of things:

• I wasn't going to contribute to divisiveness - there's already more than we need
• I would try to help folks who had more problems than I did - MAGA is looking to hurt people

The first thing I started doing right away.  The second has taken some time.  Working with immigrants seems necessary, but I'm not sure how.

President Carter's passing yesterday made things even clearer.  As I thought about his life, it was obvious that he had set politics almost completely aside and chosen to spend his time helping to make life better for those who were much less fortunate.  Aside from showing up at a few political functions, he left that world behind and went to places with diseases he wanted to see cured and he built houses.

I think putting some distance between me and the MAGA movement will be good for my mental health - and probably theirs too.   There are people in that group who have lost compassion for others.  Some of them consider it a good day if they've managed to 'own the libs'.  Hanging around folks with low ambition and negative outlooks won't do me any good.  Jimmy Carter realized that and just walked away from the system.  Although one might say that avoiding that system is itself a political statement.

So I'm learning more about the immigrants in my neighborhood and what they're feeling and what they need.  Those needs will probably become clearer when Homan lands.  I've been talking with friends and neighbors and hope that will lead to work that needs doing.

Anyone else looking for additional things to do?

 

@lookin, you know how much I respect you and your opinions, but on this one,  I must disagree a bit.  Now is NOT the time to be disengaged.  We MUST pay attention to everything going on and search for the TRUTH, because we WILL NOT get it from Trump or his administration.  All you will get from Trump is "Everything is PERFECT, BECAUSE I SAY SO "... If we "turn off" we will all just get steamrolled by The Trump Train....  You all know thru my posts here of my  extreme hatred for Trump and his agenda, and for some time I gave his MAGA psychos a pass on HIS attitude and agenda, but have come to realize THET are as much to blame as he is.  Without their undying loyal support, HE would be Nothing.   I have given up trying to learn what triggers or angers MAGA,  I just dont care anymore.  Their agenda is harmful and dangerous, and what THEY still dont realize is that Trumps damage will affect THEM too.  They are just an angry and misguided, misinformed group of people, and I cant fix that..... THEY come to any civil conversation ready and wanting to FIGHT.  They are a group of "cultists" like no other. 

So, I stay consumed and aware with the news I feel makes sense to me and seems truthful, from people that have proven to be credible, and hope we can at least get thru 2 years, at which point me might see some reversal of fortune ?     There is a Democratic group at the local senior center and I plan on paying them a visit, to perhaps lend a hand.  At 74 there is not much "physical" help i can offer, but thankfully my mind is still pretty much in tact.   

Whatever your plans for continuance are to get thru the day, please stay AWARE and engaged.  The STORM is almost here.   

[Pete1111]

I was determined to get involved and do all that I could so that if the outcome goes MAGA, I won't wake up the next day and regret.  I know I did my part.

What now?  I have no answers.  I worry, but refuse to spend time feeling doom and gloom.

I did cancel my WAPO and stopped MSNBC.   I carefully tailor the news sources that I access.  There is only so much time in the day.

It's worrisome that the MAGA people's power is growing.   But at some point the pendulum will come back in our direction.  These folks are already fighting each other.  They aren't agreeing on which alternate truth to support.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/530089116294180/

 

 

 

 

[Suckrates]

23 minutes ago, Pete1111 said:

I was determined to get involved and do all that I could so that if the outcome goes MAGA, I won't wake up the next day and regret.  I know I did my part.

What now?  I have no answers.  I worry, but refuse to spend time feeling doom and gloom.

I did cancel my WAPO and stopped MSNBC.   I carefully tailor the news sources that I access.  There is only so much time in the day.

It's worrisome that the MAGA people's power is growing.   But at some point the pendulum will come back in our direction.  These folks are already fighting each other.  They aren't agreeing on which alternate truth to support.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/530089116294180/

 

 

 

 

Once the rag-tag MAGA's start feeling the pain of their OWN decisions, they just may see the light ?  But MAGA opposition MUST stay engaged, regardless how ugly Trump and his clowns get.  

Todays speaker vote MAY be a sign of the GOP mindset.  If they all relinguish absolute power to Trump, it may be harder for the other side to counter ?

But if they start "eatting their own"  the cracks in their party will be advantageous to the left. 

[stevenkesslar]

3 hours ago, Pete1111 said:

I was determined to get involved and do all that I could so that if the outcome goes MAGA, I won't wake up the next day and regret.  I know I did my part.

What now?  I have no answers.  I worry, but refuse to spend time feeling doom and gloom.

Actually, that is a good answer.   Avoid doom and gloom.  😊

My favorite organizing line, and maybe my favorite line about politics, is "the action is in the reaction."   That's Saul Alinsky.

The reaction to COVID chaos ended Trump's Presidency in 2020.  And the reaction to inflation and the border brought him back in 2024 - by 49.7 % of the vote.  I did what I felt I could before the shit storm broke.  So did 48.3 % of Americans. 

I'm going to avoid doom and gloom and wait for the reaction to play out.  Although I'm sure the MAGA folks need not worry.  I mean, it's not like Trump did anything that led to bad electoral outcomes for himself and other Republicans in 2018 or 2020, right?  😉

My nephew I just visited, who is filthy rich and saves corporations lots of money in taxes and voted for Trump I'm sure, even though I didn't ask (I love him deeply, who needs to know that?) is on the board of his state food bank.  It pisses him off that politicians can't compromise more, to do things like end hunger and poverty.  His knee jerk reaction is to throw all the bums out.  

But it's fun to talk with him about things like child tax credits that cut child poverty in half for one year under Biden and Harris.  JD Vance talks about this fairly often, as a pro-family strategy.  Trump has also said he wants to expand the child tax credit.  The money is sure there, if they chose not to give it to their donors, and themselves, in fat cat tax breaks.

So we'll see.  Trump could be the blue collar billionaire who ends child poverty in America.  Or he could be be the hateful raping liar who divides America on purpose and will be remembered as the failed narcissist he is.  I'd be happy if Trump ended child poverty and made Republicans the truly compassionate conservatives.  Don't hold your breath, @lookin.  Just wait for the reaction.

 

[Suckrates]

51 minutes ago, stevenkesslar said:

Actually, that is a good answer.   Avoid doom and gloom.  😊

My favorite organizing line, and maybe my favorite line about politics, is "the action is in the reaction."   That's Saul Alinsky.

The reaction to COVID chaos ended Trump's Presidency in 2020.  And the reaction to inflation and the border brought him back in 2024 - by 49.7 % of the vote.  I did what I felt I could before the shit storm broke.  So did 48.3 % of Americans. 

I'm going to avoid doom and gloom and wait for the reaction to play out.  Although I'm sure the MAGA folks need not worry.  I mean, it's not like Trump did anything that led to bad electoral outcomes for himself and other Republicans in 2018 or 2020, right?  😉

My nephew I just visited, who is filthy rich and saves corporations lots of money in taxes and voted for Trump I'm sure, even though I didn't ask (I love him deeply, who needs to know that?) is on the board of his state food bank.  It pisses him off that politicians can't compromise more, to do things like end hunger and poverty.  His knee jerk reaction is to throw all the bums out.  

But it's fun to talk with him about things like child tax credits that cut child poverty in half for one year under Biden and Harris.  JD Vance talks about this fairly often, as a pro-family strategy.  Trump has also said he wants to expand the child tax credit.  The money is sure there, if they chose not to give it to their donors, and themselves, in fat cat tax breaks.

So we'll see.  Trump could be the blue collar billionaire who ends child poverty in America.  Or he could be be the hateful raping liar who divides America on purpose and will be remembered as the failed narcissist he is.  I'd be happy if Trump ended child poverty and made Republicans the truly compassionate conservatives.  Don't hold your breath, @lookin.  Just wait for the reaction.

 

Happy New Year sis.  Seems like your brief holiday hiatus made you "soft" on Trump , judging by your last paragraph here ?    Do you really believe in a possibility Trump will do ANYTHING to benefit average people ?   And do you think he really even cares ?  Being the"bad boy fighter" and have his MAGA's scream their love for him is the only thing he wants.....Even if they have to pay $10 for a dozen eggs...  Healthcare ?   they dont need it.   Equality ?   They are poor and already NOT equal so who cares ?

If theres ONE thing I would never have, is any faith that Trump would ever serve average people and do anything "helpful" for them.   It's always and will always be The Trump Show. 

[lookin]

On 12/31/2024 at 6:49 AM, Suckrates said:

@lookin, you know how much I respect you and your opinions, but on this one,  I must disagree a bit.  Now is NOT the time to be disengaged.   

Thanks, and not to worry, I won't disengage from the political side.  It's just that there's more to do than spend my time paddling around in the polluted waters of MAGA-dom.  As @Pete1111 says, their own disfunction will cause them more problems than I ever could.  President non-elect Musk is a lot more likely to sideline President-elect Trump than I am.

I've posted before my belief that Trump has been steadily dripping pathogens into our social fabric and I think a counter-dose of support for those who are most damaged is a good way for me to spend my time.

Glad to hear you're connecting with like-minded folks at the senior center.  You've got a lot of knowledge, good insights and passion worth its weight in gold.  They'll be lucky to have you.

Also grateful that @Latbear4blk is supporting folks close to him who could use advice and help.  He's got a long history of compassionate activism and it will definitely help to prevent and heal some of the damage.

And how nice it is to hear @stevenkesslar is working with his family and friends!  He's got a track record of making changes that others didn't think possible.  Just what we need.

During the past week, I've had some amazing conversations with local friends, who have been having conversations with their friends, and there's a lot of effort going into helping those who need it most.  Much of it is in the planning stages but it's clear that compassion far outweighs indifference.  I don't think we'll regret turning compassion into action, even if we have to miss the inauguration.  

[Suckrates]

10 minutes ago, lookin said:

Thanks, and not to worry, I won't disengage from the political side.  It's just that there's more to do than spend my time paddling around in the polluted waters of MAGA-dom.  As @Pete1111 says, their own disfunction will cause them more problems than I ever could.  President non-elect Musk is a lot more likely to sideline President-elect Trump than I am.

I've posted before my belief that Trump has been steadily dripping pathogens into our social fabric and I think a counter-dose of support for those who are most damaged is a good way for me to spend my time.

Glad to hear you're connecting with like-minded folks at the senior center.  You've got a lot of knowledge, good insights and passion worth its weight in gold.  They'll be lucky to have you.

Also grateful that @Latbear4blk is supporting folks close to him who could use advice and help.  He's got a long history of compassionate activism and it will definitely help to prevent and heal some of the damage.

And how nice it is to hear @stevenkesslar is working with his family and friends!  He's got a track record of making changes that others didn't think possible.  Just what we need.

During the past week, I've had some amazing conversations with local friends, who have been having conversations with their friends, and there's a lot of effort going into helping those who need it most.  Much of it is in the planning stages but it's clear that compassion far outweighs indifference.  I don't think we'll regret turning compassion into action, even if we have to miss the inauguration.  

 

Things will likely come into better focus after Jan 21st when "the shit hits the fan", and people actually start being affected or harmed by Trumps agenda.  

You HAVE TO HURT before you can start to heal, and I am hoping these MAGA's have the rudest of awakenings.....    When Musk keeps getting richer from Trumps agenda, but those damned eggs are still almost $10 dozen,  the average folk wont be able to look away and hopefully will demand Trump meet his promises OR explain himself. 

[Pete1111]

2 hours ago, stevenkesslar said:

Actually, that is a good answer.   Avoid doom and gloom.  😊

My favorite organizing line, and maybe my favorite line about politics, is "the action is in the reaction."   That's Saul Alinsky.

The reaction to COVID chaos ended Trump's Presidency in 2020.  And the reaction to inflation and the border brought him back in 2024 - by 49.7 % of the vote.  I did what I felt I could before the shit storm broke.  So did 48.3 % of Americans. 

I'm going to avoid doom and gloom and wait for the reaction to play out.  Although I'm sure the MAGA folks need not worry.  I mean, it's not like Trump did anything that led to bad electoral outcomes for himself and other Republicans in 2018 or 2020, right?  😉

My nephew I just visited, who is filthy rich and saves corporations lots of money in taxes and voted for Trump I'm sure, even though I didn't ask (I love him deeply, who needs to know that?) is on the board of his state food bank.  It pisses him off that politicians can't compromise more, to do things like end hunger and poverty.  His knee jerk reaction is to throw all the bums out.  

But it's fun to talk with him about things like child tax credits that cut child poverty in half for one year under Biden and Harris.  JD Vance talks about this fairly often, as a pro-family strategy.  Trump has also said he wants to expand the child tax credit.  The money is sure there, if they chose not to give it to their donors, and themselves, in fat cat tax breaks.

So we'll see.  Trump could be the blue collar billionaire who ends child poverty in America.  Or he could be be the hateful raping liar who divides America on purpose and will be remembered as the failed narcissist he is.  I'd be happy if Trump ended child poverty and made Republicans the truly compassionate conservatives.  Don't hold your breath, @lookin.  Just wait for the reaction.

 

I sense there is a foundation of empathy in your family, whether Trumpsters or not.  I'm curious what your nephew proposed to do about the homeless.  Not that he owes anyone the answer because it's a tough problem to solve.   

Most of my siblings and cousins accept me for being gay, both the MAGA relatives and the libs.  That's a comfort.

I am curious how long the country can thrive with politicians that lower taxes on the rich and on the corporations and do away with various elements of the public sector and public assets.  

I look forward to Trump getting sentenced by Judge Marchan on January 10th, as an important symbol of our Democracy.

The corporate media will make hay as long as they can about it.  Another reason I cut them off. 

All I need to hear is the sentence, and what Marchan has to say about Trump's crimes. 

IMO, this is a meaningful way for the history books to frame the beginning of our next chapter.  The felon as President.

Lastly, I trust the framework will hold, even though it seems the patients will be running the asylum.

[Latbear4blk]

1 hour ago, lookin said:

I've posted before my belief that Trump has been steadily dripping pathogens into our social fabric and I think a counter-dose of support for those who are most damaged is a good way for me to spend my time.

 

I think you may be overestimating Trump's historic significance. But I agree 100% with your call for more human empathy. Anti-trumpism is mirroring Trumpism's intolerance and hateful mindset. Focusing on loving and supporting, fostering a culture of cooperativism instead of selfish individualism is a much more effective approach to fight current craziness and anomia, in my opinion.

And thank you for your kind words. I tend to forget that I have been a progressive activist for more than 40 years, in two different cultures. I appreciate you.

[stevenkesslar]

On 1/3/2025 at 1:41 PM, Pete1111 said:

I sense there is a foundation of empathy in your family, whether Trumpsters or not.  I'm curious what your nephew proposed to do about the homeless.  Not that he owes anyone the answer because it's a tough problem to solve.   

Most of my siblings and cousins accept me for being gay, both the MAGA relatives and the libs.  That's a comfort.

I am curious how long the country can thrive with politicians that lower taxes on the rich and on the corporations and do away with various elements of the public sector and public assets.  

I look forward to Trump getting sentenced by Judge Marchan on January 10th, as an important symbol of our Democracy.

The corporate media will make hay as long as they can about it.  Another reason I cut them off. 

All I need to hear is the sentence, and what Marchan has to say about Trump's crimes. 

IMO, this is a meaningful way for the history books to frame the beginning of our next chapter.  The felon as President.

Lastly, I trust the framework will hold, even though it seems the patients will be running the asylum.

This is all very interesting stuff, because I love all the people involved - my family.   And it is an example of how things are not as bad as they seem.  

I'm almost sure my nephew voted for Trump, although I haven't actually asked him.  He understands I'm basically a Sandernista at heart.  And the best thing I could hope for is higher tax rates on the Fortune 500 corporations he services.  Like when we were talking about poverty (what weird people talk about THAT over the holidays?  lol) I said the single best thing Trump or Biden or anyone could do is raise tax rates on rich people and do things like child tax credits.  He does not disagree.  He loves to talk about how we could fund child tax credits if they got the money by cleaning up the tax code and government waste.

The most negative thing I could say is that he is like most people, and has a "pox on all their houses" attitude about the inability of anyone in Congress to not to fuck it all up. Ironic, in his case.  I could say, "You work for a big accounting firm just like the one that fucked us with Enron and fucked us with with so many other frauds, you fucking fuck.  Who are you to judge?"  Needless to say, I don't say that. 

He does wish Congress could figure it out and eliminate child poverty, which we have the money to do.  What I don't think he fully appreciates is that, in the end, US Reps and Senators will usually serve the interests of big accounting firms and corporations over poor kids.  So he actually is kind of the problem.  Because I don't think he wants to admit that all politicians (who are smart) are whores and they do what voters want, so they stay in power.  So it's really just wishful thinking on his part.  

In terms of Gay stuff, he and everyone in my family are models of DEI behavior.   Because I am Gay and liberal, he likes to talk about his pride in his company's inclusive behavior.  Including how it is good for people like his daughters.   Before clowns like @EmmetK ruelty trashed DEI, it actually existed decades ago as a way to meet the needs of LGBTQ people in corporations.  So I can have open discussions about Gay stuff with my nephew and his wife and their kids at dinner, even though this was all happening in a Southern red state.  I love that my nephew's wife, who is a very kind person, could openly say she'd have a hard time adjusting if either of her daughters turned out to be a lesbian.  I think the good news, which we all fought very hard for, is that now you can have open and tolerant discussions about these very sensitive things with most people.

[stevenkesslar]

On 1/3/2025 at 2:48 PM, Latbear4blk said:

I think you may be overestimating Trump's historic significance.

I'll throw this in here because I just read it yesterday.  And anything Ron Brownstein writes I take seriously.

Why ‘Late Regime’ Presidencies Fail

This is every progressive's worst fear, and @EmmetKruelty's great dark fantasy:   12 or more years of glorious MAGA rule, with Trump on Mt. Rushmore rather than in jail.   Or maybe we could rename America Trumpland, rather than buy Greenland?

I'd argue Brownstein could be right - if Trump were not the narcissistic felon he is.   I agree with Mark Halperin (and Karl Rove) that Trump is a grade A feral political animal with great instincts about how to almost get 50 % of the vote on his third and best try, thanks to global inflation and someone smarter than him like Susie Wiles.  But 49.7 %  does not a majority make.  Let alone a Reagan landslide - as Brownstein points out . 

Halperin likes to think Trump will rise to the occasion, if only because he wants to be on Mount Rushmore, and do unifying right of center things that create a MAGA majority.  Don't hole your breath.  That's kind of like hoping a reptile will act like MLK.  They are just very different things.

We'll know soon enough, I think.

[Suckrates]

6 minutes ago, stevenkesslar said:

This is all very interesting stuff, because I love all the people involved - my family.   And it is an example of how things are not as bad as they seem.  

I'm almost sure my nephew voted for Trump, although I haven't actually asked him.  He understands I'm basically a Sandernista at heart.  And the best thing I could hope for is higher tax rates on the Fortune 500 corporations he services.  Like when we were talking about poverty (what weird people talk about THAT over the holidays?  lol) I said the single best thing Trump or Biden or anyone could do is raise tax rates on rich people and do things like child tax credits.  He does not disagree.  He loves to talk about how we could fund child tax credits if they got the money by cleaning up the tax code and government waste.

The most negative thing I could say is that he is like most people, and has a "pox on all their houses" attitude about the inability of anyone in Congress to not to fuck it all up. Ironic, in his case.  I could say, "You work for a big accounting firm just like the one that fucked us with Enron and fucked us with with so many other frauds, you fucking fuck.  Who are you to judge?"  Needless to say, I don't say that. 

He does wish Congress could figure it out and eliminate child poverty, which we have the money to do.  What I don't think he fully appreciates is that, in the end, US Reps and Senators will usually serve the interests of big accounting firms and corporations over poor kids.  So he actually is kind of the problem.  Because I don't think he wants to admit that all politicians (who are smart) are whores and they do what voters want, so they stay in power.  So it's really just wishful thinking on his part.  

In terms of Gay stuff, he and everyone in my family are models of DEI behavior.   Because I am Gay and liberal, he likes to talk about his pride in his company'sinclusive behavior, including how it is good for people like his daughters.   Before clowns like @EmmetK ruelty trashed DEI, it actually existed decades ago as a way to meet the needs of LGBTQ people in corporations.  So I can have open discussions about Gay stuff with my nephew and his wife and their kids at dinner, even though this was all happening in a Southern red state.  I love that my nephew's wife, who is a very kind person, could openly say she'd have a hard time adjusting if either of her daughters turned out to be a lesbian.  I think the good news, which we all fought very hard for, is that now you can have open and tolerant discussions about these very sensitive things with most people.

I wouldnt say MOST PEOPLE.   SOME people would be a more accurate statement.   Especially on issue of "TRANS",  many conservatives dont share a humane, equality view. 

They still see it the way Trump presents it, as a FREAK show.   I suppose we will see how people feel when Trumps starts enacting all his promised oppressive policies, worst of which will be aimed at immigrants and TRANS people.   When the shit starts hitting the fan, we will see if people really have HEART ?  

[stevenkesslar]

17 minutes ago, Suckrates said:

I wouldnt say MOST PEOPLE.   SOME people would be a more accurate statement.   Especially on issue of "TRANS",  many conservatives dont share a humane, equality view. 

That's an interesting one, where I think the "woke" stuff went too far.  That anti-trans ad was Exhibit A.  It was devastating because it was in Kamala's own words.  I think she lost because of inflation and immigration (which Trump himself has said).  But the "woke" stuff hurt at the margin.

I can go to family on almost all these things.  I have a nephew and wife in a liberal state (not the one I mentioned above, who is in a red state) with two daughters.  One looks a bit like a tomboy.  She has a first name that is kind of ambiguous as to gender.  So in Washington what they found is that a bunch of woke people just assumed that the daughter, who is a girl and identifies as a girl, was transitioning.  It got weird enough that they started calling the daughter by her middle name, which is quite feminine sounding.  In order to make it clear she is a girl.  This is a 6 year old kid.  So it is just weird. 

I would argue it is a bit the opposite of my problem at her age.  I went to a Catholic elementary school where I had no idea I was Gay, no one discussed it, and there was zero support for it.  So I get, and support, the idea of having a supportive environment.  I also get that my Democratic nephew and his wife feel this is "woke" run amok.

Right or wrong, the polling is incredibly clear.  Democrats need to adjust on some of these issues if we want to win.  Especially if we want to have more than 50 Senate seats. That requires something anyone who can count to 51 gets:  being able to win Senate seats in places like Ohio and Missouri and North Dakota.  The message the Republicans are sending is clear:  Democrats are for the trans prisoner, not the working guy.  That is not really true.  But it is a toxic message, as we all just saw.  

I like John Fetterman on this issue, since he starts and ends with empathy.  He has been clearly playing footsie with lots of Trump ideas.  Because he knows he needs votes from the center to stay in office.  But on trans stuff he pushed back on the bullying.  He basically said these kids have a hard life.  So stop picking on them. 

So, yes, you are right.  The right wing is picking on vulnerable kids to win elections.  

What a shocker!  And our resident cruel clown, @EmmetKruelty, loves the sick torture.