Crime and Punishment

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/opinion/trump-wins.html

("America Makes a Perilous Choice")

Your editorial warns that all Americans should now be "wary" of an administration that will set a "top priority on amassing unchecked power and punishing its perceived enemies."  

Wasn't that exactly why his supporters elected Mr. Trump?

They don't fear authoritarian rule. They welcome it. They don't fear his exacting pain on those he has called out. They want this.

In none of these actions do they perceive themselves as being the victim instead of the perpetrator. His prejudices, his misogyny, his vulgarity was not aimed in their direction even as it was. They, you see, are insulated from the worst to come. His grievances their's. His enemies their's. And his power, by extension, their own.

Those who voted for Donald Trump  found in him exactly what brought them comfort and satisfaction.  The  rest they merely discarded.

We have wondered how nations could be captured by their worst instincts, ready and willing to do terrible harm to many in their midst. Not indiscriminately but with intention and malice aforethought. Deriving pleasure from other's tragedies. 

Let us wonder no more.