[FRIAM] schadenfreude - a political rant

[Prof David West]

After Trump won, something I had been telling people would happen since
January last year, Nick constantly questioned me as to my 
schadenfreude-ic attitude - taking pleasure in the misery of all the
astounded liberals. Watching Bill Maher with some friends - also hard
core liberal democrats - I was struck by two things: 1), all the fury
and ridicule heaped on Trump (deservedly so) is really nothing more than
schadenfreude at the misery of Trump and his circle. Pleasurable
perhaps, but just as pointless as my gloating after the election; 2)
speaking purely tactically, the actions of the media and the liberal
establishment in reaction to Trump is going to assure his re-election to
a second term instead of prevent it. Nothing is being done at present to
reduce his popularity among those that voted for him while
simultaneously creating a platform for next time, " I tried to keep my
promises to you, but those liberal and democratic SOB's didn't let me.
Give me a real mandate and we will show them just how big a bunch of
losers they really are." (More sophisticated than that, but that is the
gist.)

Russia will not save us. Nothing will be found except more nasty,
vulgar, and immoral — but absolutely legal — behavior. At most, some
peripherals who illegally exploited their association with the Trump
campaign - e.g. Flynn - will suffer. Mobilizing bases, better
candidates, etc. will not save us - it will merely increase the shouting
the mutual animus and the polarization of our country.

My friends and I engaged in heated discussion - mostly the same kind of
"how can you," "my side is right," "Trump's supporters are morons but
Democrat supporters are universally enlightened," etc. etc. that
everyone is engaged in right now - before coming to a consensus.

Government has become locked into ideas, philosophies, and programs that
are grounded in, and straight jacketed by, things that worked in the
1940s (Democrats) and 1950s (Republicans). More of any of that cannot
possible work or be useful today. The only answer is true innovation.

Bringing innovation to government will not be easy. No institution is
more adverse to change - except maybe academia. Built in barriers, e.g.
procurement rules that guarantee only those who have proven they are
huge,  incompetent and with a history of expensive failures are even
allowed to bid on government contracts, will make it near impossible.

But, should we not be able to come up with original ideas along with
strategies and tactics to leverage the Web and social media to make them
possible? Would that not be an interesting and challenging, and
worthwhile endeavor?

davew