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Preemptive Schadenfreude
Nov. 10th, 2024 11:09 amWell, it looks like my days with the Shawangunk Democrats are numbered.
And I just got my Shawangunk Dem tee-shirt, too!
I went to the monthly meeting yesterday expecting—what exactly? I dunno.
It’s always disturbed me that the group consists of 20 or so women and exactly three men. We’re all white, too. The majority of the women (including me, of course) are Of a Certain Age, and I’d bet the majority of us own cats. We are parodies of the stereotypical Harris voter.
Anyway, the meeting had no agenda. I don’t know what exactly we were supposed to do—eat pizza & grieve?
The pizza wasn’t all that good, and nobody in my family/friendship group has died of cancer.
###
I could sort of tolerate the random chatter when we were all sitting around. But once the meeting officially got underway & people were testifying in front of the group—much as one does at funeral services or in Tyler Perry movies—I could not stand what was coming out of these people’s mouths.
Not a word about regrouping, figuring out what went wrong, addressing that. Not a single strategy for getting stronger.
No, it was all preemptive schadenfreude: And they’re gonna be so-o-o sorry when Trump cuts food stamps—
That one I let pass because Trump very likely will try to slash food stamps in the next couple of months. What he’d like to replace it with is something called “Harvest Boxes,” shelf-stable foods chosen by the government, presumably culled from agricultural surpluses because leave us not forget that wayyyy back in 1939 when the food stamp program was originally implemented, it was seen as a way to prop up crop prices.
It’s somewhat ironic that if food stamps survive, it will be due to the efforts of staunch capitalist exponents such as Walmart & Krogers who depend upon food stamps for a significant percentage of their revenues.
###
But when Geri stood up & announced, Prices are already going up. Because tariffs, I just couldn’t stand it anymore.
“No, they haven’t,” I called from my seat at the table—a protocol no-no.
“Well, if they haven’t, they will. It says so right in The Washington Post. The CEO of AutoZone was quoted as saying they will be raising prices ahead of the tariffs—”
“That’s called price-gouging,” I said. “There’s a NAPA auto parts store in Montgomery. I suggest you shop there.”
Geri glared at me. “Corporations are already preparing to raise prices. This has been widely cited in the days leading up to the election.”
“You won’t see price hikes related to any new tariffs for about 12 months,” I said. “Since there's a considerable backlog of inventory right now. If they go up before then, it's price-gouging.”
“I think you should read the articles before you talk about them,” said Geri.
“I think it’s condescending of you to assume I haven’t read the articles,” I said. “And condescension is what lost the Democrats this election. Democrats like to attribute their electoral shortcomings to the character flaws of other Americans. But you know what? The truth is no amount of communication can overcome the barrier of condescension.”
Gerri glared. “It’s sad that in a group of like-minded individuals, you can be so dismissive of another person’s comments, but sure, I’m the condescending person in this scenario.”
“And there you go again,” I said. “Like-minded individuals? Who’s being dismissive, Geri? I'm sorry Trump won. I worked very hard to prevent Trump from winning. But I'm not going to join a cabal singing some off-key rendition of—”
And here, Gentle Reader, I broke into song! 🎶 I wanna be around to pick up the pieces when Trump breaks your heart to bits… 🎶
The ghost of Tony Bennett doesn’t have to watch its back!
Shortly thereafter, I left.
###
Working & playing well with others was one of the weak subjects on my elementary school report card.
I’ve gotten much better at it as I’ve gotten older, particularly when money is involved. If money is involved, I’m all like, Wow! Who knew? Thank you for showing me the error of my ways!
But when money isn’t involved, sometimes I revert.
And I just got my Shawangunk Dem tee-shirt, too!
I went to the monthly meeting yesterday expecting—what exactly? I dunno.
It’s always disturbed me that the group consists of 20 or so women and exactly three men. We’re all white, too. The majority of the women (including me, of course) are Of a Certain Age, and I’d bet the majority of us own cats. We are parodies of the stereotypical Harris voter.
Anyway, the meeting had no agenda. I don’t know what exactly we were supposed to do—eat pizza & grieve?
The pizza wasn’t all that good, and nobody in my family/friendship group has died of cancer.
###
I could sort of tolerate the random chatter when we were all sitting around. But once the meeting officially got underway & people were testifying in front of the group—much as one does at funeral services or in Tyler Perry movies—I could not stand what was coming out of these people’s mouths.
Not a word about regrouping, figuring out what went wrong, addressing that. Not a single strategy for getting stronger.
No, it was all preemptive schadenfreude: And they’re gonna be so-o-o sorry when Trump cuts food stamps—
That one I let pass because Trump very likely will try to slash food stamps in the next couple of months. What he’d like to replace it with is something called “Harvest Boxes,” shelf-stable foods chosen by the government, presumably culled from agricultural surpluses because leave us not forget that wayyyy back in 1939 when the food stamp program was originally implemented, it was seen as a way to prop up crop prices.
It’s somewhat ironic that if food stamps survive, it will be due to the efforts of staunch capitalist exponents such as Walmart & Krogers who depend upon food stamps for a significant percentage of their revenues.
###
But when Geri stood up & announced, Prices are already going up. Because tariffs, I just couldn’t stand it anymore.
“No, they haven’t,” I called from my seat at the table—a protocol no-no.
“Well, if they haven’t, they will. It says so right in The Washington Post. The CEO of AutoZone was quoted as saying they will be raising prices ahead of the tariffs—”
“That’s called price-gouging,” I said. “There’s a NAPA auto parts store in Montgomery. I suggest you shop there.”
Geri glared at me. “Corporations are already preparing to raise prices. This has been widely cited in the days leading up to the election.”
“You won’t see price hikes related to any new tariffs for about 12 months,” I said. “Since there's a considerable backlog of inventory right now. If they go up before then, it's price-gouging.”
“I think you should read the articles before you talk about them,” said Geri.
“I think it’s condescending of you to assume I haven’t read the articles,” I said. “And condescension is what lost the Democrats this election. Democrats like to attribute their electoral shortcomings to the character flaws of other Americans. But you know what? The truth is no amount of communication can overcome the barrier of condescension.”
Gerri glared. “It’s sad that in a group of like-minded individuals, you can be so dismissive of another person’s comments, but sure, I’m the condescending person in this scenario.”
“And there you go again,” I said. “Like-minded individuals? Who’s being dismissive, Geri? I'm sorry Trump won. I worked very hard to prevent Trump from winning. But I'm not going to join a cabal singing some off-key rendition of—”
And here, Gentle Reader, I broke into song! 🎶 I wanna be around to pick up the pieces when Trump breaks your heart to bits… 🎶
The ghost of Tony Bennett doesn’t have to watch its back!
Shortly thereafter, I left.
###
Working & playing well with others was one of the weak subjects on my elementary school report card.
I’ve gotten much better at it as I’ve gotten older, particularly when money is involved. If money is involved, I’m all like, Wow! Who knew? Thank you for showing me the error of my ways!
But when money isn’t involved, sometimes I revert.
