Donald Trump, Class Warrior
bloombergview.com
bloombergview.com
that's a dangerous view - trump has shown himself time again to be a good negotiator and has made good, calculated decisions. he has charisma! it's more likely that he would 'get something done' (not for better but for worse, probably) than somebody like ted cruz, who also rails against this political system, but who is more explicit in his disregard for the 'average joe' and is hated by the entire republican delegation to congress
All of these are things that the sitting US president has done in fairly recent history solely by power of the executive branch. There are many things the president can't do alone, but there are many, many things he or she can.
On all other issues Trump supporters are more divided. Except for this one, where support is near universal. Trump is the logical conclusion of 40 years of race baiting in politics. This is not about "political correctness", except insofar that that bigotry used to be concealed to avoid harsh social judgement, and now it's just out there in the open. Trump's base consists almost entirely of white people who harbor racial anger. The notion that Trump's campaign is really about class instead isn't borne out by the facts. To the contrary, it's a refusal to acknowledge the obvious.
[1]http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/27015...
For some people, being economically liberal can only occur when they feel that the 'other' groups aren't getting in on the deal.
But I think to some degree, one of the other reasons for his rise to popularity (and that of a lot of other outsider figures, like Sanders) is because people are getting sick of the media and corporate narrative and want someone who isn't constantly being pushed on them.
They've seen the media attacks on people as 'bigots'. They've seen the politicians seemingly completely ignore their concerns and the increasing disconnect between the average voter and the average politician or journalist.
So they start supporting simple talk, more 'down to earth' types outside of the political world, the corporate media goes straight back on the attack, so yet more people start supporting the outsider politicians, rinse and repeat. The political and media worlds turned on their audience and supporters, and now it's coming back to haunt them in the way of people like Trump riding in on a wave of popularity and public support.
Trump's support jumps when he talks against certain groups of people. It is not accidental to his support it is essential to his support. The racism isn't an anti-elitist posture, it is an essential element of his campaign.
And my PC friends don't use the term "redneck", and do not look down in disdain on poor people. Who is the author hanging out with?
Granted it was Facebook, where everyone is tying to be a comedian, but still. I don't think a face to face conversation would be that different.
Every 4 years My "PC" friends almost unanimouisly call republicans rednecks and nazi's and bigots, fascists, and rapists, etc etc etc. Why is it impossible for people to think that after so many years of that, those people get angry.
Even in this thread, trump supporters are called racist, because they want to restrict immigration.
That is not a poor position, or a southern position. I don't think you can conflate criticism of that position with prejudice against republicans. Most republicans are against targeting members of a religion or race.