Tuesday, March 1, 2016

PREACHING HIGH VALUES WON'T STOP PEOPLE FROM VOTING FOR TRUMP

PREACHING HIGH VALUES WON'T STOP PEOPLE FROM VOTING FOR TRUMP



The Clinton campaign posted on instagram, attacking Trump, "These are not American values: racism, sexism, bigotry, discrimination, inequality." And Bernie Sanders, echoing HIllary is now saying "love will triumph over hate." But if you're one of the millions of uneducated blue collar folk who has lost a high paying job because it's been exported overseas, or a person whose been tossed out of the middle class by the failure of unregulated capitalism I don't think an appeal to higher values will work. Trump supporters don't want Trillions spent on overseas military adventures, that both political parties have supported, but want that money spent in the U.S. They agree with Trump that NAFTA and the proposed TPP do and will work against the working and middle classes. They are not Tea Party people but want a government (big if necessary) that works for them in terms of Social Security, some kind of national health insurance, and shoring up the safety net for health care and retirement which The Donald advocates. Above all, they want jobs, something that Trump promises. They fear their guns will be taken away and Trump says he will stop that from happening. And, being unsophisticated, they need a scapegoat that will offer an explanation for their pain and anger. Of course Trump offers the Mexicans (blacks too, being a leading voice for Birtherism) and even some fellow billionaires as the cause of their despair. Sure, Trump is a proto-fascist ignorant bigot but this intelligent, cunning man speaks to millions of Americans. Appeals to listen to our Higher Angels won't work. The solution? You tell me!

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