Posted on 05/23/2016 8:29:25 PM PDT by Trumpinator
The secret to Trump's success: Treating us with respect
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2016 12:15 am
By EDWARD FARLING
Richard Cohen and the New York Times have, quite unintentionally, explained to me Donald Trump's appeal. The explanation was wrapped in the usual patronizing characterizations of his supporters; racist, hateful, uneducated (and therefore unintelligent), but it is not that. Trump supporters want jobs.
Sure, the pundits never said it. They hate Trump and dismiss his supporters, and would never give them that much credit. But they did manage to leave it as the only logical conclusion.
From the first of Cohen's articles, I gathered that he feared Trump had stolen the Democrat playbook and was running it better than either Clinton or Sanders. He said Trump spoke of his supporters as victims and offered appealing but, in Cohen's own humble opinion, ruinous or undeliverable solutions.
Put aside the inflammatory way he says it. Trump tells his supporters they are not victims of assorted oppressions or conspiracies, but of foolish policies and bad deals, most advertised as meant to help them, but hurting them the most.
The New York Times provided the next clue. In a story about the working poor in Kentucky dripping with liberal condescension, they actually asked the working poor why they voted Republican "against their own economic interests." They did not report reactions to Democrat coal policies, which effectively cut off the one avenue of economic opportunity that exists in Kentucky; and which are the most obvious reason Appalachia is "in play" this election.
The Times did, however, report that those in the second income quintile, the working poor, were most opposed to welfare and other government support. They labeled their own relatives living "on the draw" -- taking the red herring of race out of it -- with every negative stereotype of welfare recipients: lazy, drunk or on drugs, having children to get a raise. They know from hard experience that work, not welfare, is the only way out of poverty.
The latest of Cohen's contributions to my understanding was his advocacy for Universal Basic Income. Here, he actually said this core Trump constituency was economic toast in the near-future. His solution was to make them another recipient class numbering in the tens of millions, permanently ensnared in the safety net, and I infer voting Democrat for generations to preserve their guaranteed poverty. Can you imagine a more contemptuous statement about the working class Democrats used to represent? This Trump constituency rejects the opportunity to sell their votes for "their fair share" of the public treasury. They demand not even work, but a fair chance to find work. They don't want our immigration laws enforced because they hate Mexicans. They want immigration laws enforced because some large share of the 11 million (that was 20 million before Obama started working to let them stay) who have no legal right to be here are competing for work in factories and the trades. They oppose Democrat promises to shut down coal mines in West Virginia and fracking in Pennsylvania because those policies erase the only decent-paying jobs that have come this way in years. They know the U.S. could have done much better in negotiating trade deals, and they are suffering for it.
I am no fan of Donald Trump. I fear the reaction if he is unable to deliver for his already (often rightly) angry supporters. I also understand the people supporting him. Like them, I was raised to understand that the only entitlement in America is the chance to earn my own way. The real secret to Trump's success with patronizingly labeled "downscale," "less-educated," "un- or low-skilled workers" is not "making them comfortable with their prejudices." It is treating them and their desire to find honest work with the respect they deserve.
Edward Farling, Holland, is a concerned citizen.
As my Father told me fifty years ago when I was a whining 13 Year Old who had to work at his Business in order to get an allowance, “nobody owes you a living, so shut up and get back to work”.
Difficult for me to think that in today’s world he would be accused of child abuse if he were overheard saying that to his 13 Year Old Son in Public.
The primary appeal of Trump is the belief that maybe he is different than other politicians in that he has not sold out to the special interests but that instead he will put his oath of office first. Personally I don’t trust him. However when compared to the competition he may be our best hope this year.
Unlike Levin and Cruz that pissed in our shoes.
You had a wonderful Dad!
He’s 93 and still driving me crazy. LOL
A key thing is that though he is a billionaire, Trump never talks DOWN to people, he never speaks at 1 mph like at kindergarten “Story Telling Time”.
HILLARY **ALWAYS** DOES THAT.
He’s also genuinely funny, and that HUMANIZES him.
People imagine him as someone they know from a little league game, or maybe a barbeque.
He’s a Manhattan billionaire, but they don’t see him that way, mostly.
“It is treating them and their desire to find honest work with the respect they deserve. “
Yep another one starting to get it. Grudgingly, but he is starting to understand.
Good article and on the nose.
I work in Montgomery county and live in north bucks, where this was written. Now the Holland area north of Newtown well. Hit it on the money, I know a few folks that could be called old time democratic voters who are real big trump guys.
One guy I work with is from Pittsburgh and though he has degree, the rest of the clan out west depend on working class jobs. All are Trump fans.
This election has the possibility of a new realignment of the parties.
Trump has been the only candidate who has, throughout, been a total patriot, plain speaking, exhibiting common sense and demonstrating that he is a “CAN DO” Yankee who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.
This is the old NASA type “Failure is not an option” approach and we sorely miss this attitude. He cuts through the BS that has been piled high since 2008.
Trump may not be perfect but he may be the last hope of a nation willing to regain it’s power, prestige and influence in the world.
they actually asked the working poor why they voted Republican “against their own economic interests.”
I am trying to earn my keep on here by posting good content - stuff that explains rather than preaches to the choir.
You have been doing a fine job at your self appointed task.
More please, and thank you for your hard work.
Trump’s strong stand on muslims and homosexual buggery are two reasons for his mass appeal. Go Trump 2016!
I’d give literally ANYTHING to have my parents back!
You are so lucky my FRiend!
“A key thing is that though he is a billionaire, Trump never talks DOWN to people, he never speaks at 1 mph like at kindergarten “Story Telling Time”.”
If his dad hadn’t left him a couple hundred million he would be just like us.
Yep - Trump talks instead of lectures and doesn’t use either “King’s English” or gutter slang. He talks like us....
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