Posted on 02/16/2016 7:17:18 AM PST by AT7Saluki
The other GOP candidates are finally starting to fight on Donald Trump’s terms, to judge by the slugfest that was Saturday night’s debate. But it speaks volumes — whole encyclopedias — about the ignorance of our political and media elites that they’re only now realizing that much of what Trump’s been doing is just busting balls.
It’s a blue-collar ritual, with clear rules — overtly insulting, sure, but with infinite subtleties. It can be a test of manliness, a sign of respect, a way of bonding and much more.
Rule No. 1: You can wince, but don’t squeal.
Rule No. 2: Bust right back, if you can.
Not knowing how to play is no excuse. And not getting it shows you have no idea how a huge swath of America lives — the Americans whom Trump has made his base.
From the start, Trump targeted the (mostly) white working class, which happens to be 40 percent of the country. And he’s done it not just with issues, but with how he talks — the ball-busting, the “bragging,†the over-the-top promises.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
It bears repeating:
“How smart is it to lose?
If it works, is it stupid?”
People see portraits of the founding fathers and think it was all powdered wigs, lace collars and tea and crumpets when this country was founded. I don’t think so. I’ll bet the founding fathers were some of the biggest ball busters ever born.
You entirely misunderstand the kayfabe master Trump, and ascribe his most essential characteristic, inauthenticity, to his opponents.
You will learn, but it appears that you will learn the hard way. Then again, as the old saw puts it: “The lessons we learn best are those that cost us the most.”
I wish Selzer of the DMR would analyze SC.
It's dishonorable if you don't play by Marquis of Huckleberry rules. /s
More of article
From the start, Trump targeted the (mostly) white working class, which happens to be 40 percent of the country. And he’s done it not just with issues, but with how he talks — the ball-busting, the “bragging,” the over-the-top promises.
“Bragging” is in quotes because it’s not (all) about his ego: The endless reciting of poll numbers, the constant references to how much the media’s paying attention, is mainly about showing that he’s beating the cultural elite.
Beating the elite on behalf of his voters — who’ve been invisible to the politicians and the media for decades.
Consider a huge story that vanished almost immediately in early November: Two Princeton economists discovered that deaths are soaring among middle-aged, low-education whites.
The rise in mortality from 1999 to 2014 was 22 percent: Up 134 deaths per 100,000 for whites aged 45 to 54 whose education ended in high school.
To blame: jumps in suicides and in deaths from drug abuse — that is, from alcoholic liver disease plus overdoses of heroin and prescription opiates.
One of the economists, Nobel winner Angus Deaton, notes that the only modern trend that compares is the AIDS epidemic.
AIDS won headlines for a decade. The Deaton findings basically vanished from the media after a day.
And these soaring death rates are just one sign of the stresses the American working class faces. Many other blue-collar folks struggle on OK. But they know they’ve got huge problems that just don’t get talked about — and anyone who does raise them gets denounced and then ignored.
Until Trump.
America hasn’t been great for the working class for decades — which is why “Make America Great Again” is a great slogan for a guy who’s talking tough on the problems that blue-collar Americans (and more than a few middle-class folks) see as killing them.
And getting attention — unbelievable attention — even as he breaks all the “establishment” rules.
Because he’s playing and winning by blue-collar rules, and what are you gonna do about it?
Of course, he also has to show he’s for real. Why should these voters trust him? Answering those unspoken doubts is why Trump doubles down on his promises — he’s not just going to build a wall, but make Mexico pay.
First off, it’s funny — always a plus. More, it says he’ll damn well at least get the wall built.
LOL!!! Trump is a MEMBER of the ruling elite class of criminals, born and raised.
it’s also apparent that your guy is losing by much more. I’m betting that if your guy was winning with 35 you’d be satisfied.
I’m amazed at the RINO hate towards Trump supporters.
Those who don’t support Trump are those on the left of the republican party.
Cruz is toast, in the end my guy wins. And those leftist whining RINO’S will lose and be whining.
There’s a lot to be said for pointing out that your opponent is well, worthless. :-)
Well, they would have been able to look up to McCain, a war hero, or proclaimed. They would have been able to look up to Romney, probably a nice guy.
One problem. They lost to a not so nice guy.
Maybe that proves the old adage that nice guys finish last.
Posted by major-pelham
Trump for President!
They are acting no different than the John Stewart, John Oliver, Bill Mahr, and Stephen Colbert types that routinely use that sneering condensation when talking about people on the right.
Yes... and being plunged into this chaotic quandarous quagmire with a 4-4 SC is a cruel stab in the forehead. Cruz HAS to herd the Senate cats to deny zero.... at any price.
“There is nothing wrong with using your enemies’ methods against them.”
So you agree with the personal attacks coming from DEEP left field? Interesting.
Most blue collar workers are way smarter than the so called college educated
Look at Bernie Sanders supporters
Most are living at home
Trump is attacking from both sides and top and bottom.He is giving voice to the thoughts and concerns of Americans in their own language.
That's why he is winning.
I think Grassley will be in charge.
Judiciary Committee
Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Chair
Orrin Hatch, Utah
Jeff Sessions, Alabama
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
John Cornyn, Texas
Mike Lee, Utah
Ted Cruz, Texas
Jeff Flake, Arizona
David Vitter, Louisiana
David Perdue, Georgia
Thom Tillis, North Carolina
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