DEALING WITH THE DONALD
It is tempting for those of us on the left to look at the rise of Trumpism as a form of Kulturkampf, in the best German (!) sense of that word. More on that in a bit.
But this is not simply a matter of Duck Dynasty vs. Downton Abbey. We will never be able to persevere, let alone prevail, if we look at this problem simply as a matter of cultural identity. We indeed live in “interesting times”, but the reasons for this have very deep roots, and go back at least to the founding of the Republic. The cultural hinges that are now broken have been squeaking ever more loudly since Nixon’s “Silent Majority” “Southern Strategy” campaign.
But more fundamentally, the long Republican cultivation of the restive “Working-Class” “Reagan Democrats”, has actually resulted in the largest betrayal in recent political history, and they have just recently begun to figure that out, and they’re seething.
But Republicans keep trying. It is ironic to hear Rubio proclaim “We don’t need more Philosophers, we need more Welders”. Who’s going to hire them, Citicorp? And anyway, he’s late to the party: Trump’s campaign has been all about them since day one. These guys (and I mean that: his appeal is founded on the male sense of worth, or if you prefer, ego) are, or used to be, welders, machinists, shop foremen, etc. who used to have a more or less secure, respectable place in American Society, and a glimpse, at least, of a path forward. All that is now gone, or worse yet, outsourced, the social contract torn up. Look up the death rate for white males, ages 45-60, if you need proof. This is a Public Health problem.
Throughout history, such people reflexively look for scapegoats: and these have always been those whom you see as clinging to the rung just below you, because you still feel at the mercy of those above you, and questioning their authority may place you in further jeopardy. The meme is correct: the System is rigged; the trouble is, you’re part of the rigging. You’ve been played.
This is a goldmine for any demagogue: raw anger just waiting to be channeled. The parallels to the closing years of the Weimar Republic are only too obvious. And the appeal is the same. Hitler was to “make Germany great again”, and in some respects delivered on those promises: the construction of the Autobahn, the UUUGE armaments projects, the massive rebuilding of the military, even the Volkswagen (to a very modest degree) provided the Herrenvolk with full employment and properity and a source of identity and pride.
This is what these guys are hearing when Trump talks about his UUUGE beautiful wall, paid for by the Mexicans, but built by these guys. If you work for Caterpillar even better. Same goes for when Trump talks about being disgusted at the condition of our airports. Imagine what Trump International Airport would be like.
Contrast this with Flint. This is a failure of Civilization, writ large. And it is a fundamental betrayal of trust, by government. The general perception of the Rot that is plaguing our country is, in cases like this, absolutely literal. Just dealing with the water systems alone will be a generational project, and guess what, Welders Needed! This is a job that cannot be outsourced, and it is a fundamental governmental responsibility. Likewise with Dams, Bridges, PublicHelath facilities, etc. Everything that bears directly on Public Safety.
I humbly suggest that both Democratic candidates get to work immediately on detailed, concrete (!) plans to put our country back to work fixing itself. Repair Of the People, By the People, and For the People.