Dear New York Times,
This is the third opinion piece that has been featured in your newspaper strongly mentioning the fact that it is the press's fault for Donald Trump's popularity and coverage. Please, please, please listen to your own advice and cease indulging. You are better than this and your readers deserve more than the latest ridiculous quote by Mr. Trump or analysis of his popularity (which always ends up with the same conclusion of the media's involvement).
This is the third opinion piece that has been featured in your newspaper strongly mentioning the fact that it is the press's fault for Donald Trump's popularity and coverage. Please, please, please listen to your own advice and cease indulging. You are better than this and your readers deserve more than the latest ridiculous quote by Mr. Trump or analysis of his popularity (which always ends up with the same conclusion of the media's involvement).
2
I thoroughly enjoy how Mr. Trump refuses to be a GOP parrot, not beholden to the party or to big donors. He's rebellious, brash, and refreshing, shaking up the entire conservative foundation. For that, I hope he stays at the top of the GOP list.
Regardless of whether I agree or disagree with his statements, I love that his independent spirit exposes the minion-esque quality of the conservative GOP 'leadership'.
Regardless of whether I agree or disagree with his statements, I love that his independent spirit exposes the minion-esque quality of the conservative GOP 'leadership'.
“[Trump supporters] are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent.”
Bingo! Too bad regular NY Times readers are kept ignorant of these issues.
Bingo! Too bad regular NY Times readers are kept ignorant of these issues.
1
While many have critiqued politicians' detachment from the local effects of immigration, the burdening of American workers and taxpayers, I think that there is also valid concern for how the average American remains stubbornly blind to how vigorously immigration stimulates our nation. There has never been a point in American history when our economy was not dependent on the contributions of immigrants. This has been true from slavery, to the Eastern European industrial influx, to the new wave of "third world" immigrats began landing our shores in the 1960s and 1970s, bringing with them a wave of advancements in countless fields, most notably American science and technology.
Furthermore, immigration is what has shielded us from fates of other developed nations, including aging population and economic stagnation. At a higher level, scholars and politicians should factor these considerations into any decision on immigration policy, but these points may be overlooked by the (understandably) immediate concerns of everyday Americans. In short, by speaking directly to the shortsighted or xenophobic concerns of certain radical (and perhaps misinformed) American citizens, conveniently disregarding logos in favor of pathos appeal, Trump neglects that the tradition of immigration in America is what has provided a counterbalance to domestic stagnancy and complacency, ills which affect far too many of our peer developed and post-democratic societies.
Furthermore, immigration is what has shielded us from fates of other developed nations, including aging population and economic stagnation. At a higher level, scholars and politicians should factor these considerations into any decision on immigration policy, but these points may be overlooked by the (understandably) immediate concerns of everyday Americans. In short, by speaking directly to the shortsighted or xenophobic concerns of certain radical (and perhaps misinformed) American citizens, conveniently disregarding logos in favor of pathos appeal, Trump neglects that the tradition of immigration in America is what has provided a counterbalance to domestic stagnancy and complacency, ills which affect far too many of our peer developed and post-democratic societies.
I'm a Democrat and would never vote for Trump. However, I sympathize with some of his followers. They're upset because of "the erosion of norms and standards they believe should be upheld. They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege." No kidding. I'm tired of constantly repeating myself at stores and restaurants because the workers don't speak English. People I know with school-age children say their kids spend their time tutoring non-English speaking classmates instead of learning. I've traveled all over the country and the world and everyone (except NYTimes columnists) knows that more homogenous areas have greater social stability and interpersonal trust and are usually cleaner and safer. It's not bigotry. It's the desire to have a decent life.
3
The Republicans have taken care of their wealthy benefactors by setting up a tax system that is rigged in their favor. Meanwhile the Democrats pass huge federal spending programs which support the poor and low income people who represent their base. The demise of the labor unions has resulted in corporations gaining more power in squeezing every last ounce of productivity from a work force that is given wage increases, which barely keep up with inflation, while at the same time fatten the total compensation packages of their officers and directors. The forces of globalization and robotics thins out a once strong manufacturing work force which gave us the most thriving middle class in the world. Decade after decade of these relentless trends, like glacial melt, have created a white middle class which is battered, bruised, and hollowed out. The media blanket covers stories of burning inner cities and the injustices that their communities must endure. But the slow strangulation of an entire white middle class is relegated to a couple of brief pieces on income inequality as if this sea change can be measured by statistics alone. Trump for good or bad has tapped into a smoldering resentment which has been building and building, It is not the "Silent Majority" so much as the "Forgotten Majority". He may have lit the match that starts the explosion.
1
America's decline and lack of jobs etc. can only be attributed to globalization. Immigration issues add fuel to this fire but they are less relevant in the grand scheme of things. Trump is right that China is stealing our jobs, but he fails to elaborate how he would steal them back from China.
1
The letdown of defeat could be brutal? GOOD! Screw these ignorant racist white backward rubes. I can guarantee that working class whites have contributed to societal downfall as much as immigrants. Seeing things as the fault of immigrants is not the "working class experience"...it's racism.
4
Maybe a non-sequitur but what would happen to the immigration equation if we actually enforced a "living wage" minimum wage for all jobs in the USA? It seems rather obvious that much of the grunt work in our country is now being done by poorly paid latino immigrants-- construction, landscaping, dishwashing, childcare etc. If it involves sweat and tears then we depend on immigrants to do it for next to nothing, while living in Dickensian circumstances. Wouldn't it be nice to just come clean about all this?
1
The two party democratic system was never intended by the founding fathers but one that developed in the post-civil war period which we are still coming to terms with, and which this article represents.
It is clear this system is a disservice to our democracy; unable to legitimately represent the political diversity in our country.
Democratic reform with a system that offers more choices and represents more voices is vital to the future of the country.
It is clear this system is a disservice to our democracy; unable to legitimately represent the political diversity in our country.
Democratic reform with a system that offers more choices and represents more voices is vital to the future of the country.
1
Once again, the media want us to believe that Trump, et al are opposed to "immigrants". Not so, the opposition is to ILLEGAL immigrants but....that doesn't fit the narrative, does it? BTW, has anyone told Ben Carson (or Bobby Jindal, or Rubio) that the Republicans are all racists? (no, that doesn't fit the narrative either, does it?)
2
My guess is that Trump plans to hire undocumented workers to build his Wall. He probably won't see the irony, because it's hiding under his hair.
3
Trump has been very specific that he is opposing ILLEGAL immigration. And has repeatedly said he all for LEGAL immigration. He wants "the best and brightest". Illegal immigration puts downward price pressure on wages at the lower/ working class end and in that way, failure to enforce the borders especially combined with failure to enforce labor laws AND the utter failure at a policy level to keep manufacturing and corporate headquarters domestic... all of these policies put downward pressure on wages, especially lower and working class wages. My 'democrats' fight for working class and middle class people. So this time around. Trump is my democrat.
May I say something, and I am a very very liberal person?
But we need to deal with illegal immigration as a global crisis. What is forgotten in the Republican debate is that illegal immigrants suffer too, and under other illegal immigrants. Many illegal immigrants are exploited, they turn to crime for survival, they become easy victims of gangs and maficios, and they sometimes end up in dysfunctional lifestyles because of struggles on many fronts.
We need to improve conditions in many regions of the world so people are not fleeing, struggling, suffering and escaping horrible, sordid, inhuman or unlivable conditions.
India is leading with illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and many Sri Lankan refugees who settled in South India have not left, though Sri Lanka is doing better. Some of these refugees have disrupted local politics in an ugly way in places like Tamil Nadu (where late PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE), Kerala, etc. In the Northeast there is terrible land crisis going on between local people & other Indian migrants versus illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Indonesia and Malaysia is dealing with Burmese refugees, mostly of the Rohinga ethnicity. Australia is dealing with illegal immigrants from the Middle East, SE Asia and Eastern Europe. Middle East itself is dealing with many refugees and illegal immigrants from other ME countries. Africa also faces refugee and illegal immigrant population crisis in many countries. We need a global discussion on this.
But we need to deal with illegal immigration as a global crisis. What is forgotten in the Republican debate is that illegal immigrants suffer too, and under other illegal immigrants. Many illegal immigrants are exploited, they turn to crime for survival, they become easy victims of gangs and maficios, and they sometimes end up in dysfunctional lifestyles because of struggles on many fronts.
We need to improve conditions in many regions of the world so people are not fleeing, struggling, suffering and escaping horrible, sordid, inhuman or unlivable conditions.
India is leading with illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and many Sri Lankan refugees who settled in South India have not left, though Sri Lanka is doing better. Some of these refugees have disrupted local politics in an ugly way in places like Tamil Nadu (where late PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE), Kerala, etc. In the Northeast there is terrible land crisis going on between local people & other Indian migrants versus illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Indonesia and Malaysia is dealing with Burmese refugees, mostly of the Rohinga ethnicity. Australia is dealing with illegal immigrants from the Middle East, SE Asia and Eastern Europe. Middle East itself is dealing with many refugees and illegal immigrants from other ME countries. Africa also faces refugee and illegal immigrant population crisis in many countries. We need a global discussion on this.
4
How are we going to improve conditions in other parts of the world? This is impossible and we must learn to accept what comes from a world gone mad.
This is, I suppose, irrelevant to Americans but I notice an interesting similarity between Trump and Abe, PM of Japan. The latter's slogan was "A beautiful Japan" before and is "Restore a Japan" after an intermission (due to the intrusion by the Democrats who displeased Obama). It is only that this sounds more sinister since anti-immigration policy is not questioned in Japan,
1
I had the same thought.
1
The cover photo of Trump{ Mr is too good for him} makes him look like the statue of Saddam Hussein, that was brought down by American troops way back when!
2
This is all true but there is no reason to think Trumpeters won't vote for whichever Republican nabs the nomination, the underlying assumption being they are that dumb. Trump is like Brrnie in that he represents the wish.
For the record, I am a white first generation American, whose Scottish father who started in the WV coal mines. I was born in Niagara Falls NY, when my father moved north to take advantage of job opportunities in the birthplace of electro-chemical industries who needed the electrical energy provided by the beautiful waterfalls. I never suffered discrimination because of my white skin. I may have suffered some discrimination because of my working class status, or because my mother's parent were Poles from Russia, but my birth city was a city of immigrants, but no Asians or Latinos. Lots of Italians, Germans, Poles, and Irish. We had Some recently arrived blacks from Dixie, who literally lived on the other side of the tracks, and who suffered de facto discrimination.
I joined the Air Force and was stationed in the segregated south in Georgia and Alabama. The discrimination there, de jure and de facto, made the de facto segregation of the north seem benign.
I have been very lucky and the Air Force was a educational gold mine, that provided me with two MIT masters degrees. So being first generation American, lower working class, and ethnic background really had no significant discrimination impacts.
It is of great concern that our country seems to be reverting to blatant, overt racism. We are in serious trouble and our internal threat dwarfs the external threat, and poorly educated whites are the major problem, exacerbated by medieval religious fundamentalism.
I joined the Air Force and was stationed in the segregated south in Georgia and Alabama. The discrimination there, de jure and de facto, made the de facto segregation of the north seem benign.
I have been very lucky and the Air Force was a educational gold mine, that provided me with two MIT masters degrees. So being first generation American, lower working class, and ethnic background really had no significant discrimination impacts.
It is of great concern that our country seems to be reverting to blatant, overt racism. We are in serious trouble and our internal threat dwarfs the external threat, and poorly educated whites are the major problem, exacerbated by medieval religious fundamentalism.
18
Very well said. Although in the not too distant past immigrants from Ireland, Italy and some other countries did face discrimination. They overcame it, as I assume the current influx of immigrants will too. Let's just hope they don't follow their white counterparts and fight against the next wave of newcomers.
2
Fear its the most significant emotion that has engulfed many of these trump supporters. They are seeing their wages cut, jobs lost, debts increasing, cost of living increasing and they are frightened. They also see an explanation, the welfare minority "takers" and the hispanics stealing their jobs. They see Washington as the enablers of these actions. The Tea party and Cruz, and huckabee, and Perry and most of the Repubs have tried to use this emotion to get support. Obama was the perfect "Black enabler" to attack.
However, Trump has been able to articulate the fears and give his simple answers and they love it. He is their spokesman and is feeding them the therapy they seek. The danger is that when he can't deliver they will turn on him with a vengance.
However, Trump has been able to articulate the fears and give his simple answers and they love it. He is their spokesman and is feeding them the therapy they seek. The danger is that when he can't deliver they will turn on him with a vengance.
2
"I know cities where police are afraid to even talk to people because they want to be able to retire and have their pension.”
Hahahaha!!!!! As though Republicans like Trump weren't already conspiring to enable federal and state governments to weasel out of their pension obligations to public employees..
Hahahaha!!!!! As though Republicans like Trump weren't already conspiring to enable federal and state governments to weasel out of their pension obligations to public employees..
9
Thanks for the 50 year history review. l needed that to gain a better understanding of why we are where we are politically now.
4
The point would seem to be that the GOP has been courting bigots, and now it has them.
9
If folks would stop analyzing and parsing and keep it really simple, Mr. Trumps popularity quickly becomes clear. The litmus test is: Which candidate is most likely to stand up to Vladimir Putin and tell him where he can store his nuclear weapons? Its true. Really. Everything else about Mr. Trumps popularity can be mathematically derived from that formulation.
Donald Trump and his supporters must be careful in stirring up anti-immigration fury in the country because many of the highest-performing students in our schools are immigrants or the children of immigrants. So, too, should our courts because efforts to prevent so-called "reverse discrimination" that allegedly favors students of color might limit the number of Blacks and Hispanics, but these students won't necessarily be replaced by non-Hispanic whites. More than likely, they will be replaced by other extremely high-performing students of color who are immigrants or the children of immigrants.
2
Excellent article but I am not sure I agree that xenophobic white americans share the same fears and hatred of right wing parties of Europe against the immigrants coming to escape the diaspora in Syria. It seems much more complex and for different reasons.
2
I believe that the reason why Trump's pronouncements are popular is that he offers an easily accessible explanation to a reasonably complex problems that the traditional middle class is going through - wage stagnation and the slowdown in upward mobility of American families. The reason for that is not Illegal Immigration (it plays a tiny part if at all) but broader global developments.
From 1940s to 1990s, most of the the world was going through major upheavals; good governance, stable policies, sensible decision making on the domestic front existed only in the West because of which it witnessed unprecedented growth. In the last two decades, other countries have learnt from them and trying to fix their systems which has made them more successful than before.
When someone like Obama speaks about the need to make the US competitive by improving its education system, encouraging entrepreneurship etc., most people yawn because they feel that the US is destined to be great forever. US became great not because it was destined to but its people and their leaders had a clear vision of the future and made sacrifices to achieve it. US is still the country best positioned to succeed in the future because of its openness to ideas, amazing social/education infrastructure and a free political system. However, staying No:1 is going to be really really tough with the competition heating up.
From 1940s to 1990s, most of the the world was going through major upheavals; good governance, stable policies, sensible decision making on the domestic front existed only in the West because of which it witnessed unprecedented growth. In the last two decades, other countries have learnt from them and trying to fix their systems which has made them more successful than before.
When someone like Obama speaks about the need to make the US competitive by improving its education system, encouraging entrepreneurship etc., most people yawn because they feel that the US is destined to be great forever. US became great not because it was destined to but its people and their leaders had a clear vision of the future and made sacrifices to achieve it. US is still the country best positioned to succeed in the future because of its openness to ideas, amazing social/education infrastructure and a free political system. However, staying No:1 is going to be really really tough with the competition heating up.
3
"A more recent Pew survey in June found that when voters were given a choice between “immigrants burden the country by taking jobs, housing and health care” and “immigrants strengthen the country through hard work and talents,” a majority of those polled, 51-41, chose “strengthen the country.” Republicans, however, disagreed, with 63 percent saying immigrants were a burden and 27 percent saying immigrants strengthened the country."
Immigration? Or illegal immigration? I think that's the point.
No one is against legal immigration.
Immigration? Or illegal immigration? I think that's the point.
No one is against legal immigration.
The anti-immigrant movement among whites is not only in the northern hemisphere. The current government of Australia is completely anti-immigrant and anti-refugee, and that party has been so ever since it became a successful dog-whistle issue for them in the 90s. In response, the current centrist-left party has also gone down that path.
An outspoken politician paved the way for this; her racist attitude, if not her rhetoric, was embraced by the major party and helped that government get re-elected. I was in a local country pub one evening when she appeared on the nightly news stating that the "boat people" should not be allowed to land, as they were all criminals and had diseases. An Aboriginal friend turned to me and said, "where was she when we needed her, 200 years ago?"
An outspoken politician paved the way for this; her racist attitude, if not her rhetoric, was embraced by the major party and helped that government get re-elected. I was in a local country pub one evening when she appeared on the nightly news stating that the "boat people" should not be allowed to land, as they were all criminals and had diseases. An Aboriginal friend turned to me and said, "where was she when we needed her, 200 years ago?"
5
Maybe I'll vote with my feet. Can't see how America will hold up with a mega idiot for President when we recently had a idiot of Bush for 8. That will really cause things to fall apart, whatever that is still standing.
5
Don't discriminate against America's thoughtless--they are just as worthy as other Americans in deserving representation in the political system. And now they have a representative champion who can go toe-to-toe with the country's thoughtful people and give as good as he gets. Who will play "TRUMP, the Candidate" on the season opening show of Saturday Night Live ? Woody Harrelson ? Gary Busey ?
2
Edsall, who I admire, is way off-the-mark here. In sum, his attention to "the sizzle" of Trump's campaign blinds him to "the steak":
What both Trump and Bernie Sanders are each trying to do is re-assemble the coalition that caused Ross Perot to likewise "hit a gusher" in mid-1992 and poll comfortably ahead of the prospective candidates of the 2 old parties.
Long before 1992 both conservative and neo-liberal elites (personified by the Clintons and Bushes) had essentially thrown the American middle class and those below them to the wolves (of Wall Street) and implemented public policies that served only the needs of the monied and special interests and not all sectors of society.
Perot sounded the alarm about the terrible ramifications for all wage earning Americans of the "one world economy" that these bipartisan elites created that placed everyday Americans into wage competition with BILLIONS of talented but poor Chinese (Communists!), Indians, Vietnamese, etc.. And did so without ANY public debate beforehand and but one public debate afterward--a rigged 1 hour affair between Perot and Al Gore on Larry King Live in 1996.
If not stopped COLD this purportedly "inevitable" trend will not end until American wages and those in the Third World equalize--several hundred years from now. This is NOT what JFK meant when he pledged our help to those in the "huts and villages" of half the globe.
Bruce Springsteen said it best: "Wherever this flag is flown, we take care of our own."
What both Trump and Bernie Sanders are each trying to do is re-assemble the coalition that caused Ross Perot to likewise "hit a gusher" in mid-1992 and poll comfortably ahead of the prospective candidates of the 2 old parties.
Long before 1992 both conservative and neo-liberal elites (personified by the Clintons and Bushes) had essentially thrown the American middle class and those below them to the wolves (of Wall Street) and implemented public policies that served only the needs of the monied and special interests and not all sectors of society.
Perot sounded the alarm about the terrible ramifications for all wage earning Americans of the "one world economy" that these bipartisan elites created that placed everyday Americans into wage competition with BILLIONS of talented but poor Chinese (Communists!), Indians, Vietnamese, etc.. And did so without ANY public debate beforehand and but one public debate afterward--a rigged 1 hour affair between Perot and Al Gore on Larry King Live in 1996.
If not stopped COLD this purportedly "inevitable" trend will not end until American wages and those in the Third World equalize--several hundred years from now. This is NOT what JFK meant when he pledged our help to those in the "huts and villages" of half the globe.
Bruce Springsteen said it best: "Wherever this flag is flown, we take care of our own."
2
From 1970-2010 Hispanic population of the US grew by 50 million.
(How much was natural increase+legal immigration? I suspect much was neither.)
In those 40 years the median wage has remained flat even while GNP & GNP/capita has more than doubled.
The BigMoney wing of the GOP likes immigration, especially illegal immigration as it undermines labor.
TheRabble wing of the GOP practices identity politics: cascading down from patriotism to nationalism to ethnicity, into bigotry, racism, all the way down into neo-naziism.
TheGOPRabble then vehemently hate immigration & a lackadaisical view towards illegal immigration because it undermines national identity, to say nothing of the effect it has on their wages and employment.
Ironically GOPBigMoney embraced the entire spectrum of identity politics right around 1970 when it embraced Nixon's "Southern Strategy". Initially it was a marriage made in heaven: GOPBigMoney was for the ever greater concentration of wealth while TheGOPRabble, like other single issue constituencies that the GOP embraced (anti-abortion, fundy-religiosity) didn't really care about money. GOP pols would campaign on single issue rhetoric, then as soon as they entered office would cut taxes on the rich but do nothing on abortion and tolerated illegal immigration. Over time anger mounted.
So a huge divergence of interest exists between the two groups which Trump is exploiting with ease but the other candidates can't because they need BigMoney's money to run.
(How much was natural increase+legal immigration? I suspect much was neither.)
In those 40 years the median wage has remained flat even while GNP & GNP/capita has more than doubled.
The BigMoney wing of the GOP likes immigration, especially illegal immigration as it undermines labor.
TheRabble wing of the GOP practices identity politics: cascading down from patriotism to nationalism to ethnicity, into bigotry, racism, all the way down into neo-naziism.
TheGOPRabble then vehemently hate immigration & a lackadaisical view towards illegal immigration because it undermines national identity, to say nothing of the effect it has on their wages and employment.
Ironically GOPBigMoney embraced the entire spectrum of identity politics right around 1970 when it embraced Nixon's "Southern Strategy". Initially it was a marriage made in heaven: GOPBigMoney was for the ever greater concentration of wealth while TheGOPRabble, like other single issue constituencies that the GOP embraced (anti-abortion, fundy-religiosity) didn't really care about money. GOP pols would campaign on single issue rhetoric, then as soon as they entered office would cut taxes on the rich but do nothing on abortion and tolerated illegal immigration. Over time anger mounted.
So a huge divergence of interest exists between the two groups which Trump is exploiting with ease but the other candidates can't because they need BigMoney's money to run.
11
In '83 when I moved to Ga fresh out of College with a CE, Construction Engineering degree, I worked for a ENR top 100 General Contractor who was Union. The union carpenters made $15 / hr plus benefits. By 1984, some weeks I got my paycheck from their non- Union company, it didn't mean anything to me, but it made every difference to the Carpenters as they only got a straight $15 /hr with no benefits.
Now it is 2015. Their is only one Union contracor left in Atlanta ( my pool guy works for them and tells me that since they finished the NY Stock exchange New Headquarters job they want to break the union,. The workers are resisting. But even more important is that on all other jobs the average Carpenter pay is still 32 years later less than $15 hr, with no benefits. Why all of the illegals! On residential, the builders pay a per house framing lump sum price that does not work out to minimum wage. But they pay it in Cash or 1099 it, with the sub paying the illegals in CASH and Cash goes twice as far as Taxed wages.
In commercial, their are several known players that steal low bids, even on Davis- Bacon ( Prevailing Wage Rate Government Jobs) for example Turner Construction the Talahasse Florida Courthouse, the Cobb County court House are two. falsified or never turning in the immigration forms is standard. Then packing in 3 families in a single family home, sending 8-12 kids to public school of $800 tax bill. or packing in 12 single guys in a two bedroom 1 bath rental.
Now it is 2015. Their is only one Union contracor left in Atlanta ( my pool guy works for them and tells me that since they finished the NY Stock exchange New Headquarters job they want to break the union,. The workers are resisting. But even more important is that on all other jobs the average Carpenter pay is still 32 years later less than $15 hr, with no benefits. Why all of the illegals! On residential, the builders pay a per house framing lump sum price that does not work out to minimum wage. But they pay it in Cash or 1099 it, with the sub paying the illegals in CASH and Cash goes twice as far as Taxed wages.
In commercial, their are several known players that steal low bids, even on Davis- Bacon ( Prevailing Wage Rate Government Jobs) for example Turner Construction the Talahasse Florida Courthouse, the Cobb County court House are two. falsified or never turning in the immigration forms is standard. Then packing in 3 families in a single family home, sending 8-12 kids to public school of $800 tax bill. or packing in 12 single guys in a two bedroom 1 bath rental.
3
How can immigration be seen as against American values? This whole country was built by immigrants. That is such a big part of its greatness.
6
I think Democrats share much of the blame for Trump's recent popularity.
I consider myself quite progressive, but what I've seen over the years are Democratic policies, lazy at best, that try to force equality by pretending that differences in opportunity are only determined by race; policies that are predicated on a singular belief that whites just need to change how we view minorities and immigrants and all will be fine.
Not so.
Children who grow up in cultures of generational poverty, low educational attainment, and few job opportunities, will struggle no matter how the other 90% views them.
Democratic policies are often comprised of throwing money at a problem, sometimes with little thought or cleverness, and a steady barrage of political correctness. We feel better because we think we're doing something good--and in some cases, like of civil rights, we are. But admitting a kid with a substandard education to a competitive college is a recipe for disaster. Very likely he will drop out, reinforcing his self-doubts, and whites and Asians who were not admitted despite having substantially better academic records, become resentful.
We need an open conversation. We need to find ways to help struggling communities beyond just lowering the bar. Sometimes this involves changing cultural norms. I am not successful because I am white, I am successful because my parents, though very poor, valued education and believed in me. Every kid deserves this. How do we get there?
I consider myself quite progressive, but what I've seen over the years are Democratic policies, lazy at best, that try to force equality by pretending that differences in opportunity are only determined by race; policies that are predicated on a singular belief that whites just need to change how we view minorities and immigrants and all will be fine.
Not so.
Children who grow up in cultures of generational poverty, low educational attainment, and few job opportunities, will struggle no matter how the other 90% views them.
Democratic policies are often comprised of throwing money at a problem, sometimes with little thought or cleverness, and a steady barrage of political correctness. We feel better because we think we're doing something good--and in some cases, like of civil rights, we are. But admitting a kid with a substandard education to a competitive college is a recipe for disaster. Very likely he will drop out, reinforcing his self-doubts, and whites and Asians who were not admitted despite having substantially better academic records, become resentful.
We need an open conversation. We need to find ways to help struggling communities beyond just lowering the bar. Sometimes this involves changing cultural norms. I am not successful because I am white, I am successful because my parents, though very poor, valued education and believed in me. Every kid deserves this. How do we get there?
10
"Children who grow up in cultures of generational poverty, low educational attainment, and few job opportunities, will struggle no matter how the other 90% views them."
How do you propose to change that?
How do you propose to change that?
3
Well, the data show that part of the reason for your success may very well be a function of where you were born and raised (and this, in turn, may have a racial element). Compare where your grew up to the map in the article referenced below:
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/the-complex-story-of-race-a...
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/the-complex-story-of-race-a...
@Rita: That is a great question, to which I have no definitive answer. I wish I did. In my observation, having grown up white in a poor inner city, largely black and hispanic neighborhood, the principle difference between me and my friends were the expectations our parents and teachers had for us. In my home there was no question that education was important and that I would go to college. Most of my friends did not have this benefit. Their parents, and often teachers, were happy if they just stayed out of trouble and graduated high school. I can't help but think that such a huge difference in expectations influenced where we all ended up as adults.
@Jon: I'm sure that location makes a difference; and in part, this was my point. There are parts of this country, most notably poor rural and poor urban regions, where the expectations are so low and positive role models so lacking that kids have little opportunity to build a decent life. It's not necessarily that the opportunities are not there, it's just that they are invisible. I knew that college was an opportunity because I had parents (and some friends) who showed me.
I think if we are to make any significant improvement in the lives of impoverished populations, we need to start with the youngest kids and help the parents as much as possible; all easy to say, I know, but I don't think our current policies are doing a lot to address these issues. Again, that was my main point.
@Jon: I'm sure that location makes a difference; and in part, this was my point. There are parts of this country, most notably poor rural and poor urban regions, where the expectations are so low and positive role models so lacking that kids have little opportunity to build a decent life. It's not necessarily that the opportunities are not there, it's just that they are invisible. I knew that college was an opportunity because I had parents (and some friends) who showed me.
I think if we are to make any significant improvement in the lives of impoverished populations, we need to start with the youngest kids and help the parents as much as possible; all easy to say, I know, but I don't think our current policies are doing a lot to address these issues. Again, that was my main point.
Who really thinks it is good public policy to allow all the world's unfortunates to flood into the healthiest northern countries?
At a time when we cannot care for our own, if we and Europe really took on the world refugee load, wouldn't it just exacerbate all our problems?
And what will that migrant load be as global warming really begins to bite and the number of countries in chaos spikes ever higher?
As Carl Sagan would say: "Billions upon billions..."
As a natural scientist, I believe that overpopulation is pollution spelled inside out; that preserving one's habitat is self defense at ground zero; and that too many deer will always destroy a forest before self-destruction.
But I don't fit in Crazy Donald's army so could you please stop with the shame game and guilt by association.
I'm just a conservationist for Bernie who believes that fences and borders exist for good reasons.
At a time when we cannot care for our own, if we and Europe really took on the world refugee load, wouldn't it just exacerbate all our problems?
And what will that migrant load be as global warming really begins to bite and the number of countries in chaos spikes ever higher?
As Carl Sagan would say: "Billions upon billions..."
As a natural scientist, I believe that overpopulation is pollution spelled inside out; that preserving one's habitat is self defense at ground zero; and that too many deer will always destroy a forest before self-destruction.
But I don't fit in Crazy Donald's army so could you please stop with the shame game and guilt by association.
I'm just a conservationist for Bernie who believes that fences and borders exist for good reasons.
12
Yes. BernieSanders in 2016 This country cannot support at a "middle class" level all the millions who want to come here. Our country cannot continue to absorb illegal immigrants at the rate they are arriving to use schools, hospitals, public housing, food programs, and charitable support. Various degrees of strict immigration policies and laws exist in most countries (e.g., Mexico), and I think most Americans want our immigration laws to be fair and enforced. The uncontrolled wave of people who walk across borders to the U.S. results in unfair treatment of people who cannot simply walk into this country. We want answers, policies, and resolution. All we are getting is more talk. In the meantime some of our communities are truly struggling to meet the needs and demands of illegal aliens. After years of majority in Congress, Republicans have refused over and over to address immigration. The fact is, it works for a LOT of businesses who have gotten rich and expanded their businesses or started new ones on the backs of illegal immigrants. This has got to change and soon.
3
What do you mean we cannot care for our own? We most certainly can. "We" just will not.
5
Republicans have been spreading the Southern Strategy nationwide since Nixon. Trump is part of that. His racism was exposed with his Obama birth certificate fixation.
But, almost all GOP candidates over the years have worked to spread it and knew exactly what they were doing.
Yet, the stupefied national political press loves their unicorn of a 'bipartisan' Republican, particularly when they have a Southern accent like Lindsey Graham and Bob Corker.
The national political press is a bug bunch of suckers. Just the kind to fall for Trump and give him all the free TV and print coverage that we are seeing daily.
But, almost all GOP candidates over the years have worked to spread it and knew exactly what they were doing.
Yet, the stupefied national political press loves their unicorn of a 'bipartisan' Republican, particularly when they have a Southern accent like Lindsey Graham and Bob Corker.
The national political press is a bug bunch of suckers. Just the kind to fall for Trump and give him all the free TV and print coverage that we are seeing daily.
13
The survey results at the bottom are shocking! Shocking I tell you! :-) Ours is a country full of zeal because of the new blood that replenishes it every now and then. While the rest of the world stagnates, ours grows from the incorporation of new ideas and cultures - we are strongest because we are broadest. Its why the UK does better than almost everyone else in Europe - the Germans are just simply German and no one can take that away from them.
3
This is extremely troubling. What happens when these people see their chances at electoral success evaporate? Moreover, what happens if we get another establishment candidate dedicated to maintaining the status quo?
The anger fundamentally boils down to the class warfare waged by the wealthy against the working and middle classes. Republicans use the nativist wedge to make whites blame minorities for the squeeze, but it's really the same anxiety and insecurity that is driving populism on the left. So what happens when we get Jeb!, or Hillary, or Kasich, or someone else who might pay lip service and pass a few modest laws that won't have a significant impact on the lives of ordinary Americans -- including those who are wont to point the finger at people with brown or black skin?
It scares my socks off. This is how totalitarians gain political power. And this is why we need a REAL reform candidate: someone who can save our economic and political system from itself with bold, practical ideas. I know there's always a tendency to view our own times as defining moments, but I think this really is one. And the only candidate right now who represents a chance at the change that we need is Bernie Sanders.
The anger fundamentally boils down to the class warfare waged by the wealthy against the working and middle classes. Republicans use the nativist wedge to make whites blame minorities for the squeeze, but it's really the same anxiety and insecurity that is driving populism on the left. So what happens when we get Jeb!, or Hillary, or Kasich, or someone else who might pay lip service and pass a few modest laws that won't have a significant impact on the lives of ordinary Americans -- including those who are wont to point the finger at people with brown or black skin?
It scares my socks off. This is how totalitarians gain political power. And this is why we need a REAL reform candidate: someone who can save our economic and political system from itself with bold, practical ideas. I know there's always a tendency to view our own times as defining moments, but I think this really is one. And the only candidate right now who represents a chance at the change that we need is Bernie Sanders.
16
Mixing.
I like mixing of cultures. I like NYC, hearing all the different languages, tasting all the different foods.
Most people are uncomfortable with mixing.....all over the world, all through history. Hutu vs Tutsi. Serb vs Croat. The list would get very ugly and long if I continued. Homogeneity is peaceful. Diversity is not. Japan is peaceful. The Middle East is not. We dreamed that Sunni and Shiite and Kurd would get along in Iraq. A pipe dream.
It is best, desirable if "we can all just get along."
But we can't.
Well... some of us can. Note: Those who score high on Edsall's 'openness' scale are college grads. Those who score low are high school grads, the working class.
If we all had high SAT scores, we'd be happy in a diverse society. But...we don't. In fact, we never will. The Edsall chart is a bell curve staring you in the face, take a good close look at it again.
We can deplore the problem and propose solutions until we are blue in the face, but I doubt this dynamic will change: high diversity societies experience high conflict. MOST people are built to guarantee this. Most people can't mix.
So. It is ugly to say, but: The interests of peace are served by limiting diversity. All societies should at least wish to impose limits on the rate of immigration.
I like mixing of cultures. I like NYC, hearing all the different languages, tasting all the different foods.
Most people are uncomfortable with mixing.....all over the world, all through history. Hutu vs Tutsi. Serb vs Croat. The list would get very ugly and long if I continued. Homogeneity is peaceful. Diversity is not. Japan is peaceful. The Middle East is not. We dreamed that Sunni and Shiite and Kurd would get along in Iraq. A pipe dream.
It is best, desirable if "we can all just get along."
But we can't.
Well... some of us can. Note: Those who score high on Edsall's 'openness' scale are college grads. Those who score low are high school grads, the working class.
If we all had high SAT scores, we'd be happy in a diverse society. But...we don't. In fact, we never will. The Edsall chart is a bell curve staring you in the face, take a good close look at it again.
We can deplore the problem and propose solutions until we are blue in the face, but I doubt this dynamic will change: high diversity societies experience high conflict. MOST people are built to guarantee this. Most people can't mix.
So. It is ugly to say, but: The interests of peace are served by limiting diversity. All societies should at least wish to impose limits on the rate of immigration.
6
Yes, a very uncomfortable bell curve. The seeming crazies aren't two or three standard deviations away from the norm, but a big part of the first one. Reality check!!
1
Mr. Edsall seems to lose himself in a flurry of ill-defined generalities and then fashions conclusions to fit his own predilections. The overwhelming shaft of reality that Mr. Trump has shined on the candidate derby is that the citizenry is fed up with the debate-team oratory of so many of the would-be candidates and responds to the freshness of Mr. Trump's observations and convictions. Jeb Bush and Hillary who were one time favorites of the establishment have proven to be weak-kneed plodders seeking a free ride on their relatives name recognition assets.
3
It is easy to say white Americans are protectionist. The New York Time will never admit it but most illegal immigrants are on welfare as a recently released in-depth study proved. The illegal immigrants take jobs from legal citizens, cause pay to be lower than supply and demand without the illegals would be and they cause more Americans of all races to be on welfare. Trump understands this. The do-gooders don't understand this and the Democratic politicians might understand this but they have sold out to get votes.
9
Is it possible to consider that the hispanic, immigrant portion of America's population has grown too fast without being called xenophobic? We might one day be a majority Hispanic nation, but how we get there is important.
One of the great miracles of America, and it truly qualifies for that designation, is how one can travel thousands of miles up and across this great land and not feel entirely like a stranger. A common language is a major part of that. A common sense of heritage, while obviously not shared by everyone, is another major component. While obviously not a cure for what ails us on racism, Obama's election even loosened tensions between blacks and whites to socialize and generally interact more comfortably.
Change is inevitable, but the "angry white males" flocking to the Trump banner want to try to hold it back just a little longer. It is no wonder he was a hit in Alabama, one of the most backward looking, retrograde states in the entire nation. There are pockets like Alabama everywhere: people who revere the past (blacks in chains or not), detest change and fear the future.
Yet, looking at problems from a moderate perspective, we should still consider whether too much change too quickly might tip the nation toward instability, making us into people who don't speak the same language, don't share any common cultural touch points and, overall, don't understand each other. Around the world, many nations are locked in permanent, violent conflict by such forces.
One of the great miracles of America, and it truly qualifies for that designation, is how one can travel thousands of miles up and across this great land and not feel entirely like a stranger. A common language is a major part of that. A common sense of heritage, while obviously not shared by everyone, is another major component. While obviously not a cure for what ails us on racism, Obama's election even loosened tensions between blacks and whites to socialize and generally interact more comfortably.
Change is inevitable, but the "angry white males" flocking to the Trump banner want to try to hold it back just a little longer. It is no wonder he was a hit in Alabama, one of the most backward looking, retrograde states in the entire nation. There are pockets like Alabama everywhere: people who revere the past (blacks in chains or not), detest change and fear the future.
Yet, looking at problems from a moderate perspective, we should still consider whether too much change too quickly might tip the nation toward instability, making us into people who don't speak the same language, don't share any common cultural touch points and, overall, don't understand each other. Around the world, many nations are locked in permanent, violent conflict by such forces.
11
Some good points but still need to point out a couple of things. 1. The hatefulness of Republicans is the result of adopting the politics of the South; politics there has always been underhanded, vicious and racial, and Republicans are tied into this culture in order to maintain support. in that region 2 While this author is not overly focused on the so called "need" to have Hispanic votes, he, like other pundits, overly dwell on the importance of Hispanic, votes for Republicans. The party, from Trump to Walker do not care about that vote; the hope is that Floria, Ohio and Colorado, all of whom are showing generic candidates winning over Hillary, will give them victory, and Cubans and their right wing allies from other LA nations, will vote with Republicans. Hence, we should expect even more immigrant bashing--as long as it is not against the Miami and New Jersey Cubans, illegals or legals, that are given special preferences in the United States.
Where he is on shaky ground is when he claims Trump will not be the nominee; why will he not be? Who will? None of the other candidates seem to have any support thus far that is, suddenly, to put them ahead of Trump? If he is correct that Trump understands what motivates Republicans, why will he falter? It is more likely Trump will be the nominee than any other at this point, and no one has done anything to demonstrate why this would not be true; given the record of pundit wrong speculations about Trump, who would trust them now?
Where he is on shaky ground is when he claims Trump will not be the nominee; why will he not be? Who will? None of the other candidates seem to have any support thus far that is, suddenly, to put them ahead of Trump? If he is correct that Trump understands what motivates Republicans, why will he falter? It is more likely Trump will be the nominee than any other at this point, and no one has done anything to demonstrate why this would not be true; given the record of pundit wrong speculations about Trump, who would trust them now?
3
Stop using cheap labor and nobody will come here.
Stop snoring that thing and drug trafficking will disappear.
Stop snoring that thing and drug trafficking will disappear.
3
The GOP continues to commit political suicide.
Good.
We need to be rid of the GOP and if they eliminate themselves, all the better.
The most hilarious part of all this is the GOP establishments efforts to counter Trump. It's like watching someone in a 56 Chevy six banger with three on the tree trying to beat a F1 Porsche. Ain't gonna happen.
Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't vote for Trump in this or any other galaxy or any of the the GOPers. They are all poison.
Good.
We need to be rid of the GOP and if they eliminate themselves, all the better.
The most hilarious part of all this is the GOP establishments efforts to counter Trump. It's like watching someone in a 56 Chevy six banger with three on the tree trying to beat a F1 Porsche. Ain't gonna happen.
Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't vote for Trump in this or any other galaxy or any of the the GOPers. They are all poison.
6
Bill Clinton: When people feel uncertain, they'd rather have somebody that's strong and wrong than somebody who's weak and right.
H.L. Mencken: Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
Realist: The American left has never quite recognized that this country is about selling stuff. You have to close the deal.
Edsall: To voters who see the world this way, Trump offers the promise that he can restore a vanished America, that he can “make America great again,” as his campaign puts it.
Sigh.
H.L. Mencken: Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
Realist: The American left has never quite recognized that this country is about selling stuff. You have to close the deal.
Edsall: To voters who see the world this way, Trump offers the promise that he can restore a vanished America, that he can “make America great again,” as his campaign puts it.
Sigh.
4
Every day I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to live in a variety of diverse communities in the Northeast and Southern California. It reminds me that people are far more alike than not: striving to succeed, feed their families, graduate from school, raise their children, provide their friends and families with love and support. We learn from one another's experiences and cultures. And, yes, there are rotten apples in every group -- far more related to economics than race or culture.
Too many people -- apparently many who follow Mr Trump (who I believe cares not a whit for the white or any other middle class) -- are isolated from the diversity that strengthens our communities and nation, and thus are susceptible to exaggerations blaming "others" for whatever ills are perceived in society. It is easy for those in power to exploit the real anger that people feel over a political system that has abandoned all but the 1% or (to a much lesser extent) the very poor and redirect this anger away from the obvious economic issues to more primal identity issues. This to me is the true evil of today's politics: while we many in the middle fight amongst ourselves to gather a scrap here and there, those in power pull further and further away. The amount of money spent to help immigrants/the poor pales beside "corporate" welfare and tax policy that favors wealth over income. That is what needs to change. Mr Trump is not the answer.
Too many people -- apparently many who follow Mr Trump (who I believe cares not a whit for the white or any other middle class) -- are isolated from the diversity that strengthens our communities and nation, and thus are susceptible to exaggerations blaming "others" for whatever ills are perceived in society. It is easy for those in power to exploit the real anger that people feel over a political system that has abandoned all but the 1% or (to a much lesser extent) the very poor and redirect this anger away from the obvious economic issues to more primal identity issues. This to me is the true evil of today's politics: while we many in the middle fight amongst ourselves to gather a scrap here and there, those in power pull further and further away. The amount of money spent to help immigrants/the poor pales beside "corporate" welfare and tax policy that favors wealth over income. That is what needs to change. Mr Trump is not the answer.
5
Heaven help this country if we find "a candidate who can successfully capture the intensity of their beliefs"! What we need is a candidate who can deal with the reality that the U.S. is, as it always has been, a nation of immigrants, and that minorities are no less human than white people - and convince the Republican base of that. Then maybe we can start getting rid of all the ineffective, soul-destroying anger that is being drummed up by all this.
9
Edsall: "The 1964 election began the realignment from Democrat to Republican of the eleven states of the former Confederacy – including the Deep South of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi — the region most opposed to civil rights and voting rights for black Americans."
The Republican Party was once considered the Party of Lincoln, but that is obviously no longer the case. It is now the dominant party in all the former slave-owning states, the states that tried to destroy the Union that Lincoln waged a very bloody war to preserve. How ironic. He certainly would not recognize the political party he embraced while serving as president, unfortunately.
The Republican Party was once considered the Party of Lincoln, but that is obviously no longer the case. It is now the dominant party in all the former slave-owning states, the states that tried to destroy the Union that Lincoln waged a very bloody war to preserve. How ironic. He certainly would not recognize the political party he embraced while serving as president, unfortunately.
7
Many times, the questions on these surveys skip back and forth between ones on legal immigrants and ones on illegal immigrants. Just this, in itself, probably confuses some respondents.
Both the Public Religion Research Institute and PEW ask their survey questions in Spanish for Spanish speakers. (I haven't looked into the other surveyors' methods.) They do not ask if the respondent is in the country legally and a citizen. This means that some of the people responding to the surveys could be illegal aliens who are being asked if they should be allowed to remain here.
Both the Public Religion Research Institute and PEW ask their survey questions in Spanish for Spanish speakers. (I haven't looked into the other surveyors' methods.) They do not ask if the respondent is in the country legally and a citizen. This means that some of the people responding to the surveys could be illegal aliens who are being asked if they should be allowed to remain here.
2
What the author refers to as “compositional amenities” is a polite way of saying systemic and structural xenophobia agitated by demographic change. Similarly, archaeologists use the term "coprolites" instead of "old poop" when describing feces.
I do appreciate Mr. Edsall's specificity though. The link to Card, Dustmann, Preston is worth a read. The term hits on the twilight zone of economics where things become a bit irrational. At least someone is actually trying to understand and quantify the impact of our more emotive impulses.
That said, I recommend everyone take a tour of service. The objective: live and work for some amount of time where you are an isolated minority with very little by way of family, friends, or community support. Better still if you live in a place where your identity is always on your sleeve whether you'd like it to be or not.
I'd bet you'd see these statistics swing drastically within the course of a few years.
I do appreciate Mr. Edsall's specificity though. The link to Card, Dustmann, Preston is worth a read. The term hits on the twilight zone of economics where things become a bit irrational. At least someone is actually trying to understand and quantify the impact of our more emotive impulses.
That said, I recommend everyone take a tour of service. The objective: live and work for some amount of time where you are an isolated minority with very little by way of family, friends, or community support. Better still if you live in a place where your identity is always on your sleeve whether you'd like it to be or not.
I'd bet you'd see these statistics swing drastically within the course of a few years.
2
What this poll (and article) fail to acknowledge is that 'openness to diversity' cannot be measured so simply. Many wealthy, white, educated, folks who identify as politically liberal, are not as open to diversity as they imagine themselves to be. It's easy to be 'open to diversity' when you don't ever have to wait in line to receive goods and services and if have the privilege to choose where and who you live and work with. If educated, white, wealthy liberals were truly open to diversity (or if they even valued it) our world would look a lot different: the experiences of minority students at liberal arts colleges would be much more positive and there would not be neighborhoods of concentrated white wealth.
5
"The scores below, from a 2013 survey, rank openness to diversity on a scale of zero (no or low acceptance) to 160 (highest)."
I'm sure Bernie Sanders would have reported an openness off the scale. He works for awhile with SNCC as a student in Chicago and then fled to Vermont. He moved to a state that was 99% white. He seemed to know enough to get out of the city.
The working class Republicans who do something like that are accused by the NY Times of white flight and un-accepting of minorities.
I've known a lot of liberals like Sanders who never missed an opportunity to chastise their lower middle class friends for not being open minded enough. Would have loved to listen to more of their lessons but we generally had to get home before it got too late since our neighborhood was much more dangerous at that time.
I'm sure Bernie Sanders would have reported an openness off the scale. He works for awhile with SNCC as a student in Chicago and then fled to Vermont. He moved to a state that was 99% white. He seemed to know enough to get out of the city.
The working class Republicans who do something like that are accused by the NY Times of white flight and un-accepting of minorities.
I've known a lot of liberals like Sanders who never missed an opportunity to chastise their lower middle class friends for not being open minded enough. Would have loved to listen to more of their lessons but we generally had to get home before it got too late since our neighborhood was much more dangerous at that time.
Thanks to FOX Trump is the Republican Party. Now the chickens come home to roost. Fun but a bit scary.
4
Let's face it, the only reason illegals are still allowed to be in in this country is that businesses and the wealthy want them for their cheap labor. You give mandatory jail-time for anyone that hires an illegal, the illegals would soon leave of their own accord.
8
I find the poll results fascinating...
Why would born-again Christians reject the Hispanic community and what they bring to the US? My observation is the Hispanics are typically God-fearing and church-going, and definitely family oriented.
Why would born-again Christians reject the Hispanic community and what they bring to the US? My observation is the Hispanics are typically God-fearing and church-going, and definitely family oriented.
6
I really fear that Trump does represent millions of people in this country, people who love to hate and love to speak out their anger and hatred with impunity. He's a brash blow-hard, the quintessential ugly American.
8
What this poll (and article) fail to acknowledge is that 'openness to diversity' cannot be measured so simply. Many wealthy, white, educated, folks who identify as politically liberal, are not as open to diversity as they imagine themselves to be. It's easy to be 'open to diversity' when you don't ever have to wait in line to receive goods and services and if have the privilege to choose where and who you live and work with. If educated, white, wealthy liberals were truly open to diversity (or if they even valued it) our world would look a lot different: the experiences of minority students at liberal arts colleges would be much more positive and there would not be neighborhoods of concentrated white wealth.
2
Elevating the issue of immigration as the top one was a stroke of genius on Trump's part -- with one stroke he neutralized the Cuban Marco Rubio and the Spanish-speaking Jeb Bush with a Mexican-born wife. That Trump's own wife is a skill-less immigrant (unless you count posing semi-nude for commercials a skill) is besides the point, as she is White.
8
Edsall's piece is so obvious one can wonder why anybody bothered to write it down. Again. Maybe the "big facts" need to be repeated to be as effective as the "big lie" is when it's repeated over and over again. The Republican Party picked up that psychological operations technique very skilfully from the National Socialists and the Soviets and have been using it for the past several decades - after they decided that a two (or more)- party system wasn't for them. Maybe the "big facts" need to be repeated as often and about as many subjects as those to which the Republican Party directs the "big lie."
And on Donald Trump and his competitors for the Republican presidential nomination, it's a parade of midgets. Every time I read of the line-up I think of one of those Volkswagens that pulls up in a circus big-top and has a hundred clowns come bouncing out of it and run around the center ring waving their hands in the air. Really, would you want any of these persons to serve as your town's dog catcher? Think of the poor dogs. And what the town next door would think . . .
And on Donald Trump and his competitors for the Republican presidential nomination, it's a parade of midgets. Every time I read of the line-up I think of one of those Volkswagens that pulls up in a circus big-top and has a hundred clowns come bouncing out of it and run around the center ring waving their hands in the air. Really, would you want any of these persons to serve as your town's dog catcher? Think of the poor dogs. And what the town next door would think . . .
1
The delicious irony of Obama supporters gathering like buzzards on the rim of a toilet, proclaiming the demise of the Trump campaign, as Trump continues to surge in national polls (i.e. polls not commissioned by liberal news outfits to show a "tie" with Ben Carson) and gain support across all political divides.
What a confused simile, "like buzzards on the rim of a toilet." What does that even mean? Is the toilet Trump's campaign?
4
Indulging your odd metaphor: if Obama supporters are "gathering on the rim of a toilet," it's only to watch the Republican Party's chances of ever winning again winning an Electoral College count twirl around the bowl Mr. Trump is flushing, over and over.
2
Doesn't this mean that Democrats should get out in front for policies that would benefit tradespeople, the working class, and the middle class? Rebuilding our infrastructure (roads, bridges, sidewalks, etc) and retrofitting public buildings, businesses, and homes to be more energy efficient would create millions of jobs and increase incomes across the lower spectrum.
Heck, even building a wall between the US and Canada would put a lot of people to work and increase demand for steel and concrete!
There's also a serious "ice breaker" gap, and we should get mobilized!
Heck, even building a wall between the US and Canada would put a lot of people to work and increase demand for steel and concrete!
There's also a serious "ice breaker" gap, and we should get mobilized!
4
"a half-century of Republican policies on race and immigration have made the party the home of an often angry and resentful white constituency — a constituency that is now politically mobilized in the face of demographic upheaval."
Just maybe they prefer a less congested country that is more European in nature and speaks English as it was just a few decades ago. Recall the Tower of Babel? That's what many cities are becoming. LA, Miami and in many others you can't get around without Spanish. Why is the US making government documents available in dozens of languages? Want to live in the US, then learn English. Others are no longer acceptable to me and many others. It really is that simple. Keep America, American.
Just maybe they prefer a less congested country that is more European in nature and speaks English as it was just a few decades ago. Recall the Tower of Babel? That's what many cities are becoming. LA, Miami and in many others you can't get around without Spanish. Why is the US making government documents available in dozens of languages? Want to live in the US, then learn English. Others are no longer acceptable to me and many others. It really is that simple. Keep America, American.
By "Keep America, American" I assume you mean we should all either move back to Europe, which is much more European in nature and where everyone speaks English, or you mean we need to learn to speak Navajo, Choctaw or Iroquoian.
4
Q: So when will the magic of demographics rid us of enough white people who are less educated and more religious than the Millennials, in order for the GOP to wither forever?
A: Not soon enough.
A: Not soon enough.
4
I'd like Trump to name 5 or 10 public elected people throughout American history that he admires and respects. That will enlighten the public to who he really is.
6
Just remember what started this mess and who benefited from the cheap labor.And why it was not address..
Donald Trump has lost his mind. Actually he's really funny. He reminds me of Archie Bunker, only more so.
1
But with more money than all of Queens combined.
1
I think it fitting that the GOP after years of playing MSM by issuing fact free talking points that never get vetted, is now being treated to their own medicine
4
Donald Trump is a proven Manager, and deal-maker. He sees the big picture for American and is not in anybody's' pocket or afraid to speak the truth. Bravo Mr. Trump. Nobody needs the evil Bushies.
Maybe if white people like Donald Trump feel for themselves what discrimination is like, let's call it prejudice, it really is. When everybody sees that others judge them like they judge others, they will give up hate, and see that when they do this that they are really hating themselves. That all people, the bully, and the bullied, are hurting Themselves by clinging to their hate of each other!
3
How do you answer that survey question if you believe that illegal immigrants, not just "immigrants," strengthen the country through hard work and talents, burden the country by taking jobs and helping to depress wages for everyone and that the rest neither benefits nor burdens the country? I've never been asked to participate in a survey, but every time I read one of the questions and the proposed answers, the question seems slanted and none of the proposed answers ever correctly captures what my answer would be. Do they set those things up like that on purpose to try to force people into little inappropriate pigeon holes?
2
All Trump has done is trade the dog whistle for the bull horn.
7
Immigrants are quite different from illegals.
2
Can we call a spade a spade? Bigotry has always existed in this country and the Republican party had been courting bigots for some time. Trump has figured out how to consolidate their vote. Other Republicans had hoped to win by courting them while pretending not to. Well it turns out that being politically incorrect is the best way of all to bring them together.
Trump once supported Hillary Clinton. Maybe he is doing this because he still does!
Trump once supported Hillary Clinton. Maybe he is doing this because he still does!
2
I must have read the stats wrong...I think it says the majority of Republicans agree with Trump and not with any of his rivals when it comes to immigration. If that is true, his chances of winning the nomination are not "slim", they are good!
So Jeb Bush is being "Willie Horton"ed by Donald Trump.
I guess karma skips a generation.
I guess karma skips a generation.
3
Trump is simply a mainstream Republican without the dog whistle.
3
This piece is disingenuous. The number one problem is that the 1% love paying sub par wages under the the table. The Republicans can throw whatever red meat they want to their constituency but this is never going to change unless laws are put in place to punish the people that offer jobs to the immigrants. Donald Trump is a perfect example. His real estate and resort empire is built and run by immigrant labor. He's gotten filthy rich off undercutting their salaries and now he has the chutzpah to suggest he'll throw them out of the country? Really? Then he's dumber than I think he is and that hardly seems possible.
It is not the undocumented workers fault. If there weren't jobs they wouldn't be here. We are bringing in thousands of people on H1B visas because in theory we don't have people to do the work. Translated we don't have people to do the work for what a manager gets paid at Walmart. Because we're all trying to pay off those expensive STEM degrees from major US university.
No one wants to bar immigrants from coming to the US. We just want to stop the flood that is being allowed to price us out of our jobs. Isn't it enough that they've moved everything to other countries? Now the few jobs that are left the greedy master class wants to import the labor.
When they've finally managed to crush the Middle Class the economic engine of the world is going to come to a blinding screeching halt. We'' see how next quarter profits look then.
It is not the undocumented workers fault. If there weren't jobs they wouldn't be here. We are bringing in thousands of people on H1B visas because in theory we don't have people to do the work. Translated we don't have people to do the work for what a manager gets paid at Walmart. Because we're all trying to pay off those expensive STEM degrees from major US university.
No one wants to bar immigrants from coming to the US. We just want to stop the flood that is being allowed to price us out of our jobs. Isn't it enough that they've moved everything to other countries? Now the few jobs that are left the greedy master class wants to import the labor.
When they've finally managed to crush the Middle Class the economic engine of the world is going to come to a blinding screeching halt. We'' see how next quarter profits look then.
6
Any controversy about the security of U.S. borders is a federal matter. The U.S. does not want to strictly enforce U.S. immigration laws because of relations with Mexico and South America in general. It's political, having to do with who knows what, diplomatic or commercial considerations.--probably both.
So, it's a defacto immigration policy. Politicians like Trump who say the law is not being enforced are correct, but do not realize that if they get elected, they will be clued about a whole range of realities constraining what they can and can not reasonably do as this or that office holder.
Whatever the political constraints are, they have been in place a long time. They make us what we are under or not quite under the laws. Anyone who doesn't like the situation can have a life they want, but it costs money. Trump has that life, but for some reason he wants to be POTUS and has hit upon an angle that he can champion: complaining about immigration policy.
In other respects, he is really more liberal than other politicians in the GOP. He has talked about raising taxes. He favors Social Security and Medicare.
Still, he would become a terrible embarrassment for the U.S. in the eyes of the rest of the world. But then, he wouldn't be the first. Politicians and other public personalities in the U.S. are really quite good at that. We don't get laughed to scorn only because we are so rich and powerful.
So, it's a defacto immigration policy. Politicians like Trump who say the law is not being enforced are correct, but do not realize that if they get elected, they will be clued about a whole range of realities constraining what they can and can not reasonably do as this or that office holder.
Whatever the political constraints are, they have been in place a long time. They make us what we are under or not quite under the laws. Anyone who doesn't like the situation can have a life they want, but it costs money. Trump has that life, but for some reason he wants to be POTUS and has hit upon an angle that he can champion: complaining about immigration policy.
In other respects, he is really more liberal than other politicians in the GOP. He has talked about raising taxes. He favors Social Security and Medicare.
Still, he would become a terrible embarrassment for the U.S. in the eyes of the rest of the world. But then, he wouldn't be the first. Politicians and other public personalities in the U.S. are really quite good at that. We don't get laughed to scorn only because we are so rich and powerful.
4
Another brilliant Edsall analysis. Why can't we get him to run for president?
11
We should get a guy that blames someone else for the country's problems and dosen't take responsibility to Their own? That will multiply all the country's problems by five fold. We already have enough entitlement-minded individuals who think they deserve first class treatment,
1
I think that “make America great again” is interpreted by Trump's supporters as "make America Whiter again." Since the time when Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Patrick Buchanan ran on variations of this platform, a lot has changed. It's an interesting political credo, but not likely to happen. I also don't think it's an election winner anymore. (Even Ronald Reagan seemed to figure that out during his presidency.)
18
There have been several recent articles on "white privilege" and how many white people don't agree with the idea of it. But exactly how do the people in these polls think that white people are being discriminated against? Is it that they no longer get favored treatment in schools and jobs?
9
the new leader of the white(s) - donald trump, a rabble rouser of the first order. more powerful than george wallace (richer, has his own jet and runs a real estate empire rather than a mere, poor state), more polished than david duke (never caught wearing white sheets). i will give trump this, however, at last there is an honest republican, not pretending to love the great unwashed nor claiming to care for anyone but himself and people like him, nor so marginalized that the long-time politicos of the republican party can deny him. there's trump and there's rump now as far as the gop is concerned. the white middle class of the gop wants to be like him and will never realize that in reality he disdains them and anyone else not like himself. true narcissism has arrived.
13
Republican leaders have spent several decades preparing the way for Trump, now let us see how they will handle him. So far they have not been very effective. If they have something better to offer, they had better come out with it soon.
6
I think the vertical bar graph would be more interesting if, instead of lumping all African Americans, Latinos, & Asians into two data points each, these three groups had been broken out the way that whites were.
11
Republicans have substituted massive amounts of corporate money and gerrymandering for voter appeal. They cater to racists, anti-immigrants, anti-women, anti-gay religious extremist and have far more power than their popularity would indicate because they back the ultra-rich in Congress. This boils down to the fact that the two party system is completely broken. Trump is merely the personification of that fundamental reality.
14
Very glad to see a thorough piece giving Trump's xenophobia the historical and international context it warrants. He's too often treated as an entertaining carnival barker, but his popularity suggests an alarming level of fervent bigotry in our country.
18
The Republicans have managed to propagate the belief that mediocre schools, crumbling infrastructure, and few job opportunities are the result of immigration policies and government handouts. However, the poverty, wage stagnation, and growing inequality fostered by their policies are the real culprits.
19
To say that Trump is anti-immigrant is a misrepresentation. He is simply against people who break US law to enter this country. We should hope that all people who desire to lead this country are against people breaking the law to come into this country and it is distressing to think that our next President might be someone who says it is OK to break federal law.
Meanwhile many millions of dollars are being spent for education and health costs for these people who are in the country illegally -- money that should be going to state residents. Money that should be kept on keeping university tuition rates low are spent on these people who broke the law to enter the country.
Meanwhile many millions of dollars are being spent for education and health costs for these people who are in the country illegally -- money that should be going to state residents. Money that should be kept on keeping university tuition rates low are spent on these people who broke the law to enter the country.
4
As usual a editorial opinion appearing in the NY Times ignores the harm done to lower middle class and middle class people by programs such as the War On Poverty and Model Cities.
My family, friends and neighbors had experienced crime and violence in our neighborhood that came along with low income housing and busing for school desegregation. When we sought relief through our Democratic leaders we were told "we were afraid of the unknown" or "afraid of people who didn't look like us". As the crime increased and we requested help we were accused of wanting the Black leadership in Detroit to fail. As people continued to move out, but many remained, the liberals said: "why don't you just move out already?". BTW, many of those same liberals and progressives had since moved on to locations out of the city (Bernie Sanders, you listening). After we moved out the liberals screamed "see white flight, that's what caused all the problems!"
Most of these folks who moved experienced losses in terms of any accumulated savings and net worth - so much for the white privilege and accumulating wealth over generations.
Now, who do you think would seriously listen to these sort of concerns today a Democrat or Republican? The Republicans listened then; we were abandoned by the Democratic Party. And people voted in their own best interests. The Democrats took the opportunity to essentially kick many of its core constituency in the teeth. They are now paying the price.
My family, friends and neighbors had experienced crime and violence in our neighborhood that came along with low income housing and busing for school desegregation. When we sought relief through our Democratic leaders we were told "we were afraid of the unknown" or "afraid of people who didn't look like us". As the crime increased and we requested help we were accused of wanting the Black leadership in Detroit to fail. As people continued to move out, but many remained, the liberals said: "why don't you just move out already?". BTW, many of those same liberals and progressives had since moved on to locations out of the city (Bernie Sanders, you listening). After we moved out the liberals screamed "see white flight, that's what caused all the problems!"
Most of these folks who moved experienced losses in terms of any accumulated savings and net worth - so much for the white privilege and accumulating wealth over generations.
Now, who do you think would seriously listen to these sort of concerns today a Democrat or Republican? The Republicans listened then; we were abandoned by the Democratic Party. And people voted in their own best interests. The Democrats took the opportunity to essentially kick many of its core constituency in the teeth. They are now paying the price.
8
JP,
I don't want to dismiss what you're saying completely. But is there a chance you could have befriended some of those blacks that moved into your neighborhoods and worked to stop the deterioration? I'm not saying that having an influx of poor people into an area isn't a big challenge. But as Christians, we are called to be "neighbors" to people unlike ourselves. That doesn't mean letting them exploit you, but it means working for their good. It's an attitude that non-Christians can get satisfaction from, too.
I am a white person living in Birmingham, Alabama, which also has a majority-black population. Yes, there are challenges sometimes fending off panhandling. I have to try to maintain my boundaries with people who ask for help. But I've found ways to work with blacks to improve our community.
I basically have to agree that white flight destroyed Detroit. People didn't work hard enough to keep their community alive.
I don't want to dismiss what you're saying completely. But is there a chance you could have befriended some of those blacks that moved into your neighborhoods and worked to stop the deterioration? I'm not saying that having an influx of poor people into an area isn't a big challenge. But as Christians, we are called to be "neighbors" to people unlike ourselves. That doesn't mean letting them exploit you, but it means working for their good. It's an attitude that non-Christians can get satisfaction from, too.
I am a white person living in Birmingham, Alabama, which also has a majority-black population. Yes, there are challenges sometimes fending off panhandling. I have to try to maintain my boundaries with people who ask for help. But I've found ways to work with blacks to improve our community.
I basically have to agree that white flight destroyed Detroit. People didn't work hard enough to keep their community alive.
3
"But is there a chance you could have befriended some of those blacks that moved into your neighborhoods and worked to stop the deterioration? "
I did befriend many blacks and the crime kept increasing.
In terms of white flight, were we supposed to stay there and sacrifice our lives on the altar of liberalism?
I did befriend many blacks and the crime kept increasing.
In terms of white flight, were we supposed to stay there and sacrifice our lives on the altar of liberalism?
Well, to some extent we're supposed to sacrifice our lives. In particular, maintaining the value of our real estate is not supposed to be our priority. But we can't bear all the burden alone. That's what churches and social service organizations are for, to help build bridges between people so communities can stay together and individuals don't have all the burden.
For example, at my church, I am sometimes approached by people asking for money. We have a rule that we don't give cash to people. But we welcome them to our fellowship and give them free sack lunches. They can talk to our deacon about their financial problems. She's more likely to suggest they go to a social service agency than give them money.
Birmingham has a real poor public transit system. This forces poor people to buy cars they can't afford. I'm involved with an organization trying to improve transit, which has to be subsidized publicly. But in a way, it gives people independence.
I'm sorry it didn't work out better for you in the past.
For example, at my church, I am sometimes approached by people asking for money. We have a rule that we don't give cash to people. But we welcome them to our fellowship and give them free sack lunches. They can talk to our deacon about their financial problems. She's more likely to suggest they go to a social service agency than give them money.
Birmingham has a real poor public transit system. This forces poor people to buy cars they can't afford. I'm involved with an organization trying to improve transit, which has to be subsidized publicly. But in a way, it gives people independence.
I'm sorry it didn't work out better for you in the past.
The stereotype of the backwoods hick: white, lower class, uneducated, racist, sexist, rural, religious, male, etc. has become the sacred cornerstone of modern liberalism.
Every single major liberal position from the past twenty years or has been framed in opposition to this composite bogeyman. It is the mostly-imagined evil in contrast to which all "decent" people ought to reflexively define themselves.
This cultural scarecrow named "GOP" has been used to corral most of the supposedly well-educated public into hushed conformity. But the price of this dishonest, cheap, and insulting political tactic is that liberals antagonize people who are poor, religious, white, or conservative in their personal choices, for no valid reason.
Every single major liberal position from the past twenty years or has been framed in opposition to this composite bogeyman. It is the mostly-imagined evil in contrast to which all "decent" people ought to reflexively define themselves.
This cultural scarecrow named "GOP" has been used to corral most of the supposedly well-educated public into hushed conformity. But the price of this dishonest, cheap, and insulting political tactic is that liberals antagonize people who are poor, religious, white, or conservative in their personal choices, for no valid reason.
12
Yeah, you're right. That's a stereotype because not all the white, uneducated, racist, sexist, religious, males are lower class, uneducated, or rural. Many of them are wealthy and educated and live in big cities like D.C., and quite a few are holding office in the House and Senate. We really ought to expand our view of the composite bogeyman that is the GOP.
2
The talking heads and the commentators continue to insist that Mr. Trump cannot possibly win the GOP nomination. I hope they are right, but I doubt that they are.
Trump has tapped into the very core of what it means to be a Republican for a huge segment of that party's base: fear of the other. His rhetoric about immigrants is wickedly designed to inspire those who actually believe that this nation, born of immigrants, is really only for white people of the evangelical Christian sects.
That's not all, either. Trump is capitalizing on more than thirty years of GOP hot air about the government being useless, incompetent, destructive, and bad for the people. He is simply taking the old, tired argument a step further: if the government can't be trusted to regulate business, why not have a businessman do the regulating instead?
Trump is a dangerous demagogue, yes, but he is no fool. Many, many Republicans will be swayed by his nativism, his incredibly simplistic way of approaching complex issues, and even his ego and materialism. The GOP has argued for years, after all, that wealth, and only wealth, is what defines a successful human being and that wealth, and only wealth, is the proper measure of a person's worth.
To deny Trump's appeal to the demonstrably bigoted, ignorant, and vapid base of the Republican party is short-sighted and an exercise in navel gazing. The man can win his party's nomination. Yes, he can.
Trump has tapped into the very core of what it means to be a Republican for a huge segment of that party's base: fear of the other. His rhetoric about immigrants is wickedly designed to inspire those who actually believe that this nation, born of immigrants, is really only for white people of the evangelical Christian sects.
That's not all, either. Trump is capitalizing on more than thirty years of GOP hot air about the government being useless, incompetent, destructive, and bad for the people. He is simply taking the old, tired argument a step further: if the government can't be trusted to regulate business, why not have a businessman do the regulating instead?
Trump is a dangerous demagogue, yes, but he is no fool. Many, many Republicans will be swayed by his nativism, his incredibly simplistic way of approaching complex issues, and even his ego and materialism. The GOP has argued for years, after all, that wealth, and only wealth, is what defines a successful human being and that wealth, and only wealth, is the proper measure of a person's worth.
To deny Trump's appeal to the demonstrably bigoted, ignorant, and vapid base of the Republican party is short-sighted and an exercise in navel gazing. The man can win his party's nomination. Yes, he can.
12
Well at least the Donald is telling middle class whites that the GOP Is taking them for suckers. About time.
6
Wonderful article; a must read for all thoughtful American voters. I just wanted to say something about George Will's comment about Mr. Trump. My disgust for Mr. Trump's behavior is surpassed only by my disgust and disrespect for George Will. While Trump is busy hammering the last nails into the coffin of the extremist Republican Party, Mr. Will is using his so-called intellect to hide the ugly nature of the modern conservative movement, thereby promoting the interests of the likes of Koch brothers over that of ordinary Americans -- and also over the interests of the planet and of all decent people of the world. The truly "sulfurous belch" in fact erupts from the interior of Mr. Will himself. Do I need to point out that Mr. Will's wife works for Scott Walker, the fair boy carrying water for the Koch brothers?
24
White people do what white people do--whatever they want to do. It should come as no surprise that the descendents of white slave owners have morphed into the present day Republican party. They had to go somewhere and they can be found on Fox News, Trump's rallies, carrying their guns, and building fences along the Mexican border.
6
Frank, I am a Black man and I did what I wanted to do when I became a Registered Republican.
Liberals, you really need to build a better boogeyman.
Liberals, you really need to build a better boogeyman.
Well said. Textbook stuff. Your history here maps out a path we've been on with lots of logic. But there's a lot of shadows in our past Trump illuminates, if you put him in the true context of his environs.
His physiognomy is pure Tammany Hall, and that means good old fashioned street corner business. The architecture that holds him up is straight out of the streets of New York turf designs. Block by block mapped out by sheer might over right it was the law in the 20th Century. Cops behaved differently, mayors like Jimmy Walker behaved differently and the organized street corner tuff kept a lid on things. This is why the United States never elected someone from New York. The country figured FDR was safe, but the country didn't like New York.
Mr. Edsall, until we describe how J. Edgar Hoover was keeping a lid on our American cities and admit to a dark history Clarence Darrow shined a light on, Trump will continue to operate with the advantage of those shadows.
His physiognomy is pure Tammany Hall, and that means good old fashioned street corner business. The architecture that holds him up is straight out of the streets of New York turf designs. Block by block mapped out by sheer might over right it was the law in the 20th Century. Cops behaved differently, mayors like Jimmy Walker behaved differently and the organized street corner tuff kept a lid on things. This is why the United States never elected someone from New York. The country figured FDR was safe, but the country didn't like New York.
Mr. Edsall, until we describe how J. Edgar Hoover was keeping a lid on our American cities and admit to a dark history Clarence Darrow shined a light on, Trump will continue to operate with the advantage of those shadows.
The notion that immigrants (and from the perspective of this article which deals with white reaction to them, we are really only focusing on the darker skinned people from south of the border, not the European or Asian influx) 'steal' jobs from whites is utterly preposterous. The jobs that they fill are not only the ones that American born adults will not do, they really can't do them. I see Mexican and Central American workers every day here in California; they really know how to work, are mostly excellent at what they do, and are totally unafraid to do so. It seems they see the chance to labor as a gift, not a sentence. Occasionally I will see a white or black American-born worker along side of them but it's rare.
It's a very convenient feint that Trump and other wealthy business owners are trying to pull off - to demonize these workers while making money off of their reliably hard work. They get to intimidate these workers from getting what is their due while using them as scapegoats to get the vote of the old, white, scared folks.
It's a very convenient feint that Trump and other wealthy business owners are trying to pull off - to demonize these workers while making money off of their reliably hard work. They get to intimidate these workers from getting what is their due while using them as scapegoats to get the vote of the old, white, scared folks.
16
Mr. Edsall is mistaken about early voting restrictions. While some are critical of the early voting program here in Ohio, the loudest critics appear to be from New York. The last time that I had checked, early voting provisions were not in place in New York.
2
too bad they didn't look at the impact of class or family income. It would seem to me to be an obvious factor to consider.
2
Oops. Actually they do give figures for college educated and working class which can serve as a proxy for class. Not surprisingly more educated people, white people, views differ from most Americans. I wonder if it something to do with what you learn in higher education or the fact that most people think immigrants compete largely with the working classes? In other words educated people feel less threatened by possible competition.
3
Hmm. I figured that most of those immigrants coming from Mexico would be Catholic.
The fallacy is that this writer thinking that this is a white vs Hispanic issue. There are native born Hispanics, we African Americans that are native, and we have Asians that are native.
If you want to alienate an African American population that is disproportionately unemployed to the rest of the nation, then go ahead with allowing illegal immigration to continue.
The pro amnesty people are the ones who are anti American, as they would defer to the needs of people that broke the laws of the USA to get here.
A Pro amnesty stand is detrimental to the working class native populations in our country.
We need a clear responsible path for people to immigrate through INS. Its time to start enforcing existing laws, and mitigating the risk of a runaway immigrant population in our nation.
If you want to alienate an African American population that is disproportionately unemployed to the rest of the nation, then go ahead with allowing illegal immigration to continue.
The pro amnesty people are the ones who are anti American, as they would defer to the needs of people that broke the laws of the USA to get here.
A Pro amnesty stand is detrimental to the working class native populations in our country.
We need a clear responsible path for people to immigrate through INS. Its time to start enforcing existing laws, and mitigating the risk of a runaway immigrant population in our nation.
11
All over my suburban neighborhood, old homes are being sold and torn down, new homes are being built and all of the workers are Mexican. Everywhere there are Mexican gardeners, including my own. Do you really think that if they are somehow stopping blacks from doing the same work? The African-Americans who I personally know are upward aspiring or are engaged in social work that is so very essential in poorer communities where most of them live, as Obama once did. I do not believe that they are resentful of Hispanic immigrants but rather whites who have all of the power that lies between them and their dreams to succeed. Not only are they discriminated against but the powers that be on the right have exploited a divide and conquer philosophy by making blue collar whites resent them for taking food stamps and welfare that their taxes pay for. Because they are born Americans to families that began in the days of slavery, they have a completely different orientation to being here and their expectations are completely different than those coming willfully from a poor country who will take any work at the bottom of the totem poll that is available to them.
Thus, the current Trumped up (pun intended) build a wall mentality feeding this white resentment and fear of Hispanics is detrimental because Hispanics fill a need of the white population that blacks never will. To assume otherwise is foolish.
Thus, the current Trumped up (pun intended) build a wall mentality feeding this white resentment and fear of Hispanics is detrimental because Hispanics fill a need of the white population that blacks never will. To assume otherwise is foolish.
2
And, let me add, that even though I like my science job, I don't make as much as a guy in construction, assuming it is a good legal union construction job. And I had to get a PhD.
1
Jon R, I guess I do think think someone is stopping Blacks from doing that work, yes. The formen probably don't even ask Blacks--they just recruit among Hispanic day workers.
Of course, Blacks taking construction and other jobs would rightly demand a good living wage, and would not put up with abuse. But Blacks I know would love good construction jobs, so would a lot of Whites. Not everybody wants a desk job, many of which are low pay. Social service jobs are very low paid with an incredible turnover. My step brother does social work. His type of job is lower pay than a good construction job (not however a pay-you-under-the-table less-than-minimum-wage day construction job) and has a high turnover because of incredible stress. And it demands a master degree (read--student loans)
Let me again say--the Hispanics aren't taking work from me, and I think they are good people. I happen to be a scientist. It's not easy to get a science job, but mine is secure.
Of course, Blacks taking construction and other jobs would rightly demand a good living wage, and would not put up with abuse. But Blacks I know would love good construction jobs, so would a lot of Whites. Not everybody wants a desk job, many of which are low pay. Social service jobs are very low paid with an incredible turnover. My step brother does social work. His type of job is lower pay than a good construction job (not however a pay-you-under-the-table less-than-minimum-wage day construction job) and has a high turnover because of incredible stress. And it demands a master degree (read--student loans)
Let me again say--the Hispanics aren't taking work from me, and I think they are good people. I happen to be a scientist. It's not easy to get a science job, but mine is secure.
1
I just polled four "legal immigrants" that I know (two from Mexico, one from Colombia and one from Romania) and all four were opposed to Trump and expressed some level of support or at least sympathy for illegal immigrants. I would not say they were "in favor of" illegal immigrants but they understood their circumstances.
5
"The arts of power and its minions are the same in all countries and in all ages. It marks its victim; denounces it; and excites the public odium and the public hatred, to conceal its own abuses and encroachments."
Henry Clay (1834)
Henry Clay (1834)
4
I sometimes get the feeling that each party believes the other’s base is a permanent lumpenproletariat. The problem is that we have dissatisfaction or restiveness among many different groups of society, each stewing in its resentments, each telling the others that their concerns and grievances are unwarranted, illegitimate, even imagined. It may make some feel good to berate their fellow Americans, but we can’t ignore reality and then hope—hope what? None of this is going away. None of them is going away. Each side, all sides, must be respected, or at least reckoned with, or we will have a hell of a worse problem than harsh words.
2
I am beginning to think that the Americans described in this article that are Trump supporters are the type that just wake up angry every day. They project that others are getting ahead of them, but at the same time they feel entitled to whatever privilege idea they have going on. Whether you are in Louisiana and think that President Obama messed up the Katrina response in 2005 before he was in office, or you live in Kentucky and love the state health care exchange but think Obamacare is evil, or you think that imaginary Mexicans are coming for you, it's a mindset. I looked at the statistics for undocumented individuals, and a full half are from somewhere other than south of the border, Canada, Asia, Europe. Why is Trump not attacking them? Because he needs a scapegoat. I agree that we should have immigration laws and they should be enforced, but why can't that happen with Mr Boehner showing up for work and doing something about the Senate passed immigration bill that has been sitting on his desk? And George Will deserves what he gets; he's bought and paid for by the Bradley Foundation in Wisconsin, you know, Scott Walkers promoters.
12
Why is Trump not attacking them. He is, you didn't listen. Also "enforce the laws on the books already", you know "do what's right. We only need new legislation to give it all away. That should be a non-starter no matter what you and the times say.
The claim that whites, of which I am one, are discriminated against to the same degree as minorities is laughable. I am reminded of the Chris Rock bit where he states "There is not a single white man in America who would trade places with me... and I'm rich!"
14
i would vote for trump for city council, and if his bid for president doesn't work out, i wonder if he would consider relocating to west los angeles.
"They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent."
Then perhaps they should stop voting for people who aren't interested in running a government.
Then perhaps they should stop voting for people who aren't interested in running a government.
22
in his own way George Will says exactly what Trump says--just less comprehensively.
2
When Mr. Trump or anyone on the right who says kick out anyone who is here illegally AND ALSO SAYS that if an employer hires someone who is here illegally they will be fined and subject to jail time then at least they won't be hypocrits.
The fact is that people come here illegally to find jobs, and jobs they find. If we were really serious about keeping these people from coming here we would do our best to eliminate the demand. As a long time Arizona resident, home of that tough sheriff Joe Arapaio, I know that there is never any effort to go after the demand, the people who ensure the supply. Perhaps it's because many of those "job creators" are also GOP donors.
It's also laughable that these immigrants are really "taking our jobs". There could be rare instances but many if not most of these people do work that so many don't want to do. Hard, hot, sweaty manual labor that has evolved into something that is above so many Americans. Most are very hard working people trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. They can here illegally, "deporting them all" is certainly not a reasonable answer.
The fact is that people come here illegally to find jobs, and jobs they find. If we were really serious about keeping these people from coming here we would do our best to eliminate the demand. As a long time Arizona resident, home of that tough sheriff Joe Arapaio, I know that there is never any effort to go after the demand, the people who ensure the supply. Perhaps it's because many of those "job creators" are also GOP donors.
It's also laughable that these immigrants are really "taking our jobs". There could be rare instances but many if not most of these people do work that so many don't want to do. Hard, hot, sweaty manual labor that has evolved into something that is above so many Americans. Most are very hard working people trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. They can here illegally, "deporting them all" is certainly not a reasonable answer.
6
Virtually all South American countries are rife with corruption, illiteracy, poverty and violence. These conditions exist because it is tolerated by their populations. Corruption is part of their national culture.
Most of our illegals are economic immigrants. They fled their countries to seek a better wage. Their indifference to our laws is manifest by their presence, stealing of identities, etc.
Contrary to popular myth, their reported wages are so low that they do not pay taxes. As in their home countries, they are content to hide their real income and let others pay for the infrastructure that they consume. They have a parasitic relationship with government.
Given the explosive birth rate cited in the article, they are having children that they cannot afford. By doing that, they will repeat the cycle of poverty that haunts their home countries.
Is it any wonder that middle and lower class citizens resent their presence?
Most of our illegals are economic immigrants. They fled their countries to seek a better wage. Their indifference to our laws is manifest by their presence, stealing of identities, etc.
Contrary to popular myth, their reported wages are so low that they do not pay taxes. As in their home countries, they are content to hide their real income and let others pay for the infrastructure that they consume. They have a parasitic relationship with government.
Given the explosive birth rate cited in the article, they are having children that they cannot afford. By doing that, they will repeat the cycle of poverty that haunts their home countries.
Is it any wonder that middle and lower class citizens resent their presence?
6
And we're not just as corrupt as any country south of the border? Some one is illegally hiring all these illegals. I suspect most of them really like Boehner.
"Virtually all South American countries are rife with corruption, illiteracy, poverty and violence. These conditions exist because it is tolerated by their populations. Corruption is part of their national culture."
I'm gonna pick on you because this statement illustrates a common disconnect. Why do you think these countries are rife with corruption, illiteracy, poverty and violence? Why is corruption part of their culture? Do you think it may have something to do with the century or so of imperialism, meddling and the outright looting of these nations by the United States? The misery in places like Mexico, Panama and Chile has it's genesis directly or indirectly in American Foreign Policy, both historically and in our current policies. The so called "War on Drugs" all by itself has utterly destroyed the civil society in some of these nations. From the standpoint of this voter, America owes every single person crossing our borders a place in our society to make amends for the destruction we have wreaked in this region for decades. As for Trump, he is playing one of the oldest cards in the American Politcal Playbook. "Fear of the outsider" has been used many times in our history to induce the ignorant and hateful among us to action, for both good and ill. I still believe his supporters are a very vocal minority and that good sense and sanity will prevail in the end. I refuse to believe the GOP has fallen so far as to nominate this odious individual for high office.
I'm gonna pick on you because this statement illustrates a common disconnect. Why do you think these countries are rife with corruption, illiteracy, poverty and violence? Why is corruption part of their culture? Do you think it may have something to do with the century or so of imperialism, meddling and the outright looting of these nations by the United States? The misery in places like Mexico, Panama and Chile has it's genesis directly or indirectly in American Foreign Policy, both historically and in our current policies. The so called "War on Drugs" all by itself has utterly destroyed the civil society in some of these nations. From the standpoint of this voter, America owes every single person crossing our borders a place in our society to make amends for the destruction we have wreaked in this region for decades. As for Trump, he is playing one of the oldest cards in the American Politcal Playbook. "Fear of the outsider" has been used many times in our history to induce the ignorant and hateful among us to action, for both good and ill. I still believe his supporters are a very vocal minority and that good sense and sanity will prevail in the end. I refuse to believe the GOP has fallen so far as to nominate this odious individual for high office.
2
Every single Hispanic I know is incredibly hard working and very smart. They work hard in service jobs, they work hard in constructions jobs. They tend to have conservative family values. They want the America dream. Like all immigrants, they are hardworking and are a credit to our country. Trump is wrong to say anything else.
Unfortunately, we have people in this country who can't compete with super talented 'cream of the crop' immigrants, immigrants who work for very little. Now, of course, is the time for everyone to jump in with 'Americans don't want those jobs'. Untrue. Unfair.
Maybe the most talented, educated Americans don't. Maybe you don't. But our country is filled with good people who want jobs and who can't compete.
This is a problem. I don't know the solution.
Unfortunately, we have people in this country who can't compete with super talented 'cream of the crop' immigrants, immigrants who work for very little. Now, of course, is the time for everyone to jump in with 'Americans don't want those jobs'. Untrue. Unfair.
Maybe the most talented, educated Americans don't. Maybe you don't. But our country is filled with good people who want jobs and who can't compete.
This is a problem. I don't know the solution.
4
It's nice to see our European friends grappling with a massive influx of immigrants from the south in the same way America has been doing for 50 years. It will open the Europeans' blinkered eyes, esp. when they see the impact of the Great Unwashed on their vaunted socialized health care systems (for which they'd previously cannibalized their military posture, letting the Mideast burn, and Russia to take chunks of their eastern flank, unimpeded.)
An interview with Carlos Fuentes on Book TV said the migration of Central and South Americans to America was the largest such movement in world history, BTW. An excellent analysis is "Mexifornia," by Hoover Institute scholar Victor Davis Hanson, a Fresno native who knows first-hand the immigrants' impact.
An interview with Carlos Fuentes on Book TV said the migration of Central and South Americans to America was the largest such movement in world history, BTW. An excellent analysis is "Mexifornia," by Hoover Institute scholar Victor Davis Hanson, a Fresno native who knows first-hand the immigrants' impact.
4
The letdown of defeat may not only be brutal for Trump's followers, it may be too much for Trump's outsized ego as well.
That may very well propel him to 3rd party run, no matter what the outcome.
That may very well propel him to 3rd party run, no matter what the outcome.
2
The establishment news media has predicted Trump's demise every week since Mid-May.
And Trump's poll numbers have grown every week.
Obama supporters should be bracing for the real letdown, when that clown has to leave the WH and get a life.
And Trump's poll numbers have grown every week.
Obama supporters should be bracing for the real letdown, when that clown has to leave the WH and get a life.
1
Ben Carson is closing in on Trump. Evidently soft-spoken bedside manners count.
Correction, the mainstream media, after putting Jeb Bush and Carly Fiorina up as Trump slayers, have chosen Ben Carson as the next mark.
We will be reading stories about Jindal being neck and neck with Trump in a few days.
Liberals, easily fooled.
We will be reading stories about Jindal being neck and neck with Trump in a few days.
Liberals, easily fooled.
George Will has been hyperventilating about Trump since the get-go, Trump seems to be having too much fun for George and his bow-tie, who do not suffer fools gladly. I try to balance my intake of George Will, and Hillary-plumper George Stephanopolous too, with less hackneyed points-of-view, preferably from Dr. Krauthammer and certain WaPo pundits, along with Mark Steyn.
Whatever happened to "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses"? It seems like every generation in this country has a population to be xenophobic against and then later accept as they get incorporated into our society. Perhaps one day we'll learn our lesson.
3
Poor Trump he will never be able to have good Mexican food again. He will have to heat hot dogs at Wal-Mart.
2
Let me repeat this for the endless stream of bitter, whining Obama supporters and the establishment news media hacks here in Washington who are losing their minds over this:
"Donald Trump's success is no surprise."
Period.
I won't go back to my posts in mid-May, predicting Trump's success, this isn't about me. What this is about is the fact that the entire American news media establishment. And I repeat the ENTIRE American news media establishment not only tried to stop this, but have spent the last 3 months predicting Trump's demise.
They. Were. All. Wrong.
We are witnessing the power of ideas, the power of America and the fact of the matter that the people we trust to give us news in America are all operating on a communal brain cell. When every major network news outlet in America is 100% wrong, for nearly 4 months, about the same thing, 24 hours a day, the problem isn't Trump.
"Donald Trump's success is no surprise."
Period.
I won't go back to my posts in mid-May, predicting Trump's success, this isn't about me. What this is about is the fact that the entire American news media establishment. And I repeat the ENTIRE American news media establishment not only tried to stop this, but have spent the last 3 months predicting Trump's demise.
They. Were. All. Wrong.
We are witnessing the power of ideas, the power of America and the fact of the matter that the people we trust to give us news in America are all operating on a communal brain cell. When every major network news outlet in America is 100% wrong, for nearly 4 months, about the same thing, 24 hours a day, the problem isn't Trump.
9
It is great for the Democratic party to talk about diversity, but it seems the Party is "stuck on stupid in this subject" and people are starting to take notice. Let's examine the field of candidates for the next election:
1) Republicans: Latinos=2 (Rubio&Cruz), Black=1 (Carson), Indian=1 (Jindal), White Women=1 (Fiorina), White males=8 (Trump and the rest)
2) Democrats: Minorities=0 (i.e. no latinos, no blacks, or else!), White Women=1 (Clinton); White Males=4 (Sanders, O'Malley and rest) or maybe 5 if Biden gets in.
That is not a very good example of diversity in the Democratic Party! It seems the Party is only interested in votes but unfortunately without promotions.
As a Hispanic Latino, I have decided to support Trump in 2016 because I do want to see illegal immigration fixed and ended so Latinos are not longer soiled by its negative effects on society. Trump is the only one with the strength and commitment to fixt it.
1) Republicans: Latinos=2 (Rubio&Cruz), Black=1 (Carson), Indian=1 (Jindal), White Women=1 (Fiorina), White males=8 (Trump and the rest)
2) Democrats: Minorities=0 (i.e. no latinos, no blacks, or else!), White Women=1 (Clinton); White Males=4 (Sanders, O'Malley and rest) or maybe 5 if Biden gets in.
That is not a very good example of diversity in the Democratic Party! It seems the Party is only interested in votes but unfortunately without promotions.
As a Hispanic Latino, I have decided to support Trump in 2016 because I do want to see illegal immigration fixed and ended so Latinos are not longer soiled by its negative effects on society. Trump is the only one with the strength and commitment to fixt it.
4
The recent PPP poll asked Republicans if they thought President Obama was born in this country. Only 29% answered that he was. When asked whether the President is a Christian, only 19% thought he was. Is it any wonder that the birther-in-chief, Donald Trump, is the leading contender for the Republican nomination? The right-wing echo chamber, led by Fox "News" has created an alternate universe in which most Republicans reside, and their ignorance and prejudice cannot be ignored. Republican politicians, backed by the big money donors, throw them red meat and play to their ignorance. That is the way that the Republican Party convinces people to vote against their own interests by playing to this ignorance and prejudice, and they have become very good at it.
9
The Trump phenomenon arguably represents a culmination of the 50-plus-year transformation of the Republican Party.
He is the GOP unmasked and decoded. There are no dog-whistles or allusions or euphemisms.
The ability to hide in plain sight makes racism palatable to those who believe the perception of racism is gauche. When the spotlight is shown on the actual ugliness, one can't hide behind manners and propriety.
I'm sure Davey B, the GOP's water-carrier, is twisting himself into a knot trying to deny the truth that Mr. Edsall has lain bare. I look forward to tomorrow's column.
He is the GOP unmasked and decoded. There are no dog-whistles or allusions or euphemisms.
The ability to hide in plain sight makes racism palatable to those who believe the perception of racism is gauche. When the spotlight is shown on the actual ugliness, one can't hide behind manners and propriety.
I'm sure Davey B, the GOP's water-carrier, is twisting himself into a knot trying to deny the truth that Mr. Edsall has lain bare. I look forward to tomorrow's column.
3
I am beginning to wonder how far the Republican party is from proposing that illegal aliens be rounded up and put in detention centers to await deportation. This does not seem like an improbable evolution of their immigration policy that would put them one step closer to an actual functioning immigration plan the likes of which has not been seen since WWII in Germany.
2
Professor Edsall, as your article correctly points out, Mr.Trump is surfing on a strengthening wave of "compositional amenities" that received its energy from the Johnson-Goldwater contest that I remember well & I am glad that your long career as a journalist, you also know the importance of that campaign.
Trump is going directly after those voters who seek to protect "the comfort of a common religion and language, mutually shared traditions, and the minimization of cultural conflict. Unfortunately, the"fertile ground" has cost Americans enormously, in all of the factors that contribute to a higher quality of life.
We were doing well in the period after WWII & it is sad that most of the social gains achieved since the war are being erased. Once the "agenda setters" (your term, but spot on) sensed that the new efforts to close the door on discrimination was being attempted, the new tribalism became the core of the GOP message. It was pronounced during the Nixon & Reagan campaigns and the agenda setters used it to shape policy to secure their position. It created a society that permitted policymakers to create a regulatory & tax code that favored their corporatists interests and they have been successful at concentrating wealth and incomes, since.
Mr. Trump is a gift to the agenda setters, the perfect candidate to give them a fair shot at holding the Congress, the governorships and the State legislatures.
It worries me because the economy is being harmed..
Trump is going directly after those voters who seek to protect "the comfort of a common religion and language, mutually shared traditions, and the minimization of cultural conflict. Unfortunately, the"fertile ground" has cost Americans enormously, in all of the factors that contribute to a higher quality of life.
We were doing well in the period after WWII & it is sad that most of the social gains achieved since the war are being erased. Once the "agenda setters" (your term, but spot on) sensed that the new efforts to close the door on discrimination was being attempted, the new tribalism became the core of the GOP message. It was pronounced during the Nixon & Reagan campaigns and the agenda setters used it to shape policy to secure their position. It created a society that permitted policymakers to create a regulatory & tax code that favored their corporatists interests and they have been successful at concentrating wealth and incomes, since.
Mr. Trump is a gift to the agenda setters, the perfect candidate to give them a fair shot at holding the Congress, the governorships and the State legislatures.
It worries me because the economy is being harmed..
1
For those having trouble picking a party,
Just take this test, don't be tardy.
Answer one simple question all about you,
When you're finished, you'll know what to do.
Question: Are you a billionaire?
If yes, then vote GOP
If no, then vote Democrat
Just take this test, don't be tardy.
Answer one simple question all about you,
When you're finished, you'll know what to do.
Question: Are you a billionaire?
If yes, then vote GOP
If no, then vote Democrat
1
Good article, it explains with facts how thing have chaged in the second half of the 20th century, and the 21st century. The Donald is the first person, with the driving narcissism to be in the public eye, to expliot it. And exploit he has. He will go away, but the issues won't. Only time will make that happen.
God help us if someone else like him (Joe McCarthy) gets elected.
God help us if someone else like him (Joe McCarthy) gets elected.
1
I think he really doesn't care about it - he's leading and that's the point including the party.
1
Is Willie Horton an immigrant? Or a Republican?
1
What can one say? First, it appears that approximately half of our country live in a self-imposed dreamscape of anti-bellum longing. Most of these denizens, as surveys indicate, are white male conservatives, but, be not mistaken, many blacks, Hispanics and others fill out this group. This is a group of frightened people. They are afraid of reality. They are afraid of a world in which they are a clear minority vastly outnumbered by other groups, which is, of course, the real world.
Trump is playing from the often borrowed, Reagan “how to become president,” playbook. His stump speeches being distinctly reminiscent of Reagan’s prattling about welfare queens driving Cadillacs and bucks buying steaks with food stamps (sadly, I’m not making this up).
Discrimination against whites in the US is a problem? Surely this is the Bizarro US where Superman is a villain, not the one from which I myself am currently writing from.
The lemming effect is powerfully attractive in humans, we must demand a better system of selecting those whom we follow. Our current system, in which money equals speech is making a mockery out of the republic and democracy.
Trump is playing from the often borrowed, Reagan “how to become president,” playbook. His stump speeches being distinctly reminiscent of Reagan’s prattling about welfare queens driving Cadillacs and bucks buying steaks with food stamps (sadly, I’m not making this up).
Discrimination against whites in the US is a problem? Surely this is the Bizarro US where Superman is a villain, not the one from which I myself am currently writing from.
The lemming effect is powerfully attractive in humans, we must demand a better system of selecting those whom we follow. Our current system, in which money equals speech is making a mockery out of the republic and democracy.
2
And how can they NOT see that acceptance of and abortion rights for everyone is part of the solution to the misery of people in an already-overcrowded world in the grip of poverty and conflict?
1
Murder would be equally effective.
A cartoon in the New Yorker for Trump.
It showed an old sailing boat at a shoreline with a Pilgrim in the bow. The shore had a high wall of logs all along it except for a small opening where an Indian was fitting logs to close it. The caption was:
"We don't want your kind around here."
It showed an old sailing boat at a shoreline with a Pilgrim in the bow. The shore had a high wall of logs all along it except for a small opening where an Indian was fitting logs to close it. The caption was:
"We don't want your kind around here."
2
This constant supporting or criticizing the success of Trump is too shallow. The time has come that newspapers are taking an in-depth look at Americans, the Voters, from Sea to Shining Sea. Obviously something is running amok in this country and it should be figured out. Front-page articles here are constantly about gun control, Americans shooting each other at the drop of a head, Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Ky., clerk enforcing god's rules during her 9-5 job, or Freddie Gray in Baltimore being tortured to death in a police-car. Give me a break - this country is a disaster and indeed is illustrated by Trump being the big hero.
2
He appeals to the authoritarian wing of the party, which in the words of E. M. "Ted" Dealey, "need[s] a man on horseback to lead this country."
Giddy up.
Giddy up.
1
George Will and the 'moderate' Republicans--and all of us--are whistling in the dark when they talk about a Trump candidacy.
1
"From 1964 to 2008, the Republican share dropped to an average of 6.1 percent of the minority vote. Since 1964, the Republican Party has become, in effect, a white party."
And the minority is represented by the likes of Clarence Thomas on the Supreme court,Tim Scott from South Carolina,Ted Cruz from Texas,Marc Rubio from Florida and Ben Carson,a presidential candidate.I see something wrong with this picture
And the minority is represented by the likes of Clarence Thomas on the Supreme court,Tim Scott from South Carolina,Ted Cruz from Texas,Marc Rubio from Florida and Ben Carson,a presidential candidate.I see something wrong with this picture
3
"The Republican shift to racial conservatism" ?? Really? Don't we mean "the Republican shift to racial bigotry and racism?"
--- Steve
--- Steve
2
"Get tough'? This is code for fascism. We must abandon Godwin and call Trump and his supporters what they are;fascists. The xenophobia in the Northern hemisphere merely shows that the most extreme rhetoric about the perfidy of ALL Whites that came out of the Third World movement in the 60's is all true. is true. White people; descended form Neanderthal!
3
Trump's popularity can be summarized in one word BIRTHERISM
Trump upper limits of Republican Popularity is at least 64% to possibly 70% based on the following:
In a recent PPP Poll released 8/31/2015, only 29% of Republicans believe (ERRONEOUSLY) that President Obama was NOT born in the United States. President Obama was indeed born in Hawaii and has been humiliated by the Donald into releasing his birth certificate.
YET 40% of these same Republicans believe Ted Cruz was born in the U.S.A. (ALSO ERRONEOUS).
Fact: Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta in Canada in 1970, thus Ted Cruz IS A CANADIAN BY BIRTH, a fact which Ted Cruz has never denied. It should be pointed out that Cruz recently rejected his Canadian Citizenship so he could run for the US Presidency. Cruz is an American because his mother is an American JUST LIKE President Obama's mother is an American. Thus the Donald's claim of Birtherism is a moot point.
The American People need to see an original copy of The Donald's birth certificate as proof he is a native born American!
Trump upper limits of Republican Popularity is at least 64% to possibly 70% based on the following:
In a recent PPP Poll released 8/31/2015, only 29% of Republicans believe (ERRONEOUSLY) that President Obama was NOT born in the United States. President Obama was indeed born in Hawaii and has been humiliated by the Donald into releasing his birth certificate.
YET 40% of these same Republicans believe Ted Cruz was born in the U.S.A. (ALSO ERRONEOUS).
Fact: Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta in Canada in 1970, thus Ted Cruz IS A CANADIAN BY BIRTH, a fact which Ted Cruz has never denied. It should be pointed out that Cruz recently rejected his Canadian Citizenship so he could run for the US Presidency. Cruz is an American because his mother is an American JUST LIKE President Obama's mother is an American. Thus the Donald's claim of Birtherism is a moot point.
The American People need to see an original copy of The Donald's birth certificate as proof he is a native born American!
4
The Republican party should be renamed "White Man's Last Stand", for that is what it is.
4
It's amazing that liberals can post comments like this and not recognize what they are saying. A "Last Stand" implies extermination, an inevitable defeat and destruction being resisted out of heroism or desperation. But you think it's contemptible, worthy of scorn. You think the problem is that "White Men" are resisting their dispossession, not that they are being dispossessed. But you might be disappointed, the "White Man" has been on the ropes before, the East has been attempting to storm Europe for 2,500 years, and they've been thrown back every time, from Marathon to Tours to Vienna. Now, the enemy is within, our own elite class believe that their riches and power will only be secure when the "White Man" has been replaced by a single homogeneous race.
The Republican party is not our last stand, the actual last stand hasn't begun yet, but if it does come, it will be violent.
The Republican party is not our last stand, the actual last stand hasn't begun yet, but if it does come, it will be violent.
Mr. Edsall just made the case for why Donald Trump will
win the GOP nomination.
win the GOP nomination.
3
There is nothing really new here. Donald Trump has taken a leaf from the Nazi playbook. Find a minority to hate and make them the enemy and then eliminate (deport) them.
4
Well done. Glad to see goldwater brought out as the beginning of insanity in the publicans. They win in the house and state legislatures because of people who do not vote, ignorant voters and gerrymandered districts. ronnie and the shrubs, together with the wingers in congress have done so much damage to this country it will be decades to recover. People better wake up.
1
This is a very useful article. I appreciate the detail. Mr. Edsall should be more careful, however, with the terms "Hispanic" and "White." A large percentage of Hispanics and Latinos consider themselves to be White. "White" is a racial designation while "Hispanic" and "Latino" are ethnic designations. They should not be counterposed.
This said, I think that Donald Trump and his followers do regard "Hispanic" as racial, and, as Mr. Edsall points out, are quick to group Hispanics and African Americans when it comes to crime in our cities. Such slippery use of language is typical of a demagogue.
This said, I think that Donald Trump and his followers do regard "Hispanic" as racial, and, as Mr. Edsall points out, are quick to group Hispanics and African Americans when it comes to crime in our cities. Such slippery use of language is typical of a demagogue.
2
Election night 2008, Chicago: Jesse Jackson sheds tears that a black man was elected President. Election night 2016, New York: David Duke sheds tears that an old white male could still be elected President.
I wonder how many "legal" immigrants agree with Donald Trump when he attacks illegal immigration?
I bet more then most people think, since illegals are also a threat to legals and they know it.
I bet more then most people think, since illegals are also a threat to legals and they know it.
10
As a legal immigrant, I see the attacks by Trump and others on illegal immigrants as thin cover for their animosity against ALL immigrants, particularly Hispanics. Illegals are no threat to me, but anti-immigrant sentiment is.
2
What can one say? First, it appears that approximately half of our country live in a self-imposed dreamscape of pre-civil rights, antebellum longing. Most of these denizens are white male conservatives, but, be not mistaken, many blacks, Hispanics and others fill out this group. This is a group of frightened people. They are afraid of reality. They are afraid of a world in which they are a clear minority vastly outnumbered by other groups, which is, of course, the real world.
Trump is playing from the often borrowed, Reagan “how to become president,” playbook. His stump speeches being distinctly reminiscent of Reagan’s prattling about welfare queens and bucks buying steaks with food stamps (sadly, I’m not making this up).
Discrimination against whites in the US is a problem? Surely this is the bizarro US where Superman is a villain, not the one from which I myself am currently writing from.
The lemming effect is powerfully attractive in humans, we must demand a better system of selecting those whom we follow. Our current system, in which money equals speech is making a mockery out of the republic and democracy.
This is what we call American elitism? Our politicians and those aspiring to political office are not fit to lead a pack of huskies.
Trump is playing from the often borrowed, Reagan “how to become president,” playbook. His stump speeches being distinctly reminiscent of Reagan’s prattling about welfare queens and bucks buying steaks with food stamps (sadly, I’m not making this up).
Discrimination against whites in the US is a problem? Surely this is the bizarro US where Superman is a villain, not the one from which I myself am currently writing from.
The lemming effect is powerfully attractive in humans, we must demand a better system of selecting those whom we follow. Our current system, in which money equals speech is making a mockery out of the republic and democracy.
This is what we call American elitism? Our politicians and those aspiring to political office are not fit to lead a pack of huskies.
The proper term is "racist conservatism", not "racial conservatism".
2
“I Love the Mexican people"---Trump.
So he wants to dump 11-12 million (he says up to 34 million)
men, women, children and American-citizen children across the
border without jobs, lodging, food or medical services. (No
matter that that would cost the US half a trillion dollars because
he says he would make Mexico pay for it.) He says they can
return when they can return legally, but how can they live for
5-10 years while waiting?
Be careful voters; Trump may start loving you.
So he wants to dump 11-12 million (he says up to 34 million)
men, women, children and American-citizen children across the
border without jobs, lodging, food or medical services. (No
matter that that would cost the US half a trillion dollars because
he says he would make Mexico pay for it.) He says they can
return when they can return legally, but how can they live for
5-10 years while waiting?
Be careful voters; Trump may start loving you.
2
I am a Reagan conservative and I would no more voted for Trump than I would Daffy Duck. All of this hysteria is funny to me. This paper (Maureen Dowd wrote 5 columns in a row on Trump) has written countless columns on Trump. Tell me, how many months until the Iowa Caucus? A month ago Walker was leading big in Iowa. Where is he now? Yet Democrats are already spelling out the doom and gloom of a Trump nomination. Please. Over 60% of Republicans polled said they would never vote for Trump under any circumstances and I am one of them so please spare me the internet psychoanalysis. You people are trying to define people you've never met to create a narrative that hasn't happened. Talk about paranoid.
Trump has tapped into the anger that people feel towards Washington. The same old tired talking points and 30 second sound bites from candidates in both parties.
As a Republican I enjoy being trashed my faceless people who've never met me. But I would like to ask these self righteous Democrats a few questions
1) Who lied at her UN press conference about her emails?
2) Who lied about her server?
3) Who lied about sending and receiving confidential emails
4) Who lied about destroying confidential emails?
5) Who lied about the number of devices?
6) Who violated Obama's mandate about Sidney Blumenthal? (297 emails is all)
7) Whose being investigated by the FBI for violation of the Espionage Act? And you people mock us? Sure, what a great moral compass you all have. Keep it going
Trump has tapped into the anger that people feel towards Washington. The same old tired talking points and 30 second sound bites from candidates in both parties.
As a Republican I enjoy being trashed my faceless people who've never met me. But I would like to ask these self righteous Democrats a few questions
1) Who lied at her UN press conference about her emails?
2) Who lied about her server?
3) Who lied about sending and receiving confidential emails
4) Who lied about destroying confidential emails?
5) Who lied about the number of devices?
6) Who violated Obama's mandate about Sidney Blumenthal? (297 emails is all)
7) Whose being investigated by the FBI for violation of the Espionage Act? And you people mock us? Sure, what a great moral compass you all have. Keep it going
2
I hate to break it to you but no one is interested in you enough to trash you. Quite a few people get tired of your copied and pasted Fox News talking points but that's about the extent of their interest.
1
In my opinion, Trump makes plays. Of course, this is reflected in his rating. But what will happen in America?? I think he will destroy America. He is not a politician. He's a businessman, he only knows how to make a profit!
2
Barack Obama, who led America to our first credit downgrade, an 18 trillion dollar budget deficit and 11.3 million more African Americans suffering in Black communities on his watch than lived as slaves in 1855 is destroying America.
Donald Trump for President.
Because it's time for America to make a buck, and for Obama to stop passing it.
Donald Trump for President.
Because it's time for America to make a buck, and for Obama to stop passing it.
So Mr Edsall, are you saying that Trump is factually incorrect about the deleterious effects of mass illegal 3rd world immigration? As an urbane liberal I imagine you (like me) are wealthy enough to insulate yourself from the damage, but what about the vast majority of people who can't buy their way out of dealing with it?
2
I noticed when you got to the statistics of religion, Jewish was, I assume, lumped in with other. Usually we get lumped "Judeo-Christian". Either way, although a rather quiet group about religion we are very strong in our sense of religious right and wrong. This being said, I get offended by being put in any other category but Jewish. My generation(baby boomer) and younger see an inclusion of all. We were immigrants not that long ago as we're all Americans not of American Indian descent.
"Either way, although a rather quiet group about religion"
I had to laugh when I read that. Your lobby AIPAC speaks for itself. Nothing quiet about that.
I had to laugh when I read that. Your lobby AIPAC speaks for itself. Nothing quiet about that.
Why does the article say "even if [Trump's] odds of sinning the nomination remain slim"? Isn't being ahead in almost all polls something that improves the odds of winning?
One of the things Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama have in common is that the conventional wisdom was that they could never be nominated, let alone elected.
To be sure, if Trump loses the nomination, his supporters will become even more frustrated and angry than they are now -- unless they find another standard-bearer who will articulate their concerns. But every article on Trump, or for that matter on Bernie Sanders, does not need to end with "of course he won't be nominated." Report the news and don't make predictions without real data and robust models.
One of the things Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama have in common is that the conventional wisdom was that they could never be nominated, let alone elected.
To be sure, if Trump loses the nomination, his supporters will become even more frustrated and angry than they are now -- unless they find another standard-bearer who will articulate their concerns. But every article on Trump, or for that matter on Bernie Sanders, does not need to end with "of course he won't be nominated." Report the news and don't make predictions without real data and robust models.
3
There is a huge gap in this entertaining analysis: low-wage immigration indeed has collapsed wage levels. It's an insourcing of labor, which is a continuation of wage-pressure via outsourcing.
A friend has remarked that much of what drives Black Lives Matter is anxiety that black people are being displaced in elite Democratic circles by Latinos.
A friend has remarked that much of what drives Black Lives Matter is anxiety that black people are being displaced in elite Democratic circles by Latinos.
Adolf Hitler started this way. He tapped into national unrest by selling hate. Those with unfulfilled dreams bought into his rhetoric, and we all know how that story ended.
Americans cannot accept Donald Trump's skewed view of America, because he is wrong. We are not a hateful country, and it's that very diversity he so despises that makes us great. We must turn our backs on this man and say, "not here, not now".
Americans cannot accept Donald Trump's skewed view of America, because he is wrong. We are not a hateful country, and it's that very diversity he so despises that makes us great. We must turn our backs on this man and say, "not here, not now".
That Trump has mastered the art of pandering to lesser angels can hardly be disputed. Consider his observation when questioned about his enthusiasm for the birther controversy: "The people love this issue." He knows his audience.
" In 2013, white children became a minority, 47.7 percent of students ages 3 to 6."
Who do you think these white kids will eventually date and marry? It was fun watching my grandson have his Puerto Rico neighbour help him with his Spanish so he could talk to that cute Mexican girl down the street. My grandson looks like his Swedish great grandfather on my wife's side of the family. Blond, tall, hazel eyes and very fair. He is not worried about white supremacy but just fitting into the emerging minority majority society. Trump and other racist might as well be trying to spoon back the ocean.
Who do you think these white kids will eventually date and marry? It was fun watching my grandson have his Puerto Rico neighbour help him with his Spanish so he could talk to that cute Mexican girl down the street. My grandson looks like his Swedish great grandfather on my wife's side of the family. Blond, tall, hazel eyes and very fair. He is not worried about white supremacy but just fitting into the emerging minority majority society. Trump and other racist might as well be trying to spoon back the ocean.
While Democrats are the party of immorality, godless contempt for we who trust in Almighty God, and promotion of every pervert on the planet, the Republicans have embraced hate, racism, and a distortion of what they mistakenly believe as 'Christianity' that makes war and crushing contempt for the " Least of These ", as Christ called them, the cornerstone of their party platform. The 'Party of Lincoln' would have the best president this nation ever created named as a link to the very worst of president's.
Christ would have nothing to do with either of these political nightmare's, as a Christian one must enter the polling place with a Barf Bag and then do penance for whatever we choose to vote for.
God Help America !
Christ would have nothing to do with either of these political nightmare's, as a Christian one must enter the polling place with a Barf Bag and then do penance for whatever we choose to vote for.
God Help America !
Conservatives always say that minorities vote democratic because they want "handouts", yet they can't explain why all nonwhites avoid their party regardless of economic status. Rich minorities don't vote republican, period.
Asian-Americans are the best educated and highest earning group in America, but they still voted for Obama at higher rate than even Latinos! Obama got 75 percent of their votes, compared to 71 percent from Latinos. Was it because they wanted "handouts" too?
The GOP isn't 92 percent white by accident and it's no coincidence that white supremacists like Don Black and the Council of Concerned Citizens make donations to GOP politicians.
Asian-Americans are the best educated and highest earning group in America, but they still voted for Obama at higher rate than even Latinos! Obama got 75 percent of their votes, compared to 71 percent from Latinos. Was it because they wanted "handouts" too?
The GOP isn't 92 percent white by accident and it's no coincidence that white supremacists like Don Black and the Council of Concerned Citizens make donations to GOP politicians.
2
The author wrongly claims Trump is a protectionist.
In three words: Trump is a free trader. Yet there is a fundamental difference in his understanding of free trade, from the most Republican and Democratic free traders. The Trump's point is commonsensical: yes, free trade can be a positive thing for the American economy and the American workers (this is the first difference from the usual view on free trade - he, surprisingly so, cares about the results of the trade for the Americans), but only under two conditions. And the first condition is obvious: you need the most talented and the toughest negotiators with countries like China and Japan. It is like: " Yes, I am for the trip to Mars, but we need the most talented engineers to proceed." Is this view against the trip to Mars? No. He often gives a satirical story of the appointment of Caroline Kennedy and the ambassador to Japan. "I need a job, Barry, do you have anything? - How about an ambassador to Japan. - Really?" It was a brilliant satire from Trump, that illustrates his point our negotiators are clueless. The second condition: the results of trade agreements should not be dependant on special interests and corrupt politics.
In sum, free trade has to be professional and free from political corruption. And by the way, if these are real concerns, it can't be demagogy.
Are you angry at Trump for his characterisation of the media as dishonest? You are a journalist professor, and you must be angry at him.
In three words: Trump is a free trader. Yet there is a fundamental difference in his understanding of free trade, from the most Republican and Democratic free traders. The Trump's point is commonsensical: yes, free trade can be a positive thing for the American economy and the American workers (this is the first difference from the usual view on free trade - he, surprisingly so, cares about the results of the trade for the Americans), but only under two conditions. And the first condition is obvious: you need the most talented and the toughest negotiators with countries like China and Japan. It is like: " Yes, I am for the trip to Mars, but we need the most talented engineers to proceed." Is this view against the trip to Mars? No. He often gives a satirical story of the appointment of Caroline Kennedy and the ambassador to Japan. "I need a job, Barry, do you have anything? - How about an ambassador to Japan. - Really?" It was a brilliant satire from Trump, that illustrates his point our negotiators are clueless. The second condition: the results of trade agreements should not be dependant on special interests and corrupt politics.
In sum, free trade has to be professional and free from political corruption. And by the way, if these are real concerns, it can't be demagogy.
Are you angry at Trump for his characterisation of the media as dishonest? You are a journalist professor, and you must be angry at him.
Excellent analysis. It's gratifying to hear someone put into reasonable words my own evolving surprise that the Republicans seem to be embracing their own secret urges toward racism. And Trump is like a perfect pied piper to lead the whole party over a cliff in one big giddy white power bandwagon.
2
Race is just a superficial artifact of the real problem, simply because it's too easy (for those of us on the ground) to spot. What so few of us see are the multi-million/billionair CEOs who jet/helecopter/limo over our landscape, voting each other more obscene pay-raises at each board meeting. They then outsourcie our (working class) jobs to less developed countries for chump change. The real issue is income and wealth disparity. How hard should it be to find qualified candidates for ANY JOB that draws a million dollar per year salary ? Running small or large businesses successfully is not simple, but it doesn't take a genious either. Many of these CEOs are not bright at all as they are greedy and reckless. Look up the history of Circuit City or Worldcom, or any the banks and insurance companies that WE (the U.S. gov.) had to bail out in 2008-09 !
3
Democrats' idea of "comprehensive" immigration reform is to legalize illegal immigrants first, and then secure the border later, or probably never. The last time we had such "comprehensive" reform, under Reagan, we granted amnesty to many immigrants, but the promised border solutions never came. That is why Republicans are demanding that the border be secure first; only then can we humanely deal with the illegal immigrants who remain. This is a logical position, and Mr. Edsall can't respond to it substantively, which is why he resorts to name-calling. We have reached the point with progressives where any immigration proposal that does not call for open borders is denounced as "racist." Mr. Edsall, since you are apparently so attuned to the African-American community, maybe you can poll them to ask what they think of illegal immigrants driving down wages for the lower class.
1
Secure the border? with Canada? Oh, that's probably not the one you mean, though Canada IS the border that terrorists have actually come through.
You mean that other border, I'll bet--rivers, mountains, uninhabitable desert extending about 2000 miles. Obama has spent more money on border reinforcement and deportations than his predecessors, on a border that CANNOT be secured completely. We can spend every cent of the US GDP on that southern border, and it could make a dent in the traffic but it won't end it. We could put every illegal immigrant in prison and deport them, and we'd run out of money before we got half of them. We could turn Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California into war zones that will make Iraq look like paradise--is that what those states want for themselves?
Democrats would like to see a real solution here, not a bunch of symbolic hoo-haa. The system we have is obsolete, from an earlier era. Let's scrap it and start over with something rational and real.
You mean that other border, I'll bet--rivers, mountains, uninhabitable desert extending about 2000 miles. Obama has spent more money on border reinforcement and deportations than his predecessors, on a border that CANNOT be secured completely. We can spend every cent of the US GDP on that southern border, and it could make a dent in the traffic but it won't end it. We could put every illegal immigrant in prison and deport them, and we'd run out of money before we got half of them. We could turn Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California into war zones that will make Iraq look like paradise--is that what those states want for themselves?
Democrats would like to see a real solution here, not a bunch of symbolic hoo-haa. The system we have is obsolete, from an earlier era. Let's scrap it and start over with something rational and real.
So, your position is that there is no way to secure the border. Wow. That's not what Democratic politicians say; they claim they will, in fact, "secure the border" but only after amnesty is enacted. And I take it you would also oppose "softer" enforcement, like penalties against employers who employ illegals, or requiring e-verify. All of that would be "racist" too, right?
1
No doubt had the Pew Research Center been around to do similar surveys in 1912 and 1852 they would have found similar widespread views that immigrants 'threaten American values' and 'burden the country'. The people holding those views today are largely the descendants of those Irish, German, Polish, Italian, etc. unwelcome immigrants of a century and a century and a half ago.
More than a little ironic.
More than a little ironic.
2
Donald Trump is what the Republican Party is when it thinks no one is looking or listening.
He's giving voice to their inner thoughts and fears. He's an uber bully for a party that has a fetish for 'strong' leaders. He's a snake oil salesman par excellence, for a party that has nothing else to sell. He's the perfect candidate for a base that makes Stockholm syndrome look like a minor rash compared to their addiction to leaders and policies which are destroying them - and the country.
And the rest of the GOP slate wishes they could do it as well as he does.
He's giving voice to their inner thoughts and fears. He's an uber bully for a party that has a fetish for 'strong' leaders. He's a snake oil salesman par excellence, for a party that has nothing else to sell. He's the perfect candidate for a base that makes Stockholm syndrome look like a minor rash compared to their addiction to leaders and policies which are destroying them - and the country.
And the rest of the GOP slate wishes they could do it as well as he does.
4
Larry,
I've also heard it said that Trump's views are what all Republicans say after a couple of drinks
I've also heard it said that Trump's views are what all Republicans say after a couple of drinks
@Larry Roth, you are right. I am an older white person living in a conservative state, and this is exactly what the Republicans in my neighborhood and my (former) church are saying. Fox News has whipped them into a state of hysteria now, with their preachers joining the chorus. They really think the US is on the verge of destruction from a legion of enemies. (Most of these enemies are brown people.)
More unpleasant still, I've had a few mention that liberals like me will be first in their gun sights when they start "doing something." They are stockpiling guns, even those who don't have a clue how to use one.
If the GOP wishes to participate in the 21st century, they need to figure out how to cut these folks (and their spokesmen such as Trump) out like a cancer. No good can come of this. But there's no sign they plan to do that.
More unpleasant still, I've had a few mention that liberals like me will be first in their gun sights when they start "doing something." They are stockpiling guns, even those who don't have a clue how to use one.
If the GOP wishes to participate in the 21st century, they need to figure out how to cut these folks (and their spokesmen such as Trump) out like a cancer. No good can come of this. But there's no sign they plan to do that.
If either party cared a whit about undocumented immigration, hiring laws would be more strictly enforced. If illegal immigrants couldn't get work, they would stop coming.
No matter what they say, politicians don't truly care about the issue. I've heard their hand-wringing for three decades now, with no solutions of substance. A wall is a very stupid idea - people will always find a way to breach it.
I am white but I like immigrants and I like diversity. I guess that's part of living in California.
No matter what they say, politicians don't truly care about the issue. I've heard their hand-wringing for three decades now, with no solutions of substance. A wall is a very stupid idea - people will always find a way to breach it.
I am white but I like immigrants and I like diversity. I guess that's part of living in California.
5
Understand, Republicans like Hollywood actor-type celebrities, understandable when you consider the ugly bunch being left in the dust by Mr. Trump.
Understand, If Mr. Trump would actually do anything he actually talks about (bring Americans Industry back from Communist China, etc.) the Republican party leaders would have him impeached, on some trumped-up charge, most likely.
Understand, If Mr. Trump would actually do anything he actually talks about (bring Americans Industry back from Communist China, etc.) the Republican party leaders would have him impeached, on some trumped-up charge, most likely.
1
The other reality is that for the first time in the history of this country, the President of the United States, a black man, was elected without a majority of white voters. And, he has managed to implement his initiatives despite solid Republican Congressional opposition. You bet they're afraid.
2
It is obvious why The Donald is so popular.
Trump has taken all the invective talking points from the conservative echo chamber such as Fox News, Limbaugh, etc. and voiced all those ideas verbatim back to the Republican base. Trump uses simple language and spouts off his hatred to the delight of his followers.
Trump's base does not care if he cannot follow through with his plan, they just want to hear this hate speech constantly mouthed by a Republican Candidate.
Trump has taken all the invective talking points from the conservative echo chamber such as Fox News, Limbaugh, etc. and voiced all those ideas verbatim back to the Republican base. Trump uses simple language and spouts off his hatred to the delight of his followers.
Trump's base does not care if he cannot follow through with his plan, they just want to hear this hate speech constantly mouthed by a Republican Candidate.
5
When Trump was spewing all his birther nonsense, the GOP elite loved him. Now, not so much. What goes around comes around.
3
Mr. Edsall, Thank you for this very informative and well-reasoned column.
Nowadays, most of the Opinion pieces in the Times are full of sound and fury and lack any intellectual rigor. Some are downright embarrassing. In contrast, you have made your case with evidence and sound reasoning. This is what I read the Times for.
Nowadays, most of the Opinion pieces in the Times are full of sound and fury and lack any intellectual rigor. Some are downright embarrassing. In contrast, you have made your case with evidence and sound reasoning. This is what I read the Times for.
2
The Republican party's fifty-year cultivation of racial animus -- beginning with its 1960s "Southern Strategy," continuing through Reagan's fables about welfare Cadillacs and "strapping young bucks buying steaks with food stamps," together with George H.W. Bush's and Lee Atwater's Willie Horton ploy, and culminating in today's defenses of police brutality and Trump's open bigotry -- has yielded appallingly strange fruit.
1
It has been shocking to see the sheer hatred that some right wing people have for immigrants. The faces of those shouting at the women and children on a bus of immigrants looked like the hatred of those shouting at black children integrating schools in the 1960s or opposing civil rights. The irrational opposition to Pres. Obama and the delusional myth - encouraged by Donald Trump - that the president was somehow magically born in Kenya and was a Muslim is another symptom. The voter suppression that has spread like cancer in red states and the pushback against Black Lives Matter are Jim Crow once again.
This kind of racist vitriol is dangerous. Trump and the Republicans are playing with fire. There are echoes of 1930s Germany in Trump's blaming of all social problems on immigrants and "plan" to round up some 11 million men, women, and children. Demagoguery and racism in this case are too close to fascism.
This kind of racist vitriol is dangerous. Trump and the Republicans are playing with fire. There are echoes of 1930s Germany in Trump's blaming of all social problems on immigrants and "plan" to round up some 11 million men, women, and children. Demagoguery and racism in this case are too close to fascism.
1
The Republican's Southern Strategy was doomed from the start. 50 years of racial politics worked when Whites were the majority. The GOP needs a new strategy or they will be inconsequential in another ten years.
It's funny seeing conservatives here dance around the obvious: The GOP attracts racists because it has been pandering to them since the passage of the 1964 Civil Right Act.
The GOP nominated Goldwater just 3 months after he voted against it and he campaigned on that vote in the South. He lost in the landslide to LBJ but still became the first republican to carry the Deep South since the Civil War. The black vote went from 32 percent of Nixon in 1960 to just 4 percent for Goldwater in 1964... and the opposite effect happened with white southerners. The stone was cast.
"The Republican Party geared its appeal and program to racism, reaction, and extremism. All people of goodwill viewed with alarm and concern the frenzied wedding at the Cow Palace of the KKK with the radical right. The "best man" at this ceremony was a senator whose voting record, philosophy, and program were anathema to all the hard-won achievements of the past decade."
- Martin Luther King Jr, July 16, 1964 (after Goldwater won the GOP nomination)
The GOP nominated Goldwater just 3 months after he voted against it and he campaigned on that vote in the South. He lost in the landslide to LBJ but still became the first republican to carry the Deep South since the Civil War. The black vote went from 32 percent of Nixon in 1960 to just 4 percent for Goldwater in 1964... and the opposite effect happened with white southerners. The stone was cast.
"The Republican Party geared its appeal and program to racism, reaction, and extremism. All people of goodwill viewed with alarm and concern the frenzied wedding at the Cow Palace of the KKK with the radical right. The "best man" at this ceremony was a senator whose voting record, philosophy, and program were anathema to all the hard-won achievements of the past decade."
- Martin Luther King Jr, July 16, 1964 (after Goldwater won the GOP nomination)
1
If the Republicans are having a problem with Trump, well, in good Ayn Rand style let us say: deal with it. They have spent the past 7 years heating up the political scene with such nonsensical and ferocious fear-mongering, they should not be astonished if Trump pops out of the bed they made. But the democrats also have a problem Bernie Sanders is addressing very real problems in his stumps and his straight talking style, far more intelligible than Trump's windy and outrageous claims, is catching on. It's grassy rooty stuff, it talks to real people with real lives, while Clinton can't quite shake the eau-de-billionaire scent wafting in her wake.
2
Finally, a column that squarely names what is wrong with American politics: white people; specifically, the vast reservoir of racist white people and racist white culture that wasn't magically drained by legislative fiat with the passage of the Civil Rights Acts half a century ago. We are only now taking down the Confederate Battle Flags.
In view of this, we all ought to acknowledge what a monumental figure in American history is President Barack Obama, before we live long enough to be embarrassed by future historians who will estimate him so for presiding and accomplishing what he has and what he has not, with calm deliberation and dignity, in the face of a historic tsunami of racist white backlash, both spontaneous and brazenly orchestrated.
As for Trump the demagogue, as Mr Edsall accurately calls him, he is looking more and more like the Last Hurrah of the Republican Party's deal with the Devil: The Southern Strategy. It's a good question whether, when he goes down to defeat, in the primaries or in the general election, there will be anything left of the GOP as a national party capable of ever again winning Presidential elections. We may be witnessing the inevitability of a new political party in America.
In view of this, we all ought to acknowledge what a monumental figure in American history is President Barack Obama, before we live long enough to be embarrassed by future historians who will estimate him so for presiding and accomplishing what he has and what he has not, with calm deliberation and dignity, in the face of a historic tsunami of racist white backlash, both spontaneous and brazenly orchestrated.
As for Trump the demagogue, as Mr Edsall accurately calls him, he is looking more and more like the Last Hurrah of the Republican Party's deal with the Devil: The Southern Strategy. It's a good question whether, when he goes down to defeat, in the primaries or in the general election, there will be anything left of the GOP as a national party capable of ever again winning Presidential elections. We may be witnessing the inevitability of a new political party in America.
2
Believe it or not, you can simultaneously be opposed to the unprecedented levels of immigration the US is enduring and not be a bigot or racist. There are simply too many people flooding into the First World from overcrowded, ruined places. Americans have a right to Just Say No to immigrant driven population growth that will push us to a population of half a billion in a few decades, with no end in sight. The human world population is exploding. Probably a billion people would come here tommorrow if allowed. If you care about sustainability, at some point the numbers have to come down.
3
At the age of 50+ there is a big jump in the number of people who see the discrimination of whites as a problem. As a 52 year old white person myself, I can say that this is the age that I too have felt the most unfaired upon. Experience has shown me how incredibly hard it is to launch good kids (white) into the world and have them land in the middle class. It is daunting task to pay for college with little hope of them establishing decent careers. Meanwhile the NYT liberals constantly complain about racism and the difficulties that only black families face. Ironically, from my vantage point here in the suburbs of Boston, black families have the advantage. They are educating their children well and will be well positioned to take advantage of special affirmative action programs that were set up for inner city blacks. The ivy leagues now have a hay day choosing minority kids from these well-educated suburbs.
1
Interesting that the link to the final paragraph assertion that Trump's chances of winning the Republican nomination "remain slim" shows no such thing. On the contrary, the market odds show him 7-2. This is the second best odds in the whole field, only surpassed by Bush.
Donald Trump understands that the US is being turned into a banana republic ruled by a serial lying socialist president aided by genetically corrupt liberal Democrats and craven Republicans terrified of using their constitutional powers to put a stop to Obama's lawlessness. He also understands that socialism and governmental corruption inevitably lead to failed societies, and that the only way to win against Democrats is by playing by their rules; more specifically the use of ridicule, the politics of personal destruction, propaganda, and civil disobedience.
I'm also always amused at the NY Times eagerness to call the Republicans the party of angry whites despite having one of two black senators, two Hispanic governors and 2 non-white governors, one of whom is also a Republican presidential candidate.
I'm also always amused at the NY Times eagerness to call the Republicans the party of angry whites despite having one of two black senators, two Hispanic governors and 2 non-white governors, one of whom is also a Republican presidential candidate.
Trump is unlikely to be the GOP nominee. However his bombast is appealing to many. Considering the size of the man's ego he may well create a third party that caters to the far right. I'm not surprised by the favor he currently enjoys. Americans seem to demand simple solutions to complex problems.
The scholarly analysis presented in context with Trump, makes me very concerned about what our immigrants and Black and Brown citizens will do to us if we don't stop being such bullies and racists. Would we or our grandchildren deserve to be treated with the same contempt and disrespect that we do to our minorities? Should white Americans act in a way that we wish to be treated now? Can we afford to try to oppress the coming majority?
Republicans have long been content to employ any devious, dishonest, or immoral tactic or strategy to win elections believing, as they do, that their cause (party) is the only just and worthy pathway for America. They blithely "swiftboat" a genuine war hero; they send an organized mob to disrupt Bush versus Gore vote counting in Florida and litigate the result; they abuse investigatory privileges on the Benghazi attack to insinuate that Hillary is guilty of crimes, and the list goes on. Is it not ironic that their front runner displays Republican indifference to substantive debate and "injures the chances of a Republican presidency?" For years, Republicans have welcomed support from the illiterate, the conspiracy befuddled, the "noblesse oblige" wealthy, the intolerant "science be damned" religious zealots, and most noisily, the obnoxious, reactionary Tea Party wearing their ridiculous Revolutionary War costumes festooned with tea bags. Surely one or two clear thinking Republicans can see how their party has been undone. The club has admitted too many "misfits".
3
You left out the leaflets Republicans circulated suggesting that one of their own, John McCain, fathered a black child in efforts to steer primary voters back to W.
It's always no-holds-barred regardless of who they smear or the extent to which they will go.
It's always no-holds-barred regardless of who they smear or the extent to which they will go.
1
I've witnessed plenty of changes since the mid-60s. The starkest is the deterioration of the financial condition among our working-class citizens. The once robust middle-class is disappearing fast, while we've wasted trillions on failed social-engineering and education 'experiments.' It's time to stop "admiring the problem" and do something. The politically-correct but corrupt hacks of both parties don't get it or just don't care. Trump is just saying that our Emperor isn't wearing any clothes. Where have the media and news agencies been over the last 50 years?
2
Most of those who admire Trump believe that his "black and white" view of the world is the simple answer to the problems they see all around them. His rhetoric may get Mr. Trump elected, but the complexities of governing in today's world would soon make him look just as impotent as the "career politicians" he openly scorns. There are very few simple solutions, and an honest view of the world includes myriad shades of gray. However, for the voting public, hope springs eternal.
I am a well educated Republican who is sick and tired of the 'new' politics, where every single politician is 'owned' by special interests, and only works to assure a job for life.
Donald Trump deserves to be recognized as the only one who says it like it is about our broken system government. Yes, he is loud and abusive, but he has shocked Republicans and Democrats into realizing that the American people are fed up just like me, and are tired of the political correctness, that cannot express the truth about pressing issues.
With all the talk about Trump that "higgly piggly, the sky is falling", no other candidate is picking up the cudgel against politics as usual. And, most importantly it is early in the presidential cycle, so that the whole system can shake out. Whether Trump calms down and acts presidential, or whether another government outsider contender, can deliver the 'Trump messages" in a more "politically correct" manner, waits to be seen.
We need more Carsons who are willing to tell it like it is, in a clear non-combative, articulate manner, but perhaps without the 'bedside manner'. He should be the model for content, but perhaps with a little more, just a little more of the Trump passion and 'noise'.
Donald Trump deserves to be recognized as the only one who says it like it is about our broken system government. Yes, he is loud and abusive, but he has shocked Republicans and Democrats into realizing that the American people are fed up just like me, and are tired of the political correctness, that cannot express the truth about pressing issues.
With all the talk about Trump that "higgly piggly, the sky is falling", no other candidate is picking up the cudgel against politics as usual. And, most importantly it is early in the presidential cycle, so that the whole system can shake out. Whether Trump calms down and acts presidential, or whether another government outsider contender, can deliver the 'Trump messages" in a more "politically correct" manner, waits to be seen.
We need more Carsons who are willing to tell it like it is, in a clear non-combative, articulate manner, but perhaps without the 'bedside manner'. He should be the model for content, but perhaps with a little more, just a little more of the Trump passion and 'noise'.
14
Trump is the only one telling it like it is?! I beg to differ. Bernie Sanders is covering that territory quite nicely, thank you very much.
1
A self proclaimed 'well educated Republican' such as yourself should know that there is another candidate out there who talks candidly about our 'broken system (of) government'.
His name is Bernie Sanders.
He's Trump minus the misinformed bombast, run away narcissism and race baiting, with a healthy dose of intellect thrown in for good measure.
His name is Bernie Sanders.
He's Trump minus the misinformed bombast, run away narcissism and race baiting, with a healthy dose of intellect thrown in for good measure.
1
Those who deserve to be called out, are called out. The Donal is one of those people. He is the Joe McCarthy of the 21st century. If you don't know that, you aren't well educated. From a well educated Democrat.
1
Donald Trump is stirring hatred and fear in Americans. The United States became the strong nation we are by accepting diversity of thought, by accepting diversity of culture from around the world as immigrants. We are stronger as a country when we pull together to solve the issues of the day. Trumps speeches of fear and hatred divide our nation and are dangerous. We are stronger as a nation when we stand confidently for freedom, for democracy, for allowing beliefs different from our own to be expressed.
We live in a global economy. For the US to thrive in our connected world, we must embrace people and ideas from around the world. We must embrace tolerance, reject fear, reject hatred. Trump has no place in modern leadership. Trump's views are against what America stands for.
We live in a global economy. For the US to thrive in our connected world, we must embrace people and ideas from around the world. We must embrace tolerance, reject fear, reject hatred. Trump has no place in modern leadership. Trump's views are against what America stands for.
My God reading these comments regarding immigration (not about trumps ridiculous comments) can be infuriating. Where do us citizens belong who simply want our border secure and our immigration policy (decided upon by our elected representatives) enforced, like a functioning Republic? Didn't we give amnesty to approximately 4 million in the 80's, now another 11 million are in the debate. Now it seems, secure borders and enforcement of the law equals racism? Yes, some of the Republican rhetoric is ludicrous but the Democrats are pandering to the Latino vote, so as usual we get no fair and coherent policy, once again.
6
Great article but the real effectiveness of Trump's approach is how he mixes his bombast in regards to immigration with other issues. In particular issues that resonate beyond the whites hostile to immigration.
For example he's the only candidate thus far that has talked about blacks & jobs. He's denounced the favorable tax regime that hedge fund billionaires currently enjoy. He's talked about bringing jobs lost to China & Mexico back.
These issues tend to resonate more with folks than his immigration stance repels. I think his strategy if he is to secure the nomination is to become the voice of traditional America, whites & blacks. Obviously he won't win a majority of blacks but if he gets 10-15% of them, he'll be sworn in as our next president.
For example he's the only candidate thus far that has talked about blacks & jobs. He's denounced the favorable tax regime that hedge fund billionaires currently enjoy. He's talked about bringing jobs lost to China & Mexico back.
These issues tend to resonate more with folks than his immigration stance repels. I think his strategy if he is to secure the nomination is to become the voice of traditional America, whites & blacks. Obviously he won't win a majority of blacks but if he gets 10-15% of them, he'll be sworn in as our next president.
1
The two big blocs in the Republican coalition these days are racists which I think includes the rabidly anti immigration group and sexual hysterics organized around their opposition to abortion for any reason. The religion thing is just a cover. (And for the love of God, stop calling either group "conservative".) Republicans have been playing to these groups for decades, particularly since the Communist scam ran out of steam, so they got them as a result of conscious effort. Anyone seriously pursuing the Republican nomination has to appeal to both groups, and we are seeing how ugly that can get. Neither of these people's "issues" has any practical reality: we are not going to deport millions of people or repeal the 14th Amendment, and the Supreme Court will continue to protect some abortion rights or it would remove abortion as a Republican political issue. Regardless of what they say, all Republican candidates upon election will revert to the real Republican program: cutting taxes for rich people and opposing regulation of business. Killing popular programs like the ACA, Social Security and Medicare will stay on the list, but will probably be trickier to manage.
"They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent."
Since Reagan began the assault on the U.S. government's ability to govern and the idea that we didn't have to pay for this grand Country we live in, we see this symptom a lot. Bumper stickers that say "Taxation is theft" from the same people who whine about the lack of quality in their schools and government offices.
The same polls that show Trump and Carson ahead by a lot show a majority of those respondents still believe Obama is a Muslin foreigner.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Since Reagan began the assault on the U.S. government's ability to govern and the idea that we didn't have to pay for this grand Country we live in, we see this symptom a lot. Bumper stickers that say "Taxation is theft" from the same people who whine about the lack of quality in their schools and government offices.
The same polls that show Trump and Carson ahead by a lot show a majority of those respondents still believe Obama is a Muslin foreigner.
Stupid is as stupid does.
1
I agree with you, Mr Edsall, on your conclusions that Trump has almost no chance of winning and that the sizeable hard core of his Republican supporters will be left stranded. However, you make no prediction on how these stranded voters will vote, if they vote at all. I don't really believe the current hype that Cruz is silently drafting in the wake created by Trump's locomotive, and that he, ironically an immigrant himself, will ever become the GOP nominee. That hardcore surely won't go for Bush or Rubio or Carson. My prediction is that Trump will fade away--and so will a lot of Republican votes in the primary and in the general election.
What amazes me is that the transformation of our population has taken place without the consent of the people - it was never voted on and certainly no politician ever said, "I stand for letting anyone come in who can make it though the border patrol." Because so much of the immigration occurred outside legal limits, the anger and feeling of oppression is entirely understandable. This represents a political failure on the right - until Trump. It's now clear - these people don't give their consent. It's also funny how the question of legality is elided on the pro-immigration side of the argument. Nobody is willing to accept the ramification of their argument - those who were best at breaking the law are the ones we keep.
2
I am as far from Trump politically as one can be but even I see how he channels the anger of working class whites whose livelihoods and ways of life have been upended by the miserably low wages imposed by the competition with unskilled/low skilled Latino immigrants.
There are a dime-a-dozen studies showing that these immigrants contribute to GDP. Few document the disaster for Anglo & black construction workers. The Democrats have essentially betrayed these people to please the short-termist ambitions of the unions and potential new voters. No wonder they lost the white underclass; now they are losing the white middle class.
There are a dime-a-dozen studies showing that these immigrants contribute to GDP. Few document the disaster for Anglo & black construction workers. The Democrats have essentially betrayed these people to please the short-termist ambitions of the unions and potential new voters. No wonder they lost the white underclass; now they are losing the white middle class.
3
I find it fascinating that 63% of evangelical protestants agreed with the proposition that "discrimination against whites has become just as much a problem as discrimination against blacks and other minorities", whereas only 40% of "unaffiliated" people responded in the affirmative. Since we are often told that religious faith is the underpinning of morality, one would think that these numbers would be reversed.
1
The New York Times has absolutely no interest in investigating and reporting on the FACTUAL question of whether illegal immigrants impose a burden on the country. In its view, the truth or falsity of the proposition is totally irrelevant. Even if true, only rabidly racist xenophobes will believe that it. It's the same story with so many questions: whether affirmative action actually benefits its purported beneficiaries; whether increased funding will actually improve government schools; whether government run health care will actually improve health; etc., etc.
3
It would be clearer if Mr. Edsall simply stated the obvious. The Trump campaign, and really much of the Republican agenda, is all about the protection of White privilege, that demon spawn of racist, White supremacist ideology in action. It is not going down without a fight, and the fight has lasted since the first Europeans arrived on these shores.
2
...those Republican voters who seek to protect what some scholars call “compositional amenities” – the comfort of a common religion and language, mutually shared traditions, and the minimization of cultural conflict.
Republicans: When it's _my_ grandparents coming to the US in 1910 with different lifestyles from those already here, it's fine. When it is some future American's grandparents coming to the US today, it's the end of civilization as we know it. What's the point of having a USA? I live in a country, the name of which you can see above, that is nearly monolithic in religion or perhaps in being non-religious except on New Year's Day, and for weddings and funerals (How many Japanese actually ask: "What would Buddha do?" in discussions of daily life?), monolithic in language, traditions and, Lord knows, the minimization of cultural conflict. We've got plenty of those countries in the world or diverse countries in which the govt controlled by the dominant group attempts to eliminate the diversity by suppressing minority languages and cultures. I read about American "exceptionalism" all the time. If there is anything that is exceptional about our country it is its tolerance, or at least what has been its professed tolerance, even its pride in the differences among the people who live together in it. If or when we lose that, I ask again, what was the point of founding a USA made up of a group of diverse former colonies in the first place?
Republicans: When it's _my_ grandparents coming to the US in 1910 with different lifestyles from those already here, it's fine. When it is some future American's grandparents coming to the US today, it's the end of civilization as we know it. What's the point of having a USA? I live in a country, the name of which you can see above, that is nearly monolithic in religion or perhaps in being non-religious except on New Year's Day, and for weddings and funerals (How many Japanese actually ask: "What would Buddha do?" in discussions of daily life?), monolithic in language, traditions and, Lord knows, the minimization of cultural conflict. We've got plenty of those countries in the world or diverse countries in which the govt controlled by the dominant group attempts to eliminate the diversity by suppressing minority languages and cultures. I read about American "exceptionalism" all the time. If there is anything that is exceptional about our country it is its tolerance, or at least what has been its professed tolerance, even its pride in the differences among the people who live together in it. If or when we lose that, I ask again, what was the point of founding a USA made up of a group of diverse former colonies in the first place?
This fixation on race is just ridiculous. My children are 1/4 Puerto Rican, 1/4 Italian, 1/4 miscellaneous Scandinavian, and 1/4 unknown white (grandfather was an orphan). What is their race? They have a Latino last name. Does that make them Hispanic? They have white skin. Does that make them white? The answer is that race is a fiction, as unambiguously verified by genetic research. If politicians like Trump and their followers find immigration so distasteful, the issues they should be focusing on are poverty, war, and environmental destruction. Those are what are causing immigration and displacement, not a desire to come to the U.S. to murder, rape, and steel jobs.
3
"They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent."
Yet they refuse to pay taxes, or to have corporations and the rich pay taxes, at the same rates as under Eisenhower in the "Golden Age" they remember.
Yet they refuse to pay taxes, or to have corporations and the rich pay taxes, at the same rates as under Eisenhower in the "Golden Age" they remember.
2
As one demographic cohort gives way to others we will find some who see themselves as animals at bay, fiercely seeking to protect a world that is gone forever. It's true that Trump resonates with such people. But the fallacy here is that "Republicans" are an undifferentiated mass of ideological bedmates. Nothing could be further from the truth: Republicans today are every bit as diverse in their convictions as Democrats were for much of the 20th Century.
The real question is how well Trump can stitch together a constituency among Republicans sufficient to secure the nomination. Frankly, I find the argument that he can to be unreasonable.
First and foremost, Trump is not electable. His views are far too extreme to attract sufficient votes from enough Republicans, forget about Democrats. Then, as we get into primaries and Americans actually start paying attention, his utter lack of gravitas and serious attempts at policy formation will compare very poorly to other alternatives, notably Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and John Kasich.
Then, Trump hardly appeals to people on EITHER the right or left who long for "compositional amenities" -- his entire persona attacks a culture that has moved palpably away from traditional whitebread priorities and is decidedly center-right, not far-right.
Winning requires constituency-building, a skill The Donald lacks utterly. Tom is right that his chances remain slim, and his supporters are just going to have to live with that disappointment.
The real question is how well Trump can stitch together a constituency among Republicans sufficient to secure the nomination. Frankly, I find the argument that he can to be unreasonable.
First and foremost, Trump is not electable. His views are far too extreme to attract sufficient votes from enough Republicans, forget about Democrats. Then, as we get into primaries and Americans actually start paying attention, his utter lack of gravitas and serious attempts at policy formation will compare very poorly to other alternatives, notably Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and John Kasich.
Then, Trump hardly appeals to people on EITHER the right or left who long for "compositional amenities" -- his entire persona attacks a culture that has moved palpably away from traditional whitebread priorities and is decidedly center-right, not far-right.
Winning requires constituency-building, a skill The Donald lacks utterly. Tom is right that his chances remain slim, and his supporters are just going to have to live with that disappointment.
4
Excellent informative column.
"Conservatives by definition seek to return to the values of the past which requires glorifying the past." Trump understands that. It's apparent in his "Make America Great Again" slogan.
However, there is no doubt that (in varying degrees) many of us progressives also like to dabble in nostalgia. And doing that is especially attractive as things change and life becomes more unsettled at home and elsewhere.
Yet, even though both progressives and conservatives might turn to "the good old days" as a warm fuzzy place (which it never was) and as a guideline for the future during difficult times, there is a vast difference in the path each takes. And that's based on differences in awareness and focus. Or, in other words, glass half full v glass half empty orientation. Conservatives are mainly driven by fearful beliefs and emotional reactions regarding change which includes immigration, LGBT and so on. Thus their focus is stopping or reversing it. Progressives, on the other hand, may have visceral uncomfortable reactions to change. That's normal But they are more aware that change (like taxes) is a given. Thus they choose to adapt and make the best of it for themselves and everyone else.
However, as an entry in Wikipedia noted: "Not every positive appraisal of the past is wrongheaded, because the world has changed. It's just it's always been complex and uneven, and no period or people have ever had a monopoly on virtue."
"Conservatives by definition seek to return to the values of the past which requires glorifying the past." Trump understands that. It's apparent in his "Make America Great Again" slogan.
However, there is no doubt that (in varying degrees) many of us progressives also like to dabble in nostalgia. And doing that is especially attractive as things change and life becomes more unsettled at home and elsewhere.
Yet, even though both progressives and conservatives might turn to "the good old days" as a warm fuzzy place (which it never was) and as a guideline for the future during difficult times, there is a vast difference in the path each takes. And that's based on differences in awareness and focus. Or, in other words, glass half full v glass half empty orientation. Conservatives are mainly driven by fearful beliefs and emotional reactions regarding change which includes immigration, LGBT and so on. Thus their focus is stopping or reversing it. Progressives, on the other hand, may have visceral uncomfortable reactions to change. That's normal But they are more aware that change (like taxes) is a given. Thus they choose to adapt and make the best of it for themselves and everyone else.
However, as an entry in Wikipedia noted: "Not every positive appraisal of the past is wrongheaded, because the world has changed. It's just it's always been complex and uneven, and no period or people have ever had a monopoly on virtue."
1
Yes, Trump is pushing all the buttons of the Rush Limbaugh crowd and saying things that resonate with angry white people who are stuck in 1950- when America's power was dominant and the only challenge was from the Soviet Union. There was little tolerance for rights for women, blacks, gays, etc.
Funny, I find Trump has some commonality with Putin. Putin also longs for the good old days when the Soviets were feared and powerful.
It's time for both of them to be put in mothballs.
Funny, I find Trump has some commonality with Putin. Putin also longs for the good old days when the Soviets were feared and powerful.
It's time for both of them to be put in mothballs.
1
It's not surprising that Trump says he will get along just great with Putin.
Don does speak for republicans. Both those that also say such vile things and those that are afraid to speak, but believe such nonsense.
1
I'm not sure what scares me the most about the Trump candidacy: his 'heartfelt' rhetoric or the facile reasoning of the electorate.
Adolf Hitler spoke from the heart, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin 'got things done'. When Trump says something vile he is lauded for being 'honest' and not 'politically correct'. He is appealing to the lowest form of xenophobia, bereft of facts, and gives an unthinking electorate the boogiemen that they can blame for their own woes... after all, their state in life can't be their fault, it must be the Mexicans, the Chinese, the Illegals, etc.
Per a Pew poll, illegals account for about 3.5% of the population and 5% of the US GDP. That is, they work harder and contribute more to our economy than the rest of us.
If Trump supporters really don't care for facts or really believe in his bombast, then I fear for the republic.
Adolf Hitler spoke from the heart, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin 'got things done'. When Trump says something vile he is lauded for being 'honest' and not 'politically correct'. He is appealing to the lowest form of xenophobia, bereft of facts, and gives an unthinking electorate the boogiemen that they can blame for their own woes... after all, their state in life can't be their fault, it must be the Mexicans, the Chinese, the Illegals, etc.
Per a Pew poll, illegals account for about 3.5% of the population and 5% of the US GDP. That is, they work harder and contribute more to our economy than the rest of us.
If Trump supporters really don't care for facts or really believe in his bombast, then I fear for the republic.
1
It's about time we listen to what Pres. T. Roosvelt had to say:
"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all … The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic … There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else."
"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all … The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic … There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else."
3
How interesting that the words of the Progressive President neglected to acknowledge the existence of the descendants of chattel slaves from Africa. Our presence here has always been both dilemma and opportunity. The nation, as a collective, refused to deal with the fi, nor embrace the latter.
Indeed.
Pres. Roosevelt was a racist, too, and his actions in the Far East precipitated the was with Japan. Nevertheless, if we add just the words: "and the descendants of persons enslaved in Africa" I think his message would ring true.
Pres. Roosevelt was a racist, too, and his actions in the Far East precipitated the was with Japan. Nevertheless, if we add just the words: "and the descendants of persons enslaved in Africa" I think his message would ring true.
I think this is an excellent column, so good that I am surprised that it was published in the New York Times, which seems to have a perpetual slant for open borders and minorities rights over majority rights.
What startles me about minorities, is that whenever they write a column, propose a policy or make noise about something it is always a matter of blatant self-interest, which boils down to racism against the whites or other competing minorities; whereas the much hated whites are always trying to propose things that are reasonable and inclusive.
Despite all this, the liberal media and the NYT, give a wide forum to all the minorities self-interest, no matter how blatant, harmful. unethical or over the top it may be (eg Mr. Blow columns; the coverage of European assaulted by Muslim migrants; the refusal to call illegal immigrants illegals and call them undocumented workers etc)...
I really hope Trump will win. Sure, I wish he'd be more refined in his speech, but I agree with everything he stands for and want to achieve.
What startles me about minorities, is that whenever they write a column, propose a policy or make noise about something it is always a matter of blatant self-interest, which boils down to racism against the whites or other competing minorities; whereas the much hated whites are always trying to propose things that are reasonable and inclusive.
Despite all this, the liberal media and the NYT, give a wide forum to all the minorities self-interest, no matter how blatant, harmful. unethical or over the top it may be (eg Mr. Blow columns; the coverage of European assaulted by Muslim migrants; the refusal to call illegal immigrants illegals and call them undocumented workers etc)...
I really hope Trump will win. Sure, I wish he'd be more refined in his speech, but I agree with everything he stands for and want to achieve.
2
My, my, my, such a zero-sum frame of mind. Be careful of what you wish for. The Law of Unintended Consequences and Karma always exact a price.
I don't think you read the article very closely.
The law of unintended consequences and karma always exact a price.
What about the Obama presidency, which follows the law of consequences sane people saw coming a mile away?
What about the Obama presidency, which follows the law of consequences sane people saw coming a mile away?
Ignorance, fear, selfishness, and greed. Mr. Trump is a virtuoso player.
1
For long time American democracy was a two party system - attempts to form third party could not find a foothold. The anti-immigration force that created the political parties in Europe was not able to open their shop here. Finally, that force got a leader who will start that Party. It is true that Trump will not get the nomination of Republican Party. It seems logical, that Trump will start an anti-immigration Party in 2016 and most likely he will fight the Presidential race as a candidate of that Party. This may change the American Political picture for future.
1
The sectarian or racial "demographic upheaval" since 1970 you and the nytimes focus on is not the one that concerns most Americans. What concerns most ordinary Americans is the addition of 110 million people to the USA population at a time that:
1. jobs are being sent abroad or automated out of existence.
2. resources like water and oil are in increasingly short supply.
3. natural areas are increasingly degraded. For example, the Florida reef tract is the most highly degraded in the entire Caribbean(Jackson, 2014).
Typical Americans are very aware that growing numbers are degrading the overall quality of their lives.
1. jobs are being sent abroad or automated out of existence.
2. resources like water and oil are in increasingly short supply.
3. natural areas are increasingly degraded. For example, the Florida reef tract is the most highly degraded in the entire Caribbean(Jackson, 2014).
Typical Americans are very aware that growing numbers are degrading the overall quality of their lives.
4
What would Donald Trump say about the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock? Not one of them applied for immigration or spoke Wampanoag. Imagine if the Indians had erected a wall to keep these illegals out of their country.
2
I am astounded at the depth of white belief in the idea that they as discriminated against as non-wkites. It stems, however, less from racism and xenophobia than we think: consider Rubio and Carter. It actually has a factual basis in affirmative action policies that do discriminate against whites-- albeit for a good reason. It is reenforced by a host of positive steps, such as the universal request tobselect numerous uno or doo. and not least of these calling whites who think they are the victims racists or xenonphobes. We need to give these views more credance as based in fact and offer solutions that unite us rather than keeping us yelling at each other.
Trump is the system, he accepts the mythology, he cites the narrative, he is beholden to his masters, as we all are its slaves.
There is no disputing that reactionary populism is alive and well in this party and this candidacy; just please do not call it conservatism.
34
The true conservatives now are the liberals who want to conserve America’s historic middle class security and protections from financial predators. They want to conserve our safety net and our previous govt regulations on corporate monopolies undermining our economy.
The radical right wing wants to loosen those protections, leaving the majority vulnerable to exploitation. We need a complete redefining of the political spectrum terms, now so warped in our big money driven politics as usual.
The radical right wing wants to loosen those protections, leaving the majority vulnerable to exploitation. We need a complete redefining of the political spectrum terms, now so warped in our big money driven politics as usual.
"Without a candidate who cancapture the intensity of their [neo-Republican] beliefs?" Oh, not to worry, GOP stalwarts! There are sixteen more out there in the fertile fields of bigotry who can capably fill The Donald's septic shoes. Scott Walker would construct a 3,500-mile bridge along the Canadian border. Chris Christie would bar-code immigrants. Ted Cruz channels The Donald's "rapists and murderers" mantra. And so it goes on the train of angry clowns.
The GOP spawned Donald Trump. He reflects the Party's nativist nastiness, with more unsubstantiated bombast than his fellow candidates but with exactly the same intent.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The GOP spawned Donald Trump. He reflects the Party's nativist nastiness, with more unsubstantiated bombast than his fellow candidates but with exactly the same intent.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
3
Sorry, regarding the above. By "bridge" I meant "wall." It is anything but a bridge.
In the short history of the Trump campaign, all predictions of his failure to even have a chance at the nomination have proven wrong. It would be foolish to count him out. To paraphrase Lenin "predictions are like pie crusts - made to be broken".
1
While all the other candidates have honed their skills learning how to communicate in private with individuals and small groups of donors, Trump has honed his skills communicating with masses of people in the public arena. That is 50% of what this is all about.
The other 50% is that the American public, fed up with politicians who utter nothing but focus group vetted, ad agency polished bumper-stickers that change every time a new poll comes out, a candidate who seems to say whatever is on his mind at the moment -- polls be damned -- has credibility the others lack. In this case, what Trump says is far less important to many than is the fact that people have decided he actually means what he says and, therefore, unlike with the others, you know what you are voting for.
The other 50% is that the American public, fed up with politicians who utter nothing but focus group vetted, ad agency polished bumper-stickers that change every time a new poll comes out, a candidate who seems to say whatever is on his mind at the moment -- polls be damned -- has credibility the others lack. In this case, what Trump says is far less important to many than is the fact that people have decided he actually means what he says and, therefore, unlike with the others, you know what you are voting for.
2
Mr. Edsall dottering on about his "expertise" on Republicans is like a vegetarian professing her opinion on steakhouses.
I immigrated to the USA from Germany in 2008 on a Diversity GreenCard visa I received through the lottery organized by the State Department. Ever since, I have been thankful for the experiences I was allowed to make in a country that celebrates diversity and openness like no other--my perception being that the Germany I grew up in simply would not be a society with enough emphasis on those value for me to feel comfortable in.
The Donald Trump campaign seems to want to say: we've had enough! Let's close down the borders! Well, to those who think this will only affect geographic borders and the freedom of people to travel and move, I would want to say in return: not only rich or white people can make America great (again)!
The Donald Trump campaign seems to want to say: we've had enough! Let's close down the borders! Well, to those who think this will only affect geographic borders and the freedom of people to travel and move, I would want to say in return: not only rich or white people can make America great (again)!
1
If there's any satisfaction to be taken here it's that Trump is just reading from the script that the likes of George Will have been crafting since Goldwater. Will's feeble wit doesn't distance him from his own work. Trump shouts what Will whispered, but "every sulfurous belch" comes from the molten interior where George Will made his fortune.
3
It really takes an NYT column to learn that Trump appeals to racist know-nothings and that such people throng the ranks of the Republican base?
Really? This is news to whom, exactly?
Really? This is news to whom, exactly?
2
"They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent."
Oh. For a moment there, I thought the writer was describing the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
Oh. For a moment there, I thought the writer was describing the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
2
The term "racial conservatism" bothers me. Shouldn't it be racial fear or racial bigotry? The idea that Southern Whites are against Southern Blacks having voting rights does not seem to deserve such a tepid term as racial conservatism.
3
Yes, he's all for cheap labor. And he's all for aggravating the social divides that divert attention from the general problems of income inequality. He's a 1%-er doing the 1%-er thing.
3
Mr. Edsall continues to hit home runs with his insightful analysis.
People are upset, and bad leaders will direct that anger at the wrong people (immigrants) rather than the right people (those elites running our corporations and buying our elections). Our real problems are income inequality (which costs the bottom 80% of families $11,000 per year) and the corruption of our politics by big money.
Immigrants are not a big problem and may actually be helping overall; they are just scapegoats. We've seen this before; those forces were crushed in World War 2 by an enlightened U.S. Let's hope we remember those lessons.
People are upset, and bad leaders will direct that anger at the wrong people (immigrants) rather than the right people (those elites running our corporations and buying our elections). Our real problems are income inequality (which costs the bottom 80% of families $11,000 per year) and the corruption of our politics by big money.
Immigrants are not a big problem and may actually be helping overall; they are just scapegoats. We've seen this before; those forces were crushed in World War 2 by an enlightened U.S. Let's hope we remember those lessons.
2
It is safe to say that progressives believe that every system can be improved and that ways of doing things and the notions reflecting ideals that result in injustices should be changed. The extreme attitude which leads to problems is the faith that any well intended changes will result in better outcomes -- most times the results are mixed and sometimes counter to what was intended. Similarly, conservatives believe that changes are more likely to result in imbalances and unintended consequences that produce worse injustices that already exist. The extreme attitude which leads to problems is an unconscious or concealed hope that the injustices which benefits themselves not be corrected. The Republican Party is dominated by people who are just plain opposed to changing anything because they are convinced it will mean that they will be the losers. They have come to a place where reality can have no effect upon them, to the extent that they deny the facts produced by science. They have gone from reacting to changes which they perceive as being contrary to their interests to delusions about reversing those changes to restore the good old ways and creating a happier world.
Seen from Europe this is beyond flabbergasting. Recently a friend asked in FB to his republican acquaintances how many of them would vote for Trump were he finally elected as the party's candidate, and an utterly shocking 100% (some 53 perfectly normal people, some of who I know are intelligent adn fully adjusted citizens) said they would. Not a single one said they would never vote for somebody spouting the buffoonish nonsense the media so much relishes reporting...
All I could conclude is there was something I was missing, even given the tiny size of the sample it points to some undercurrent in the electorate's mood I just do not see adequately reported
All I could conclude is there was something I was missing, even given the tiny size of the sample it points to some undercurrent in the electorate's mood I just do not see adequately reported
1
Santiago,
The electorate's mood is not adequately reported because the mainstream media is out of touch for one and two clearly controlled by their masters in regard to what is reported. For example the blackout of the other most popular candidate Senator Sanders, the polar opposite from Trump in demeanor, integrity and intellect.
The electorate's mood is not adequately reported because the mainstream media is out of touch for one and two clearly controlled by their masters in regard to what is reported. For example the blackout of the other most popular candidate Senator Sanders, the polar opposite from Trump in demeanor, integrity and intellect.
It's early yet today. I just "recommended" at "1"... and it jumped to "71".
Thank you, Ron Cohen and Mr. Edsall for the enlightenment you both gave
Me this Morning. We are in the strangest time I, at 78...that I can remember.
It is also amazing to me that there is a Dearth of Democrats who wish to enter the Race for President,while there is a congestion in the Party I have seen as Repulsive and Obstructionist. I lived with Bush as my elected Servant. I am proud of my present Leader, who is "patient...inspite of". Now I feel simply an "Observer" while the Plutocracy rules. I am watching the Dual of the Dynasties,
while watching a sideshow of Humpty Dumpty, who can afford to entertain his own Ego at our social and time expense. I agree, with many, that Bernie Sanders has been given "short shrift" by our media.
Thank you, Ron Cohen and Mr. Edsall for the enlightenment you both gave
Me this Morning. We are in the strangest time I, at 78...that I can remember.
It is also amazing to me that there is a Dearth of Democrats who wish to enter the Race for President,while there is a congestion in the Party I have seen as Repulsive and Obstructionist. I lived with Bush as my elected Servant. I am proud of my present Leader, who is "patient...inspite of". Now I feel simply an "Observer" while the Plutocracy rules. I am watching the Dual of the Dynasties,
while watching a sideshow of Humpty Dumpty, who can afford to entertain his own Ego at our social and time expense. I agree, with many, that Bernie Sanders has been given "short shrift" by our media.
1
Moderate Republicans have already left the Republican party and are voting Democratic. They believe in health care, relief for the Middle Class, and gay and women's rights. Donald Trump is tapping into that and alienating only the ultraconservative demagogues in the Republican party. He may not be pretty but he is hitting the issues.
I'm surprised Trump hasn't attempted to steal the title of Stephen Colbert's 2012 book "America Again: Re-Becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't" as his campaign slogan, though he has in a way co-opted it. Since Colbert's title would require a gimme cap as big as Trump's ego (thus one only Trump could wear), he gives us instead the Reader's Digest condensed version: Make America Great Again.
Colbert's version is more attainable. I wonder if Stephen has given thought to hauling Trump into court for copyright infringement. You can bet your bottom -and top- dollar that lawyers would be involved if their positions were reversed.
Colbert's version is more attainable. I wonder if Stephen has given thought to hauling Trump into court for copyright infringement. You can bet your bottom -and top- dollar that lawyers would be involved if their positions were reversed.
1
Very illuminating article, what I always thought about Republicans now supported by data. Thanks Mr. Edsall.
Alas, Democrats aren't blameless in the matter. If the party hadn't sold out working people years ago, even those who would never vote for a Democrat would be far less likely to adopt these attitudes, because they'd be better off.
For the same reason, professional Democrats are unwilling to discuss the effect of illegal immigration on wages generally: any solution to low wages would anger corporate America, so the issue must be ignored at the policy level.
It's foolish to blame the Republicans alone. This is what the country has become, thanks to our national leadership.
For the same reason, professional Democrats are unwilling to discuss the effect of illegal immigration on wages generally: any solution to low wages would anger corporate America, so the issue must be ignored at the policy level.
It's foolish to blame the Republicans alone. This is what the country has become, thanks to our national leadership.
47
An overall excellent article as always. However, it doesn't take sufficient account of one source of strength for the Trump movement: It doesn't draw enough of a distinction between legal and illegal immigration, and the potential for a groundswell of opposition to the latter. To understand the power of this movement, just look at the most popular comments to NYT articles about Europe's refugee debacle, which are almost exclusively condemning of the healthy, young Muslim men barging into Europe uninvited. My wife is a naturalized US citizen from Asia who supports Trump position on this; she can't understand why the US doesn't more proactively enforce its immigration laws. It's all in the framing; Trump's popularity will soar if he just keeps harping on the need for enforcing laws on the books and accusing Bush, Clinton, and their ilk of a lackadaisical attitude toward the status quo. Polls showing a low upper bound on support for a crackdown are nonsense. This issue has legs, including among union and African-American voters.
1
Lily Tomlin:
No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up".
This quote comes to mind when reading that whites believe that they are "discriminated against as much as blacks and other minorities".
No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up".
This quote comes to mind when reading that whites believe that they are "discriminated against as much as blacks and other minorities".
5
"Forget Love: It's Time to Get Tough"
More like "forget love: it's time to get really stupid and unreasonable." Build a Great Wall on our southern border? That's not tough; that's stupid. deport 11 million people? Not tough, very unreasonable. Trump appeals to a sort of comic book idiocy, or a Monday morning quarterback know-it-all, a sip a beer on the porch and rant about solution to things. Trump's ideas are wacko but they appeal to a sort of comic book ethos, a cut and dry solution that is easily digested. There is good and bad, no grey. That is very dangerous in leadership.
More like "forget love: it's time to get really stupid and unreasonable." Build a Great Wall on our southern border? That's not tough; that's stupid. deport 11 million people? Not tough, very unreasonable. Trump appeals to a sort of comic book idiocy, or a Monday morning quarterback know-it-all, a sip a beer on the porch and rant about solution to things. Trump's ideas are wacko but they appeal to a sort of comic book ethos, a cut and dry solution that is easily digested. There is good and bad, no grey. That is very dangerous in leadership.
1
Every day that goes by, and we fail to deal with reality, more illegal immigrants cross borders. Can't we deal with this issue now? There must be a way that we can at least start the registration of immigrants.. Is there no one in Congress who has the gumption to propose a plan to deal with this enormous issue? It's the elephant in the room and it will continue to be just that for years to come unless get some ideas floated of a fair and judicious solution. Donald Trump shouts his foolish opinions but he never mentions a plan. I, sure he doesn't have one.
Brilliant analysis. In this context one can feel some sympathy for Jeb Bush, who is beginning to understand what it has felt like to be a Democrat all these years, trying to respond to coded Republican attacks that were ultimately all about race and resentment (remember Willie Horton?). Perhaps since Bush no longer fits in the Republican party he should consider becoming a Democrat.
It seems many of those making comments support an open border. We can get a view of how that works by observing Europe now. I guess you would support allowing Syrian refugees board trains to the richer EU countries which, in essence, forces a huge economic burden on these countries. Perhaps there should be a refugee surtax equal to the cost of providing for refugees and illegals across Europe and the USA. That way people can get a clearer picture of the cost of illegal immigration. There needs to be a new paradigm on the refugee problem. The world must come together to force a solution that leaves people in place. The shifting of millions of people to countries with little resource to care for them needs to stop. If it is acceptable huge numbers of people to migrate causing many issues for their destinations then it is also acceptable for the world (UN) to force intervention to prevent the problem. Money is is going to be spent. It is best spent to provide in place vs in destination countries in already stressed economies. So much of the conflict is the result of religious wars where people fail to act as God would have them act. God is a God of peace and love, unconditional love for ALL human beings. He does not favor a particular doctrine. He loves people so much He sent His Son to die for them. The turmoil is a result of the absence of God, not the presence of God.
I like Edsall's columns as a rule, but this one seems to labor long and hard to state the obvious. Since the days of Goldwater and Nixon, the GOP has focused on getting its people to the polls by stoking white anger at demographic and social change and demonizing "the other." "The other" has at various times been blacks, gays, Muslims and, now, immigrants, but the strategy is always the same and usually works. I say "usually" because the demographic changes the GOP rails against have reached the point at which white voters susceptible to such appeals are shrinking as a percentage of all voters. What will the GOP do when it becomes clear there is no path to victory for their candidate without abandoning anti-immigrant rhetoric?
1
Per the 2012 presidential election:
Democratic Party: 54% white, 22% black, 18% Latino, 5% Asian
Republican Party: 92% white, 3% black, 4% Latino, <1% Asian
America (2013 Census): 62% white, 13% black, 18% Latino, 5% Asian
The best way to judge a political party is by its policies and the voters it attracts.
It's fair to say that the GOP doesn't represent "real America" at all.
Democratic Party: 54% white, 22% black, 18% Latino, 5% Asian
Republican Party: 92% white, 3% black, 4% Latino, <1% Asian
America (2013 Census): 62% white, 13% black, 18% Latino, 5% Asian
The best way to judge a political party is by its policies and the voters it attracts.
It's fair to say that the GOP doesn't represent "real America" at all.
101
So, according to that analysis the vast majority of actual taxpayers are Republican and the majority of the free stuff crowd are democrats.
I'm 67 years old and disgusted by what, apparently, is the racism and vitriol of my 1960s generation. To think that our marching for civil rights and the end to the Vietnam War (really, the American War against Vietnam) and for women's rights has morphed into the disgusting belief that whites are more discriminated against than blacks. What happened to us? Why have we become such a fearful generation? We should be ashamed.
3
Somebody else mentioned that these same whites who think they're being discriminated against, and that all the minorities, but especially blacks and Hispanics are getting too good a good deal -- and yet not a single white person among them wants to wake up tomorrow discovering they have become black or Hispanic, not one of them. To me, and I know they refuse to admit it, but they see no difference between 'White Supremacy under attack' and being diminished versus so-called "anti-white discrimination".
1
Misdirection and disinformation have been central to politics from the dawn of H. sapiens--probably earlier. Getting fringe dwellers riled up about immigration is easy and convenient. When Trump tells us he's campaigning for higher prices in the supermarkets (meats and produce), I'll believe he wants to deport illegal immigrants. Ditto when he says we should dismiss housekeepers, gardeners, etc. (Not to mention all those illegal Irish barmen! Oops--they're White!))
When he calls on all y'all to dump your Apple products ( made in China) I'll know he's serious about China stealing our jobs. Ditto all that clothing in Walmart etc. It's sad that fringe-dweller don't see the disconnect.
When he calls on all y'all to dump your Apple products ( made in China) I'll know he's serious about China stealing our jobs. Ditto all that clothing in Walmart etc. It's sad that fringe-dweller don't see the disconnect.
2
Data supporting what was increasingly obvious. Republicans have become the party of old, white, rich racists. They are struggling to hang on the only ways they can: trying to buy elections, suppress the minority vote, and gerrymander districts. But they are demographically doomed.
3
Ed,
“compositional amenities” ? Overstated nuance. Let me help you. White European immigrants soon became white Americans. Brown immigrants become brown Americans. White, bigoted, old Americans don't want brown Americans.
“compositional amenities” ? Overstated nuance. Let me help you. White European immigrants soon became white Americans. Brown immigrants become brown Americans. White, bigoted, old Americans don't want brown Americans.
1
There are multiple factors accounting for the popularity of Donald Trump.
One of them is that Trump uses plain and simple language to state his positions on issues such as immigration and the racial makeup of the United States, whereas for years most GOP politicians have used less obvious language in an attempt to assure their core constituents that they supported whites over other racial groups without offending independent and more moderate Republicans.
Another key factor in Trump's popularity is that he understands that many of the lower income, blue-collar whites who have been supporting the GOP at least since the Reagan years are starting to realize, either consciously or unconsciously, that the GOP politicians they have helped elect during the past 30+ years have been voting for laws that benefit the wealthy at their expense. Thus, Trump is taking positions that they can perceive as benefiting them, not the wealthy, such as promising to protect Social Security and to increase taxes on the wealthy.
Unless and until the other GOP candidates understand why Trump is so popular among a significant portion of their constituents, they will continue to be confounded by Trump's popularity.
One of them is that Trump uses plain and simple language to state his positions on issues such as immigration and the racial makeup of the United States, whereas for years most GOP politicians have used less obvious language in an attempt to assure their core constituents that they supported whites over other racial groups without offending independent and more moderate Republicans.
Another key factor in Trump's popularity is that he understands that many of the lower income, blue-collar whites who have been supporting the GOP at least since the Reagan years are starting to realize, either consciously or unconsciously, that the GOP politicians they have helped elect during the past 30+ years have been voting for laws that benefit the wealthy at their expense. Thus, Trump is taking positions that they can perceive as benefiting them, not the wealthy, such as promising to protect Social Security and to increase taxes on the wealthy.
Unless and until the other GOP candidates understand why Trump is so popular among a significant portion of their constituents, they will continue to be confounded by Trump's popularity.
51
Your second paragraph is absolutely correct. On the D side, union have been hosed by the various trade agreements which have opened up American markets with little corresponding increase in exports to offset the decline in American manufacturing. Both party elites have been putting it to their natural constituencies.
Trumps backers don't represent educated voters, just someone who can call names and project bluster and hate, to cover their own weaknesses.
In the words of Derek Jacoby, playing the Roman Emperor Claudius in the PBS drama I Claudius: ' let the p. p. p p poison come out!'
Best headline of the weekend: Trump Slams Weiner!
2
"The Republican shift to racial conservatism gained momentum under the presidency of Ronald Reagan...". By "racial conservatism" what do you mean? Isn't that just racism?
48
Just what I said!
I think it means the combination of racism and what passes these days for conservatism.
Donald Trump...is neither a Republican nor a Democrat.
He is running his own political party...call it the Trump Party.
and doing so by saying he is a Republican...He is not a republican.
He is hogging the airways ...not paying for airtime on TV....and
playing his own outshouting generalities just so the commercial
media can get views to watch their sponsors.
This is the wake-up call for voters...Do NOT watch commercial TV..
do not buy the views of the spin doctors...they are simply entertaining
you ...and trying to sell you their sponsors products which keeps
their networks gaining more and more wealth...
Rather like the Fox guarding the Hen House Idea...and these commercial
networks have the audience really hooked on the Donald anathema.
because they are spinning the news with their views...just so you
might buy ther sponsor
He is running his own political party...call it the Trump Party.
and doing so by saying he is a Republican...He is not a republican.
He is hogging the airways ...not paying for airtime on TV....and
playing his own outshouting generalities just so the commercial
media can get views to watch their sponsors.
This is the wake-up call for voters...Do NOT watch commercial TV..
do not buy the views of the spin doctors...they are simply entertaining
you ...and trying to sell you their sponsors products which keeps
their networks gaining more and more wealth...
Rather like the Fox guarding the Hen House Idea...and these commercial
networks have the audience really hooked on the Donald anathema.
because they are spinning the news with their views...just so you
might buy ther sponsor
What we think and what we think we think may be two different things. (Not to get Rumsfeldian about it.)
The poll should have asked the question: would you prefer to be Black or Minority to escape discrimination against Whites? How many evangelical Protestant 65 yr old white men would say yes? Their reasons would be illuminating.
Regarding discrimination and benefits, many of us admire an “investor” that games the system, or certain medical professionals who game the system while we despise someone who gets benefits without creating a “business” rationale for it.
The poll should have asked the question: would you prefer to be Black or Minority to escape discrimination against Whites? How many evangelical Protestant 65 yr old white men would say yes? Their reasons would be illuminating.
Regarding discrimination and benefits, many of us admire an “investor” that games the system, or certain medical professionals who game the system while we despise someone who gets benefits without creating a “business” rationale for it.
I am going to use that next time I get the "anti-white prejudice" meme thrown up at me!
Trump: America's Mussolini with a wig.
1
George Will is against Trump. Hummm. George Will's wife works for Gov Scott Walker who is running for President as a Republican. George Will's job is to bad mouth Trump to help his wife.
2
More tears shed over answered prayers . . . .
The Republican partyline of white, tough talk, winner take all/rigged system capitalism is now all rolled up into their Trump.
The Republican partyline of white, tough talk, winner take all/rigged system capitalism is now all rolled up into their Trump.
1
"Racial Conservatism". Is that the word for it?
1
I read both Trump and the US differently from most of the readers. And I am using YOUR data.
In the first place, the White working class has a score of about 81. The highest group, Asian millennial college graduates has a score of about 107. So the White working class has a score more than two thirds of the highest group. And both groups are pretty far away from 0 - "extreme intolerance". So the reality is that America is more accepting of diversity than you are claiming.
In the second place, Trump is not a reliable right winger. He seems to be alone among Republicans in saying that the Iraq war was a huge mistake.
In the third place, if Republicans are sexist and racist, then what explains the enormous influence of Sarah Palin who was a woman, and the recent enthusiasm for Ben Carson who is black?
I invite the readers, and you to face the more complicated reality which America is today rather than a "liberal angels and Republican devils" picture.
Both Carson and Trump have shaken up the Republican establishment and Sanders and perhaps Biden are opening up the Democratic field. I am suddenly more optimistic about the next election.
In the first place, the White working class has a score of about 81. The highest group, Asian millennial college graduates has a score of about 107. So the White working class has a score more than two thirds of the highest group. And both groups are pretty far away from 0 - "extreme intolerance". So the reality is that America is more accepting of diversity than you are claiming.
In the second place, Trump is not a reliable right winger. He seems to be alone among Republicans in saying that the Iraq war was a huge mistake.
In the third place, if Republicans are sexist and racist, then what explains the enormous influence of Sarah Palin who was a woman, and the recent enthusiasm for Ben Carson who is black?
I invite the readers, and you to face the more complicated reality which America is today rather than a "liberal angels and Republican devils" picture.
Both Carson and Trump have shaken up the Republican establishment and Sanders and perhaps Biden are opening up the Democratic field. I am suddenly more optimistic about the next election.
1
With the House gerrymandered into conservative GOP fiefdoms, does it really matter whether Trump wins? They'll just treat him like a white Obama (a rich irony there) and we'll have another stalemate for the next 4 to 8 years.
I've long thought that a new political distinction be drawn from which we could use words / names that accurately reflect predisposition. The categories that seem to work best are progressive and regressive. Edsall's excellent piece supports this change.
1
"At the same time, Trump’s followers are motivated, and enraged, by what they see as a breakdown of law and order..."
But here's the thing -- crime has been declining steadily since the mid-90s. In many voters adult lives, crime has never been lower. It's a remarkable thing, little noted, and completely unknown to the older white Republican voter. Why is this?
But here's the thing -- crime has been declining steadily since the mid-90s. In many voters adult lives, crime has never been lower. It's a remarkable thing, little noted, and completely unknown to the older white Republican voter. Why is this?
1
Many Americans have a problem with illegal immigration because it's illegal. After watching Ferguson, Baltimore, etc. riots and hearing about a criminal who was deported multiple times returning to commit more crimes the average American gets upset. That is what Trump it tapping into.
You can say what you want about "compositional amenities" or white discrimination but the real problem is that our government is not doing it's job enforcing immigration laws or drug laws (see Colorado), protecting us from threats (see repeal of metadata, wanting to give billions to known terrorists (Iran), etc.), forcing EPA regulations on businesses with dubious science and lack of accurate economic impact studies, and has an overly active NLRB that is hurting business thereby damping growth. We'll leave Obamacare out of this discussion.
What you have is an electorate that is getting upset, fed up "p'd" off, whatever word or phrase you want to use.
This isn't about white Tea Party politics or worries about losing the majority or much beyond the fact that the Federal Government is not doing it's job and some folks think that's a problem that requires a fix and fast before it's out of control.
If we had legal immigration working correctly, proper enforcement of the law, respect of our international friends and enemies and a robust economy then Trump probably would just be background noise.
You can say what you want about "compositional amenities" or white discrimination but the real problem is that our government is not doing it's job enforcing immigration laws or drug laws (see Colorado), protecting us from threats (see repeal of metadata, wanting to give billions to known terrorists (Iran), etc.), forcing EPA regulations on businesses with dubious science and lack of accurate economic impact studies, and has an overly active NLRB that is hurting business thereby damping growth. We'll leave Obamacare out of this discussion.
What you have is an electorate that is getting upset, fed up "p'd" off, whatever word or phrase you want to use.
This isn't about white Tea Party politics or worries about losing the majority or much beyond the fact that the Federal Government is not doing it's job and some folks think that's a problem that requires a fix and fast before it's out of control.
If we had legal immigration working correctly, proper enforcement of the law, respect of our international friends and enemies and a robust economy then Trump probably would just be background noise.
As a first generation immigrant, European American, I notice this great unfairness in the US, and with great displeasure: Every culture and subculture in the US is entitled to openly defend and preserve its heritage, that is, everyone except European Americans or Whites!
The NYT is exporting this view to Europe as well, where the welfare of all the worlds' migrants is supposed to be put beyond that of the native populations, and also subsidized by their taxes, unlimitless. This is like getting rid of the locks in your house, housing all the people who want to live in a better neighborhood, feed them, school them, offer them various benefits, and while doing this apologize profusely for not offering them the entire house and merely existing.
Gay pride and black white matters is okay. White Pride or White lives matters is not... who is discriminating whom here? It is right away linked with the south, although more than half of the white US population has no roots linked to the south history what so ever.
The author of the column turns Trump into a villain by merely linking him, justifiably or not, with an imagined rally for preserving his own culture... which for whites is supposed to be the biggest crime.
Give me a break!
The NYT is exporting this view to Europe as well, where the welfare of all the worlds' migrants is supposed to be put beyond that of the native populations, and also subsidized by their taxes, unlimitless. This is like getting rid of the locks in your house, housing all the people who want to live in a better neighborhood, feed them, school them, offer them various benefits, and while doing this apologize profusely for not offering them the entire house and merely existing.
Gay pride and black white matters is okay. White Pride or White lives matters is not... who is discriminating whom here? It is right away linked with the south, although more than half of the white US population has no roots linked to the south history what so ever.
The author of the column turns Trump into a villain by merely linking him, justifiably or not, with an imagined rally for preserving his own culture... which for whites is supposed to be the biggest crime.
Give me a break!
2
This is a distorted analysis and deliberately inflammatory:
Trump favors legal but opposes illegal immigration. What's the problem with that? Are his opponents advocating lawlessness? Why don't they just advocate for the abolition for all immigration laws?
Instead this has morphed into "Trump opposes all immigration" which is just irresponsible journalism.
Trump favors legal but opposes illegal immigration. What's the problem with that? Are his opponents advocating lawlessness? Why don't they just advocate for the abolition for all immigration laws?
Instead this has morphed into "Trump opposes all immigration" which is just irresponsible journalism.
1
I think probably 90% of US citizens favor legal over illegal immigration. To suggest that the left 'favors' illegal immigration is distorted. However, since everyone disagrees on how to adjust the immigration laws to deal with reality the conversation devolves into absurdities like 'the wall'. The Berlin wall was unable to stop 100% of people from crossing, does anyone really think there is a 'better' solution wall-wise that is also affordable? Slogans are great for ginning up votes but they aren't realistic in dealing with complex issues.
At 64, I am a part of an "angry and resentful white constituency" -- but I am enraged at our country, and the world's, racism and xenophobia and stupidity represented by Trump and his followers. (Though knowing what a performer he is, I'm not sure he even believes his own poisonous rhetoric but understands it will make him popular.)
Last night I finished reading Ta-Nehesi Coates' "Between the World and Me" and today I will begin reading Dan-el Padilla Peralta's "Undocumented." Coates refers to people "who believe themselves white." That's the people Edsall is speaking of in this column. They are deluded, uninformed, and lazy.
You don't have to be a particularly observant "white" person to see discrimination against "non-white" people going on all the time all around you out on the world. Of course, if you segregate yourselves behind all-white gated communities or the disgusting over-55 communities of Florida, like The Villages, a GOP stronghold, you are deliberately putting blinders on yourself.
Similarly, you don't have to be so observant to see what I've seen in my life: how immigrants revitalized large parts of New York City that were dead in the 1970s; how immigrants turned Miami from a sleepy Southern town to an international capital; how the U.S. could never be the U.S. without the countless contributions of descendants of Africa.
I am enraged at these white Republicans who see discrimination against "whites." I will fight them by any means necessary.
Last night I finished reading Ta-Nehesi Coates' "Between the World and Me" and today I will begin reading Dan-el Padilla Peralta's "Undocumented." Coates refers to people "who believe themselves white." That's the people Edsall is speaking of in this column. They are deluded, uninformed, and lazy.
You don't have to be a particularly observant "white" person to see discrimination against "non-white" people going on all the time all around you out on the world. Of course, if you segregate yourselves behind all-white gated communities or the disgusting over-55 communities of Florida, like The Villages, a GOP stronghold, you are deliberately putting blinders on yourself.
Similarly, you don't have to be so observant to see what I've seen in my life: how immigrants revitalized large parts of New York City that were dead in the 1970s; how immigrants turned Miami from a sleepy Southern town to an international capital; how the U.S. could never be the U.S. without the countless contributions of descendants of Africa.
I am enraged at these white Republicans who see discrimination against "whites." I will fight them by any means necessary.
149
Richard, plenty of books espousing other points of view exist as well. You're reading those too, correct?
And for people who can't deal with diversity, we offer Idaho...
4
Not a lot new here. Aging white folk trying to hang on to white privilege. Demographic changes and demise of the elderly will soon take care of this. Young people in this country give me hope. My hope is Trump destroys the GOP so a new, rational party can emerge.
5
You know, the more liberals that call him a despicable racist for wanting to enforce immigration law and keep gangs from destroying cities, the more the left is gong to alienate a significant portion of the population from voting democrat.
2
Edsall's analysis is, as usual, right on. As for the "ugly and hideous", here is a comment by a Trump supporter quoted in the NYTimes article on the Mobile rally:
“Hopefully, he’s [Trump] going to sit there and say, ‘When I become elected president, what we’re going to do is we’re going to make the border a vacation spot, it’s going to cost you $25 for a permit, and then you get $50 for every confirmed kill,’ ”
“Hopefully, he’s [Trump] going to sit there and say, ‘When I become elected president, what we’re going to do is we’re going to make the border a vacation spot, it’s going to cost you $25 for a permit, and then you get $50 for every confirmed kill,’ ”
1
Mr. Edsall writes some of the best commentary in the MSM today. But when he refers to George Will as a traditional conservative, then he is missing the mark.
As for all this concern over Trump's language and temperament, there is nothing new here.
Twenty years ago Pat Buchanan then made Trump today seem mild by comparison.
As for all this concern over Trump's language and temperament, there is nothing new here.
Twenty years ago Pat Buchanan then made Trump today seem mild by comparison.
3
Every time I get on a plane I'm x-rayed. The NSA is collecting data on me and all of my friends and neighbors. We have built more prisons and filled them to the bursting point. People are armed to the teeth and shooting each other daily.
Mr. Trump is simply tapping in to the reality that we have created for ourselves and it's a reality that is bi-partisan. We are afraid of ourselves and the rest of the world.
I see the pictures of ISIS cutting off peoples heads and rounding up women and children, I also see they are armed with US made guns.
If we want less fear we need to get rid of all the trappings of fear and start acting with the courage needed to face the world everyday. We don't need to be armed to the teeth, watching and waiting we need to get on with our lives and rebuild this country. Schools, roads, clean water a world class electric grid. Fear is paralysis.
Mr. Trump is simply tapping in to the reality that we have created for ourselves and it's a reality that is bi-partisan. We are afraid of ourselves and the rest of the world.
I see the pictures of ISIS cutting off peoples heads and rounding up women and children, I also see they are armed with US made guns.
If we want less fear we need to get rid of all the trappings of fear and start acting with the courage needed to face the world everyday. We don't need to be armed to the teeth, watching and waiting we need to get on with our lives and rebuild this country. Schools, roads, clean water a world class electric grid. Fear is paralysis.
7
As a white man in his eighth decade, I constantly see the mindset discussed here by Mr. Edsall amongst my contemporaries. I take solace in reminding myself that the mortality tables and higher birthrates amongst newer Americans act in favor of advancing the cause of justice and equality.
7
I'm surprised that it took so long for these facts on the GOP and racism to come out. Nixon initiated the "Southern" strategy to appeal to whites who opposed civil rights laws. While the shift was most dramatic in the south, it also drew white working class voters who opposed school bussing and integration efforts in northern cities as well.
Ronald Reagan gave his campaign kick off speech within miles of the graves of three murdered civil rights workers in Nashoba County Mississippi, hardly a GOP stronghold, but and area with a deep history of racism and violence against blacks. The topic of his speech? States rights.
So as the GOP has traditionally used racism as a campaign device and Trump has simply turned the "Southern strategy" into the "Southwestern Strategy."
And this isn't just campaign rhetoric. If the GOP gains the white house we can expect appointments and politics to follow the racism of the campaign.
But the real question is what is it with white people? Why do they so desperately want to believe that their lives are being dragged down if people of color get even a small measure of equality? The data on employment shows that even those small measures are being undercut by unconscious bias. They watch police execute unarmed black men on video and still can't believe what's right in front of them. They profess Christian virtue and practice raw, naked racial bias. Racism has indeed been a plague on all our houses and until now the media simply sleeps.
Ronald Reagan gave his campaign kick off speech within miles of the graves of three murdered civil rights workers in Nashoba County Mississippi, hardly a GOP stronghold, but and area with a deep history of racism and violence against blacks. The topic of his speech? States rights.
So as the GOP has traditionally used racism as a campaign device and Trump has simply turned the "Southern strategy" into the "Southwestern Strategy."
And this isn't just campaign rhetoric. If the GOP gains the white house we can expect appointments and politics to follow the racism of the campaign.
But the real question is what is it with white people? Why do they so desperately want to believe that their lives are being dragged down if people of color get even a small measure of equality? The data on employment shows that even those small measures are being undercut by unconscious bias. They watch police execute unarmed black men on video and still can't believe what's right in front of them. They profess Christian virtue and practice raw, naked racial bias. Racism has indeed been a plague on all our houses and until now the media simply sleeps.
5
"Republican policies on race and immigration have made the party the home" of things their own leaders use and betray.
Those are bad things. Even the Republican leaders know that. I'm not speaking here to support those things.
However, I think the Republican elite has lost control because their base took them seriously, and are rebelling against the elite's betrayal of what it spun up.
Trump is what the Republican elite promised to be, but wasn't. They succeeded in building that base, but they did not really believe or support what they built. They are liars, and always were.
Now they are caught by that.
They oh so deserve this. The rest of us don't deserve a Trump presidency, but the Republicans do truly deserve a Trump candidacy.
Those are bad things. Even the Republican leaders know that. I'm not speaking here to support those things.
However, I think the Republican elite has lost control because their base took them seriously, and are rebelling against the elite's betrayal of what it spun up.
Trump is what the Republican elite promised to be, but wasn't. They succeeded in building that base, but they did not really believe or support what they built. They are liars, and always were.
Now they are caught by that.
They oh so deserve this. The rest of us don't deserve a Trump presidency, but the Republicans do truly deserve a Trump candidacy.
5
Trump is an erudite communicator and he is using a simple but effective technique which is a variant of what is called, "mirroring". He repeats back to his audience what they have expressed through polls and the mass media. The effect is that the audience thoughts and feelings resonate with Trump's messages. Only he does not use the technique as counselors and therapists use it, to help the client/audience to understand and then to reflect upon what they are expressing, he uses it to generate their sense of hearing someone who thinks and feels as do they.
If Trump is elected President, he could become a demagogue of a leader fairly easily.
If Trump is elected President, he could become a demagogue of a leader fairly easily.
This is vintage Edsall. A combination of cheap shots directed at Republicans and character assassination by hokey social science. And of course far too long.
The facts: On most key issues, Trump is closer to Democrats -- and I daresay Edsall himself -- than Republicans. Consider his crowd-pleasing positions on Social Security, Medicare And Medicaid; not to mention his support for Universal Health Care. He opposed the Iraq War. He opposes the TPP. SEE Judd Legum, The Surprisingly Strong Progressive Case For Donald Trump in ThinkProgress, 7/25/15.
No surprise then that Trump used to give more campaign contributions to Democrats than GOP candidates.
Then there is Edsall's standard progressive propaganda about how GOP policies on race and immigration have made the party the home of an often angry and resentful white constituency.
Did it never occur to Edsall that it was Democratic policies on race and immigration that caused anger and resentment? Can anyone glance at the pages New York Times and miss the racist electoral strategy of Progressives? For many decades now the Progressive game plan -- banking on anticipated demographic shifts in the electorate -- has been to capture the emerging non-white and female majority by charges of white male discrimination against them. What else explains the witch hunt to turn any "disparity" between different social groups into proof of white males' racism or sexism?
You opened the door to Trump. You keep him.
The facts: On most key issues, Trump is closer to Democrats -- and I daresay Edsall himself -- than Republicans. Consider his crowd-pleasing positions on Social Security, Medicare And Medicaid; not to mention his support for Universal Health Care. He opposed the Iraq War. He opposes the TPP. SEE Judd Legum, The Surprisingly Strong Progressive Case For Donald Trump in ThinkProgress, 7/25/15.
No surprise then that Trump used to give more campaign contributions to Democrats than GOP candidates.
Then there is Edsall's standard progressive propaganda about how GOP policies on race and immigration have made the party the home of an often angry and resentful white constituency.
Did it never occur to Edsall that it was Democratic policies on race and immigration that caused anger and resentment? Can anyone glance at the pages New York Times and miss the racist electoral strategy of Progressives? For many decades now the Progressive game plan -- banking on anticipated demographic shifts in the electorate -- has been to capture the emerging non-white and female majority by charges of white male discrimination against them. What else explains the witch hunt to turn any "disparity" between different social groups into proof of white males' racism or sexism?
You opened the door to Trump. You keep him.
2
Mr. Edsall illustrates the statistics quite well, but forgets to mention the plutocrats who bankroll the bible-thumpers.
I wouldn't be surprised if the far right wing higher ups made a deal with the plutocrats (think the Koch's, Adelson, etc.). The terms would have been (or are) that if the plutocrats bankroll right wing candidates, the right wing candidates can do basically whatever they want except pass legislation that would cause the slightest damage to the plutocrats industries.
Why else would the Koch's, Adelson's and Trump's of the world fund such ridiculous people?
I wouldn't be surprised if the far right wing higher ups made a deal with the plutocrats (think the Koch's, Adelson, etc.). The terms would have been (or are) that if the plutocrats bankroll right wing candidates, the right wing candidates can do basically whatever they want except pass legislation that would cause the slightest damage to the plutocrats industries.
Why else would the Koch's, Adelson's and Trump's of the world fund such ridiculous people?
3
What Edsall doesn't understand about immigration.
We have essentially totally open borders. Under Democratic policies if you can sneak in and stay for a little while you have the right to stay here but no obligations. My first Chinese wife (now deceased) said to me 15 years ago that 300, 000,000 million Chinese would really like to be in the US. Under Edsall's view we should start preparing to welcome them along with Indians, Arabs, Africans and whoever else has a standard of living lower than the US.
Trump, however, makes the mistake of denigrating Mexicans, many of whom are very hardworking admirable people. However, the fact that many good peoplle take advantage of our open borders does not justify open borders. Illegal entrants need to understand that they are breaking the law and are in the US at their own risk.
We have essentially totally open borders. Under Democratic policies if you can sneak in and stay for a little while you have the right to stay here but no obligations. My first Chinese wife (now deceased) said to me 15 years ago that 300, 000,000 million Chinese would really like to be in the US. Under Edsall's view we should start preparing to welcome them along with Indians, Arabs, Africans and whoever else has a standard of living lower than the US.
Trump, however, makes the mistake of denigrating Mexicans, many of whom are very hardworking admirable people. However, the fact that many good peoplle take advantage of our open borders does not justify open borders. Illegal entrants need to understand that they are breaking the law and are in the US at their own risk.
3
Fear has long been the political tactic of the right wing. Trump employs it as well or better than the next Republican candidate. What makes you so sure Mr. Edsall that Trump is going away.
2
Trump is a court jester. At that he is good. But who wants a jester to be king? A fool belongs in congress where they can't do much harm.
2
Trump just encourages white people to blame their shortcomings on people of other races. Why don't they just try to better themselves, rather than tear down someone else? Thinking they are owed something because they're white is no better than the minorities they hate doing the same thing. Why do white people think they're so special? I'm white, but I wasn't brought up that way. We were taught from the time we were kids that you have to work hard every day to get the things you want. And, you don't blame others if you lose. If someone else gets what you wanted, then you work twice as hard next time to show the reward should be yours. Where did the idea come from that you can just sit back in your easy chair and watch TV and greatness will come to you because you're white? If you want something, don't blame someone else because you don't have it. Blame, blame, blame. It's getting so old. White people, get over yourselves.
1
This is one of the best opinions I've ever read.
I like that Trump is shaking up the GOP, making it think about itself, but I don't like the possibility that a racial demagogue could achieve the presidency. We've seen the results of that before.
Make no mistake, if the US decides to deport 11 million mexicans, world war is the probable result. I'm not going to allow it, which means, I'll lay in front of the tanks. Run me over, but we're not going to do this!
I like that Trump is shaking up the GOP, making it think about itself, but I don't like the possibility that a racial demagogue could achieve the presidency. We've seen the results of that before.
Make no mistake, if the US decides to deport 11 million mexicans, world war is the probable result. I'm not going to allow it, which means, I'll lay in front of the tanks. Run me over, but we're not going to do this!
1
I'll read Mr. Edsall's column regardless of topic, and this one is another clear analysis of the delusional thinking in folks who can seriously proffer that discrimination against whites is somehow equal with or worse than against blacks. HUH? These folks so obviously live in Lala Land.
2
Oh, the poor victimized whites.
Break my heart.
Do they not know that they can freely go from one place to another simply because they are not marked?
It's quite the advantage.
Black and brown people are forever marked.
They can't hide.
Break my heart.
Do they not know that they can freely go from one place to another simply because they are not marked?
It's quite the advantage.
Black and brown people are forever marked.
They can't hide.
2
"George Will and other traditional conservatives reject the bombastic language Trump favors, preferring a more elliptical approach in order to avoid alienating moderate voters Republicans need to win in 2016."
Meaning they agree with him, but they just aren't so blunt in saying so.
Meaning they agree with him, but they just aren't so blunt in saying so.
4
All of this confirms that Trump can't win. He is having a lot of fun legitimizing nativists, bigots and those who blame everyone else for their discomforts. The great virtue of Trump's message going forward is his attack on the oligarchs. Maybe Trump will dethrone Grover Norquist as de facto finance Czar for the GOP, if not US.
2
Only Nixon could go to China.
I'm thrilled to have Mr Trump not only showing the Publicans for exactly what and whom they've chosen to become w/r/t racial resentments, but also telling his Publican audiences the truth -- or at least a part of it -- about who their real enemies are: the plutocrats who have taken over and then gamed the system to their own benefit for over a generation.
I might even send a donation -- a small one.
I'm thrilled to have Mr Trump not only showing the Publicans for exactly what and whom they've chosen to become w/r/t racial resentments, but also telling his Publican audiences the truth -- or at least a part of it -- about who their real enemies are: the plutocrats who have taken over and then gamed the system to their own benefit for over a generation.
I might even send a donation -- a small one.
The whining of white evangelicals and tea partiers that the world is out to get them and to oppress their religion is truly offensive. Because the world does not bow down to people in these groups and cater to their every whim and insecurity they loudly proclaim that they are victims in need of protection.
Here's a newsflash: just because there are more brown faces in the USA, and just because police brutality and overreaction is being scrutinized, and just because people are not lying down and allowing our constitutionally secular government to be taken over by the Kim Davises and the Duggar family does NOT mean that white people or religious people or even conservative people are an endangered species in need of protection.
More freedom from oppression for more brown people isn't a problem for whites -- it's a cause for celebration by everyone. It's too bad that Trump and his lunatic fringe followers can't even catch a glimmer of that realization.
Here's a newsflash: just because there are more brown faces in the USA, and just because police brutality and overreaction is being scrutinized, and just because people are not lying down and allowing our constitutionally secular government to be taken over by the Kim Davises and the Duggar family does NOT mean that white people or religious people or even conservative people are an endangered species in need of protection.
More freedom from oppression for more brown people isn't a problem for whites -- it's a cause for celebration by everyone. It's too bad that Trump and his lunatic fringe followers can't even catch a glimmer of that realization.
5
Percentage of white people who agreed with the statement that discrimination against white people has become as big a problem as discrimination against blacks and other minorities is at 52%. Percentage of whites who would change places with blacks or other minorities remains at 0%.
265
Rachel Dolezal. Shaun King. Etc.
Chris Rock said it best:
"No white person would trade places with me... and I'm rich!"
"No white person would trade places with me... and I'm rich!"
2
Rachel Dolezal
"half-century of Republican policies on race and immigration have made the party the home of an often angry and resentful white constituency"
Do you think the Democrat party that's the home of groups like BLM and Occupy Wall Street isn't filled with angry and resentful constituents?
Do you think the Democrat party that's the home of groups like BLM and Occupy Wall Street isn't filled with angry and resentful constituents?
2
Yes, absolutely. People are angry that their kids get shot walking down the street for the crime of being black. They're angry that if they don't look like the majority population, they don't have the same privileges to drive, work, and live in the U.S.
I personally resent the fact that the GOP wants to privatize Social Security and public education so that the same greedy thieves who tanked our economy can gamble with all of that money.
What are you angry about?
I personally resent the fact that the GOP wants to privatize Social Security and public education so that the same greedy thieves who tanked our economy can gamble with all of that money.
What are you angry about?
The democratic party isn't 92 percent white like the GOP.
Literally 100% of the additional wealth that has been generated, through increased productivity and other means, since 1975 has accrued to, and only to, the top 5% of the American populace.
Over 60% of us have lost ground, most of us dramatically so.
Most of the remaining 30% are barely breaking even with what we were earning then.
This is the first generation in the history of our country not to be doing better than our parents.
Opportunities have shrunk for most of us, with the educations we are told will save us being prohibitively priced.
Meanwhile, that top 5% -- and especially the top 1/10 of 1% -- are doing very, very well indeed, yet their taxes are radically down, so the country can afford to accomplish nothing useful for its citizenry or for the world.
Every aspect of this situation is not something that just happened -- it was designed and implemented by the takeover of our government by that same 1/10 of 1% of plutocrats, and by the corporations that they own and operate.
And you don't think anger and resentment -- directed appropriately, at the guilty, rather than at scapegoats such as other victims of the same processes, including the poor, minority Americans, and undocumented immigrants -- are entirely appropriate responses?
Over 60% of us have lost ground, most of us dramatically so.
Most of the remaining 30% are barely breaking even with what we were earning then.
This is the first generation in the history of our country not to be doing better than our parents.
Opportunities have shrunk for most of us, with the educations we are told will save us being prohibitively priced.
Meanwhile, that top 5% -- and especially the top 1/10 of 1% -- are doing very, very well indeed, yet their taxes are radically down, so the country can afford to accomplish nothing useful for its citizenry or for the world.
Every aspect of this situation is not something that just happened -- it was designed and implemented by the takeover of our government by that same 1/10 of 1% of plutocrats, and by the corporations that they own and operate.
And you don't think anger and resentment -- directed appropriately, at the guilty, rather than at scapegoats such as other victims of the same processes, including the poor, minority Americans, and undocumented immigrants -- are entirely appropriate responses?
..... but with his baseball cap adorned head arising from no-neck shoulders, he looks so hoi polloi, plebian & proletarian.
Why are so many people listening to him ?
Is George Orwell's world coming true ?
Why are so many people listening to him ?
Is George Orwell's world coming true ?
2
Shock and anger of George Will and others of the GOP elite over Trump is just desserts. The Old South has long been under control of entitled white men drinking mint juleps on the columned porticos confident that the white trash swilling moonshine will hear the dog whistles and vote for the designated suit wearer who can espouse backward thinking with educated élan. Nixon's 1968 campaign adopted the strategy for the GOP nationally and it was mostly successful since. Now the foppish leaders are shocked that the drunken swine are taking the message they have been delivering for 150 years so seriously. George Will, who has pushed the elitist line for decades under a camouflage of faux erudition, is getting a bad case of the vapors thanks to Trump. As the Bible thumping Kentucky clerk in the news might remind Will and others, you reap what you sow.
12
Who exactly gave one racial/ethnic group a permanent right to populate an American city? certainly not the US Constitiution.
Ethnic change in neighborhoods is a reality as old as America. The Lower East side in NYC was Dutch, Irish, Jewish, and now hispanic. In 30 years it'll be Chinese, or Indian. Or whatever. And then the Hispanics are going to whine that the immigrants are threatening their way of life.
The story of America is the story of the melting pot. It was thus from the day the first White Immigrants (aka Pilgrims) set foot in P-Town and proceeded to kill the natives.
So relax, grab a good taco and a cold cerveza, and love America.
Ethnic change in neighborhoods is a reality as old as America. The Lower East side in NYC was Dutch, Irish, Jewish, and now hispanic. In 30 years it'll be Chinese, or Indian. Or whatever. And then the Hispanics are going to whine that the immigrants are threatening their way of life.
The story of America is the story of the melting pot. It was thus from the day the first White Immigrants (aka Pilgrims) set foot in P-Town and proceeded to kill the natives.
So relax, grab a good taco and a cold cerveza, and love America.
7
Well said.
Trump is not acting in a void. The darts he throws always hits the Bull's Eye because the Republican party systematically built that dart board and media outlets/personalities such as, FOX, Limbaugh, Hannity nourished it. I know it is cliche but Trump is reaping Republican's harvest.
Trump is not acting in a void. The darts he throws always hits the Bull's Eye because the Republican party systematically built that dart board and media outlets/personalities such as, FOX, Limbaugh, Hannity nourished it. I know it is cliche but Trump is reaping Republican's harvest.
5
The Donald promises to "make America great again". Exactly how does he intend to do that? Building walls, building military? He just speaks in bombast and platitudes. Methinks Donald is on a stunning self promotion campaign, he really hasn't the skills nor knowledge to "make America great again"
3
One has to laugh that the ghost of Willie Horton has emerged to haunt the Bush son who would be king.
11
The essential problem has become Citizens United. I must be repealed, yet the NYT and its op ed writers have yet to say so.
5
Great article - you have put the Trump phenomena in context. However, I am not so sure that Mr. Trump's odds of winning the nomination of his party are slim because the other candidates are afraid to confront him and alienate the Republican base.
3
He is representative of the Republican Party. He is an extension of Ronald Reagan. I think he is going to win the nomination.
You can look at Trump and the direction Republicans have taken in the context of inevitable change. The makeup of the country IS changing, and there's nothing you can do about it - even Donald Trump, if he actually managed to get elected.
Which means that we will most likely have to put up with Trump and his ilk - not to mention the remainder of the GOP crazies for the next few years before they finally implode. Their current and recent behavior (not to mention the direction of the party over the last 35 years) has been in response to changes in the country that they cannot stomach, but that they are also powerless to stop - but they'll try anyway.
All the rest of us need to do is wait. Republicans will implode, and then we can finally start making the country a place that is diverse and welcoming for everyone, not to mention where everyone is taken care of, regardless of their income, race, belief systems or gender of their partner.
Which means that we will most likely have to put up with Trump and his ilk - not to mention the remainder of the GOP crazies for the next few years before they finally implode. Their current and recent behavior (not to mention the direction of the party over the last 35 years) has been in response to changes in the country that they cannot stomach, but that they are also powerless to stop - but they'll try anyway.
All the rest of us need to do is wait. Republicans will implode, and then we can finally start making the country a place that is diverse and welcoming for everyone, not to mention where everyone is taken care of, regardless of their income, race, belief systems or gender of their partner.
5
It is wrong to project some bias on Republicans. The issue is one of how we define a country. Traditionally a country is a geographic designation where all the people within the borders give allegiance to a government for that geography. It has been in law for many years through out the world that the country gets to decide who enters and leaves., who can stay and the requirements of staying. The Republicans are supporting tighter control of who enters. There is abundant evidence that a small percentage of those entering the USA are criminals. Identifying this problem should not be taken as a denigration of those who come seeking a better life. Can a country survive if there are no controls over who enters, over who can come and demand services some of which are not even available to residents of this country? Some of the best workers in many trades are Latino. That does not mean we should have a one way open border with Mexico. Try to go and work in Mexico. Mexico built a border fence to stop Guatemala from letting refugees into Mexico in route to the USA. Mexico doesn't want a fence on the north because of the large amount of money that Mexican immigrants send back to Mexico. We tolerate this duplicity to our hurt. Liberals, having lost the battle on this source to bolster their electorate, try to make it a bias/prejudice issue. If you can't win on the issue resort to name calling.
My community is about 30% Latino, of which its estimated that 20%-30% are undocumented. Its been this way for at least thirteen years. You would think that with the amount of undocumented immigrants, if you read the comments and listen to DT, crime would be rampant. Actually its not. Most of the crime we see downtown is petty, fights and such, and rarely involve undocumented immigrants. Much of the crime has more to do with mentally ill people shipped here when the mental facilities closed. Danbury was named the safest city in CT for many of the past 13 years we lived there and crime rates are still well below the average for America.
So perhaps its not illegal immigrants that should be the concern. Perhaps having an unemployment rate of 4.5% helps the situation. Perhaps having a police force which is from the community and is part of the community helps. Perhaps when an officer was found to have beaten a suspect and was fired, that helps.
Or maybe those "good" latinos DT talks about are all Danbury.
So perhaps its not illegal immigrants that should be the concern. Perhaps having an unemployment rate of 4.5% helps the situation. Perhaps having a police force which is from the community and is part of the community helps. Perhaps when an officer was found to have beaten a suspect and was fired, that helps.
Or maybe those "good" latinos DT talks about are all Danbury.
12
Trump doesn't operate alone or in a vacuum. His bigoted pronouncements have earned him the support of a plurality of Republican voters. Therein lies the rub.
46
Early primary season folks, no one has voted.
Trump is the result of several decades of rhetoric designed to create a conservative America. For at least some of this, you could call him "Son of the WSJ," which has been preaching his views for as long as most of us can remember.
The only difference is their columnists couch his bombast in more genteel terms.
The only difference is their columnists couch his bombast in more genteel terms.
5
All Trump, all the time. This crazy nutcase could become the president. Thanks Tea Party. Thanks conspiracy theorists. Thank you, Republican Party.
4
The statistics in crime and who perpetrate the crimes strongly support Trump's claim. What should be discussed is Trump's blanket statements. See, people are entertained by Trump because he represents a "hole" in that despicable shadow covering us all called political correctness.
1
Why does Trump insist on talking about 'gangs' in Ferguson? Nothing about the protests in Ferguson over the shooting and the failure to indict Officer Wilson suggests that street gangs were involved in protests. Is this his way of linking immigration to African Americans? And why hasn't the press challenged this assertion?
5
The GOP has always been about selfishness and greed. Now it's about fear and resentment of immigrants and dark skinned people. The GOP deserves what it gets for having welcomed the Tea Party, the John Birchers and the usual constituency of the KKK into its ranks. The GOP can't continue as it is. Hopefully it will die out soon and a new, rational and patriotic political party, one that will be good for America, will replace it.
4
If you read, or listen to, the elegiac poem by Billy Collins, "The Names," http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment-july-dec02-names_9-06/ you will at some point come to realize not only the sheer loss represented by all of the names, but also the diversity that is being celebrated there in that poem. The names reflect so many cultures that reside there, in that vast city. One thinks that maybe that ideal--the idea of pluralism--was what was under attack on September 11, 2001: the idea that human beings can peacefully coexist and even create a dynamic culture. How threatening this must be to Islamic radicals. How ironic it is that their rejection of this ideal should now be adopted by demagogues within these pluralistic, liberal democracies. Osama Bin Laden and his regressive vision are indeed winning out, helped by "leaders" like Trump in America, and far right nativists in Europe.
51
Not voting for Trump bu you misread Trumps remarks. As indicated by many of his workers, a quite diverse group, Trump appreciates diversity. Perhaps he could better phrase his comments. The issue is simple. Do we allow illegals to enter the country? Do we accommodate them by providing services? Do we continue to mismanage the small percentage that are criminals allowing them to repeatedly commit crimes? Do we require that those people who enter this country legally take a back seat to those who enter illegally? How do we maintain the essence of this country and all that has made it great when these masses are not required to learn who we are and how we got here. If we allow them to, perhaps in just ignorance, to destroy our heritage we will become as the country they left. Then where will we emigrate to? BTW, it is very much harder to enter another country than to enter the USA.
A profoundly thought-provoking comment. Thanks.
So George Will, along with his party's Establishment, is in a panic about Trump's rise. At best they looked the other way as they allowed the entire party to become its radical wing. They helped make the bed and now they have to lie in it - and that goes for any Republican who gains the nomination and may, heaven help us, become President.
4
So you would prefer the untrustworthy and unethical Hillarious Clinton or perhaps the self avowed socialist Sanders or Warren? Perhaps you think they will fix the 18 trillion dollar debt problem that will soon crash our economy. As Margaret Thatcher said "Socialism only works until you run out of other people's money." The Greeks can verify this as well as a few other EU nations totally dependent on other peoples money to pay their entitlements. Or there is Biden who would undoubtedly continue Obama's policies towards a continuing declining labor participation rate along with an increasing entitled voting base. Fewer people working to provide the larger not working populace with benefits that are the equivalent of over $12-20 per hour in 35 states. The real reason we need a $15 minimum wage is so people can actually make more money than being on welfare except it is a lose lose as then they have to pay the high Obama/Reid/Pelosi care monthlies for a $10K deductible instead of being on Medicaid. It is going to take awhile to fix this mess.
Living in Oklahoma and seeing how the legislature is always tearing down education and how the population in my town distrusts science, fears college educated people and thinks schools exist to fund sports teams, I always thought that Republicans wanted an uneducated population incapable of critical thinking. How else would they get elected? But this is what they get. Donald Trump. He appeals to a population that is scared of everything. Instead of working through problems like climate change and immigration, they just want to go back to 1952 because that's easier than thinking. The Republicans wanted an ignorant population and the ignorant love Trump.
12
Thank you for an excellent, highly researched article, Mr. Edsall. One has only to see and hear the female clerk in Kentucky, who refuses to do the job she was elected to do - issue marriage licenses - in direct opposition to the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States of America because she is personally opposed to gay marriage, to understand those who would vote for DT. They are probably wholly-owned by the ALEC/Koch/Wall Street/u.s. chamber of commerce/radical religious right/nra corporate conglomerate who are trying to destroy democracy in America. America is not a dictatorship and WE are not going to allow it to become one. NO votes for DT.
6
If I ever see one of your comments fail to mention "ALEC/Koch/Wall street" in a derogatory way I know the apocalypse is nigh
Donald Trump has mastered the skill of moving what has long been the Republican Party's domination of identity politics from dog whistle to bullhorn while continuing to cloak its role as the political operating system for the top one percent. He does this by railing against illegal immigrants, against "thugs" and "gangs" , against disorder in the streets, pressures on public services, and a sense of insecurity among a growing number of Americans. He taps the real and reasonable resentment over greater competition for employment, a sense of vulnerability to circumstances difficult to understand much less control, and challenges to value systems long considered settled. And this feeds vexation that this happens because of "them", a menacing mass of mass of immigrants, minorities, gays, Muslims and others enabled by a privileged white liberal supporters. Donald Trump could be asking why American taxpayers cover at least $150 billion yearly in government support to workers whose wages qualify for public assistance? He could be asking why millions lost homes, jobs, opportunities and hope due to manipulations no-one went to jail for. And Donald Trump could be asking why America's public infrastructure is falling apart, its investment in science and technology declines, and its employment drains to other countries. But Donald Trump is afraid to take on the 1 percent, he knows better than to offend the bankers, and he does not want to face the answers such questions would produce.
4
White, working class, middle aged men have been greatly disadvantaged by the post-industrial economy. (So have blacks and Hispanics of course.) Although the immigrants are scapegoats. Trump's attacks on Wall St. are surely on target. He could blow the Republican party wide open.
2
Mr. Edsall is correct that Mr. Trump has latched on to the anti-immigrant thoughts and feelings harbored by a portion of Republicans; however, there are many non-Republicans who are attracted to Mr. Trump because they are fed-up with having been inundated with 15 years of constant politically correct and multi-cultural rhetoric. Many of these individuals are disgusted by repeatedly seeing less qualified minority and women applicants selected for jobs so as to satisfy government "goals." Although some of these applicants have succeeded, a significant number have failed and have had to be quietly replaced. Paraphrasing Mr. Trump's comment in the first debate, "we don't have time for political correctness."
33
Where is the data?
you do know that Caucasian women are not part of affirmative action, do you not? Where are the statistics of females failing at jobs?
What are you saying? The white male job candidates are always fully competent in the positions they get and never get replaced? Or is it that white male hires never get replaced even when they prove less than competent?
1
"Every sulfurous belch from the molten interior of the volcanic Trump phenomenon injures the chances of a Republican presidency."
There is a distinct benefit here too. By making the "presidential campaign" a mere belching contest, it steers national attention away from the very issues that could otherwise sabotage the campaigns of local candidates. In becoming trapped with one crazy billionaire, the RNC is now better able to funnel aid to local candidates.
Its a win-win, I'd say ... but yes, the point is that they must give up all hope of occupying the White House.
There is a distinct benefit here too. By making the "presidential campaign" a mere belching contest, it steers national attention away from the very issues that could otherwise sabotage the campaigns of local candidates. In becoming trapped with one crazy billionaire, the RNC is now better able to funnel aid to local candidates.
Its a win-win, I'd say ... but yes, the point is that they must give up all hope of occupying the White House.
1
perhaps the RNC is willing to cede the presidency, in return for strong majorities in both houses. This may be a successful strategy for the corporate masters and right wing extremists.
It should never be forgotten that the modern Republican party was founded on Barry Goldwater's vote against the 1964 Civil Rights Bill, the one with the public accommodations section. That led to the first widespread win by a Republican presidential candidate in southern states in that year's election, showing the GOP the way forward. It is a straight line from there through Nixon's "Southern Strategy," Lee Atwater, Willie Horton right to Donald Trump. As the party of Lincoln, the Republicans should have been the party of Civil Rights. But when Truman, Kennedy and Johnson took up the cause, the GOP saw an opening and drove through it. They have never turned back.
136
If 47% of children under three are white, doesn't that make them a plurality -- largest wedge of the pie -- rather than a minority? No other group has more than 47%.
3
It is preposterous to think every American Latino is anti-Trump. I have spoken to many who would like to see "undocumented migrant workers" and their families deported. Their attitude being, "they should have played by the rules." There is also a misconception that every Latino who works in the hotel and restaurant industry is "illegal." This is simply not true, they are legal citizens, just grossly underpaid. Don't attack Trump for trying to fix a broken immigration system. Attack big businesses who buy off politicians to protect themselves from labor and wage reforms.
6
It is surely a misconception to think that every Latino in a service job is undocumented, but that misconception is broad, and elastic enough that many people assume that any Latino they encounter is illegal. Viz the recent treatment of Jorge Ramos by Trump's minions.
And there's a big clue about the Republicans. When they see a Latino, they assume he's an illegal, especially if he's working class. And really, they don't care. "Go back to wherever you came from" is not intended only for illegals - it's intended for everyone who is Not Us.
And there's a big clue about the Republicans. When they see a Latino, they assume he's an illegal, especially if he's working class. And really, they don't care. "Go back to wherever you came from" is not intended only for illegals - it's intended for everyone who is Not Us.
As a presidential candidate, why do we not see reporting or analysis of how Mr Trump conducts his business and those who work for him, rather than persona that he uses to get attention? Yesterday, it was the ersatz psychology commentary on Trump's impression of the engineer who got no credit for the Verrazano bridge during the opening ceremony? Fine, so Trump is determined to get credit for what he does, but how is he at giving credit to others who work for him. Likewise, look at the remarks directed broadly at those who he perceives as harming the country; but how does he deal with individuals of the same groups who work to make the country better?
That seems to me the better way to analyze a candidate.
That seems to me the better way to analyze a candidate.
1
Yes Mr Trump; white men are so aggrieved that even though they make up about 35 % of the population, they occupy 90 % of all the CEO of major corporation out there. White women account for 5 %, blacks for 1.2%, Hispanics for 1.2 % and those pesky Asians who outperform everyone in college, graduate schools and engineering schools account for only 1.2--1.4 %. White males are so discriminated against that they own more than 90% of the largest businesses. More than 90% of the top doctors, lawyers, accountants and the partners of the best firms are white males. Many groups would beg to be so discriminated against.
347
This ignores that those whites who support Trump are not (for the most part) CEOs, doctors, lawyers or other educated professionals. The danger is from those who are poor and feel they lack opportunity.
The flaw in your point about white male CEOs is this: the racial/gender makeup of the top .1% is irrelevant to the 99% who have no chance of joining that group. It's just irrelevant to any discussion of racial or gender 'fairness".
I don't think it's the 1% who are feeling discriminated against.
Race has been the elephant in the room for the Republican Party since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Donald Trump implicitly connects to that. The Republican Party's embrace of intolerance and anti-intellectualism doom it in Presidential elections, but fuel Trump.The stains of racism and homophobia must be removed if they're ever going to win a national election in an increasingly pluralistic nation.Republican attempts at voter suppression, attempts to use religion as an excuse for bigotry, coupled with their rejection of empirical evidence on global warming leave many Americans thoroughly alienated. Many feel the serial demonization of Obama has a racial component. The popularity of Donald Trump is visceral not idealogical.Attacking him for previous positions is irrelevant.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/12/30/u-s-border-apprehensions...
What Trump understand brilliantly is the underlying racism in the Republican party that is resistant to facts and in fact enjoys their self-inflating xenophobia. The swarms he talks about are non-existant as Mexican immigration has fallen to a net zero. Mexico, unlike us has universal health care, middle class growth and is increasing its youth's access to higher education. It has also helped by increased patrol of its borders ( sometimes with unfortunate results) with Central American.
Immigrants are always the cheesy demagogue's scapegoat. It alleviates them of the hard work of good public policy, enlightentened governance and insures the status-quo of the overlords like the Koch Brothers. They know their supporters wiilingness to swallow the Kool-aid.
What Trump understand brilliantly is the underlying racism in the Republican party that is resistant to facts and in fact enjoys their self-inflating xenophobia. The swarms he talks about are non-existant as Mexican immigration has fallen to a net zero. Mexico, unlike us has universal health care, middle class growth and is increasing its youth's access to higher education. It has also helped by increased patrol of its borders ( sometimes with unfortunate results) with Central American.
Immigrants are always the cheesy demagogue's scapegoat. It alleviates them of the hard work of good public policy, enlightentened governance and insures the status-quo of the overlords like the Koch Brothers. They know their supporters wiilingness to swallow the Kool-aid.
As always, thank you Mr. Edsall for providing the statistical evidence for pulling back the mask on what the Republican party really stands for. My own experience with my Republican neighbors has witnessed a steady downward spiral into racists/nativists rants --- periodically covered up with the tax, spend, deregulation rhetoric. I should add that my grandfather, who was Republican committeeman for many years, would not know his party today. I remember so vividly (this was in the 50's) seeing him sit down over coffee with the democratic committeeman, and having civil political discussions around real government problems. He was such a gentlemen in his views and his treatment of others, a trait that has vanished in the Republican party.
American white male supremacy, with the collusion of many brainwashed women, is obsolescent but still far from being obsolete. This article posits that that is what created Trump, and I agree, but the effect of his eventual defeat will manifest itself in much more ugliness, or "hideousness," than we've seen to now. This vision of an America which once was (which never really was except in old movies), is not going to go down easily. But it is going down, no matter what resistance and damage happens in the meantime. Progressivism embraces that future.
I would not characterize the readers of the Times opinion section as "angry and resentful" but the opinions posted here regarding undocumented immigration are not often supportive of it. So, it is simple (and cheap) to try to tar anyone concerned with undocumented immigration as motivated by race even if some undoubtedly are. A starting point to understand the Trump phenomenon is to understand this country, all countries, have a process for entering and becoming citizens. The alternative is open borders and although this is the unstated goal of some activists it is not where the country is at on the issue. The left sees in undocumented immigration a potential end game in presidential politics where with enough Latino voters in the future Texas is unwinnable for Republicans. The Republican establishment sees cheap labor, caring not that they undercut the working poor. This is where Trump comes in. He isn't stating anything profound, just the obvious. There are costs to undocumented immigration. If the establishment wants Trump to go away (and who wouldn't, the man is a walking parody of himself) they have to start being having an honest discussion about immigration based on the rule of law, as opposed to "come as you are when you will."
6
A review of Trump's emails, tweets, etc. reveals that 70% of them bash either minorities or women or both. Despite the fact that he has declared bankruptcy (and earned profits from those companies) far more often than either of his favorite target groups, these communications have recently been revealed retroactively as ignorant and intolerant. These are his personal accounts, not his official communications via his remaining corporate structures. But at the time he sent them, these cell and web messages had not been explicitly marked as negative. Post-facto, they are clearly anti-Mexican and anti-women.
Our form of democracy has produced quite a few Donald Trump's over the course of two centuries. Demographics and self-serving voters, whose family economics typically rank first in political priorities, will determine the next set of presidential candidates, and the ultimate winner.
Last anyone heard, immigrants living here illegally don't get a vote, so it seems that there's way too much attention being paid to them as a "swing bloc."
Last anyone heard, immigrants living here illegally don't get a vote, so it seems that there's way too much attention being paid to them as a "swing bloc."
1
If accepting American diversity means accepting a country that welcomes immigrants from around the world, according to a planned immigration and naturalization policy count me in. Those immigrants should come from Malawi and Malaysia, Germany and Guatemala, Albania and Algeria, Russia and Rwanda, and Mexico in planned numbers.
If accepting American diversity means accepting that more than ten million people -- we don't even know how many -- are going to get the first right to stay here by virtue of an accident of geography that allowed them to walk here? Well, that's not accepting diversity. That's accepting unfairness to the rest of the diverse. Count me out.
An integrated and coordinated ten year plan to reduce the number of illegal immigrants here by 90% should be the first step. Then we talk about achieving the kind of true diversity that will make our country great.
If accepting American diversity means accepting that more than ten million people -- we don't even know how many -- are going to get the first right to stay here by virtue of an accident of geography that allowed them to walk here? Well, that's not accepting diversity. That's accepting unfairness to the rest of the diverse. Count me out.
An integrated and coordinated ten year plan to reduce the number of illegal immigrants here by 90% should be the first step. Then we talk about achieving the kind of true diversity that will make our country great.
11
liberal democrat here in CA agrees with you 100%. The NYT pundits are wrong to think that it is only rednecks who see illegal immigration as a huge problem for our country, over all the years since Reagan's first amnesty act was passed with , wink-wink-- no enforcement of our borders, so as to benefit the corporate masters who wished to undermine American workers.
First let me say this is another tremendously insightful column by Mr. Edsall.
Next, before we liberals start denigrating what some would like to dismiss as "ignorant rednecks" who're backing Trump, let's remember that these folks are reacting to trends that are resulting in their deterioration economically, socially and politically over the past 30+ years. I wonder how many might have answered differently if they'd been given the opportunity of changing the ethnic classification of the questions to class -- as in "discrimination against the poor, working and middle classes is a growing problem."
People are being crushed by forces they don't understand, abetted by a government they viscerally realize is the tool of those oppressing them, and they're angry; and anger can either be channeled or exploited. We need leaders (like Bernie Sanders and maybe - I hope - John Kasich) who'll channel that anger, and focus it on uniting us across ethnicities to fight for justice and prosperity for all against those (like Trump, Cruz, Walker, Christie, et al.) whose aim is to continue to divide and conquer.
Next, before we liberals start denigrating what some would like to dismiss as "ignorant rednecks" who're backing Trump, let's remember that these folks are reacting to trends that are resulting in their deterioration economically, socially and politically over the past 30+ years. I wonder how many might have answered differently if they'd been given the opportunity of changing the ethnic classification of the questions to class -- as in "discrimination against the poor, working and middle classes is a growing problem."
People are being crushed by forces they don't understand, abetted by a government they viscerally realize is the tool of those oppressing them, and they're angry; and anger can either be channeled or exploited. We need leaders (like Bernie Sanders and maybe - I hope - John Kasich) who'll channel that anger, and focus it on uniting us across ethnicities to fight for justice and prosperity for all against those (like Trump, Cruz, Walker, Christie, et al.) whose aim is to continue to divide and conquer.
3
The real problem is that our current set of leaders do not know how to deal with our global problems. Because of that, people across the globe are frightened of losing "theirs". Climate change, mass migration due to wars, hunger and extreme poverty are driving a great deal of how people are reacting to the world around them. And yes, these types of changes breed radicalism of all types across the globe. The Western nations need to "get a handle" on these issues, before they totally spiral out of control.
4
This is somewhat off-point but Trump did Kasich a favor by conceding that the wealthy need to pay taxes commensurate with the working person. e.g. capital gains rates. Should Kasich embrace the same, he could grab the swing voters who want sanity and competence and win the nomination and general election. The rest of the field is hamstrung by its mania to win the race to the extreme right which wouldn't translate well in a general election.
"Every sulfurous belch from the molten interior of the volcanic Trump phenomenon injures the chances of a Republican presidency."
Trump supporters don't care one whit about a Republican presidency. What I can divine from Facebook friends who I hadn't actually communicated with since college, Trump supporters mainly care about guns, shrinking the government (mainly so they can pay less in taxes), and kicking the hated "illegal aliens" out so they can "take our country back." This last view is despite the fact that practically none of them know anything first-hand about "illegal aliens" from living in places like Sussex County, New Jersey and Ashland County, Wisconsin.
"Why are they always taking about Social Security running out of money, but not Welfare?", they ask, belying a near total ignorance about how these programs are funded and distributed. Further, most of them are retired from local, state, or federal government employment, which enabled them to retire at an alarmingly young age with a very nice rate of ongoing income. "I got mine - the hell with everybody else."
In fact, their opinions on just about every issue is at best contradictory. For instance, when I countered arguments about how "we" need to stop the shipping of our nation's jobs overseas without messing with American capitalism, implying that only foreign corporations were guilty of such conduct, one individual told me I could "kiss [his] Trump a**."
That's apparently their solution to everything.
Trump supporters don't care one whit about a Republican presidency. What I can divine from Facebook friends who I hadn't actually communicated with since college, Trump supporters mainly care about guns, shrinking the government (mainly so they can pay less in taxes), and kicking the hated "illegal aliens" out so they can "take our country back." This last view is despite the fact that practically none of them know anything first-hand about "illegal aliens" from living in places like Sussex County, New Jersey and Ashland County, Wisconsin.
"Why are they always taking about Social Security running out of money, but not Welfare?", they ask, belying a near total ignorance about how these programs are funded and distributed. Further, most of them are retired from local, state, or federal government employment, which enabled them to retire at an alarmingly young age with a very nice rate of ongoing income. "I got mine - the hell with everybody else."
In fact, their opinions on just about every issue is at best contradictory. For instance, when I countered arguments about how "we" need to stop the shipping of our nation's jobs overseas without messing with American capitalism, implying that only foreign corporations were guilty of such conduct, one individual told me I could "kiss [his] Trump a**."
That's apparently their solution to everything.
3
The one mitigating factor I would add is the parallel system of govt. set up by the Koch and Rove groups who piece by piece have consolidated the billionaire class into the ruling party , by growing, supporting, and continued maintenance of that angry group who see themselves as victims of "the other" living in a world of good and evil, black and white, struggling to meet human basic needs. I am looking down ballot where Senate seats are already being inundated with millions of Koch Dollars to maintain the Senate. The States they already own are many and that's where the base segregation of population by special interest voters groomed and manipulated are voting for this Plutocracy.
5
"Every sulfurous belch from the molten interior of the volcanic Trump phenomenon injures the chances of a Republican presidency."
george will, early champion of the idea that money spent on political ads is the same as free speech and should not be regulated, is now worried about the chances of a republican presidency? i happen to agree with the quote above and i think that his conclusion is the point of the trump presidential run; but mr. will helped to make the bed they now lie in and he should take his share of the blame without whining.
george will, early champion of the idea that money spent on political ads is the same as free speech and should not be regulated, is now worried about the chances of a republican presidency? i happen to agree with the quote above and i think that his conclusion is the point of the trump presidential run; but mr. will helped to make the bed they now lie in and he should take his share of the blame without whining.
3
And the GOP elites are scared to death. Their main goal, the jewel in the crown, has always been controlling the economy. They've worked for decades pushing deregulation plus tax and monetary policies that favor business interests, in order to entrench a hereditary oligarchy. Toward that end, killing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would be their Triple Crown. But their base has never been especially enthusiastic about this. So they use the social conservatism plus the xenophobia and dog-whistle racism as bait to peel off voters who would otherwise vote for Democrats to protect their own economic interests. But now Trump is embracing all the social and racist craziness, but promising to protect social programs that are popular with the base. Essentially, he is telling them they can have all the red meat they want, but they don't have to eat their vegetables to get dessert.
9
The real toll on the republican party is the gathering disdain for people who are supposedly powerful, but who simply can't get the job done. When wealthy elites turn out to be ineffectual - pretty much useless peacocks - they are a perfect hate object. For all the bluster in congress, no real agenda has been accomplished, or even coherently argued. The whining kid at the table in the expensive restaurant, and his parents, are being widely hated by the wait staff.
3
"To voters who see the world this way, Trump offers the promise that he can restore a vanished America, that he can “make America great again,” as his campaign puts it."
Trump's corny slogan is just code for "Take Back our Country." For the better part of our history, anti-immigration sentiment has always accompanied the competition for jobs, or scapegoating social ills. But eventually assimilation occurred, along with the flowering of tremendous accomplishments from the numerous waves of Italians, Irish, Polish, German, Norwegian and other northern European immigrants.
The difference between then and now is the color of the skin of new immigrants, the fact so many have entered the country illegally, the level of education, and the types of work they are willing to accept. Yet it's not all Hispanics: Indian, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean and many more nationalities who come in on work visas.
And that's the difference that infuriates older white populations who color all immigrants with the same brush: lazy, illegal bums who don't deserve to be here and are somehow going to cost me money. But most of all, immigrants just don't look like them, stand out in the homogeneous communities that dominate central, western, and most southern states. It's as simple as that.
The most striking thing about Mr. Edsall's data was the fact that tolerance for immigration rose with the level of education of those polled. To my mind, the biggest problem with today's GOP is ignorance.
Trump's corny slogan is just code for "Take Back our Country." For the better part of our history, anti-immigration sentiment has always accompanied the competition for jobs, or scapegoating social ills. But eventually assimilation occurred, along with the flowering of tremendous accomplishments from the numerous waves of Italians, Irish, Polish, German, Norwegian and other northern European immigrants.
The difference between then and now is the color of the skin of new immigrants, the fact so many have entered the country illegally, the level of education, and the types of work they are willing to accept. Yet it's not all Hispanics: Indian, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean and many more nationalities who come in on work visas.
And that's the difference that infuriates older white populations who color all immigrants with the same brush: lazy, illegal bums who don't deserve to be here and are somehow going to cost me money. But most of all, immigrants just don't look like them, stand out in the homogeneous communities that dominate central, western, and most southern states. It's as simple as that.
The most striking thing about Mr. Edsall's data was the fact that tolerance for immigration rose with the level of education of those polled. To my mind, the biggest problem with today's GOP is ignorance.
201
With a brand so strong that even Democrats use it uncritically, what's there to worry about?
What's G about this OP?
What's G about this OP?
Close.
Ignorance is simple lack of factual knowledge, and is accordingly, famously fixable.
However, as that pithy but wise saying holds, you can't fix stupid.
The Publicans' voters are willfully, eagerly, aggressively ignorant, and they work hard to stay that way -- because they are stupid.
Ignorance is simple lack of factual knowledge, and is accordingly, famously fixable.
However, as that pithy but wise saying holds, you can't fix stupid.
The Publicans' voters are willfully, eagerly, aggressively ignorant, and they work hard to stay that way -- because they are stupid.
1
Maybe it's really a jobs issue. Since the millennium, there are 18 million more immigrants, an additional 16.5 million working age Americans, but only 9.3 million new jobs. Do the math.
And then try to imagine what it would be like to be a low/no-skilled American, the types of people that are losing their jobs to immigrants. You have no financial security, no social capital, and if you're now unemployed you're very unlikely to be re-employed because 1) the flow of immigrants is to great, and employers prefer them because they are more afraid to stand up to employers than Americans, and they will take less money, and 2) the crews are now run by Spanish speakers, who hire their own.
The problem isn't immigration per se, it's that there is far too much immigration. As Edsall said, we've added 40 million Hispanic people (two New York State population equivalents) since around 1970 (probably more because illegal immigrants are undercounted), and of course, we also have children born to these people, so in reality, it's probably an additional 70 million people (three and a half New York States). If it had been 10 million, no-one would notice.
BTW, I'm a liberal Democrat giving money to Bernie Sanders' campaign. I helped put Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren in the Senate.
And then try to imagine what it would be like to be a low/no-skilled American, the types of people that are losing their jobs to immigrants. You have no financial security, no social capital, and if you're now unemployed you're very unlikely to be re-employed because 1) the flow of immigrants is to great, and employers prefer them because they are more afraid to stand up to employers than Americans, and they will take less money, and 2) the crews are now run by Spanish speakers, who hire their own.
The problem isn't immigration per se, it's that there is far too much immigration. As Edsall said, we've added 40 million Hispanic people (two New York State population equivalents) since around 1970 (probably more because illegal immigrants are undercounted), and of course, we also have children born to these people, so in reality, it's probably an additional 70 million people (three and a half New York States). If it had been 10 million, no-one would notice.
BTW, I'm a liberal Democrat giving money to Bernie Sanders' campaign. I helped put Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren in the Senate.
Talking heads, think tanks are zeroing in on racist remarks and the polls. They are failing to mention people are responding to his views on the economy, the debt caused by the Irsq war, veterans pulling teeth to receive medical care, Socisl Security, single pay insursnce,successfully donating to politicians who give favors in return, outsourcing, super pacs, and not catering to the religious right. Senator Sanders has experienced the chaos, ineptness, favors that exists in Congress. Democrats have an opportunity to vote for a person who does not cater to the 1%. He has addressed issues Clinton or Biden would never touch. The media, those who control it are doing a a great disservice to the public by promoting candidates who possess the greatest superpacs .Should they seize the voters who are responding to Trump on issues mentioned, they would be a shoe in. If they educated people in local elections on those issues there would not be a majority of Republicans wallowing in the biles of Congress.
40
I am unwillingly for Trump, or Sanders. There is ONE simple reason that they both have a chance: We Americans know EXACTLY what the alternatives are : Zilch, None and Zero
1
I overheard a mobster hitman say he was impressed when he told his victim he liked him and was sorry he had to kill the person that the person often thanked him and thought he was kind and a gentleman. He said when he was ready to kill someone he did not like and told the person so the person would curse at him and tell him to get it over fast. To the hitman it made no difference. When he quit work that day he went home to enjoy dinner with his family.
In both cases the victim died and missed dinner!
Substitute Mexican, black, gay, lesbian, immigrant, abortionist for victim.
No difference whether the person being killed, discriminated or denied basic civil and human rights is liked (even loved as in "I love the gay person but hate the sin...) or hated, the outcome is the same: the victim loses and the others go to church for whatever and then home for the family dinner.
The Mid-east and Europe with mostly white populations now face "Immigration Fever" due to wars America started. America imported Africans by the millions into what was a white country and encouraged immigration.
Now it has its version of Immigration Fever
America's immigration problems started when the Native Americans did not send all the white Europeans home. Fast a la promise of the trumpest. It could be concluded that America is the cause of Immigration Fever but even if not the sole cause it is certainly one of the major causes.
Where is John Travolta when the country, the world needs him?
In both cases the victim died and missed dinner!
Substitute Mexican, black, gay, lesbian, immigrant, abortionist for victim.
No difference whether the person being killed, discriminated or denied basic civil and human rights is liked (even loved as in "I love the gay person but hate the sin...) or hated, the outcome is the same: the victim loses and the others go to church for whatever and then home for the family dinner.
The Mid-east and Europe with mostly white populations now face "Immigration Fever" due to wars America started. America imported Africans by the millions into what was a white country and encouraged immigration.
Now it has its version of Immigration Fever
America's immigration problems started when the Native Americans did not send all the white Europeans home. Fast a la promise of the trumpest. It could be concluded that America is the cause of Immigration Fever but even if not the sole cause it is certainly one of the major causes.
Where is John Travolta when the country, the world needs him?
Since Ronald Reagan, the republican party has stood for two things:
1. Faith - based economics that do not work in the real world.
2. Using racism to galvinize white voters who are often "angry and resentful" of the federal government's social policies.
The first point should, but doesn't, galvinize voters of all races to reject republican policies. Nearly all republican policies that involve data, or science, reject scientific analysis in order to appeal to their socially conservative base. A Faustian pact supported by "moderate" republicans.
The second point, combined with the reality that white women of European descent have stopped bearing children at a rate necessary to sustain, let alone grow, the white population, has empowered minorities with unprecedented political leverage should they exercise their vote. Ironically, this has led democrats into an electoral complacency that they can govern without the support of the white electorate. They can't.
I know, these are broad statements can be attacked with specific examples, but the broad data cited by Mr Edsall supports the trends mentioned.
To recapture the alienated white voter, democrats must confront the social policies in this country that do not work. They do not work economically, nor do they work from a quality of life standpoint. When democrats do this, they will regain their standing with the alienated white voters and regain state & local govt majorities.
FWIW, I'm a democrat and a veteran.
1. Faith - based economics that do not work in the real world.
2. Using racism to galvinize white voters who are often "angry and resentful" of the federal government's social policies.
The first point should, but doesn't, galvinize voters of all races to reject republican policies. Nearly all republican policies that involve data, or science, reject scientific analysis in order to appeal to their socially conservative base. A Faustian pact supported by "moderate" republicans.
The second point, combined with the reality that white women of European descent have stopped bearing children at a rate necessary to sustain, let alone grow, the white population, has empowered minorities with unprecedented political leverage should they exercise their vote. Ironically, this has led democrats into an electoral complacency that they can govern without the support of the white electorate. They can't.
I know, these are broad statements can be attacked with specific examples, but the broad data cited by Mr Edsall supports the trends mentioned.
To recapture the alienated white voter, democrats must confront the social policies in this country that do not work. They do not work economically, nor do they work from a quality of life standpoint. When democrats do this, they will regain their standing with the alienated white voters and regain state & local govt majorities.
FWIW, I'm a democrat and a veteran.
2
This is just the opening salvo in a long and likely very ugly period of human history. The "legitimate" economies of the world can only manage to employ and indirectly afford a reasonable living standard to a limited and increasingly smaller number of people. Resources are exploited in such a way as to insure large scale shortages in the not too distant future, even for those who today have enough, just enough. Those are the folks that are scared. And frightened people do frightening things. What do these increasingly anxious people see in recent arrivals? A threat to their security evidenced in raw numbers, fed by misrepresentation and fueled by unsubstantiated rhetoric. My business has survived by the hard work of recent immigrants from every part of the world. We would not have survived without the help of Vietnamese refugees or Latin immigrants or relocating Eastern Europeans. Its not as if we put out a sign that read 'Whites need not apply' or that we underpaid or exploited our work force, these people applied for the positions we offered. We can't build a wall or tattoo our way out of this problem, shipping them back won't work either. These are complex global problems that can only be made worse by demagogues like Trump alienating the rest of the world.
1
The "traditional values" that so many Republicans feel are threatened have nothing whatsoever to do with immigration and the growth of minorities over whites. Worried about abortion and Planned Parenthood? That's a white American problem. Very few Hispanics or blacks support abortion. Upset about the legalization of gay marriage and the increasing demand for LGBT rights? Far more whites - white liberals, in this case - than other minorities have backed these movements. Do you feel that the economy is rigged to not only favor but coddle the rich - e.g., the carried-Interest loophole for "hard-working" investors - and to bury the middle and lower classes with stagnant or declining wages, little to no pay for over-time, unpredictable work schedules? Who is responsible for that sorry reduction of opportunity? A certain group of white Americans. Feeling angry about the stand-offs in Congress, the gridlock and government shut-downs? Well, what is the racial composition of Congress? Upset about the cost of healthcare? Go look at the race of the CEOs of all the health insurers, the pharmaceuticals, the medical malpractice lawyers.
These are all issues and/or problems brought on by various groups of predominantly white Americans. Yes, there are significant issues caused by illegal immigration, but they pale beside what we are doing to ourselves. Trump is distracting his audience with the blame game.
These are all issues and/or problems brought on by various groups of predominantly white Americans. Yes, there are significant issues caused by illegal immigration, but they pale beside what we are doing to ourselves. Trump is distracting his audience with the blame game.
2
Maybe, instead of talking about Trump, you should address the real issues on immigration:
1. How many immigrants can the US absorb annually without taking jobs from American workers? Since 2000, there are 18 million more immigrants. There are 16.5 million more working age Americans. But there are only 9.3 million more jobs. Do the math. And know that the senate immigration bill, S744, would have nearly tripled legal immigration, to 2.75 million annually, while doing nothing to stop illegal immigration.
http://cis.org/for-every-new-job-two-new-immigrants
2. How many immigrants can the US absorb annually without becoming environmentally unsustainable, and without having adverse environmental impact on the globe? Note: we are the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita resource use and greenhouse emissions. The average immigrant's greenhouse emissions rise fourfold after arrival here. (Center for Immigration Studies, 2008). What about water use in a country that is predicted to dry out with global warming, and where drought is already severe in California?
3. how many immigrants can the US absorb without harming quality of life by increasing things like sprawl, traffic, and housing costs?
1. How many immigrants can the US absorb annually without taking jobs from American workers? Since 2000, there are 18 million more immigrants. There are 16.5 million more working age Americans. But there are only 9.3 million more jobs. Do the math. And know that the senate immigration bill, S744, would have nearly tripled legal immigration, to 2.75 million annually, while doing nothing to stop illegal immigration.
http://cis.org/for-every-new-job-two-new-immigrants
2. How many immigrants can the US absorb annually without becoming environmentally unsustainable, and without having adverse environmental impact on the globe? Note: we are the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita resource use and greenhouse emissions. The average immigrant's greenhouse emissions rise fourfold after arrival here. (Center for Immigration Studies, 2008). What about water use in a country that is predicted to dry out with global warming, and where drought is already severe in California?
3. how many immigrants can the US absorb without harming quality of life by increasing things like sprawl, traffic, and housing costs?
3
Donald Trump has always existed. Whte reactionaries followed him in 1861 when his name was Jefferson Davis. An Austrian with the awkward handle of Alois Schicklgruber became Adolf Hitler and led Germany (and the rest of Europe) down the road to hell in his ruthless application of "the superman" on the 20th century. Donald Trump found electoral success in the presidencies of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bush I/II, all of them hewing hard to the extreme right at various points on the campaign trail or in office, offering up to angry whites the balm they required to ease the pain of black and Latino gains, however negligible. With Nixon it was his doctrine of "benign neglect;" with Reagan it was "welfare queens" and a determined assault on affirmative action; with H.W. it was Willie Horton and, ingenuiusly, Clarence Thomas, today a vigorous champion of white privilege; with W. it continues to be Chief Justice John Roberts and Samuel Alito, jurists of judicial temperament inclined to deny freedom than to assure it. Whites, since 1964, feel besieged and disoriented by a demographic tide they see threatening to overwhelm them. It's no coincidence that Donald Trump, the real one, has appeared to lead his people to the promised land of racial backlash and division in which they have found confirmation and blessing. They need one another.
1
While I agree that civil rights has played a dominant role in the reshaping of the republican party, it's not just civil rights but most modern government innovations including social security, taxation that corrects known destructive effects of capitalism, Medicare and Medicaid, and protecting individual citizens from monopolizing forces greater than an individual can defend themselves that include safe medications, untainted food, fair finance and housing, education that prepares children for life in this country.
Upheaval of the democratic party? What upheaval? It's never been so unified in it's goals to reverse the inequality created by republican elites attempt to rollback as many of the above mentioned roles of government. Democrats are only divided by how far correction needs to be made and whether or not that can be done from within or that wholesale throwing out policy and starting over is required to undo the damage. Even within this division, there is quite a consensus that it's going to need some of both.
The press has made quite a bit of hay about the differences between Hillary and Sanders, but considering the range offered from the right, by comparison, Hillary and Sanders are rather close together. Other candidates put forward, Biden and Warren are also very united. The difference on the left is a matter of preference for an insider or outlier and for an extroverted warm fuzzy leader or a cool, level headed one.
Trump is a chump in comparison.
Upheaval of the democratic party? What upheaval? It's never been so unified in it's goals to reverse the inequality created by republican elites attempt to rollback as many of the above mentioned roles of government. Democrats are only divided by how far correction needs to be made and whether or not that can be done from within or that wholesale throwing out policy and starting over is required to undo the damage. Even within this division, there is quite a consensus that it's going to need some of both.
The press has made quite a bit of hay about the differences between Hillary and Sanders, but considering the range offered from the right, by comparison, Hillary and Sanders are rather close together. Other candidates put forward, Biden and Warren are also very united. The difference on the left is a matter of preference for an insider or outlier and for an extroverted warm fuzzy leader or a cool, level headed one.
Trump is a chump in comparison.
2
"George Will and other traditional conservatives reject the bombastic language Trump favors, preferring a more elliptical approach in order to avoid alienating moderate voters Republicans need to win in 2016."
Clearly, Reince Priebus has failed to create "a more elliptical approach" to rebranding what Bobby Jindal famously label "The Party of Stupid."
Today, the GOP appears to be a collection of resentments and grievances animiated by outrage more than a politcal party.
Donald Trump is the perfect spokesman.
George Will's real beef with Trump is not what Trump is espousing. It is that Trump eschews the obfuscation that is preferred by "more traditional conservatives" in their quest for power. While apprecated by the base, Trump's unvarnished presentation of the GOP's agenda will not play well in the general election. This is what is really galling George Will and delighting Democrats.
Clearly, Reince Priebus has failed to create "a more elliptical approach" to rebranding what Bobby Jindal famously label "The Party of Stupid."
Today, the GOP appears to be a collection of resentments and grievances animiated by outrage more than a politcal party.
Donald Trump is the perfect spokesman.
George Will's real beef with Trump is not what Trump is espousing. It is that Trump eschews the obfuscation that is preferred by "more traditional conservatives" in their quest for power. While apprecated by the base, Trump's unvarnished presentation of the GOP's agenda will not play well in the general election. This is what is really galling George Will and delighting Democrats.
1
The debate over immigration misses the important fact that it is not ethnicity which changes a country so much as culture and values. I am a Canadian, and can say that the majority of immigrants tend to be very Canadian by the 2nd or 3rd generation; they keep the positives from the old world, while adopting primarily Canadian values.
But there are some groups and some individuals who do not adopt our values. If they are the exception, then it is not a problem. But if they become a large group, then the culture which has allowed western nations to be successful could change for the worse.
The argument, then, should focus on how to ensure that any immigrants are taught our values and come to understand why these values are important. And we should filter out those who have no intention of adopting our values.
But all we hear about are fences and mass deportations. Dumb.
But there are some groups and some individuals who do not adopt our values. If they are the exception, then it is not a problem. But if they become a large group, then the culture which has allowed western nations to be successful could change for the worse.
The argument, then, should focus on how to ensure that any immigrants are taught our values and come to understand why these values are important. And we should filter out those who have no intention of adopting our values.
But all we hear about are fences and mass deportations. Dumb.
3
The attitudes reflected in the surveys Professor Edsall cites date back at least to the 19th century. After the Civil War, immigration rates swelled dramatically, and by the end of the century northeastern cities such as Philadelphia, New York and Boston had so many recent immigrants in their population that older immigrant groups began to advocate restrictions on the influx, especially of people from southern and eastern Europe. The same fears that bedevil this generation of Americans afflicted them: religious and cultural diversity, threats to English as the dominant language, and concerns over the newcomers' (especially the Catholics among them) commitment to democracy.
What Edsall omits is any concession that the anxiety he documents is grounded in legitimate concerns. The people of any nation value the bonds that unite them, and many of those ties are cultural in nature. Both in the 19th century and today concerns that the new arrivals would threaten those cultural and political values reflected the reality that the immigrants came from countries whose political systems in practice were not democratic.
This does not justify the often racist attitudes of Trump's supporters. They have lost the ancient American faith that the country and its environment will change the immigrants, a faith vital to the future of this country. Immigration did not threaten our political system then, and it won't today. The pull of democracy is powerful.
What Edsall omits is any concession that the anxiety he documents is grounded in legitimate concerns. The people of any nation value the bonds that unite them, and many of those ties are cultural in nature. Both in the 19th century and today concerns that the new arrivals would threaten those cultural and political values reflected the reality that the immigrants came from countries whose political systems in practice were not democratic.
This does not justify the often racist attitudes of Trump's supporters. They have lost the ancient American faith that the country and its environment will change the immigrants, a faith vital to the future of this country. Immigration did not threaten our political system then, and it won't today. The pull of democracy is powerful.
2
I've no argument with the thrust of Mr. Edsall's essay, this one, like all of his essays, carefully wrought and elegantly written. I would only add that Trump seems to have another tailwind working in his favor: a free-floating loathing of Inside-the-Beltway machinations whereby, for example, an ex-Congressman leaves the Capitol and goes directly to an office of a hedge fund; whereby it's possible to leave D.C., hire a lawyer-booking agent and make speeches for huge amounts of money; to obtain seven-figure advances for tell-all books. To a large extent this accounts for Trump's success on the right and for Sander's success on the left. Americans are trying to grind out decent livings, they turn on TV and see the orgy of money in D.C., unveiled attempts by the one percent to buy elections, of course Americans give their support to non-traditional candidates who reflect their ire. That's how revolutions start.
We're fortunate that there are no delusional Mussolini-like figures stoking the flames, only a businessman, who, for all his bluster, if elected, would govern as mandated by custom and the Constitution, and a socialist from Vermont. Next time maybe not so lucky. A youthful Le Pen is waiting for his chance.
We're fortunate that there are no delusional Mussolini-like figures stoking the flames, only a businessman, who, for all his bluster, if elected, would govern as mandated by custom and the Constitution, and a socialist from Vermont. Next time maybe not so lucky. A youthful Le Pen is waiting for his chance.
1
When I was young, the Republican Party was a reasonable political organization. True, they had an ugly extremist fringe of racists and anti-communist paranoiacs (so did the Democrats), but the party overall was remarkably decent, even progressive at times.
Ordinary Republicans were men and women like my lovely neighbors--pleasant people, most of whom voted Republican because their parents had voted Republican, and most of whom accepted the old-fashioned notion that their Democratic friends and neighbors, like themselves, only wanted what was best for the country.
In my lifetime, though, thanks to the ceaseless toil of unprincipled and toxic operatives like Karl Rove and Roger Ailes, the GOP has been transformed.
Since 1980, it has become a polarized, Birchite, white supremacist (or more properly "white nationalist") movement, a cult--even a brand rather than a traditional political party, ever since the oligarchs moved in and bought it wholesale.
The Republicans I know today are driven not by principles or philosophies so much as by "a feeling" that everything has gone to hell because of the [fill in the blank--The Blacks, The Liberals, The Mexicans, No Prayer In Our Schools, taxes, welfare, whatever--whatever it is it's a conspiracy].
Their energy is provided by the twin engines of scandal and outrage (laid on by Ailes et al 24/7) and by their ferocious longing to humiliate and hurt the rest of us, to draw real blood.
Trump is just their dish of tea.
Ordinary Republicans were men and women like my lovely neighbors--pleasant people, most of whom voted Republican because their parents had voted Republican, and most of whom accepted the old-fashioned notion that their Democratic friends and neighbors, like themselves, only wanted what was best for the country.
In my lifetime, though, thanks to the ceaseless toil of unprincipled and toxic operatives like Karl Rove and Roger Ailes, the GOP has been transformed.
Since 1980, it has become a polarized, Birchite, white supremacist (or more properly "white nationalist") movement, a cult--even a brand rather than a traditional political party, ever since the oligarchs moved in and bought it wholesale.
The Republicans I know today are driven not by principles or philosophies so much as by "a feeling" that everything has gone to hell because of the [fill in the blank--The Blacks, The Liberals, The Mexicans, No Prayer In Our Schools, taxes, welfare, whatever--whatever it is it's a conspiracy].
Their energy is provided by the twin engines of scandal and outrage (laid on by Ailes et al 24/7) and by their ferocious longing to humiliate and hurt the rest of us, to draw real blood.
Trump is just their dish of tea.
5
Good paying jobs, very low unemployment, equal opportunities, free schools that offer a good education, a fair judicial system, and universal health care would pretty much wipe away the motivation to hate immigrants. Trump's supporters feel left behind and most probably are. We haven't done a good job taking care of all of our people. The problem is economic opportunity. We have a political culture that hasn't worked hard for its citizens in decades. Our leaders are only interested in enriching themselves and their corporate donors. The illegal immigration problem was allowed to fester and it's now out of control with no reasonable solutions. It is not surprising that Trump is leading with his anti-immigrant speech. Just ugly.
2
In a recent article about the Trump phenomenon, it was suggested that his supporters were seeking a "transcendental solution." If one thinks of such a solution as a "final solution," the affinity of this view with related ones, such as the one implemented by the Nazis and Hutus, among others, becomes clear.
The world is complex and the problems that require solution, and the issues that at best can only be resolved for a time, are not fully understood nor easily acted upon. It is so much more comforting to believe that all can be made better if only ... . Worse yet, the answer seems so simple that only a perverse influence is seen to stand in opposition to it.
Trump is a surfer riding a wave; he is a liar and demagogue, but he is not a creator ex nihilo. The divisiveness he preaches only will weaken the US; a divided country, by definition, is one weaker that a united one in the face of external threats - and these are "legion."
The world is complex and the problems that require solution, and the issues that at best can only be resolved for a time, are not fully understood nor easily acted upon. It is so much more comforting to believe that all can be made better if only ... . Worse yet, the answer seems so simple that only a perverse influence is seen to stand in opposition to it.
Trump is a surfer riding a wave; he is a liar and demagogue, but he is not a creator ex nihilo. The divisiveness he preaches only will weaken the US; a divided country, by definition, is one weaker that a united one in the face of external threats - and these are "legion."
2
It appears "White America" especially white American men (and women) are annoyed, uncomfortable and scared. We are now officially a minority and as such begin to feel the same fears and lack of trust so common among minorities who suffered under our hard hand and to some degree still do.
I don't know but seriously doubt Mr. Trump is, or will become, a fascist. That he will sputter on about closing borders and other such rhetoric is to be expected from a guy who feels, as many of us do, the need to be wrapped in our flag for both comfort and protection whether those considerations are fictional or not.
If, as I and others think, he does embody the electorate's fear of and hesitation to embrace change, given our general election turnout he may become our next President by default.
If so he will no longer build a fence along our southern border than the man who should be doing a better job governing his State of Wisconsin will encircle us with another to the north. What he may do is to circle the wagons and bring the troops manning our unwelcome outposts home to retire where the fence line is proposed.
His strong popularity is a surprise although not shocking when viewed through the lens Mr. Edsall has offered. Although I once did, I no longer expect him to fade and in fact won't be at all surprised if he presents thoughtful, however protective, policy papers easing the transition we are undergoing.
As those stabled in the same paddock attest, worse things could happen.
I don't know but seriously doubt Mr. Trump is, or will become, a fascist. That he will sputter on about closing borders and other such rhetoric is to be expected from a guy who feels, as many of us do, the need to be wrapped in our flag for both comfort and protection whether those considerations are fictional or not.
If, as I and others think, he does embody the electorate's fear of and hesitation to embrace change, given our general election turnout he may become our next President by default.
If so he will no longer build a fence along our southern border than the man who should be doing a better job governing his State of Wisconsin will encircle us with another to the north. What he may do is to circle the wagons and bring the troops manning our unwelcome outposts home to retire where the fence line is proposed.
His strong popularity is a surprise although not shocking when viewed through the lens Mr. Edsall has offered. Although I once did, I no longer expect him to fade and in fact won't be at all surprised if he presents thoughtful, however protective, policy papers easing the transition we are undergoing.
As those stabled in the same paddock attest, worse things could happen.
Trump's tune is an old one going back into the 19th century, but enhanced by the new influx of immigrants. The south mistrusted the teeming urbanized industrialized northern part of the country where it seemed all the rabble of the world settled and created crime and urban decay threatening their sense of civilization. And for the rural or semi rural segment of our country which is now red states Hispanics and blacks represent this urban decay and the sapping of our nation's resources. Hispanics and blacks are not seen as individuals making a contribution to society or needing help to lift their situation, but as the enemy at the gates that need to be defended against with guns and all means possible.
Conservatives have taken up this battle cry, but it is the cry out of the past and our nation needs to move out of this fear into a more egalitarian place where we can truly accept each others as having equal opportunities, the promise of our country.
Conservatives have taken up this battle cry, but it is the cry out of the past and our nation needs to move out of this fear into a more egalitarian place where we can truly accept each others as having equal opportunities, the promise of our country.
There is, painfully, an entire history of attacking "the other" both in the U.S. and abroad.
The U.S. is in a difficult moment because of growing income inequality, the perceived societal degradations of unrestrained immigration, unrelenting racial hostility, and a spreading drug haze. Trump's rhetoric touches a nerve with many who are fearful and insecure, but in the same way a lighted flame can touch off a conflagration. The other candidates on the GOP campaign bus are irresponsible magpies without the courage to articulate just how extreme Trump's words could lead to a very hostile and dangerous election campaign.
The U.S. is in a difficult moment because of growing income inequality, the perceived societal degradations of unrestrained immigration, unrelenting racial hostility, and a spreading drug haze. Trump's rhetoric touches a nerve with many who are fearful and insecure, but in the same way a lighted flame can touch off a conflagration. The other candidates on the GOP campaign bus are irresponsible magpies without the courage to articulate just how extreme Trump's words could lead to a very hostile and dangerous election campaign.
All this is can be summarized:
The core of the Republican Party consists of the present version of the old Democratic South. Within that core all that has changed is the flavor of the racial issue (no one now chants "segregation forever") and party label. Shutting down government is the current version of "standing in the schoolhouse door". This core remains the most conservative (in every sense), religious, and insular segment of our society, one that views its "way of life" as being under attack by an outside world. And its center, still today, remains in the Old Confederacy, which should be no surprise.
Now, as earlier, an effective way to appeal to this core is via political demagoguery.
The core of the Republican Party consists of the present version of the old Democratic South. Within that core all that has changed is the flavor of the racial issue (no one now chants "segregation forever") and party label. Shutting down government is the current version of "standing in the schoolhouse door". This core remains the most conservative (in every sense), religious, and insular segment of our society, one that views its "way of life" as being under attack by an outside world. And its center, still today, remains in the Old Confederacy, which should be no surprise.
Now, as earlier, an effective way to appeal to this core is via political demagoguery.
2
Buried in a March 21, 2014 article on "racial 'microaggressions'" in the New York Times, linguistics professor John McWhorter makes the following statement: "Whites do not have the same freedom to talk about race that nonwhites do". And that is because the liberal point of view is that allowing this opens the door to the danger of increasing white preference. Here is the thing. Race and culture intersect. And all groups are naturally inclined to advocate their own expression of race and culture. So, as I heard about on one college campus, there were 5 student groups allowing formal expression at the college among African-Americans, but of course none allowing white students to do the same. And "Black Lives Matter" is seen as a very normal expression in our society. But the reverse is of course not acceptable. I live in a latino community in Chicago, and see racial and cultural preference expressed every day here. When a society tried to bottle up human expression, it creates the potential for resentment and alienation. This is my understanding of the basis for the acceptance of the Trump message. If we are ever going to come to healing in our society, we are going to have to find a way to change this societal understanding. All groups within the society need to be allowed to express themselves in a healthy way.
98
The GOP and FOX have been expressing and advancing the "white perspective" for not a few years now. Ditto for most of the mass media across the US. I do not see that you have a point here. We "white" people are swimming in water that we created so that we don't even see it. Isn't that a point you fail to recognize?
I'm white and have never had any problem expressing my views about race. How paranoid are you?
1
When straight people want to have 'straight pride' marches, we ask have you ever been jailed, executed, shunned, fired, thrown out of your family for being straight? The answer is always never. They have no idea. You have no idea.
If you don't understand why someone has tried to galvanize American citizens to say out loud 'black lives matter' you really really need to get out more.
If you don't understand why someone has tried to galvanize American citizens to say out loud 'black lives matter' you really really need to get out more.
The Donald hit one thing right. In the debates, he mentioned the real problem with private health insurance is that the insurers are very good at divvying up coverage areas geographically. He asked why, as an employer, he had to go to 15 companies in 15 areas to negotiate health insurance for his employees.
He then said that health insurance should be nationwide, not cut up into individual fiefdoms, and from one template. This is possibly the only intelligent thing I've heard from the Right side of the Aisle concerning health insurance. I've had to suffer the geographic divides of health insurance, and seen first hand how the companies use the artificial lines of County and City to collusively divide the market and subsequently dictate rates.
Other than that, the only problem other Republicans have with him is that he lost his dog whistle so he just "says it".
He then said that health insurance should be nationwide, not cut up into individual fiefdoms, and from one template. This is possibly the only intelligent thing I've heard from the Right side of the Aisle concerning health insurance. I've had to suffer the geographic divides of health insurance, and seen first hand how the companies use the artificial lines of County and City to collusively divide the market and subsequently dictate rates.
Other than that, the only problem other Republicans have with him is that he lost his dog whistle so he just "says it".
118
Unless you want to establish a new federal agency that is responsible for regulating insurance companies, the primary consequence of allowing nationwide insurance coverage would be to lower the regulatory oversight of insurance companies to the standards set by the state with the lowest amount of regulation.
In addition, you fail to understand how medical insurance works. Each insurance company enters into agreements with individual doctors and hospitals, and also with group practices and hospital chains, to obtain some level of discount from the "nominal" fees charged by each of those individuals and entities. Most of those medical providers are local, rather than national, in scope, and therefore the insurance companies have to deal with them on a local, rather than national, basis.
In addition, you fail to understand how medical insurance works. Each insurance company enters into agreements with individual doctors and hospitals, and also with group practices and hospital chains, to obtain some level of discount from the "nominal" fees charged by each of those individuals and entities. Most of those medical providers are local, rather than national, in scope, and therefore the insurance companies have to deal with them on a local, rather than national, basis.
1
Mr. Trump has it wrong on health insurance. He is buying a group policy where he's business is located for his employees nationwide and can negotiate with multiple companies. In fact Mr. Trump employees so many people he is actually self insured and the insurance company is merely managing the program..
The Republicans want to allow the insurance companies to move to States with little or no regulations. This will have an enormous impact on those who actually rely on insurance companies to pick their providers and set the rates that are paid to doctors.
Did it ever occur to you that insurance companies can move their headquarters? I suspect they might decide to move to the State or States with the least regulation. That might sound like a good idea until you actually get sick and are denied treatment and have no State regulator to protect you.
The Republicans want to allow the insurance companies to move to States with little or no regulations. This will have an enormous impact on those who actually rely on insurance companies to pick their providers and set the rates that are paid to doctors.
Did it ever occur to you that insurance companies can move their headquarters? I suspect they might decide to move to the State or States with the least regulation. That might sound like a good idea until you actually get sick and are denied treatment and have no State regulator to protect you.
In 1981, Citibank went to the (Republican) Governor of SD and said, We got a deal ya can't turn down. You pass laws that essentially repeal all regulations on credit cards like what interest we can charge, that we can apply it retroactively, that we can hid all sorts of gotchas in the fine print, and so on, and we will move our credit card operations to SD. That will mean thousands of jobs you can point to in the next election."
The (Republican) Governor said, "Sounds great to me." And so it came to pass.
But more happened. All the other credit card companies looked and they said, Hey, things are wonderful in SD. Let's move there." And so it came to pass.
So now we have high interest, sneaky credit card contracts, etc. from all companies.
Because they can offer their products nationwide subject only to the laws and regulations of the great state of South Dakota!
The (Republican) Governor said, "Sounds great to me." And so it came to pass.
But more happened. All the other credit card companies looked and they said, Hey, things are wonderful in SD. Let's move there." And so it came to pass.
So now we have high interest, sneaky credit card contracts, etc. from all companies.
Because they can offer their products nationwide subject only to the laws and regulations of the great state of South Dakota!
Nationalism is such a strange phenomenon, a completely arbitrary cultish identification with... what was it again, ethnicity? Geography?
Nothing positive has come from nationalism, it's a violent cult, and like all cults, it's unbalanced & irrational.
But trying to stoke white nationalism in a place like the USA is absurd. This land mass wasn't settled by aboriginal 'white' people so they can make no rational claim that 'white' culture is 'American values' (whatever any of that means).
Trumpists can threaten to deport whoever they think threatens a fictitious White Nationalist USA, but fact remains the population of the USA is only about 62% 'white', and with a generation or two, they will no longer be a majority. If some 'whites' dislike that, they'd need to deport themselves.
White rural culture is not pretty. While it's a great privilege to be able to live where nature still has the upper hand, I can report that the 'white' culture that settled the countryside in this recently virgin, fertile paradise is not generally a pleasant tribe to live among & behold.
The backwardness, ignorance, obesity, drug & gambling addiction, and generally inept, lazy, uneducated ethic in rural America is definitely not something to be so nationalistic about.
The portrait of contemporary white America looks nothing like the Norman Rockwell illustration all these advocates of 'American Values' imagine.
Nothing positive has come from nationalism, it's a violent cult, and like all cults, it's unbalanced & irrational.
But trying to stoke white nationalism in a place like the USA is absurd. This land mass wasn't settled by aboriginal 'white' people so they can make no rational claim that 'white' culture is 'American values' (whatever any of that means).
Trumpists can threaten to deport whoever they think threatens a fictitious White Nationalist USA, but fact remains the population of the USA is only about 62% 'white', and with a generation or two, they will no longer be a majority. If some 'whites' dislike that, they'd need to deport themselves.
White rural culture is not pretty. While it's a great privilege to be able to live where nature still has the upper hand, I can report that the 'white' culture that settled the countryside in this recently virgin, fertile paradise is not generally a pleasant tribe to live among & behold.
The backwardness, ignorance, obesity, drug & gambling addiction, and generally inept, lazy, uneducated ethic in rural America is definitely not something to be so nationalistic about.
The portrait of contemporary white America looks nothing like the Norman Rockwell illustration all these advocates of 'American Values' imagine.
1
Trump is the Frankenstein that Republicans have worked to create in their lab for decades.
2
This column is a Master Class in America's state of mind -- particularly with its many links to detailed analyses. I have scanned some and will look at all with greater attention.
The linked survey data indicate that political independents are much closer to Democrats in their thinking about immigration – suggesting that immigrant-baiting will be a losing issue for Republicans.
However, they also indicate the political independents are closer to Republicans in their attitudes on race. We continue to pay the price for the failure of Reconstruction. I am unwilling to articulate the possible political consequences.
The linked survey data indicate that political independents are much closer to Democrats in their thinking about immigration – suggesting that immigrant-baiting will be a losing issue for Republicans.
However, they also indicate the political independents are closer to Republicans in their attitudes on race. We continue to pay the price for the failure of Reconstruction. I am unwilling to articulate the possible political consequences.
I think we need to have "code" interpreters standing next to all politicians. We used to have the Press but they have sold out to the advertising department.
1
One correction to an essay that is right on target. You state Mr. Edsall, that the angry, white population are "frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend," however public schools are not failing. Especially the ones that white children attend. That is a Conservative meme, with little substance, propagated by people who favor charter schools, as another way to re-segregate children.
2
As ISIS detonates explosives beneath irreplaceable historic treasures in Iraq, we see in this country a somewhat similar desire to destroy that which differs from the Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot universe of my first grade reader. This was an all white world, a friendly world of happy churchgoers whose children said Our Father before class each day, whose moms wore house dresses protected by frilly aprons as they cooked and cleaned all day while dad labored downtown on weekdays and trimmed the hedges on Saturday.
It was a mythological land of peace and prosperity, a sunny verdant suburbia where neighbors shouted hi and milkmen petted friendly dogs as they replaced the empties with pure white bottles right there at the front door.
If a black person showed up at all, it was the friendly female housekeeper leaving the bus from who knew where to attend to the needs of mother, father, Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot.
Otherwise, black and brown faces were as startling and unwelcome as a pack of rabid canines would be in poor little Spot's world. They represent the disruption of neighborhoods, an end to peace, a dismantling of prosperity, a frightening spiral into a dystopian future.
Donald Trump gets this myth and understands what threatens its adherents. His success will be in direct proportion to the myth's hold on voters in the United States.
It was a mythological land of peace and prosperity, a sunny verdant suburbia where neighbors shouted hi and milkmen petted friendly dogs as they replaced the empties with pure white bottles right there at the front door.
If a black person showed up at all, it was the friendly female housekeeper leaving the bus from who knew where to attend to the needs of mother, father, Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot.
Otherwise, black and brown faces were as startling and unwelcome as a pack of rabid canines would be in poor little Spot's world. They represent the disruption of neighborhoods, an end to peace, a dismantling of prosperity, a frightening spiral into a dystopian future.
Donald Trump gets this myth and understands what threatens its adherents. His success will be in direct proportion to the myth's hold on voters in the United States.
1
The fact is that immigrants compete for jobs with natives by offering to work for less. This reduces wages (not so much salaries because corporations don't make a practice of importing executives). The individuals so displaced are not able to return to Yale to get their MBA's so they can get jobs in banking and finance. Even if there is an overall benefit, the natives at the lower end of the economic scale are not better off from immigration. Although immigration does not currently have a huge effect (e.g. most of the stuff in Walmart is made in China, not in the US with Mexican labor), it is another factor which increases inequality.
Edsall and others overlook the fact that this real economic motivation is part of the reason that so many working-class whites are Republicans rather than Democrats. Of course the policy of Republicans is two-faced - the plutocratic wing wants to bring in as many immigrants as possible to keep wages down, while demogogic candidates (not limited to Trump) capitalize on racism and xenophobia.
Trump as Republican candidate would not get the Hispanic vote, but no Republican is likely to do that anyway. By promising to take drastic (and impossible) action against immigration he could pick up some of the white working-class voters who would otherwise vote Democratic.
Edsall and others overlook the fact that this real economic motivation is part of the reason that so many working-class whites are Republicans rather than Democrats. Of course the policy of Republicans is two-faced - the plutocratic wing wants to bring in as many immigrants as possible to keep wages down, while demogogic candidates (not limited to Trump) capitalize on racism and xenophobia.
Trump as Republican candidate would not get the Hispanic vote, but no Republican is likely to do that anyway. By promising to take drastic (and impossible) action against immigration he could pick up some of the white working-class voters who would otherwise vote Democratic.
4
As if it needed to be confirmed, the Grand Old Tea Party consists of mostly white, enraged, aging Southerners, mainly from the Deep South, and some of their cousins in western, rural states. The hostility to Blacks, Hispanics and Asians has always been there, on the right, but grows worse year-by-year, as demographics in the US condemn the GOTP to minority status. That is, if voter suppression measures in states controlled by the GOTP fail, which they will eventually. There is no leadership among Republicans to combat this blatantly racist, anti-democratic movement on the right. Trump's candidacy has exposed it for all to see. Most of his rightwing opponents will now move in Trump's direction as he drives the GOTP into the racial and political weeds.
17
Great article, certainly the most thought provoking analysis of the Trump phenomenon that I've come across. There should be much more of this. It is appalling to see how what were once responsible main stream media outlets decided to eschew good journalism for crude and socially corrosive infotainment.
26
The village of Port Chester, NY, has long been a working-class town filled with hardworking people who "service" the wealthier suburbs in Westchester County and Connecticut. Once, it was Italian-American immigrants. Today, it's Hispanic immigrants. The town is bustling, and the rich folks who live around here benefit from low-cost yard workers, housecleaners, busboys, etc.
Granted, the low wages and tenuous legal status of these workers means they often need community services and support. But, contrary to anti-immigrant opinion, they pay plenty of consumption taxes and will never claim a penny of Social Security. And around here, they keep the economy humming, just as they do in Los Angeles, Houston and many other cities.
I work as a volunteer in several programs that assist these populations, and I can tell you that, for the most part, the first-generation parents are trying to work hard, keep their heads down, and do their best for their families. Their American-born kids are eager to learn and proud to be Americans.
No, Mr. Trump, you won't be able to deport all of these people. And we shouldn't try. They are strivers, not takers, and if they all vanished tomorrow, our economy would come to a halt.
Granted, the low wages and tenuous legal status of these workers means they often need community services and support. But, contrary to anti-immigrant opinion, they pay plenty of consumption taxes and will never claim a penny of Social Security. And around here, they keep the economy humming, just as they do in Los Angeles, Houston and many other cities.
I work as a volunteer in several programs that assist these populations, and I can tell you that, for the most part, the first-generation parents are trying to work hard, keep their heads down, and do their best for their families. Their American-born kids are eager to learn and proud to be Americans.
No, Mr. Trump, you won't be able to deport all of these people. And we shouldn't try. They are strivers, not takers, and if they all vanished tomorrow, our economy would come to a halt.
63
Pan immigration is a global problem caused by globalization gone amok. Immigration has been shadowed under the same umbrella: assimilating the good the bad and the unwanted all under the same campaign slogans. Yes immigration is a big problem because it's been ignored and let slide for so long like the influx of North Africans into The Jungle of Calais...who's problem is it now? Who is or who can take responsibility. As for statistics about the decline in the white population of America, this too was an inevitability. From whichever angle you look at our whether you like it or not; it's simple math, the more foreign immigrants a country allows in from various cultures the less exclusive the original race will become. Trump's untimely comments are stating the obvious and people are in a vacuum of ignorance just waiting to be swept away by a common cause.
4
The author displays his complete bias on this issue, relying on liberal think tanks and left wing academics in the soft sciences to support his preconceived notions. People are not upset about diversity nor do they fear demographic change. People are sick of the breakdown of the rule of law. No one is campaigning against legal immigration.
The willful ignorance and shoddy scholarship is appalling but unfortunately not surprising.
The willful ignorance and shoddy scholarship is appalling but unfortunately not surprising.
11
Like Colbert famously said several years ago, "Reality has a liberal bias."!!!
I have to admit that, even though I neither support nor intend to vote for Trump (the man has no self-control), I see YOUR point regarding the article. The issue is not whether or not the U.S. should allow immigration, but whether or not illegal immigration should be tolerated (this is distinct from the issue of those children born on U.S. soil). This is an issue that can be separated from racial animus. In terms of compassion, the U.S. is not the cold-hearted monster we're sometimes made out to be. As a NY Times article pointed out, over 80% of the world's refugees will settle within our borders (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/opinion/why-cant-refugees-get-lawyers..... Yet, if I decided that I like another country better than my own, I am not free to simply establish myself there without its permission. France has a right to grant or deny my access to their country regardless of my personal circumstances. Maybe they will decide that loose immigration laws would have a good economic effect on their nation or maybe they let me in because they are feeling generous. The fact remains, I have no RIGHT to be in their country until they grant me permission. If I somehow smuggled myself into France without their knowledge, I would EXPECT there to be consequences if I were discovered, including possible deportation. I might wish for different circumstances, but really, what right do I have to trespass on foreign soil?
I wish someone would campaign against the proliferation of the H1B visas!
Trump also understands the mass media news business very well. Most people get their information from television, and that seriously limits the volume of news stories that can be reported. Even the 24-hour news channels mainly repeat the same small series of stories throughout the day.
Trump's talent for broad (outrageous) statements and his flamboyant style effectively captures nearly all of the news time allocated to politics. He wins by pushing all of the other candidates out of the news. Many respond by trying to out-Trump the master -- making themselves just look foolish.
Trump's talent for broad (outrageous) statements and his flamboyant style effectively captures nearly all of the news time allocated to politics. He wins by pushing all of the other candidates out of the news. Many respond by trying to out-Trump the master -- making themselves just look foolish.
13
Lots of data to back up the thrust of the article. Reality is, there is a very large white demographic, typically Republican, that understands they no longer have any representation. Listening to the Donald, for lack of a better word, has been a breath of fresh air, as our political system shuns reality. So what does all this mean, it means we get another Clinton and business as usual, which everyone agrees on both sides of the isle, that our system is dysfunctional.
3
What a joy it must be for corporate America, to see everyone agonizing over immigration and race. The reality is that our system's dysfunction is a symptom of competing corporations paying our representatives to do their bidding. Each corporation wants something different and the corporate voices the representatives hear is paralyzing to them. Which one of the gods do they appease?
Above all, Trump is a business man who knows that to win you have to follow the marketing rules and sell what people want. Yes, a large group of US citizens are prejudiced and small minded, so promise racial privilege to them. But being attuned to what US citizens want, he also promises to protect Social Security and Medicare, much to the Republican leadership's chagrin. Give the people what they want and they will buy it. He's no political genius, but he is a marketing genius and that's what we are seeing in his campaign.
So on the one hand he is following the Republican's race bashing script, but on the other he is going rogue because he is marketing to win the people over by understanding what they want.
Since he is more attuned to people, I wonder if he would make a (slightly) better President than the other clowns in the car. One could hope that if he were to become President, that he is smart enough to know the rhetoric won't work in critical or international situations, and would tone it down and be realistic, again solely for the purpose of winning. One could hope. (But vote Democratic.)
So on the one hand he is following the Republican's race bashing script, but on the other he is going rogue because he is marketing to win the people over by understanding what they want.
Since he is more attuned to people, I wonder if he would make a (slightly) better President than the other clowns in the car. One could hope that if he were to become President, that he is smart enough to know the rhetoric won't work in critical or international situations, and would tone it down and be realistic, again solely for the purpose of winning. One could hope. (But vote Democratic.)
103
Are you willing to bet your life and the lives of our children and grandchildren on Trump moderating his behavior I the international sphere? Being a savvy business man only means you profit from a deal.....no concern about the future. Consider the example of the Koch brothers.
1
Your part of the problem, why vote democrat or republican? Make either earn your vote individually, why vote for a party? You have taken the cheese sir!
UH....his following is about 20% not a large group.
Say what you will about Republicans and race.
The Times yesterday printed an article on rising violent crime and listed ten cities. All ten cities are governed by Liberal Democrats. How can this be?
You see, Democrats are experts at giving lip service to garner votes but Blacks suffer most where Democrats are in charge.
On immigration, it is ILLEGAL for any person to sneak into this country or overstay their visa. Only those people must be held accountable.
Legal immigration is happening every day.
I've never heard any Republican pol call for an end to it.
The Times yesterday printed an article on rising violent crime and listed ten cities. All ten cities are governed by Liberal Democrats. How can this be?
You see, Democrats are experts at giving lip service to garner votes but Blacks suffer most where Democrats are in charge.
On immigration, it is ILLEGAL for any person to sneak into this country or overstay their visa. Only those people must be held accountable.
Legal immigration is happening every day.
I've never heard any Republican pol call for an end to it.
9
Nope. Liberal Democrats at city level ha e little power. States have more power, the USA more still. This old shibboleth of who governs the bad cities is doa.
Dave Holzman, who wrote the comment running right above yours, may or may not be a Republican pol, but he is certainly calling for an end to any immigration. I don't think he is alone.
'In the four presidential elections before 1964....Republican candidates had won an average of 30 percent of the minority vote.
From 1964 to 2008, the Republican share dropped to an average of 6.1% of the minority vote. Since 1964, the Republican Party has become, in effect, a white party.'
Doesn't that say it all about our Grand Old Caucasian friends ?
The problem with National Association for the Advancement of White People is that you can't solve too many problems with monolithic thinking.
Reality is not a black and white problem; it is filled with nuance, complexity and the need for transparency, truth-telling and practicality.
What's ironic is that the Whites R Us party is completely opposed to providing sex education and birth control both domestically and internationally that would ultimately help stabilize 'minority' populations; it's another cataclysmic example of how low-information, low-thought Republican voters almost always vote against their own interests and completely disregard cause and effect.
The entire civilized world will suffer dramatic disruption and upheaval from illegal immigration, but the underlying cause is swollen human populations that are unmanageable.
America and the rest of the civilized world must act forthrightly to control population growth with public sex education and free birth control for all.
The only obstacle is the medieval religious sensibilities of conservatives, Republicans, Know-Nothings and theocrats the world over.
From 1964 to 2008, the Republican share dropped to an average of 6.1% of the minority vote. Since 1964, the Republican Party has become, in effect, a white party.'
Doesn't that say it all about our Grand Old Caucasian friends ?
The problem with National Association for the Advancement of White People is that you can't solve too many problems with monolithic thinking.
Reality is not a black and white problem; it is filled with nuance, complexity and the need for transparency, truth-telling and practicality.
What's ironic is that the Whites R Us party is completely opposed to providing sex education and birth control both domestically and internationally that would ultimately help stabilize 'minority' populations; it's another cataclysmic example of how low-information, low-thought Republican voters almost always vote against their own interests and completely disregard cause and effect.
The entire civilized world will suffer dramatic disruption and upheaval from illegal immigration, but the underlying cause is swollen human populations that are unmanageable.
America and the rest of the civilized world must act forthrightly to control population growth with public sex education and free birth control for all.
The only obstacle is the medieval religious sensibilities of conservatives, Republicans, Know-Nothings and theocrats the world over.
514
hey Jaboo, your grossly over generalization, your defining the baptist not 'white people' haha slightly racist as well. What is white, Western Euro's? With DNA testing like 23&me, there is no longer an excuse to lump all people in few different color categories. The grouping should be done by economics.
Do you have any research to prove that overpopulation is a problem? I'd like to read it if you do.
You ask what the GOP's support among minorities shows.
Which minorities? In 2008, almost 2/5 Asians voted for McCain. A far cry from your 6%.
What does it show? It shows that the Democrats have successfully played the race card -- at great cost to the Republic. They have cynically calculated that the demographics of the nation mean that if they can bribe the new American majority, that will bring electoral success. That is why you see a ceaseless torrent of hate directed at whites and males in the columns of this newspaper.
Which minorities? In 2008, almost 2/5 Asians voted for McCain. A far cry from your 6%.
What does it show? It shows that the Democrats have successfully played the race card -- at great cost to the Republic. They have cynically calculated that the demographics of the nation mean that if they can bribe the new American majority, that will bring electoral success. That is why you see a ceaseless torrent of hate directed at whites and males in the columns of this newspaper.
Yet he doesn't seem to have any problem with the immigrants who provide the cheaper skilled labor that constructs his buildings. He does not protest the immigrants who clean his buildings and hotels. He lodges no complaints about the immigrants who pick his food, labor in packinghouses, and work in the kitchens of the finest restaurants were he eats. When there's a profit to be made in their exploitation, he's a silent fan of immigrants. In that respect, he's not unlike most Republicans I've known.
583
Excellent comment. At future press conferences, journalists should ask him how much he pays the workers who erect his buildings, etc. This is a much needed aspect of the immigration debate that needs to happen. We cannot both want the cheap labor Mexican (and other) immigrants provide, and not want them to live here. If we do not want them to be here, then there needs to be an open discussion of the costs it will impose on our economy, and how we will deal with that. Will we really seriously prosecute and crack down on Big Agriculture and other huge and ultra-wealthy corporations willing to employ illegal labor?
2
Trump only hires immigrants he assumes are good people.
1
He also doesn't seem to have a problem with legal immigration...
It's completely obvious from all the issue polls (of which Edsall gives a sampling) that Trump represents the core beliefs of about two thirds of Republicans. And yes this is the consequence of 50 years of the totally ruthless use by the Republican party of identity politics to divide the electorate and essentially blind many middle class Americans to where their true interests lie so that the party's real agenda of protecting the wealthy and big business without let or hindrance. Talk to sophisticated members of the business community (over late night Dewars and water) and they'll admit it. It's still as strategy that's working well for them. Witness the mid term elections. The longer term problem is that the strategy is running out of utility because of demographic and opinion shifts (minority growth, attitudes to gays etc.) so now they're being driven back on expedients like suppressing the vote or dialing up the rhetoric even further as Trump is essentially forcing all the candidates to do while the official party remains silent. Obama got about 83% of the total minority vote and the Democratic nominee in 2016 will probably get more so a race to bottom for a larger share of the angry white vote is not an entirely crazy strategy and indeed some Republican pollsters have actually advocated it.
17
Part of the irony of the Trump supporters is that they also tend to see themselves as the main (only) real supporters of the Constitution. Yet, Mr. Trump's claims all have to do with him taking the oath of office and then, in a truly dictatorial form, waving a wand and remaking the country. This same crowd of people who want to try and hang Mr. Obama for using some legitimate executive orders support a man who thinks that he can go to the White House and act as if he is the business owner/CEO, the Congress no more than his employees, and the country itself his business to do with what he chooses.
45
Anne-Marie:
Your analysis is spot on!
The Republicans once railed against "activist justices" on the Supreme Court of the United States until they got their own, true activist justices on the Supreme Court.
There aren't many justices more active than the ones who found in the U.S. Constitution that inanimate corporations are citizens with the same citizenship rights as humans. This Citizens United ruling is almost as infamous as the notorious Roger B. Taney court ruling was in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case. One might think of Roger B. Taney, not Abraham Lincoln, as the Founding Father of the 21st Century Republican Party.
The Republican base merely reflects the Great Hypocrisy of the GOP.
For more on tfhe fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Roger B. Taney, and the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_B._Taney .
Your analysis is spot on!
The Republicans once railed against "activist justices" on the Supreme Court of the United States until they got their own, true activist justices on the Supreme Court.
There aren't many justices more active than the ones who found in the U.S. Constitution that inanimate corporations are citizens with the same citizenship rights as humans. This Citizens United ruling is almost as infamous as the notorious Roger B. Taney court ruling was in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case. One might think of Roger B. Taney, not Abraham Lincoln, as the Founding Father of the 21st Century Republican Party.
The Republican base merely reflects the Great Hypocrisy of the GOP.
For more on tfhe fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Roger B. Taney, and the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_B._Taney .
Didn't Obama say that he was coming to Washington to fundamentally change America? Why was that OK? Are you going to sit there and tell me Obama didn't try to remake this country?
Obama was rejected 13 times by a 9-0 vote by the Supreme Court. Get your facts straight.
Obama was rejected 13 times by a 9-0 vote by the Supreme Court. Get your facts straight.
You have elucidated the exact qualities of CEOs that most disqualify them for high public office.
This is being played out in Maine as the businessman and Tea Party darling, Paul LePage, elected for the second time as governor, treats the state legislature as if they were his employees. He has petulantly "punished" them by not signing legislation that later became law because the clock had run out. He then claimed that it was not law because he didn't approve it. He holds the legislature up to ridicule by having a tree with photo ornaments and a reference to pigs installed in the governor's mansion that he invited the press to see and photograph. Trump can't hold a candle to the vicious, nasty things LePage says about anyone who opposes him.
He is bashes people living in poverty and attempts to do all the nasty, petty things Republicans do to humiliate them with drug testing and shaming. As with Trump, the rural, religious, white, blue collar right laps this up. He has refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA over the wishes of the legislature.
BTW, he won election through smear campaigns heavily financed by outside interests (Koch and friends) in three-way races. Some think the "outside interests" also financed the third party candidate to split the vote and give him the election.
Did I mention when LePage first ran he was living in Florida? Bosses make terrible leaders. Don't confuse running a business with governing.
This is being played out in Maine as the businessman and Tea Party darling, Paul LePage, elected for the second time as governor, treats the state legislature as if they were his employees. He has petulantly "punished" them by not signing legislation that later became law because the clock had run out. He then claimed that it was not law because he didn't approve it. He holds the legislature up to ridicule by having a tree with photo ornaments and a reference to pigs installed in the governor's mansion that he invited the press to see and photograph. Trump can't hold a candle to the vicious, nasty things LePage says about anyone who opposes him.
He is bashes people living in poverty and attempts to do all the nasty, petty things Republicans do to humiliate them with drug testing and shaming. As with Trump, the rural, religious, white, blue collar right laps this up. He has refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA over the wishes of the legislature.
BTW, he won election through smear campaigns heavily financed by outside interests (Koch and friends) in three-way races. Some think the "outside interests" also financed the third party candidate to split the vote and give him the election.
Did I mention when LePage first ran he was living in Florida? Bosses make terrible leaders. Don't confuse running a business with governing.
Trumps are often found in American history; how much different is he than so many others? For almost three centuries we have had these know-nothing hate-mongers arise to gain personal benefits out of whipping up the mob.
29
I tend to disagree, perhaps naively, with the idea that the majority of these reactionary Republican voters would indeed pull the lever (or whatever) for Trump. It could be that Trump the campaigner is more a pressure-relief valve for frustrated and truly fearful voters - not only nut-case rightists - than a serious contender. This is the value of campaigns by candidates from both parties' fringes; sort of a highly visible forum for airing grievances. If, and it is a big If, those fringe candidates are defeated in primaries, the voters still choose between partisans, of course, but in practice, those surviving candidates are a bit closer to the mainstream middle.
4
The bookies odds suggest that Trump has about a 20% chance of winning the nomination. That's not the usual definition of "slim" chances. And the odds for Trump becoming the next President show the bookies putting Trump's chances over 50%, once he gets the nomination. That's staggering, but actually quite logical. Hillary is increasingly in a mess, and Jeb Bush's attacks on Trump as a closet liberal will actually give Trump a helpful shove, once he makes it through the gauntlet of the nomination. Always respect the bookie.
4
@Stefan K, Germany
Hamburg
Er...the bookies in whom you appear to put a lot of faith (as indeed do I) have Clinton at evens or thereabouts. Do you know what this means (clue: it's not a mess)
Hamburg
Er...the bookies in whom you appear to put a lot of faith (as indeed do I) have Clinton at evens or thereabouts. Do you know what this means (clue: it's not a mess)
7
I consider that a (relative) mess. It should have been clean sailing for Clinton.
Trump has taken the GOP themes and perfected them. And what are the themes? First, “the enemy within,” who are “illegal immigrants” and “thugs”, code words for Latinos and Blacks. Second, “the enemy without,” which is China, Japan, and anyone else who is not “like us.”
Those who remember their European history will recognize these themes as a thread for some of the darkest moments, from the Crusades (when the enemy within was the Jews and the enemy without was the Moslems), to the Thirty Years War (when both were either Catholics or Protestants, depending on where one lived), to the Twentieth Century (no comment needed).
The mileposts on this path include the “southern strategy,” Reagan starting his campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the defeat of the George W. Bush immigration plan. One must hope that this does not get to the ultimate destination, but hope is not enough. We must oppose the divisive racial, ethnic, religious, and gender policies at every level, recognizing that this will be a long, long struggle.
Unlike some of us felt at the time, the election of Barack Obama was not the end of racial politics. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, it was not even the beginning of the end. But it was, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
Those who remember their European history will recognize these themes as a thread for some of the darkest moments, from the Crusades (when the enemy within was the Jews and the enemy without was the Moslems), to the Thirty Years War (when both were either Catholics or Protestants, depending on where one lived), to the Twentieth Century (no comment needed).
The mileposts on this path include the “southern strategy,” Reagan starting his campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the defeat of the George W. Bush immigration plan. One must hope that this does not get to the ultimate destination, but hope is not enough. We must oppose the divisive racial, ethnic, religious, and gender policies at every level, recognizing that this will be a long, long struggle.
Unlike some of us felt at the time, the election of Barack Obama was not the end of racial politics. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, it was not even the beginning of the end. But it was, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
32
Bravo. If only our leaders had your knowledge of history and attending wisdom. I salute you.
This is so much more complicated than left or right ideology for our country. The right can't be so eager to buy into the brown bogey man and the left can't be in denial that this is a valid grievance for a lot of Americans. This is a big complicated problem that needs more than propaganda to be resolved.
As for Europe, I do believe we are going to see a huge surge in right wing politics. But, again, it is complicated. I do not blame the citizens of the EU for being completely apprehensive about tens of thousands of refugees or just migrants showing up on their shores. Some EU countries are happy to move them along the way out of their country toward western EU countries. And the migrants are very specific not to follow the Dublin rule and had a huge protest when Hungary shut down the train services. That is what gets citizens of the EU up in arms and against asylum.
There is much more to the resistance to this mass migration than hate. I doubt these migrants are fluent in all the languages in the EU so wherever they end up, they won't speak the language. They also come from countries that have never known democracy. Not them, their parents or grandparents. So, yes, I do think it's reasonable for some to ask how to assimilate these migrants into secular Western Europe. And on top of that, their mass migration has already pitted EU countries against each other at a time when they are still handling an economic country and keep the Euro strong.
As for Europe, I do believe we are going to see a huge surge in right wing politics. But, again, it is complicated. I do not blame the citizens of the EU for being completely apprehensive about tens of thousands of refugees or just migrants showing up on their shores. Some EU countries are happy to move them along the way out of their country toward western EU countries. And the migrants are very specific not to follow the Dublin rule and had a huge protest when Hungary shut down the train services. That is what gets citizens of the EU up in arms and against asylum.
There is much more to the resistance to this mass migration than hate. I doubt these migrants are fluent in all the languages in the EU so wherever they end up, they won't speak the language. They also come from countries that have never known democracy. Not them, their parents or grandparents. So, yes, I do think it's reasonable for some to ask how to assimilate these migrants into secular Western Europe. And on top of that, their mass migration has already pitted EU countries against each other at a time when they are still handling an economic country and keep the Euro strong.
14
Am I the only one who has noticed that Trumps campaign slogan is a clear and blatant accusation that America is not a great country. To put it in simpler Trump-speak, "America is a country of LOSERS." So, what is Trump's plan to convert American Losers into winners? Deport brown people. Yeah, that'll work.
22
The immigrant problem is an economic problem. The rich and powerful have shrunk the pie for middle America and kept all the gains for themselves. Lower middle class and middle class are rightfully afraid for their children's future. The answer is livable wages, universal,healthcare, fair taxation, etc, not xenophobia. This obsession with the other as the problem takes our eyes off the real culprit- parasitic wealth. They don't mind him stirring up class warfare as long as it's the middle class vs the other. They encourage it. I want to see them continue to squirm as he continues talking about changing taxes to tax them more. They will scream class warfare. Ahhh, to sit back and watch.
35
Dear Mr. Edsall,
Even though the bulk of the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE doesn't believe in the term 'evolution' (Remember, they claim not to be 'scientists'), the candidacy of Mr.Trump is merely the evolving of the Republican Party from a conservative group to a 'radical' conservative group beginning with their amalgamation with the 'Tea Party'.
Mr. Trump voices what this group truly represents; hatred, bigotry and discrimination with the usual blaming of the poor and minorities as choosing their own fate (As if people really want to live in poverty and welfare evoking visions of Mr. Reagan's 'Welfare Queens').
The 'fear' of a minority takeover as they become a majority plays well with these people; the true fear is that these folks WILL get out and vote for a candidate like Mr. Trump.
He is their own 'Frankenstein' creation. He doesn't want the 'Koch Dollars', plays hardball with the other 18 or so 'candidates' and shoots from his ultra conservative 'hip' realizing full well that if he spins off with his own party, the Republicans might as well pack it in for yet another presidential loss.
The real worry is that a 'Trump Party' may actually win the whole thing!
Even though the bulk of the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE doesn't believe in the term 'evolution' (Remember, they claim not to be 'scientists'), the candidacy of Mr.Trump is merely the evolving of the Republican Party from a conservative group to a 'radical' conservative group beginning with their amalgamation with the 'Tea Party'.
Mr. Trump voices what this group truly represents; hatred, bigotry and discrimination with the usual blaming of the poor and minorities as choosing their own fate (As if people really want to live in poverty and welfare evoking visions of Mr. Reagan's 'Welfare Queens').
The 'fear' of a minority takeover as they become a majority plays well with these people; the true fear is that these folks WILL get out and vote for a candidate like Mr. Trump.
He is their own 'Frankenstein' creation. He doesn't want the 'Koch Dollars', plays hardball with the other 18 or so 'candidates' and shoots from his ultra conservative 'hip' realizing full well that if he spins off with his own party, the Republicans might as well pack it in for yet another presidential loss.
The real worry is that a 'Trump Party' may actually win the whole thing!
2
Rather than trash DT's supporters, Mr. Edsall, why don't you or this paper write about what is new news regarding ILLEGAL immigration - that of the lawsuit the Steinle family filed against the city of SF, the Immigration and Customs Service and The Bureau of Land Management? Here's the link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_28739168/kate-steinle-killing...
I know that the NYT has never met a pro-ILLEGAL immigration story they didn't like, but please, at least once in a while, publish some other view and facts so you don't appear so biased and out-of-touch with reality. Shame on you.
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_28739168/kate-steinle-killing...
I know that the NYT has never met a pro-ILLEGAL immigration story they didn't like, but please, at least once in a while, publish some other view and facts so you don't appear so biased and out-of-touch with reality. Shame on you.
6
The Republican hypocrisy on immigration is evident from the many industries -- agriculture, construction and landscape maintenance which are owned by white Republicans and make unabashed use and abuse of undocumented labor.
So rather than "ranting and raving" about a border wall, we should implement an ID regimen as follows: The federal government would issue three types of secure ID's -- citizen (currently state driver licenses), green card and work permit. Then inspectors would randomly spot check businesses to ensure that every worker has one of these three valid ID's. Major fines would be imposed on employers who fail this test with criminal charges for repeat offenders.
Of course such a practical and effective scheme will never be implemented because those same Republican bosses calling for ejection depend on their ability to generate extra profit by hiring undocumented immigrants for substandard pay.
So rather than "ranting and raving" about a border wall, we should implement an ID regimen as follows: The federal government would issue three types of secure ID's -- citizen (currently state driver licenses), green card and work permit. Then inspectors would randomly spot check businesses to ensure that every worker has one of these three valid ID's. Major fines would be imposed on employers who fail this test with criminal charges for repeat offenders.
Of course such a practical and effective scheme will never be implemented because those same Republican bosses calling for ejection depend on their ability to generate extra profit by hiring undocumented immigrants for substandard pay.
12
Some states issue drivers licenses to non-citizens. A US passport is the equivalent of a national ID card, but the conservatives hate the idea of national ID cards.
You three level system would also work for eliminating any possibility of voting by non-citizens. However, the incidence of any voter fraud is extremely low. Republicans do seem to specialize in making voting as difficult as possible for the poor, the young, and minorities, which are populations that do not support them.
You three level system would also work for eliminating any possibility of voting by non-citizens. However, the incidence of any voter fraud is extremely low. Republicans do seem to specialize in making voting as difficult as possible for the poor, the young, and minorities, which are populations that do not support them.
Trump is frightening enough but his followers are even more frightening.
14
Karl Marx predicted it all 150 years ago. In Trumpism we have the petite bourgeoisie who, having been shut out of economic development (see Reaganomics), they turn to fascism and the reactionary politics of white nationalism in direct proportion to their loss of economic, political, and social power to their beloved masters (haute bourgeoisie).
This doesn’t end well.
This doesn’t end well.
12
I have more in common with a 68-year old black man than I do with a 28-year old white man. Things will get more racist and much worse for Republicans before they get better and that will occur when age replaces race as the dividing line between parties and their so-called 'philosophies'. Who knows, but in a couple of decades the GOP could become the fiercest defender of Social Security and Medicare.
1
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
Belief that you're special and more important than others
Fantasies about power, success and attractiveness
Failure to recognize others' needs and feelings
Exaggeration of achievements or talents
Expectation of constant praise and admiration
Arrogance
Unreasonable expectations of favors and advantages, often taking advantage of others
Envy of others or belief that others envy you
Belief that you're special and more important than others
Fantasies about power, success and attractiveness
Failure to recognize others' needs and feelings
Exaggeration of achievements or talents
Expectation of constant praise and admiration
Arrogance
Unreasonable expectations of favors and advantages, often taking advantage of others
Envy of others or belief that others envy you
10
The biggest problem coming out of TRUMP's campaign will be the frustrated remnants of his supporters. In their reaction to The Donald the GOP is aligning with, rather than diverging from these foul political positions. The GOP is essentially doubling down on the previously veiled xenophobic, warmongering, racist, radical religious, gun tote'n planks in their platform. And the far right wing is feeling more and more justified rather than embarrassed to hate people that don't share these views. There will be some very frustrated, angry, mean people at the end of this campaign season.
It just gets uglier.
It just gets uglier.
10
"discrimination against whites has become... a problem"
Where? How? I'm a white male, almost 50. I've occasionally met people who disliked me for my race or gender, but never has such a person been in a position to cause me any real inconvenience.
Where? How? I'm a white male, almost 50. I've occasionally met people who disliked me for my race or gender, but never has such a person been in a position to cause me any real inconvenience.
13
Signs of Fascism:
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
Supremacy of the Military
Rampant Sexism
Controlled Mass Media
Obsession with National Security
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Corporate Power is Protected
Labor Power is Suppressed
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fraudulent Elections
“They Thought They Were Free” Milton Mayer
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
Supremacy of the Military
Rampant Sexism
Controlled Mass Media
Obsession with National Security
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Corporate Power is Protected
Labor Power is Suppressed
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fraudulent Elections
“They Thought They Were Free” Milton Mayer
12
The problem both parties refuse to confront is the most issue that is at root: economic competition. There is research indicating that immigration disadvantages native workers by driving down wages. The most notable example is something as simple as landscaping, which used to be done by the native workers, but which is now entirely done by undocumented. On the high end are HB1 visas that displace higher income Americans. This breeds a lot of hostility too. And responses to this problem cut across party lines.
3
Not all opposition to illegal immigration is driven by racist/nativist attitudes. It is high time American media and powers-that-be recognized that.
I am a Democrat and a legal immigrant. I possess the twin experiences of living in a third world country and the long road to (legal) immigration. As a result I am alarmed by the breakdown of law that is the prevalence of illegal immigration and feel cheated seeing that people who break the law are being rewarded. The more so when I see that family reunification is their trump card while people like me basically could not bring our - well-educated - family members here because of the looooong time it takes to get family sponsorship LEGAL visas.
So, even while I remain sympathetic to their plight, and assert that of course they are not bad people as Trump claimed, I maintain that the phenomenon of illegal immigration is hurting our society. Education and healthcare are already in trouble.
People who are reluctant to see these truths are the useful idiots of the big businesses who benefit from the labor of these desperate people. Middle class taxpayers are being forced to subsidize the big businesses.
Trump is the messenger and an imperfect one at that. But, he is giving voice to the legitimate concerns of a significant segment of the population. Isn't that exactly what a democracy is supposed to provide?
I am a Democrat and a legal immigrant. I possess the twin experiences of living in a third world country and the long road to (legal) immigration. As a result I am alarmed by the breakdown of law that is the prevalence of illegal immigration and feel cheated seeing that people who break the law are being rewarded. The more so when I see that family reunification is their trump card while people like me basically could not bring our - well-educated - family members here because of the looooong time it takes to get family sponsorship LEGAL visas.
So, even while I remain sympathetic to their plight, and assert that of course they are not bad people as Trump claimed, I maintain that the phenomenon of illegal immigration is hurting our society. Education and healthcare are already in trouble.
People who are reluctant to see these truths are the useful idiots of the big businesses who benefit from the labor of these desperate people. Middle class taxpayers are being forced to subsidize the big businesses.
Trump is the messenger and an imperfect one at that. But, he is giving voice to the legitimate concerns of a significant segment of the population. Isn't that exactly what a democracy is supposed to provide?
7
Do you feel the same way about H1Bs?
Yes, I do.
After reading Mr. Edsall"s Op-ed I have come away afraid very afraid. Mr. Edsall makes perfect sense and the Republican Party may be in shambles at the top, but the grassroots of the party know exactly what they want and are anti establishment under Trump. And this makes a Donald Trump presidency very possible. The Democrats under Hillary Clinton galvanize the top party establishment, but is in trouble with it's grassroots. It is possible that the Democratic nominee can loose the presidency unless the party can come together.
2
Looking at the graph on "white discrimination" and at how many white people believe that they are being discriminated against it seems like a done deal that Trump WILL win the presidency. It is apparent that an extremely large percentage of Americans are totally deluded and believe that whites truly suffer as much or more discrimination than minorities. There aren't enough college educated, Democrats or unaffiliated with religion to save us from ourselves. The manipulation is complete.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Goebbels would be proud.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Goebbels would be proud.
6
Donald Trump: misanthrope, misogynist, misogamist, misologist, miscreant.
3
Yes, George, and mistaken and misguided.
American capitalism created the Latino immigrant "problem" with it's voracious appetite for cheap labor, a labor pool that it continues to exploit because it lacks the protections of American citizenship. Now the most vocal champions of capitalism encourage and exploit the xenophobia of the ignorant for political gain. Madness.
9
When people threatened they circle the wagons. They scape goat.
The planet is more crowded. It is teeming with people and very few of them, in comparison, look like Northern Europeans. Our standard of living in first world countries is looking threatened by the move to industrialization in Asia. The basic underpinning of religion as a social glue is unravelling.
So people who are feeling the loss the hardest - the loss of the stability of jobs, of religion, of how they thing the nation looks, are creating a reactionary movement, both here and in Europe - in most first world societies. Circling wagons to keep out other cultural influences, to protect jobs, to prop up the religions with which they are familiar, and scapegoating immigrants as a major reason for loss.
I would expect it ti burn itself out, but can't, because many of these very same ideas were the underpinning of fascism about 8 eight decades ago.
The planet is more crowded. It is teeming with people and very few of them, in comparison, look like Northern Europeans. Our standard of living in first world countries is looking threatened by the move to industrialization in Asia. The basic underpinning of religion as a social glue is unravelling.
So people who are feeling the loss the hardest - the loss of the stability of jobs, of religion, of how they thing the nation looks, are creating a reactionary movement, both here and in Europe - in most first world societies. Circling wagons to keep out other cultural influences, to protect jobs, to prop up the religions with which they are familiar, and scapegoating immigrants as a major reason for loss.
I would expect it ti burn itself out, but can't, because many of these very same ideas were the underpinning of fascism about 8 eight decades ago.
1
Donald Trump is the bloom of the Carrion Flower of the Republican base; the id run wild. His psychological problems notwithstanding, he knows how to work the low information crowd. What is the future of this nation if so many ignorant people can control our political discourse and put this exploiter on a pedestal?
He must be in hog heaven, making so many squeal at his every word, as he basks in this adoration to puff up his ego. Nice work if you can get it.
He must be in hog heaven, making so many squeal at his every word, as he basks in this adoration to puff up his ego. Nice work if you can get it.
7
I would suggest a secondary source of his appeal is that his solution to the illegal immigrant problem is not complex. He offers a clear, unambiguous solution.
What to do about immigration, whether it is Mexican sneaking across the border or waves of techies from India, has been an issue neither party has been willing to tackle. They duck the issue or offer a highly complex solution which papers over the problem. Wimps on both sides. Political hacks subservient to their big money donors, who want cheap labor with very few rights.
Trump also advocates taxes on hedge funds. and tariffs on foreign imports. The man is a populist. It's a rerun of the gilded age.
What to do about immigration, whether it is Mexican sneaking across the border or waves of techies from India, has been an issue neither party has been willing to tackle. They duck the issue or offer a highly complex solution which papers over the problem. Wimps on both sides. Political hacks subservient to their big money donors, who want cheap labor with very few rights.
Trump also advocates taxes on hedge funds. and tariffs on foreign imports. The man is a populist. It's a rerun of the gilded age.
3
Trump is pulling a "Willie Horton" on other Republicans, including Bush III. That won over 20 years ago for Bush The Elder when he went up against a weak opponent (Mike Dukakis). It might fly with right wing Republicans, but it is not likely to win with rational people.
Push the Republicans as far right as you can, The Donald. Run as the reincarnation of Barry Goldwater. Lose by a popular vote of 63 to 37 percent. Please proceed.
Push the Republicans as far right as you can, The Donald. Run as the reincarnation of Barry Goldwater. Lose by a popular vote of 63 to 37 percent. Please proceed.
10
The Good News? In 2012 the Republican Racist Innuendo Machine was in overdrive: "He's not one of us". "He's a secret supporter of our Islamic enemies." "You lie!" etc. Donald Trump was everywhere as Birther in Chief. The Koch brothers poured well over a hundred million dollars into the dog-whistle racist smears, lies, and distortions. Yet Obama won the election by the largest margin in a generation.
As vicious and ugly as the base of the Republican Party has become and the party itself, they are a minority of American voters--in Presidential election years anyways. A majority of Americans can see through the Republican lies, racism and distortion and vote accordingly. After the election, the Priebus report said it was time for the party to change from racism, immigrant baiting, homophobia, involuntary female privates probes, etc. But the angry white racist base of the Republican Party will not allow it to change. The Republican Party will lose the White House again and again until it does change.
As vicious and ugly as the base of the Republican Party has become and the party itself, they are a minority of American voters--in Presidential election years anyways. A majority of Americans can see through the Republican lies, racism and distortion and vote accordingly. After the election, the Priebus report said it was time for the party to change from racism, immigrant baiting, homophobia, involuntary female privates probes, etc. But the angry white racist base of the Republican Party will not allow it to change. The Republican Party will lose the White House again and again until it does change.
4
One can hope.
"They are frustrated by the poor performance of the public schools their children attend, by cities and suburbs they believe to be under siege, by a criminal justice system they perceive as dysfunctional, and by a government they view as incompetent."
As long as they believe that everyone should have guns and as long as they keep voting for legislators who protect "special" interests while ignoring constituents' interests, the problems that worry these white Republicans are going to keep getting worse. It's too bad they refuse to see what it is their legislators are doing to the country for the sake of the special interests that insure their re-elections.
I guess if you believe that the police won't protect you from "terrorists" and "criminals," you need to protect yourself. I guess if you believe that the only way to protect the country is by going to war with other countries, then guns and more guns are the answer. I guess if you believe that education should promote the correct religious values that promise a better life in the hereafter, then you can justify your own family's struggle with poverty. "It's God's Will" may seem like a cop-out to those of us who think that people CAN act to correct injustice and economic inequality, but I guess if you've lived your life believing you are powerless, then the economic message of someone like Bernie Sanders will not resonate with you. What will it take to change their minds? Can anything?
As long as they believe that everyone should have guns and as long as they keep voting for legislators who protect "special" interests while ignoring constituents' interests, the problems that worry these white Republicans are going to keep getting worse. It's too bad they refuse to see what it is their legislators are doing to the country for the sake of the special interests that insure their re-elections.
I guess if you believe that the police won't protect you from "terrorists" and "criminals," you need to protect yourself. I guess if you believe that the only way to protect the country is by going to war with other countries, then guns and more guns are the answer. I guess if you believe that education should promote the correct religious values that promise a better life in the hereafter, then you can justify your own family's struggle with poverty. "It's God's Will" may seem like a cop-out to those of us who think that people CAN act to correct injustice and economic inequality, but I guess if you've lived your life believing you are powerless, then the economic message of someone like Bernie Sanders will not resonate with you. What will it take to change their minds? Can anything?
3
Trump and the Repubs are right in line with the Naturalization Act of 1790, which had limited naturalization to immigrants who were "free white persons" of "good moral character, and subsequent legislation restricting immigration.
Trump is the Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) "YOU LIE!" outburst personified and taken to the ultimate level.
3
Lee Atwater, political strategist for Reagan and G.H.W. Bush explained the evolution of Republican strategy on dividing the nation:
''Q: Reagan (gets) to the Wallace voter and to the racist side of the Wallace voter by doing away with legal services, by cutting down on food stamps?
Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, 'N****r, n****r, n****r.' By 1968 you can't say 'n****r'—that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me—because obviously sitting around saying, 'We want to cut this,' is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than 'N****r, n****r.''' http://bit.ly/1KHuuzj
Some Americans have always been worried about ''the other,'' whether they were German, Italian, Irish, Chinese, blacks brought here as slaves, and now immigrants from Mexico.
Our country is founded on the idea that people are endowed with natural rights, expanding those rights throughout our history.
Republicans turned their backs on that history and are thus irrelevant to our future.
''Q: Reagan (gets) to the Wallace voter and to the racist side of the Wallace voter by doing away with legal services, by cutting down on food stamps?
Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, 'N****r, n****r, n****r.' By 1968 you can't say 'n****r'—that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me—because obviously sitting around saying, 'We want to cut this,' is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than 'N****r, n****r.''' http://bit.ly/1KHuuzj
Some Americans have always been worried about ''the other,'' whether they were German, Italian, Irish, Chinese, blacks brought here as slaves, and now immigrants from Mexico.
Our country is founded on the idea that people are endowed with natural rights, expanding those rights throughout our history.
Republicans turned their backs on that history and are thus irrelevant to our future.
1
It would be a lot easier to label Republicans as the party of racists of Ben Carson weren't tied with Trump in Iowa.
I don't think it's simple racism. I think a lot to people Trump appeals to have basically been at best ignored and more likely insulted, over their concerns about illegal immigration.
If their job or community or schools have been negatively affected, any complaints are called fantasy or ascribed to racism and xenophobia.
Trump is telling them they are not crazy racists to be concerned, or want their concerns heard. That's what's drawing them in.
I don't think it's simple racism. I think a lot to people Trump appeals to have basically been at best ignored and more likely insulted, over their concerns about illegal immigration.
If their job or community or schools have been negatively affected, any complaints are called fantasy or ascribed to racism and xenophobia.
Trump is telling them they are not crazy racists to be concerned, or want their concerns heard. That's what's drawing them in.
12
Something should have been done about illegal immigrants years ago. Meanwhile you have a whole inner city population that is disenfranchised because there are few jobs and the ones that are available have low pay.The competition from the illegals is keeping the wages down in the lower skill jobs.
7
Excellent article. "Compositional amenities?" Never heard the term, but it sounds like our basic "tribal totems and taboos."
There's much wrong with Trump's rupture of facts. He says we don't have a gun problem--we have a mental-health problem; and oddly, he says inner city gangs are composed of illegal immigrants. With the latter, he dismisses the deadly roles of racism and poverty in our inner-cities. For the moment, he thereby lets lawless Blacks off the hook, but he also lets angry Whites off the hook for their responsibility in maintaining toxic racism and poverty. Neat trick.
There's much wrong with Trump's rupture of facts. He says we don't have a gun problem--we have a mental-health problem; and oddly, he says inner city gangs are composed of illegal immigrants. With the latter, he dismisses the deadly roles of racism and poverty in our inner-cities. For the moment, he thereby lets lawless Blacks off the hook, but he also lets angry Whites off the hook for their responsibility in maintaining toxic racism and poverty. Neat trick.
1
how does the country benefit from making illegals legal is the question every American should ask? making illegals eligible for welfare and unemployment benefits will only add to a fiscal deficit that is destined to be eventually unmanageable.
3
The discussion of immigration and illegal immigrants has become muddled because media such as the NY Times don't clearly distinguish when someone is referring to immigrants or illegal immigrants. The fact that the NYT won't even acknowledge the phrase "illegal immigrant" leaves me adding in the word "illegal" in their immigration articles and op-ed's whether that addition is accurate or not. Trump is a nut, but Edsall leaves me unsure whether the concerns of whites and Republicans have to do with immigrants or illegal immigrants. There's a big difference.
3
Is it ironic that evangelicals overwhelmingly support a man who proclaims 'Forget about love'?
Probably not, considering most evangelicals I know - but it should be.
Probably not, considering most evangelicals I know - but it should be.
2
Long time Republican political operatives and pundits like George Will and Frank Luntz are horrified that the rank and file are thrilled by Trump's blatant bigotry. That they so surprised that the base is flocking to a candidate who dares to openly say what these guys have been dog whistling for years in order to keep their base in a state of fear is beyond belief.
34
Theodora30
Somehow the thought of George Will, a caustic sanguine individual by the tone of his political views, trembling in his booties made me smile, and if anything, he probably would have been able to predict this American nightmare. Perhaps he and others might wonder when the flap about Trump is going to fizzle out, and how long our attention span is going to be focused on this American Idol.
Somehow the thought of George Will, a caustic sanguine individual by the tone of his political views, trembling in his booties made me smile, and if anything, he probably would have been able to predict this American nightmare. Perhaps he and others might wonder when the flap about Trump is going to fizzle out, and how long our attention span is going to be focused on this American Idol.
The surprise will be much larger for Democrat operatives once they realize how many of their own were quietly supporting Trump all along.
There was a brief time when America was great and that greatness was brought about because of the influx of immigrants . The sheer hypocrisy and meanness of these anti immigration hate mongers knows no bounds. It is especially galling because often it spews from the mouths of second and third generation descendants of immigrants! In defense they will tell you, their descendants were different than today's immigrants! Of course they were, they were not Hispanic or brown skinned , that's the inherent problem. We have a poor and lower middle class population of White Americans who have been taught by the GOP since Nixon and now, Fox News that all of their problems in life are the result of Blacks and Hispanic Immigrants. Otherwise there is no explanation for the success of the hate filled dis-informational campaign run by Donald Trump.
9
benjamin
All this reminds me historically of the rise of Fascism but Democracy in America is an increasing rarity these days, and we are prepared to support this American hero get the Nation to rise to its feet and tear itself apart. As a jest, I asked a young black technician a few weeks ago whom he was planning to vote for, causing him to laugh and say 'Donald Trump'. It is doubtful that he is laughing today and he is not alone.
All this reminds me historically of the rise of Fascism but Democracy in America is an increasing rarity these days, and we are prepared to support this American hero get the Nation to rise to its feet and tear itself apart. As a jest, I asked a young black technician a few weeks ago whom he was planning to vote for, causing him to laugh and say 'Donald Trump'. It is doubtful that he is laughing today and he is not alone.
1
As the article points out, the Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown from 9.6 million to 50.5 million since 1970. You think everyone who sees this as a problem is a xenophobe? What's your acceptable limit? Is it ok to control our borders as a sovereign country?
1
"There was a brief time when America was great and that greatness was brought about because of the influx of immigrants."
Immigrants with a far greater desire to work, assimilate & leave some or all of the traditions & attitudes of their home country behind. Not sure that's what we're seeing today.
Immigrants with a far greater desire to work, assimilate & leave some or all of the traditions & attitudes of their home country behind. Not sure that's what we're seeing today.
Whereas, in the past, the Republican Party appealed to working class and lower-middle-class whites through a series of racist, misogynistic, sexist, xenophobic, anti-elitist covert "dog whistles" (such as "thugs", "minorities", or "intellectuals"), Trump is willing to make his appeals openly, in the sort of common (gutter) language that easily reaches these folks.
As a result, he's rapidly sewing up the vote from that sector of Republican voters who routinely cut their own economic throats for the false promises the Republicans make about God, guns, gays, and gynecology.
He's sewn-up the hillbilly vote.
As a result, he's rapidly sewing up the vote from that sector of Republican voters who routinely cut their own economic throats for the false promises the Republicans make about God, guns, gays, and gynecology.
He's sewn-up the hillbilly vote.
12
Poor whites in Appalachia and the rural South vote republican because they can't bring themselves to associate politically with minorities. Hurts their pride.
They need to feel superior somehow. So if it means supporting tax cuts for the rich and voting against their own economic interests, so be it.
LBJ said it best:
"If you can convince the lowest white man that he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll even empty his pockets for you."
- President Lyndon Johnson
They need to feel superior somehow. So if it means supporting tax cuts for the rich and voting against their own economic interests, so be it.
LBJ said it best:
"If you can convince the lowest white man that he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll even empty his pockets for you."
- President Lyndon Johnson
Trump and understands in the same sentence -- great lead and a thought provoking column.
2
People from 150 years ago would find it very odd to read that such diverse people being lumped together as "white."
There were the original British colonists--- then the railroads encouraged Scandinavians, caricatured as dumb, to come to farm places like the Dakotas. The impoverished Irish swarmed here, encouraged by Liverpool owners of ships that once brought slaves but now needed new cargo, fleeing the famine, and like the hard working Scandinavians facing prejudice and denigration when they arrived.
Then millions of accented uneducated Jews and Italians poured in, so horrifying the public that our once welcoming immigration laws were changed to keep "people like this" out, creating a law so out of keeping with our heritage and history as a nation of immigrants that it greatly troubles us to this day.
Now all of these groups among other diverse immigrants are lumped together as " white"!
Perhaps, one day, " whites" along with all the diverse new immigrants, will come to be lumped together, most accurately, as "Americans."
There were the original British colonists--- then the railroads encouraged Scandinavians, caricatured as dumb, to come to farm places like the Dakotas. The impoverished Irish swarmed here, encouraged by Liverpool owners of ships that once brought slaves but now needed new cargo, fleeing the famine, and like the hard working Scandinavians facing prejudice and denigration when they arrived.
Then millions of accented uneducated Jews and Italians poured in, so horrifying the public that our once welcoming immigration laws were changed to keep "people like this" out, creating a law so out of keeping with our heritage and history as a nation of immigrants that it greatly troubles us to this day.
Now all of these groups among other diverse immigrants are lumped together as " white"!
Perhaps, one day, " whites" along with all the diverse new immigrants, will come to be lumped together, most accurately, as "Americans."
112
"Perhaps, one day, " whites" along with all the diverse new immigrants, will come to be lumped together, most accurately, as "Americans.""
Too much money to be made keeping us divided. Right, The New York Times?
Too much money to be made keeping us divided. Right, The New York Times?
Unfortunately, you're missing the one distinction that has prevailed among all kinds of discrimination throughout European history - skin color.
Early Americans may have mocked Scandinavians, Italians, Jews, and other (white) groups immigrating here, but they let them in. They didn't extend the same favor to blacks and Asians, unless they came as slaves.
Europeans - whites - have always seen dark-skinned peoples as subhuman. That mindset still echoes today.
Early Americans may have mocked Scandinavians, Italians, Jews, and other (white) groups immigrating here, but they let them in. They didn't extend the same favor to blacks and Asians, unless they came as slaves.
Europeans - whites - have always seen dark-skinned peoples as subhuman. That mindset still echoes today.
I agree that we should all be lumped together as "Americans", however the black slaves have been in this country since the 1600's, and have never been allowed to assimilate as Americans. Meanwhile, United States policy was to flood America with the Germans, Irish, Slavic, Polish, etc., and at the same time to limit the number of black people coming into this country (unless they were slaves) to ensure black people remain a permanent minority through population numbers, and to cut hard working blacks (slaves literally worked for nothing) out of factory jobs, farming profits, etc.
The trouble with polls is that often the choices are set up in sharp opposition to one another and the respondent is forced to go one way or another when a third, with a less sharp difference, would perhaps have been chosen.
So, the question whether immigrants are viewed totally negatively or totally positively creates an unreal division. Would a third choice that proposes that it depends on the individual, that some immigrants have a positive effect while others do not might not reflect the real feelings of people?
So, the question whether immigrants are viewed totally negatively or totally positively creates an unreal division. Would a third choice that proposes that it depends on the individual, that some immigrants have a positive effect while others do not might not reflect the real feelings of people?
12
In his rise to power, Hitler trumped the communists on the left, and the monarchists and economic conservatives on the right. Through his fiery oratory, he stole the oxygen from his putative rivals.
Now we have another narcissistic trumper, by incendiary outbursts stealing the oxygen from his Republican rivals, the billionaire front-men.
The irony is rich. For decades, the super-rich have planned, financed and executed a stealthy takeover of our government, and have succeeded, I suspect, beyond their wildest dreams. The 2016 election was to be the final push, with the Koch brothers reportedly raising some $840 million to take over the Senate and the White House.
Now along comes this buffoon, this upstart, stealing all the oxygen from the oligarchs, using all their careful preparation for his own ends – all the propaganda, gerrymandering, union-busting and voter suppression they worked so long and invested so much money to achieve. He would take over the government, not they. He would offer social welfare for the masses, not the austerity they so clearly cherish.
If Trump, the trumper, can't be co-opted, then he has to go. These rich aren't in this for laughs; they’re hardened zealots playing for keeps. Whatever happens next, it will be a clash of the titans.
Now we have another narcissistic trumper, by incendiary outbursts stealing the oxygen from his Republican rivals, the billionaire front-men.
The irony is rich. For decades, the super-rich have planned, financed and executed a stealthy takeover of our government, and have succeeded, I suspect, beyond their wildest dreams. The 2016 election was to be the final push, with the Koch brothers reportedly raising some $840 million to take over the Senate and the White House.
Now along comes this buffoon, this upstart, stealing all the oxygen from the oligarchs, using all their careful preparation for his own ends – all the propaganda, gerrymandering, union-busting and voter suppression they worked so long and invested so much money to achieve. He would take over the government, not they. He would offer social welfare for the masses, not the austerity they so clearly cherish.
If Trump, the trumper, can't be co-opted, then he has to go. These rich aren't in this for laughs; they’re hardened zealots playing for keeps. Whatever happens next, it will be a clash of the titans.
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Great post that sums up two warring forces, both self serving, grandiose, grasping and in the end, profoundly irresponsible. Nothing would make me happier than to see them knock each other out, landing on and flattening the warmongers on the way down.
As luck would have it with examples throughout history, the extent to which even the wealthiest and most powerful people on the planet can inhibit progress has limitations imposed by nature, countervailing trends and increasingly by exposure leading to broader awareness. For that reason, I find myself eagerly awaiting a visit from Pope Francis, whose clergy embodies the perfect antidote to ideological conceits dependent on the worst instincts of human nature that have come to characterize a once credible party, those who aspire to lead it and many of its bitter, angry and profoundly misguided followers.
As luck would have it with examples throughout history, the extent to which even the wealthiest and most powerful people on the planet can inhibit progress has limitations imposed by nature, countervailing trends and increasingly by exposure leading to broader awareness. For that reason, I find myself eagerly awaiting a visit from Pope Francis, whose clergy embodies the perfect antidote to ideological conceits dependent on the worst instincts of human nature that have come to characterize a once credible party, those who aspire to lead it and many of its bitter, angry and profoundly misguided followers.
1
In all honesty, Trump reminds me more of Eva Peron than any other historical strongman or woman. He's ambitious, a personal life that is full of sleeze (and should be off-putting to the evangelical right, but doesn't seem to be), and understands that there are more people struggling economically in this country than are wealthy and that he needs their support to win. It's interesting to watch, except that I'm a bit nervous he could actually win.
"Don't cry for me..."
"Don't cry for me..."
I guess the good news is that Trump he is not going to be happy living and dying in a bunker for failed political policies. It really is a show.
1
One of the shifts in American culture I have noticed over the course of my life I don't think has anything to do with immigration. The shift has to do with an emphasis on process rather than results, as in, for example, "I placed a call. [I am done.]" I would characterize this shift as one to an attitude of complacency. I connect it to the prosperity for many in this country during the post-WWII period. (A relatively new swing of the pendulum seems to me to be the workaholism in tech sector companies.) So for me, connecting immigration [from Latin America] with a decline in our society seems to confuse a number of trends.
It's interesting to trace the line of racial politics from 1964. I have wondered over the past few years how open Republicans are to minorities in this country actually succeeding -- the issue is often couched as African-Americans or immigrant Hispanics not making the grade, but if Republicans were presented with a prescriptive plan that would result in African-Americans or immigrant Hispanics making the grade, I wonder whether they would embrace it.
It's interesting to trace the line of racial politics from 1964. I have wondered over the past few years how open Republicans are to minorities in this country actually succeeding -- the issue is often couched as African-Americans or immigrant Hispanics not making the grade, but if Republicans were presented with a prescriptive plan that would result in African-Americans or immigrant Hispanics making the grade, I wonder whether they would embrace it.
18
The diversity situation, as it currently exists, is the result of years and years of resistance to allow assimilation. Consider that there were 400 years of slavery, but only eleven years of reconstruction, followed by 150 years of Jim Crow politics, and what you are left with is isolation, segregation and ultimately the failure of those who were refused participation. This is no accident. It was at the core of conservative thinking as far back as history records.
Separate is NOT equal. Those millions who were denied assimilation and participation are now the target of the same "us vs. them" politics. It's the perfect example of a self-fulfilling prophecy. But what saddens me most is that the conservatives who abide by this limited vision truly believe that those "others", African-Americans and Latinos are of inferior races. They're not, but to view them through the lens of the current shaky, social situation only would leave the uneducated, and those unwilling to look deeper, to believe otherwise. Racism prevails.....and it's now evident. Political correctness has been exposed for what it is, a cover for racists who want you to believe they're not.
Separate is NOT equal. Those millions who were denied assimilation and participation are now the target of the same "us vs. them" politics. It's the perfect example of a self-fulfilling prophecy. But what saddens me most is that the conservatives who abide by this limited vision truly believe that those "others", African-Americans and Latinos are of inferior races. They're not, but to view them through the lens of the current shaky, social situation only would leave the uneducated, and those unwilling to look deeper, to believe otherwise. Racism prevails.....and it's now evident. Political correctness has been exposed for what it is, a cover for racists who want you to believe they're not.
High levels of immigration from the third world have had real effects on communities, job prospects, and wages.
The Republican and Democratic elite are for the most part isolated from those effects; to members of the elite, immigration means gardeners and nannies.
The effect on working class Americans is very different. The see crime and antisocial behavior soaring in their communities. They see the schools going downhill, not because of the teachers, but because of the students. They see municipal budgets strained to the bursting point by the cost of social services and education for the swelling third-world population.
And yes, they experience discrimination, with Affirmative Action preferences that no longer even pretend anymore to favor minorities -- they must now be less successful minorities, e.g., Hispanic rather than Asian.
Is it any surprise that Donald Trump has gained popularity here, as have anti-immigration politicians in Europe?
The Republican and Democratic elite are for the most part isolated from those effects; to members of the elite, immigration means gardeners and nannies.
The effect on working class Americans is very different. The see crime and antisocial behavior soaring in their communities. They see the schools going downhill, not because of the teachers, but because of the students. They see municipal budgets strained to the bursting point by the cost of social services and education for the swelling third-world population.
And yes, they experience discrimination, with Affirmative Action preferences that no longer even pretend anymore to favor minorities -- they must now be less successful minorities, e.g., Hispanic rather than Asian.
Is it any surprise that Donald Trump has gained popularity here, as have anti-immigration politicians in Europe?
165
Josh, you could have extended your generalization to Tea Party members, Republicans, Evangelical, Catholic, and all white males according to the graphic Edsall presented. Or are you disguising your own views under the "working class" shield?
14
Enri, I don't disguise my views -- as I think my comments here make clear I'm if anything excessively open about them.
But for what it's worth, my perspective is that of a lifelong liberal who believes that the Democratic Party -- myself included -- abandoned its lower middle class constituency and that the valuable and necessary work we did in civil rights at some point crossed the line into reverse discrimination, political correctness, and a dangerous denial of our own culture's validity and achievements. Meanwhile, we ignored basic economic issues, in particular globallzation with the third world, which is destroying the American dream for the American worker and for macroeconomic reasons (downward pressure on wages leading to low aggregate demand) has the world's economies on the brink of collapse.
At the same time, the Republicans were captured by their own southern strategy and became a party of southern reaction and Wall Street greed -- essentially a recreation of the Confederate coalition. And mainstream candidates overall are so trapped by the need to appeal to moneyed donors, party extremists, low-information swing voters, and cynical reporters who focus on gaffes and petty scandals rather than the issues that they can no longer serve the country.
Bill and Hillary Clinton have received in the last five years over *$100 million dollars* in "speaking fees" from moneyed interest groups, and they are no more corrupt than the other mainstream candidates.
But for what it's worth, my perspective is that of a lifelong liberal who believes that the Democratic Party -- myself included -- abandoned its lower middle class constituency and that the valuable and necessary work we did in civil rights at some point crossed the line into reverse discrimination, political correctness, and a dangerous denial of our own culture's validity and achievements. Meanwhile, we ignored basic economic issues, in particular globallzation with the third world, which is destroying the American dream for the American worker and for macroeconomic reasons (downward pressure on wages leading to low aggregate demand) has the world's economies on the brink of collapse.
At the same time, the Republicans were captured by their own southern strategy and became a party of southern reaction and Wall Street greed -- essentially a recreation of the Confederate coalition. And mainstream candidates overall are so trapped by the need to appeal to moneyed donors, party extremists, low-information swing voters, and cynical reporters who focus on gaffes and petty scandals rather than the issues that they can no longer serve the country.
Bill and Hillary Clinton have received in the last five years over *$100 million dollars* in "speaking fees" from moneyed interest groups, and they are no more corrupt than the other mainstream candidates.
119
I think that is exactly right. The politicians, who are almost all rich, are also isolated from the adverse effects of immigrants lowering the standard of living and increasing the tax burden. When they get to DC it becomes a matter of hispanic votes and big money donors, which results in the selling out of the middle class, who are increasing burdened with taxes and the poor economy and wage competition. That is why politicians no longer serve the people. Trump somehow knows that, because he is a practical business man who wants to do what's right. Really. Then people attack Trump because he has been politically incorrect in standing up to a special interest group or minority, who ironically the pundits say will in effect be able to pick the next President because of all the competing interests lock up most of the other votes. Thus, we have politicians pandering for what they see as a voting block and the best interests of the country as a whole takes second place as usual.
24
Trump understands one other thing about the Republican Party. At the upper levels of the party, it is a business, set up by businessmen in their own image. And Donald trump has mounted what is essentially a hostile takeover.
Since the late 19th Century, the GOP has been set up as the party to be controlled by the moneyed class, for the purpose of protecting and promoting their interests. Over the last two decades, the emergence of the Koch Brothers and the travesty that is Citizens United have created a landscape where those with phenomenal amounts of money have the best chance of controlling the system. The Koch Brothers' only real competition has been Karl Rove and his SuperPAC, though he is more a potential co-investor than a competitor.The Koch's declared that they would invest a billion dollars buying the coming election.
Trump looked at this landscape as a fellow businessman. "A billion dollars? That's the stake? I've got a few of those," he said. And he mounted his takeover. Trump knows how to spend his money, and how not to. Why buy TV advertising when he can use his celebrity status and his outsized, reality-show-bully persona to get free air time? So he co-opted FoxNews and the rest of the media with his calculated antics. He knew they would cover him, they would have to cover him, if he was the fast-moving shiny object among a sea of bland and predictable candidates.
Fear, anger and prejudice have always been GOP staples. Trump has taken them over, too.
Since the late 19th Century, the GOP has been set up as the party to be controlled by the moneyed class, for the purpose of protecting and promoting their interests. Over the last two decades, the emergence of the Koch Brothers and the travesty that is Citizens United have created a landscape where those with phenomenal amounts of money have the best chance of controlling the system. The Koch Brothers' only real competition has been Karl Rove and his SuperPAC, though he is more a potential co-investor than a competitor.The Koch's declared that they would invest a billion dollars buying the coming election.
Trump looked at this landscape as a fellow businessman. "A billion dollars? That's the stake? I've got a few of those," he said. And he mounted his takeover. Trump knows how to spend his money, and how not to. Why buy TV advertising when he can use his celebrity status and his outsized, reality-show-bully persona to get free air time? So he co-opted FoxNews and the rest of the media with his calculated antics. He knew they would cover him, they would have to cover him, if he was the fast-moving shiny object among a sea of bland and predictable candidates.
Fear, anger and prejudice have always been GOP staples. Trump has taken them over, too.
403
The truly wonderful part is that they express faux outrage as he points out that the rest of the wannabes are all deep in the pockets of the plutocrats. They cannot say it is untrue because it so patently is. He is turning their own tactics on them and they don't like it at all. Moreover, he is killing Jebby's campaign! The establishment candidate will not emerge from this unscathed, maybe even fatally wounded. Now, that is rich indeed.
Speaking of the late 19th century GOP, do you know anything about the late 19th century Democrats? Not the nicest people...
Barry Goldwater opposed the 1960's era civil rights legislation. Nixon warned about" busing" and "crime in the streets" harmful impact on "the great silent majority". Reagan began his 2nd quest to become POTUS in Philadelphia Mississippi talking about state's rights, affirmative action and big bucks with food stamps. Reagan began his 1st campaign warning about "welfare queens." The Tea Party is outraged by the Kenyan Arab Muslim socialist usurper occupying "their" White House while yearning to take "their" country back. More subtle than segregationist fire-brand George Wallace. But the same message.
See "Dog-Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class" Ian Haney Lopez; "Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? " Patrick Buchanan; "The Bell Curve", "Losing Ground", and " Coming Apart" by Charles Murray
See "Dog-Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class" Ian Haney Lopez; "Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? " Patrick Buchanan; "The Bell Curve", "Losing Ground", and " Coming Apart" by Charles Murray
1
During several hundred million years of evolution leadiing to homo sapiens, male dominance – an alpha male leading a small band – served our species well. It was a basic survival instinct, like xenophobia, hard-wired in us, but now it is an anachronism, with no place in modern society.
That's what frightens the conservatives, especially the white males. They see their default position of dominance slipping away – in family, community and government – and "those people" taking over, aided and abetted by a government that conservatives feel has forsaken them. A black president in the White's House was the last straw. We are seeing the backlash.
Of course, this is a world-wide phenomenon, in response to radically changing times, in which technology and education have had a great leveling effect, giving many more people a chance to climb the ladder of opportunity. Radical Islam is the most prominent example of this backlash, made more potent by an identity crisis within the Islamic culture sphere.
That's what frightens the conservatives, especially the white males. They see their default position of dominance slipping away – in family, community and government – and "those people" taking over, aided and abetted by a government that conservatives feel has forsaken them. A black president in the White's House was the last straw. We are seeing the backlash.
Of course, this is a world-wide phenomenon, in response to radically changing times, in which technology and education have had a great leveling effect, giving many more people a chance to climb the ladder of opportunity. Radical Islam is the most prominent example of this backlash, made more potent by an identity crisis within the Islamic culture sphere.
85
Not true. Hunter-gatherer societies, which were what existed until farming started after the last ice age were relatively egalitarian with regard to sexual roles. (There is some evidence of some earlier farming in the land bridge area which is now Israel but nothing more than 25,000 years ago.) We also see this in certain native cultures which continued as hunter-gatherers into the 20th (and some even, the 21st) century. The 'alpha male' existed for the cultural institutions you cite, which were created in the last 10,000 years, but are a function of technological development, not evolution.
There's no evidence, to my knowledge, that we as a species are or were hard-wired to require that we be led by an alpha male. None. It's also unclear that this historical pattern served our species well. It certainly hasn't served the female half well. The sexist attitude displayed in the opening paragraph is mind-boggling.
"That's what frightens the conservatives, especially the white males."
Perhaps what frightens them is the knowledge that they're the ones that will be paying the lion's share of taxes to support "those people".
Perhaps what frightens them is the knowledge that they're the ones that will be paying the lion's share of taxes to support "those people".
So Trump's tagline shouldn't be Make America Great Again, it should be Make America White Again.
570
You cracked the code.
3
"So Trump's tagline shouldn't be Make America Great Again, it should be Make America White Again."
Gee, isn't that the same thing?
Gee, isn't that the same thing?
1
Yes, but some of us do need to hide behind our dog whistles.
2
Trump doesn't understand Republicans. He understands people who are mad as hell at both parties, think government is an evil failure, and are sure other people are getting all the good stuff.
22
I am loving the political theater that Donald Trump is bringing to our overly protracted election process.
On one hand, he is sabotaging the Republican party by alienating Hispanics and women.
On the other hand, he is encouraging valuable discussions on pertinent issues.
Love/Hate, Yankees/Red Sox. Politics is a sport.
On one hand, he is sabotaging the Republican party by alienating Hispanics and women.
On the other hand, he is encouraging valuable discussions on pertinent issues.
Love/Hate, Yankees/Red Sox. Politics is a sport.
33
Not sure D Trump is the "best of times, worst of times" dude, but nice try with the Harry Truman one handed economist shtick.
If you want a clear, if frightening picture of Trump, read Stanley G. Payne's A History of Fascism, 1914-1945, particularly the early sections on Mussolini. The rhetoric that we hear from Trump, "action, not talk," is an echo of the fascist "rejection of ideology in favor of action." That "rejection" is actually an embrace of anger and resentment against those perceived to be threatening a "way of life" by their very existence, and the solution to which this ultimately leads is very clear - eliminate that existence.
All Americans should be glad that FDR stopped both the most radical left and the clear themes from those like Father Coughlin and Charles Lindbergh. Who will stop our modern day nightmare?
All Americans should be glad that FDR stopped both the most radical left and the clear themes from those like Father Coughlin and Charles Lindbergh. Who will stop our modern day nightmare?
196
Well, that's precisely the danger. And we have no FDR now. Both the Republican and Democratic elites have grown so corrupt that they seem unable to reform the country.
17
We have the base for a fascist party no doubt and this has been a concern of mine for some time. Too bad that most Americans know little about Coughlin, Lindbergh or the Nazi rallies that took place in New York. Thus not knowing history, we must relive it.
2
Thank you. I was beginning to think I was the only one who saw the Donald-Benito similarity. Maybe that sneer was the first clue of the utter disregard an authoritarian has for his intended scapegoat.
1
That white Evangelicals support him fervently speaks volumes about the state of "Christianity" in this country.
584
Lee: not so fast, not so fervently! Have you not seen the support for Carson?
Please don't paint all Christians with the same brush......Fundamentalist Evangelical "Christianists" (Sullivan) make it hard to admit to being a follower of Christ these days, just as jihadists make it hard to admit to being a follower of Mohammed.
You might want to check out WORLD Magazine's poll of "true" Evangelicals before patting yourself on the back too fervently. Results showed more hostility towards Trump than any other candidate & virtually no support.
Congrats on all your Recommends, though.
Congrats on all your Recommends, though.
The city of Houston has a Hispanic population that outnumbers Anglo's, Black's and others by a large margin. Added together the Anglo's, Black's and others, the Hispanics are only a thousand something from being the dominate race here.
The majority of Hispanics are not citizens but live and work here. Neighborhoods that once were predominately Anglo's, the Hispanic population now reside in large numbers.
Houston is not the only city, I am sure the same goes for other major cities and towns too.
It's the reality everywhere across the United States. It seems no one is offering a logical solution. It's the main reason for the frustration and anger.
Nothing is being done.
The majority of Hispanics are not citizens but live and work here. Neighborhoods that once were predominately Anglo's, the Hispanic population now reside in large numbers.
Houston is not the only city, I am sure the same goes for other major cities and towns too.
It's the reality everywhere across the United States. It seems no one is offering a logical solution. It's the main reason for the frustration and anger.
Nothing is being done.
9
And what is your solution? What would you have us do?
1
You need to get out and about more often; don't project local conditions onto the entire country. My great grandfather thought the Irish a lawless horde Papists. My grandmother wasn't sure Italians were really white.
4
chill:
> Nothing is being done.
What needs to be done? Demographics in this country shift constantly. The country survived wave after wave of immigration from many different countries; the country will survive the newest folks too.
You may need to adjust your attitudes, of course.
> Nothing is being done.
What needs to be done? Demographics in this country shift constantly. The country survived wave after wave of immigration from many different countries; the country will survive the newest folks too.
You may need to adjust your attitudes, of course.
3
"George Will and other traditional conservatives reject the bombastic language Trump favors, preferring a more elliptical approach in order to avoid alienating moderate voters Republicans need to win in 2016."
Translation - George Will and other traditional conservatives do not reject and repudiate Donald Trump's views, they simply reject and repudiate his bombastic and direct language, instead preferring a more elliptical approach.
In even more plain English, all conservatives believe and agree with Donald Trump; they just don't like telling it the way he is telling.
Translation - George Will and other traditional conservatives do not reject and repudiate Donald Trump's views, they simply reject and repudiate his bombastic and direct language, instead preferring a more elliptical approach.
In even more plain English, all conservatives believe and agree with Donald Trump; they just don't like telling it the way he is telling.
523
Absolute nonsense.
Even G W and Jeb Bush ?
"...all conservatives believe and agree with Donald Trump..."
"ALL?" Indefensible hysteria is unbecoming.
"ALL?" Indefensible hysteria is unbecoming.
In the first chart, "Whites Seeing Discrimination Against Whites," the word "Democrat" is used as an adjective. The proper form of the adjective is "Democratic." "Democrat" is a noun.
41
Re the ad against Jeb, Karmic payback for George H.W.'s Willie Horton ad against Michael Dukakis?
48
JEB!'s karma ran over his dogma.
One can start calling names, place the blame on the Republicans, get into a twist, or reflect that one is getting on in age, if not wisdom, when there is little left to surprise one. A friend on long assignment to the Sudan was perhaps right when we briefly addressed politics in America, adding there was little we could do about this, and we would be the better if tending to our own business.
How does this American view Donald Trump, setting aside the political asses and elephants? Through the eyes of a child. He reminds me of when going to live in Paris at 7 with my mother, the visits we had from American friends. The cartoonist Charles Addams, a complex man, was one whom I found of interest, and then came 'The Millionaire'.
Loud, abrasive and vulgar, he was. I poked fun of him, while laughing behind his back, and years later in the 90s, the name of Donald Trump came into the office at Rock Plaza where I was working for a banker, one of the most decent people in a lifetime. The only time I heard him make a derogatory comment was when he passed by my desk after lunch with Trump, seething.
We can talk the hind-legs off a donkey, let us by all means vote for this horned torment and family guy, 'Homer Simpson' with loads of money.
How does this American view Donald Trump, setting aside the political asses and elephants? Through the eyes of a child. He reminds me of when going to live in Paris at 7 with my mother, the visits we had from American friends. The cartoonist Charles Addams, a complex man, was one whom I found of interest, and then came 'The Millionaire'.
Loud, abrasive and vulgar, he was. I poked fun of him, while laughing behind his back, and years later in the 90s, the name of Donald Trump came into the office at Rock Plaza where I was working for a banker, one of the most decent people in a lifetime. The only time I heard him make a derogatory comment was when he passed by my desk after lunch with Trump, seething.
We can talk the hind-legs off a donkey, let us by all means vote for this horned torment and family guy, 'Homer Simpson' with loads of money.
6
This is all very old news to some of us, but very well put together. The challenge before us is not to ignore education issues or unemployment issues as they affect poor white people, but to confront them. In this case it's supremely ironic that a billionaire is projecting concern about these issues, when it's people of his class that relish a compliant underclass always looking over their shoulders and competing for scraps, that have in fact pushed for looser immigration policies that swell this underclass. For those whose economic security is unquestionable in perpetuity, there is no perceivable underside to immigration.
26
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, as the adage goes. Trump has superficial knowledge of any of the major issues that face our country but his bombastic blustering is appealing to people fed up with Washington inertia. I am hoping his flame burns itself out but in this political climate we may be faced with inaugurating the least Presidential President in our history.
9
The Pilgrims were "undocumented".
74
And look what they did to the Indians who allowed them in...
2
Weren't the Pilgrims British citizens and subjects of the Crown? They weren't immigrating to a different nation, but colonizing new territories with the blessing of their government (although, understandably, indigenous populations could have been less enthusiastic).
Yes, conquerors often arrive in a target country illegally.
>
Identity politics have always been a horrific idea on all sides. It is a political cancer which haunts mankind. It boils down to winners and losers with its tribalistic themes of race and/or group theory. At bottom it is Nietzsche's "Will to Power" and always whose ox is being gored.
It is a philosophy of darkness disguised as light, an insidiously clever idea. Where the liberals have botched it up and lost control of it, the right, more proficient at the science of darkness as to the human soul, knows how to alchemize it.
Identity politics have always been a horrific idea on all sides. It is a political cancer which haunts mankind. It boils down to winners and losers with its tribalistic themes of race and/or group theory. At bottom it is Nietzsche's "Will to Power" and always whose ox is being gored.
It is a philosophy of darkness disguised as light, an insidiously clever idea. Where the liberals have botched it up and lost control of it, the right, more proficient at the science of darkness as to the human soul, knows how to alchemize it.
15
Sounds like the script for the next MARVEL COMICS movie.
"Identity politics have always been a horrific idea on all sides."
I agree. That's why I've always objected to black people being called "African-Americans" rather than just "Americans". We need to quit identifying ourselves by our country or continent of origin and start focusing on our unity as American citizens.
I agree. That's why I've always objected to black people being called "African-Americans" rather than just "Americans". We need to quit identifying ourselves by our country or continent of origin and start focusing on our unity as American citizens.
Yet another NYT op ed that doesn't understand the distinction between anti-illegal immigration and anti-immigration.
31
Well maybe, but the paradigm shift might be making the term illegal become irrelevant.
1
Another through the looking glass conservative who doesn't grasp that his party's only really unifying theme is racism.
2
A paradigm shift that makes "illegal" irrelevant also makes it Orwellian.
1
To focus only on Trump's immigrant issue is ignore his true underlying message - that the American middle class is being gutted by the super-rich. Trump has said he wants to use tariffs and other means to protect American jobs. The rest of the GOP (and the Democrats)? Not a peep. Trump recognizes the inherent tax unfairness with hedge fund managers and wants to raise their taxes. The rest of the GOP (and the Democrats)? Not a peep. The GOP (and the Democrats) on the other hand, are using the 'cater to the rich bankers' as a cornerstone of their campaigns.
In a way, these Trump views are a roll-up of some of the Tea Party and
Occupy positions. Of course the old guards in both parties will castigate Trump.
Trump does have his blind spots. Deporting 11 million Americans is unworkable (one trillion dollars in direct costs alone). And automation will take more and more American jobs as the technology advances. (When autonomous vehicles hit the road in a few years, nobody will need a long haul truck driver, or cab driver either.)
In a way, these Trump views are a roll-up of some of the Tea Party and
Occupy positions. Of course the old guards in both parties will castigate Trump.
Trump does have his blind spots. Deporting 11 million Americans is unworkable (one trillion dollars in direct costs alone). And automation will take more and more American jobs as the technology advances. (When autonomous vehicles hit the road in a few years, nobody will need a long haul truck driver, or cab driver either.)
17
Nobody's talking about deporting Americans -- not yet, at least.
1
....... and if we raise tariffs, nobody inthe rest of the world will be interested in buying our "stuff". What then ?
PagCal says: "Trump recognizes the inherent tax unfairness with hedge fund managers and wants to raise their taxes. The rest of the GOP (and the Democrats)? Not a peep. The GOP (and the Democrats) on the other hand, are using the 'cater to the rich bankers' as a cornerstone of their campaigns."
Your statement is completely untrue, though it probably says more about where you get your news than anything else. Democrats have consistently spoken out against the carried-interest loophole. Clinton and Obama both campaigned against it at least as early as 2007 and Biden as early as 2012. Sanders has consistently worked to get the loophole closed, including lobbying Obama to close it without Congress. Two democrats in the House introduced legislation to close the loophole, but it hasn't moved with the Republicans in power. I could go on and on ...
Most everyone (other than the few hedge fund managers who benefit) think the carried-interest loophole is unfair (though Warren Buffett who benefits from the rule did write an opinion piece in the NY Times in 2011 arguing for elimination.) Even Republicans have made statements suggesting they'd be willing to remove the loophole if they can trade for something, because of the belief that it mainly hurts Democrat's big donors.
This should be an easy one for Trump, since he's not eligible for the carried-interest loophole. So he has nothing to lose here.
Your statement is completely untrue, though it probably says more about where you get your news than anything else. Democrats have consistently spoken out against the carried-interest loophole. Clinton and Obama both campaigned against it at least as early as 2007 and Biden as early as 2012. Sanders has consistently worked to get the loophole closed, including lobbying Obama to close it without Congress. Two democrats in the House introduced legislation to close the loophole, but it hasn't moved with the Republicans in power. I could go on and on ...
Most everyone (other than the few hedge fund managers who benefit) think the carried-interest loophole is unfair (though Warren Buffett who benefits from the rule did write an opinion piece in the NY Times in 2011 arguing for elimination.) Even Republicans have made statements suggesting they'd be willing to remove the loophole if they can trade for something, because of the belief that it mainly hurts Democrat's big donors.
This should be an easy one for Trump, since he's not eligible for the carried-interest loophole. So he has nothing to lose here.
So in essence, the concern of George Will and the rest of the Republican establishment is NOT that Trump is voicing racist and nativist views---it's just that he's not couching them "code" words or whispered behind closed doors--as the rest of the party hopefuls do.
Trump is really only the logical extension of the direction that the "Party of Lincoln" has been traveling since Nixon's "Southern Strategy".
He's a monster created by the Republican party.
Trump is really only the logical extension of the direction that the "Party of Lincoln" has been traveling since Nixon's "Southern Strategy".
He's a monster created by the Republican party.
269
You say he's a monster, but how is he more of a monster than Clinton, whose husband supported NAFTA and ended the separation between investment and commercial banks with disastrous consequences, or Bush, who believes that we spend too much on women's health, or the Republican candidate, forget which one, who said that a woman should die rather than have the right to an abortion?
17
Frankenstein unchained.
Are we at the "end of the world as we know it" moment? Will the party of xenophobia prevail? If so, how does it effect the economic outcomes in our country? If the turn to the hard right prevails in the European population base countries what does this say about the status quo? The only question I can answer for sure is that economic growth is primarily based upon population growth. When a countries population stagnates their economic growth does too. Most of our population growth is from immigration. Want to end up like Japan? Ignore this concept and you will get there.
9
To which unusual presidential candidate should we be listening, and why? No – not THAT one! See http://worksnewage.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-real-candidate-deserving-our....
1
". . . his putting into words of what others think privately."
This cogent, perhaps excessively comprehensive, analysis misses several dimensions. Others don't think these things "privately." Nearly all the GOP candidates expressed similar sentiments long before Trump lumbered stage center. They just refrained from crude language and mostly spoke in code.
What Trump puts "into words" that other candidates only "think privately" is his narcissistic, self-referential oinks. The Mexicans love me. I'll build the greatest____. They all love me. I'm winning here. I'm winning there. Women love me. Dogs love me. I love me. You love me. I love Iowa more than anything. I'll destroy the Chinese. The Chinese love me.
Angry, resentful white racists, misogynists and xenophobes love The Donald because he's the first major candidate who put these disgusting things into the crude, simple language that they can actually comprehend. The more generic, off the shelf, Republican bigots were a bit too sophisticated for the dim sycophants that populate his adoring audience.
This cogent, perhaps excessively comprehensive, analysis misses several dimensions. Others don't think these things "privately." Nearly all the GOP candidates expressed similar sentiments long before Trump lumbered stage center. They just refrained from crude language and mostly spoke in code.
What Trump puts "into words" that other candidates only "think privately" is his narcissistic, self-referential oinks. The Mexicans love me. I'll build the greatest____. They all love me. I'm winning here. I'm winning there. Women love me. Dogs love me. I love me. You love me. I love Iowa more than anything. I'll destroy the Chinese. The Chinese love me.
Angry, resentful white racists, misogynists and xenophobes love The Donald because he's the first major candidate who put these disgusting things into the crude, simple language that they can actually comprehend. The more generic, off the shelf, Republican bigots were a bit too sophisticated for the dim sycophants that populate his adoring audience.
113
Corrected link to Mark Lilla's review: http://tinyurl.com/7gg6eys
2
It is not demagoguery to criticize immigration and worldwide migration. These are problems for which liberal ideology has no solution.
The world is very over-populated and that problem is getting worse every day. Migration does not solve over-population; it makes it worse.
Slanting the story about Donald Trump (he is not my candidate) and using provocative language in almost every article about him in this newspaper, is not the best way to discuss his candidacy. It is not all about racism. His candidacy is really a reaction to excess immigration and social unrest.
The world is very over-populated and that problem is getting worse every day. Migration does not solve over-population; it makes it worse.
Slanting the story about Donald Trump (he is not my candidate) and using provocative language in almost every article about him in this newspaper, is not the best way to discuss his candidacy. It is not all about racism. His candidacy is really a reaction to excess immigration and social unrest.
31
One could say the same thing about the rise of right-wing parties in Europe. Social order, as right-wingers see it, needs to be restored by clamping down on immigration.
It's naive to suggest that there isn't an element of racism behind the sentiment, in Europe or in the United States.
It's naive to suggest that there isn't an element of racism behind the sentiment, in Europe or in the United States.
15
You know migration, overall, from Mexico is down significantly over the last decade, right?
1
@Cassandra:
If you can't handle the truth, then stop reading this articles about Trump and the GOP. Go read publications that are designed to sooth the oversensitive and make them feel that all is well.
If you can't handle the truth, then stop reading this articles about Trump and the GOP. Go read publications that are designed to sooth the oversensitive and make them feel that all is well.
I don't understand why these white people want accept the fact that their time is over. In another 50 years this country will be a bastion of diversity like South Africa. We all love the communist Mandela and celebrate his legacy of the ANC party. Look at their success in South Africa.I can't think of a more progressive and diverse place, it's practically heaven on earth.
8
Funny how not being the majority equals the death of white people. I found this post offensive on most levels. One big difference: South Africa is in Africa. It's not the USA. You actually think that black people doing well means you have to do worse. It's not a zero sum game. We all add to economic activity. More is better. But in your case, less is more.
5
I wish the Hispanics well; they are great people. I would probably hire a Hispanic. But they take jobs from African Americans. Here in Newark, all the private business jobs (such as in stores, hotels, construction, and restaurants) are filled by Hispanics and other immigrant nationalities. This is also the case in Mercer county, home of Trenton, where there are many African Americans deserving of jobs, or at least a leg up into the work world. Please get outside your own world and look around, to conform that what I am saying is true. And no, African Americans wouldn't put up with the dismal pay and working conditions Hispanics endure, nor should they. (Nor should Hispanics, for that matter.)
I don't know the solution, but the democrat elite say anyone who brings up the issue is a white Supremacist. That's just illogical.
I don't know the solution, but the democrat elite say anyone who brings up the issue is a white Supremacist. That's just illogical.
1
Draft dodging cowardly blowhard Donald Trump is doing the Democrats a double service.
He is exposing the hatemongering so popular among republicans, with an able assist from his brother in arms Viet Nam draft dodging coward Rush Limbaugh, pushing Latino's and other immigrants firmly away from voting for their own marginalization.
His lead in the polls has exposed the rest of the republican candidates for the unfit, unpopular pretenders to the throne that they are.
He is exposing the hatemongering so popular among republicans, with an able assist from his brother in arms Viet Nam draft dodging coward Rush Limbaugh, pushing Latino's and other immigrants firmly away from voting for their own marginalization.
His lead in the polls has exposed the rest of the republican candidates for the unfit, unpopular pretenders to the throne that they are.
35
"Draft dodging cowardly blowhard Donald Trump is doing the Democrats a double service."
I don't recall any comments about Hillary's military service. Aren't Trump and Hillary about the same age?
I don't recall any comments about Hillary's military service. Aren't Trump and Hillary about the same age?
3
TRUMP must be stopped !. Donald TRUMP is a self-radicalized republican. He may wake the systematically mis- and dis- informed public of the US up before it is too late !.. Therefore dangereous !. The rest of the World is expecting the weak central/federal body of the US be dissociated and replaced by a seven smaller groups of states (some federal, some alone) within a quarter of a century. The important question is "would that dissociation be peaceful" !?. If TRUMP begins talking about a NEW AMERICA then that means he is copying ERDOGAN !. That makes him even more dangerous. ERDOGAN can not be copied. No one on Earth has got the same kind of tools ERDOGAN has.
1
OK Septem. Sloooowwwllly put the keyboard down on the table in front of you. Yeah, that one. Gooood. OK. Now.. Take two sloooowww steps back. OK, good. Now, two very deep breaths. Gooood.
Sorry moderators. Don't let this through, obviously. Just couldn't resist.
Sorry moderators. Don't let this through, obviously. Just couldn't resist.
1
Thank you Professor Edsall. Citing the polling research and historically contextualizing the Trump candidacy as you have provides readers with a comprehensive, and frankly, a frightening understanding of the Trump phenomenon that is neither likely to "flame-out" nor be tamped down by the Republican establishment as many have predicted.
6
Republicans see Democrats as pandering to the undeserving, Democrats see Republicans as pandering to racism. For both sides, framing issues around identity politics is a way to avoid realistic discussion of economic policy.
Immigration is an economic issue. Industries like agriculture & construction currently depend on cheap, undocumented workers. We could change this by raising & enforcing minimum wages, & bringing the workers into the political & economic community. But the Republicans are wedded to their vague & flakey philosophy of a self-running economy as a cover for turning the economy's government over to political donors. Politically, this ties in with their appeal to (white) identity politics, since white people largely see themselves as protecting something they have, instead of claiming something denied them. In that context it's logical, if bizarre, that their supporters can see a oligarch like Mr. Trump (or, for that matter, a corporate spokesmodel like Reagan) as representing working class interests.
Immigration is an economic issue. Industries like agriculture & construction currently depend on cheap, undocumented workers. We could change this by raising & enforcing minimum wages, & bringing the workers into the political & economic community. But the Republicans are wedded to their vague & flakey philosophy of a self-running economy as a cover for turning the economy's government over to political donors. Politically, this ties in with their appeal to (white) identity politics, since white people largely see themselves as protecting something they have, instead of claiming something denied them. In that context it's logical, if bizarre, that their supporters can see a oligarch like Mr. Trump (or, for that matter, a corporate spokesmodel like Reagan) as representing working class interests.
12
Do you think that Trump's latest commercial attacking Jeb has drawn a smile from Dukakis?
1
Although there aren't enough angry old white guys left for Trump to actually attain the presidency, for awhile he can fulfill their fantasy of their real America that never was nor ever shall be.
13
There are a lot of union member "Reagan Democrats" who like what Trump is saying. If you think he's appealing just to Republicans, you are in for a surprise.
7
Thank you, Phil. That's the big 'ol dirty secret here, isn't it?
I'm quietly worried about enough of them crossing party lines to put Trump over the top & into the Nominee position. A very real possibility.
I'm quietly worried about enough of them crossing party lines to put Trump over the top & into the Nominee position. A very real possibility.
2
Sure Phil, and there are probably a lot of chickens who would throw in their lot with Col. Sanders. Brentwood, in TN, right? You even have unions there? Are they legal?
But Mr. Edsall, hold on, the right wing parties in advanced EU countries aren’t, like our Gop, so bent on tearing down their social support systems for their own citizens, on undermining health care and worker protections, creating new lower classes.
This column says at great length what we already know from endless other commentary week after week. Sure Trump Trash is building on that old Gop poison. Now please apply your analytical, historical insights to –dare I say it? Bernie Sanders. Fresh winds are blowing.
Put Bernie’s practical proposals into historical context to show they were actually quite main stream in past generations—before Citizens United solidified power of super rich over our lawmaking. Like higher wealth taxes, strong unions, higher wages, free or low cost college. Majorities agree with him now and want truly universal h/c, but it’s not discussed. Or talk about Martin O’Malley—not just the candidates with most millions and the most sensation.
Mr. Edsall, as an experienced political scientist, we could use your take on our absurd campaign finance system, with comparisons to other nations. Is that verboten?
Do Times readers a service. Be bold, break from the pack. Stop the Trump talk. Start the Sanders talk. Just to inform the public, because we're getting a much narrower range of commentary than we deserve in an election year. Not to mention boring. Many readers are sounding off about it. Hello out there to op eds—we deserve better.
This column says at great length what we already know from endless other commentary week after week. Sure Trump Trash is building on that old Gop poison. Now please apply your analytical, historical insights to –dare I say it? Bernie Sanders. Fresh winds are blowing.
Put Bernie’s practical proposals into historical context to show they were actually quite main stream in past generations—before Citizens United solidified power of super rich over our lawmaking. Like higher wealth taxes, strong unions, higher wages, free or low cost college. Majorities agree with him now and want truly universal h/c, but it’s not discussed. Or talk about Martin O’Malley—not just the candidates with most millions and the most sensation.
Mr. Edsall, as an experienced political scientist, we could use your take on our absurd campaign finance system, with comparisons to other nations. Is that verboten?
Do Times readers a service. Be bold, break from the pack. Stop the Trump talk. Start the Sanders talk. Just to inform the public, because we're getting a much narrower range of commentary than we deserve in an election year. Not to mention boring. Many readers are sounding off about it. Hello out there to op eds—we deserve better.
329
In all fairness, Trump is *not* like the other GOP conservatives. He supports Social Security and Medicare, tax increases on the wealthy, protecting the American worker, etc. In fact, he's ahead of not just the other Republicans but Hillary Clinton on protecting the American worker. I'd describe him as a populist.
I find it interesting that the establishment, both Republican and Democratic, is so hysterical about both Trump and Sanders. Perhaps because each in his own way is touching on truths, and truths can be mightily uncomfortable.
I find it interesting that the establishment, both Republican and Democratic, is so hysterical about both Trump and Sanders. Perhaps because each in his own way is touching on truths, and truths can be mightily uncomfortable.
13
I am a bit saddened by the attempts to saddle the Democratic Party with a socialist who is 73 years old for a nominee. Bernie will not win the nomination and if nominated would lead the Democrats to ignoble defeat. I love me some Bernie Sanders but his candidacy can do no more than keep Hillary on the left. It has value doing this but it's worse than a pipe dream to think that he will be the candidate.
3
Sanders fans remind me of Ron Paul supporters in 2008. They were everywhere online, at big rallies and with matching zeal.
2
Trumpenstein is the what the GOP has created. It is reaping what
it has sown since the time of Nixon. Venom is the glue that binds
them all together. Trump is today's GOP. He is them and they are him.
Trump dispenses with coded language and "dog whistles" and
now uses a bullhorn every hour by the hour.
Mass roundups, house by house searches, selections. Eery
echoes of evil.
it has sown since the time of Nixon. Venom is the glue that binds
them all together. Trump is today's GOP. He is them and they are him.
Trump dispenses with coded language and "dog whistles" and
now uses a bullhorn every hour by the hour.
Mass roundups, house by house searches, selections. Eery
echoes of evil.
27
"Trumpenstein is the what the GOP has created. It is reaping what
it has sown since the time of Nixon."
Is "Sanderenstein" what the Democrats have created after decades of moving toward socialism?
it has sown since the time of Nixon."
Is "Sanderenstein" what the Democrats have created after decades of moving toward socialism?
2
"To his followers, the letdown of defeat could be brutal, leaving them stranded, without a candidate who can successfully capture the intensity of their beliefs."
Most of them will vote for the Republican candidate, as usual, and the rest will not vote, as usual. One could say the same about Sanders' supporters, with "Democratic" substituted for "Republican."
Most of them will vote for the Republican candidate, as usual, and the rest will not vote, as usual. One could say the same about Sanders' supporters, with "Democratic" substituted for "Republican."
2
What Prof. Edsall misses, what most pundits miss, what I never understood until recently, is that there are now two Republican parties. One wants a return to an imagined, earlier and simpler time. That is the Trump Party, a nostalgic party.
The other is the Tea Party, with an apocalyptic vision. It realizes that history is passing it by, that there is no going back. They'd prefer to see the entire edifice of government come crashing down – with the hope that something new and better will arise, Phoenix-like, from the rubble.
Both wings share a disillusionment with a government they feel has forsaken them, that has failed to stop America’s decline, that has failed to reverse the cultural, economic and demographic trends that are robbing them of their birthright – a white, a god-fearing America where the men are in charge.
But a majority, it has now become clear, reject the apocalyptic vision of the Tea Party. They are moving to Trump's column, if for no better reasons than they want to keep their Social Security and Medicare,
I didn't grasp this distinction until recently, when I read Mark Lilla's excellent discussion of what he calls "restorative" and "redemptive" reactionaries. It appeared in The New York Review of Books, toward the end of his review: http://tinyurl.com/7gg6e
The other is the Tea Party, with an apocalyptic vision. It realizes that history is passing it by, that there is no going back. They'd prefer to see the entire edifice of government come crashing down – with the hope that something new and better will arise, Phoenix-like, from the rubble.
Both wings share a disillusionment with a government they feel has forsaken them, that has failed to stop America’s decline, that has failed to reverse the cultural, economic and demographic trends that are robbing them of their birthright – a white, a god-fearing America where the men are in charge.
But a majority, it has now become clear, reject the apocalyptic vision of the Tea Party. They are moving to Trump's column, if for no better reasons than they want to keep their Social Security and Medicare,
I didn't grasp this distinction until recently, when I read Mark Lilla's excellent discussion of what he calls "restorative" and "redemptive" reactionaries. It appeared in The New York Review of Books, toward the end of his review: http://tinyurl.com/7gg6e
50
"and demographic trends that are robbing them of their birthright – a white, a god-fearing America where the men are in charge. "
I think that's actually pretty unfairly dismissive. We are talking on one hand about perhaps the most successful society in history and on the other we are talking about an immigrant group that according to the American Psychological Association have a significantly lower-than-average IQ.
The children of Asian immigrants do fine in school -- better than the children of European-Americans -- and then in life, to the point at which Affirmative Action quotas now discriminate against them. The children of Latin-American immigrants do not. And the latter group has a very high birthrate.
One has to wonder whether our culture and country will survive this demographic transition in recognizable form. Those who value it will ask, if they are honest, whether they want a nation that is more similar to the nations of Latin America -- corrupt, undemocratic, and poor.
I think that's actually pretty unfairly dismissive. We are talking on one hand about perhaps the most successful society in history and on the other we are talking about an immigrant group that according to the American Psychological Association have a significantly lower-than-average IQ.
The children of Asian immigrants do fine in school -- better than the children of European-Americans -- and then in life, to the point at which Affirmative Action quotas now discriminate against them. The children of Latin-American immigrants do not. And the latter group has a very high birthrate.
One has to wonder whether our culture and country will survive this demographic transition in recognizable form. Those who value it will ask, if they are honest, whether they want a nation that is more similar to the nations of Latin America -- corrupt, undemocratic, and poor.
10
That link goes to photobucket, can you repair this?
Yet, Asian-Americans vote overwhelmingly democratic (Obama got 75 percent of their votes, compared to 71 percent from Hispanics).
In fact, rich minorities don't vote republican at all (especially when you consider that poor people tend to stay home on election day).
You'd think the racist stench emanating from the GOP base has nothing to with it?
In fact, rich minorities don't vote republican at all (especially when you consider that poor people tend to stay home on election day).
You'd think the racist stench emanating from the GOP base has nothing to with it?
2
Trump is the voice of the white Germanic race that has had its day. He doesn't represent all whites, but yes, Mr. Edsall, I think you are right that he has tapped into a powerful anger. All over the world, darker races are on the rise, with larger population growth. In the Middle East, the ending of the largess from fossil fuels is happening. The old world wide industrial model is on its way at the same time, causing a major disruption in employment. Only menial jobs are left for the masses, and for the whites too. China falters, and that will also mean the domino effect is just beginning. It is interesting to see the cultures of the new waves of immigrants taking over the world. It is something whites will need to learn to accept and find the good in it, because it is inevitable. The irony is, the policies of the neoliberals exacerbated the whole movement, by their polluting and exploitive ways. Elitism and top down no longer works. Humans have much to learn about getting along with nature. It means there needs to be fewer of us. Women in charge of their bodies and their lives is necessary to heal. The sooner the world understands this, the sooner we will be in balance with nature. Somehow, I can't see Trump "getting" this! His response would be to build another phallic symbol buidling reaching into the sky.
43
Carolyn, are you saying that the answer to humanity's problems is the ignorance, brutality, and poverty of the third world nations?
That's so contrary to everything I believe, which is that we should be raising people up rather than pulling them down.
These nations are typically corrupt, exploitative places with a very low level of education and a very high level of poverty. And far from living in harmony with nature, they are environmental disaster zones. Here, we worry about rising sea levels and the declining monarch butterfly; there, overpopulation and environmental degradation are leading to hunger and hopelessness.
That's so contrary to everything I believe, which is that we should be raising people up rather than pulling them down.
These nations are typically corrupt, exploitative places with a very low level of education and a very high level of poverty. And far from living in harmony with nature, they are environmental disaster zones. Here, we worry about rising sea levels and the declining monarch butterfly; there, overpopulation and environmental degradation are leading to hunger and hopelessness.
8
Josh, so much of the world is suffering from the effects of globalism and its pollution. No I'm not saying ignorance, brutality and poverty is the answer. The third world countries are suffering from these because in many instances it was inflicted upon them by neoliberalist policies..the IMF extracting assets through denationalization and exploitation there by of a country's wealth and sovereignty. The people of those nations are left in poverty while the wealth exits the country. There is not place for them to go, except somewhere else..anywhere that might offer an escape from the hell their own country had become.
2
Considering GOPers' record, it's a wonder they've never had their own version of the Dems' 1968 Chicago convention - Trump's remarks about Baltimore and the Freddie Gray arrest make it seem GOP'ers would welcome such a confrontation in Cleveland for their 2016 convention.
8
"Republicans viewed immigrants as a direct threat to American values, 60-32, and conservative Republicans even more so, 64-30"
*****
Well, if you consider following the law an "American value", this makes sense. It's not xenophobia but a respect -- and demand -- for lawful behavior that influences many viewpoints on immigration, including the viewpoints of many democrats by the way.
*****
Well, if you consider following the law an "American value", this makes sense. It's not xenophobia but a respect -- and demand -- for lawful behavior that influences many viewpoints on immigration, including the viewpoints of many democrats by the way.
18
To bad the Republicans' respect for the law doesn't extend to Citigroup or Halliburton, or to rebellious county clerks, or even the American businesses who hire undocumented workers at slave wages . . .
210
AACNY - You had better put on your reading spectacles. The line you quoted did not say "Republicans viewed ILLEGAL immigrants as a direct threat to American values....". It just said "immigrants."
92
Respect and demand for lawful behavior from the underclass, while tolerating, turning a blind eye to, or actively supporting illegal, immoral, demeaning treatment of that underclass by the police. I can see what the "law and order" crowd means. I mean, law and order worked so well in the war on drugs. The right won that battle. Let's extend that success to the rest of the culture. Please.
71
Edsall forgot to mention the subject of sexism along with racism in his article. But on sexism, the news media is right with Trump. Their coverage of Hillary Clinton's campaign is awful beyond belief. What does Hillary have to say about racism, immigration reform and so forth? Who knows. All the press wants to discuss are her e-mails.
438
The press's coverage of everybody has been awful beyond belief. Look at the coverage of Bernie Sanders. Well, look at the coverage of just about anybody.
15
Kirk Tofte
Every day Hillary Clinton continues to grow in stature and sounds grounded to this New Yorker's ears. It is not for this supporter to make assumptions as to the views of this politician hopeful. I already know she has a strong interest in Public Health, how soon we forget, Education for all our children; a helping hand, tough but fair, for the poorest among us.
Her vision of America is sharp and she works like a horse, thinks like a man and looks like a woman, as a formidable French matriarch once said.
If she wishes limp Trump and this parcel of political hogs to the blazes, along with the Media, I am joining her in understanding that it will take work on our part to redress our Nation, and this attempt of a diversion of e-mails is paper food for the barracudas among us.
Every day Hillary Clinton continues to grow in stature and sounds grounded to this New Yorker's ears. It is not for this supporter to make assumptions as to the views of this politician hopeful. I already know she has a strong interest in Public Health, how soon we forget, Education for all our children; a helping hand, tough but fair, for the poorest among us.
Her vision of America is sharp and she works like a horse, thinks like a man and looks like a woman, as a formidable French matriarch once said.
If she wishes limp Trump and this parcel of political hogs to the blazes, along with the Media, I am joining her in understanding that it will take work on our part to redress our Nation, and this attempt of a diversion of e-mails is paper food for the barracudas among us.
2
Is the press "covering" Bernie Sanders or covering up Bernie Sanders?
5
And Trump says what most Repubs think,
Between him and them a strong link,
To bigots he's pandered
While Bernie is slandered
Illogic with a bizarre kink!
Between him and them a strong link,
To bigots he's pandered
While Bernie is slandered
Illogic with a bizarre kink!
100
The crux of liberalism...advancing the causes of a select few at the expense of society in general
4
The crux of progressive-ism: advancing society, in general, regardless as to ideology.
I suppose, one man's progress is another man's hypocrisy.
Then again, one man's hypocrisy is another man's common sense or pragmatism.
I suppose, one man's progress is another man's hypocrisy.
Then again, one man's hypocrisy is another man's common sense or pragmatism.
1
Trump says what many think
Aghast, say most, they a shrink
To understand, their deepest fear
Is demographically coming near
Their leadership on the right
Can't stop the US from turning less white
Aghast, say most, they a shrink
To understand, their deepest fear
Is demographically coming near
Their leadership on the right
Can't stop the US from turning less white
There are two quotes that I included in my latest blog post. Both are from James Baldwin:
“What is really at question is the American way of life. What is really at question is whether Americans already have an identity or are still sufficiently flexible to achieve one. This is a painfully complicated question, for what now appears to be the American identity is really a bewildering and sometimes demoralizing blend of nostalgia and opportunism.“
You are right, Professor Edsall, Trump does address those very things in his crude, hardhearted way, and he reflects that part of society that chooses to belong to today's Republican party. That party is desperately working to convince America, through lies and subterfuge, of a past that never existed in order to fool it into a future that America has already lived. That said, Trump is only one part of the problem.
This is the era of The New Jim Crow and, if we are not vigilant in safeguarding our democracy and all of our institutions, from education to justice, they will win. Whom we choose, whom we deem honest, righteous, resolute, and strong enough to firmly steer our nation back on the path of true democracy will determine whether or not we can become a democracy again.
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http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/08/freaky-friday-politics-gender-and-race-...
“What is really at question is the American way of life. What is really at question is whether Americans already have an identity or are still sufficiently flexible to achieve one. This is a painfully complicated question, for what now appears to be the American identity is really a bewildering and sometimes demoralizing blend of nostalgia and opportunism.“
You are right, Professor Edsall, Trump does address those very things in his crude, hardhearted way, and he reflects that part of society that chooses to belong to today's Republican party. That party is desperately working to convince America, through lies and subterfuge, of a past that never existed in order to fool it into a future that America has already lived. That said, Trump is only one part of the problem.
This is the era of The New Jim Crow and, if we are not vigilant in safeguarding our democracy and all of our institutions, from education to justice, they will win. Whom we choose, whom we deem honest, righteous, resolute, and strong enough to firmly steer our nation back on the path of true democracy will determine whether or not we can become a democracy again.
---
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/08/freaky-friday-politics-gender-and-race-...
137
@Rima Regas: Stop quoting yourself. You're turning into Ross Douthat.
19
P.K. Todd
Um, I am not James Baldwin... That's whose writing is in the quote.
Um, I am not James Baldwin... That's whose writing is in the quote.
10
Your comments are always welcome, believe me!
2
What Republicans can’t seem to bring themselves to admit is that Donald Trump is unelectable in a nationwide vote. Immigration aside. No one wants an A-hole in Chief. And Trump does nothing more than reaffirm what most Americans have seen and don’t like from the Republican party in the last two election cycles; a party lead by a bunch of angry, tone-deaf, compassionless white men who come across as heartless a-holes. This “alpha male” persona is the same train wreck that keeps a segment of the country glued to reality shows like Big Brother and Jersey Shore. But in the end, no one wants Pauly D or Snooki in the White House.
The truth is that Americans vote for things like “Morning in America” and “Hope and Change” not “you’re a loser” or “sit down and shut up.” And while that approach may appeal to a small vocal group within the Republican party, nowhere is that approach reflected in the broader general population. Look what happened to Mitt Romney and John McCain.
It’s a long way from now to the general election and if the past few weeks are any indication, the love/hate affair with Donald Trump will continue. But if the Republican Party doesn’t figure out how to deal with The Donald and that slice of the party he appeals to, there's no way the Republicans will win the White House, no matter who the Democrats nominate.