Alienated America

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(02-28-2019, 11:25 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Has anyone else heard about this book? http://www.aei.org/spotlight/alienated-america/

I heard the author, Tim Carney, on last week's episode of Left, Right & Center. He argues that the predictor of Trump's support is alienation, specifically a lack of community connection that was most often achieved through church in this country in year's past. He is looking primarily at the primary, not the general election, and seeing a trend that Trump voters we more likely to be non-church goers and it is that lack of connection that led them to him. This lack of connection that results in a loss of the American Dream.

It's an interesting discussion, and one that I have seen versions of occurring for some time. Usually it is a discussion about how the more disconnected someone is from their community the more likely they are to have highly polarized views. The more engaged you are with civic organizations, religious organizations, etc., the less likely you are to be so hyper-partisan. At least that is the theory that I've seen from some people here and there. This doesn't mean that they have more moderate views, but more that they are more likely to take time to understand and listen to opposing viewpoints and engage in civil discussion.

So what are your thoughts on Carney's argument, and then the extension of it that has been going on for a bit?

Interesting theory, but I think the initial support was due to disenfranchisement of the working class in America, particularly the Rust Belt and the rest of middle America.  A lot of folks feel left behind by the duopoly.  It's also why Bernie Sanders garnered so much support.....both were anti status quo.  That's what a majority of these folks were looking for.

Being and independent, and a member of several independent voter forums, I can tell you that more of Sanders' supporters than one might think voted for Donnie due to this sentiment.  Others, myself included, just went on and voted the 3rd party protest vote.  I was actually leaning toward Sanders....but the DNC proved to me that they were just another cog in the 'good ol boys' network of pay to play politics with their absolute shit show of a primary.

I also know a lot of working stiffs and out of work people that voted for Trump because of the unknown, for lack of a better term.  They felt they knew what the pay to play syndicate would offer to them in regards to jobs and financial security, so vote out of the box, damn the consequences.  I know many of them that are not really pleased with him, and are appalled at his crass, but they still maintain that it's better than Hillary, and I'm not sure I disagree with them.

Now, the guys/gals with the Trump tennis shoes, the Trump 2020 t shirts, and pants (I actually saw a dude at the polls wearing this get up...lol), are a whole different animal.