A lot of people in Trump country are bringing up their anger about Republicans' Big Betrayal Bill, and even when they don't pay attention to the news, they know a lot about what it cuts.
This is how long-term political change happens. It's not the hardcore supporters that will flip, but those people who vote one way because that is what their friends and neighbors do, and they might not really pay attention to politics, but when things start to impact them, then people become open to looking around, and open to change. The problem in our country has been that too many people have become polarized and closed off to change, but Trump's party has gotten so extreme that it is more open to rejection than ever before.---Jason
I think your very good observations point to the impossibility of reasoning with MAGA, at least the hardcore ones. Whether because of branding or political socialization - or because of cult-like psychology, as some other authors have proposed - Trump supporters are immune to reason. They see the world as they wish it to be (or better put, as they are told it is by Trump), not as it is. And any effort to challenge that perception is met with extreme defensiveness triggered by their cognitive dissonance. The upshot of which is that logical argument, calm discussion, and spreading factual information just won't work on them. They can't be persuaded. Which is tragic - I know MAGA whom I sincerely wish could be rescued from themselves. But that just isn't possible, at least for now. Better to marginalize them, resist them, and create structural impediments to their gaining power - that, rather than trying to win MAGA over through campaign promises, is the best bet for saving our democracy.
My husband and I are seniors, me 72 and he 79, and Trump’s success and our failure to punish him for his multiple and lifelong crimes, along with abuse of women and raising a tribe of similar lifetime criminals, will probably destroy our ‘golden years’ that we had planned for as best we could. Such a terrible legacy to inflict on our kids.
What an interesting, insightful article! More, please!
I live in a blue area, but drive weekly into semi-rural Trump country to take a lesson with one of the few Dems around. Last year there were Trump signs everywhere. The houses are not humble. These folks are not poor. My guess is that guns are very important to them. I bet there are more single issue voters re guns than we realize. Just a guess.
I agree. It’s a mistake to think that all TFG’s supporters are uneducated rubes. I have the unfortunate experience of well educated, upper class friends and relatives who voted for TFG.
But, right now, they are silent. There’s no roaring applause. They do not wish to talk about what this administration is doing. I think they realize their mistake but don’t want to admit it.
Only the bitter ones continue to speak up in defense of his policies and the irony is, they will be the most affected.
You should live in fire red West by god Virginia. Our governor is Trump's mini me. The legislature is in lock step with him. There are areas that do not have potable drinking water. Grocery stores can be 50-60 miles away. Medical care even farther away. In many parts isolation is the norm. We used to be heavily Democratic Party, think President Kennedy. And then republicans moved in with solutions and promises of prosperity for everyone. For example, coal mining is coming back. It isn't but if that is all you know, you want to believe it. There were retraining programs setvup. Very few took advantage. People here are hard working, kind and generous and know how to "make do". They are not stupid, just uninformed. I am fortunate. I live in a city in the western part of the state with a large university and big hospitals and access to all the information I can find. We don't have a Publix or a Trader Joe's but we make do. Education is the key to change and we are failing at that.
This article meshes beautifully with that of an election analyst who said Trump‘s gains from 2020 to 2024 were not among policy-oriented Fox viewers, but among LOW-INFORMATION voters.
How do you think it broke through? Do you think the Democrats having town hall meetings in Republican districts got the word out and it spread by word of mouth?
I find it fascinating. Some of these people are starting to realize this BBB will have a negative effect, and I think over time, Trump's whole parade will collapse, and these people will bear the brunt of his cruelty. What they can't see yet is the impact of reductions in Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that will affect them. When reality sets in, the whole game is over.
If yiu notice the worse is going to happen 2028. According to what I have read which means. Youmay have a democractic President and guess who the will, blame. When the merde hits the fan. Not. Felon 45. But the democrats. Think this is being done deliberately.
I agree with your analysis totally. I, too, live in a definitively 70% felonpotus county, in a rural desert spot in Nevada. You can't even run as a Democrat for any political office in my area, local, state, or federal - none. So I was astonished, that around the time of the No Kings protests, two neighbors on my road - one had a huge Maga banner; the other multiple Maga signs, flags, posters, and banners... no longer had them in sight. Gone. I thought maybe it was the wind, which can be fierce here. I mean, these people were devoted to fpotus. The latter neighbor even had a huge poster with "F*** Biden", crossed out and replaced by Harris's name. On a building facing a major highway on their corner, and on local school bus routes. They have not been put back. This is huge, for around here. People notice these things. A lot of people here depend upon SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, school lunches for kids, and Meals on Wheels. Why they thought any cuts wouldn't effect them, or believed Republican liars about the BBB, I do not know. But it appears they're paying attention now. Good!
Good article. I've lived in red OK, TX, VA, and now FL. I'm always perplexed by these economically challenged people who believe propaganda and vote against their best interests. Because I think to myself, these are not bad people, they're just trying to do the best for their families. I won't be friends with them, or have them over my house, but I do feel sorry for them that they are so easily misguided and often screwed over.
Three Words- CAN THE SHAM. Repubs in Congress trying to turn shit into shinola, garbage into gold. So simple I have no idea why the Dems have such trouble with marketing when they have so much fodder.
This is how long-term political change happens. It's not the hardcore supporters that will flip, but those people who vote one way because that is what their friends and neighbors do, and they might not really pay attention to politics, but when things start to impact them, then people become open to looking around, and open to change. The problem in our country has been that too many people have become polarized and closed off to change, but Trump's party has gotten so extreme that it is more open to rejection than ever before.---Jason
I think your very good observations point to the impossibility of reasoning with MAGA, at least the hardcore ones. Whether because of branding or political socialization - or because of cult-like psychology, as some other authors have proposed - Trump supporters are immune to reason. They see the world as they wish it to be (or better put, as they are told it is by Trump), not as it is. And any effort to challenge that perception is met with extreme defensiveness triggered by their cognitive dissonance. The upshot of which is that logical argument, calm discussion, and spreading factual information just won't work on them. They can't be persuaded. Which is tragic - I know MAGA whom I sincerely wish could be rescued from themselves. But that just isn't possible, at least for now. Better to marginalize them, resist them, and create structural impediments to their gaining power - that, rather than trying to win MAGA over through campaign promises, is the best bet for saving our democracy.
My husband and I are seniors, me 72 and he 79, and Trump’s success and our failure to punish him for his multiple and lifelong crimes, along with abuse of women and raising a tribe of similar lifetime criminals, will probably destroy our ‘golden years’ that we had planned for as best we could. Such a terrible legacy to inflict on our kids.
😂
What an interesting, insightful article! More, please!
I live in a blue area, but drive weekly into semi-rural Trump country to take a lesson with one of the few Dems around. Last year there were Trump signs everywhere. The houses are not humble. These folks are not poor. My guess is that guns are very important to them. I bet there are more single issue voters re guns than we realize. Just a guess.
There are a lot of single issue voters around abortion too.
I agree. It’s a mistake to think that all TFG’s supporters are uneducated rubes. I have the unfortunate experience of well educated, upper class friends and relatives who voted for TFG.
But, right now, they are silent. There’s no roaring applause. They do not wish to talk about what this administration is doing. I think they realize their mistake but don’t want to admit it.
Only the bitter ones continue to speak up in defense of his policies and the irony is, they will be the most affected.
And I simply have no sympathy for them.
Time to rewrite the big awful terrible bill
You should live in fire red West by god Virginia. Our governor is Trump's mini me. The legislature is in lock step with him. There are areas that do not have potable drinking water. Grocery stores can be 50-60 miles away. Medical care even farther away. In many parts isolation is the norm. We used to be heavily Democratic Party, think President Kennedy. And then republicans moved in with solutions and promises of prosperity for everyone. For example, coal mining is coming back. It isn't but if that is all you know, you want to believe it. There were retraining programs setvup. Very few took advantage. People here are hard working, kind and generous and know how to "make do". They are not stupid, just uninformed. I am fortunate. I live in a city in the western part of the state with a large university and big hospitals and access to all the information I can find. We don't have a Publix or a Trader Joe's but we make do. Education is the key to change and we are failing at that.
This article meshes beautifully with that of an election analyst who said Trump‘s gains from 2020 to 2024 were not among policy-oriented Fox viewers, but among LOW-INFORMATION voters.
How do you think it broke through? Do you think the Democrats having town hall meetings in Republican districts got the word out and it spread by word of mouth?
I find it fascinating. Some of these people are starting to realize this BBB will have a negative effect, and I think over time, Trump's whole parade will collapse, and these people will bear the brunt of his cruelty. What they can't see yet is the impact of reductions in Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that will affect them. When reality sets in, the whole game is over.
If yiu notice the worse is going to happen 2028. According to what I have read which means. Youmay have a democractic President and guess who the will, blame. When the merde hits the fan. Not. Felon 45. But the democrats. Think this is being done deliberately.
TRUMP SCREWS HIS VOTERS!!! Alert the media!
I agree with your analysis totally. I, too, live in a definitively 70% felonpotus county, in a rural desert spot in Nevada. You can't even run as a Democrat for any political office in my area, local, state, or federal - none. So I was astonished, that around the time of the No Kings protests, two neighbors on my road - one had a huge Maga banner; the other multiple Maga signs, flags, posters, and banners... no longer had them in sight. Gone. I thought maybe it was the wind, which can be fierce here. I mean, these people were devoted to fpotus. The latter neighbor even had a huge poster with "F*** Biden", crossed out and replaced by Harris's name. On a building facing a major highway on their corner, and on local school bus routes. They have not been put back. This is huge, for around here. People notice these things. A lot of people here depend upon SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, school lunches for kids, and Meals on Wheels. Why they thought any cuts wouldn't effect them, or believed Republican liars about the BBB, I do not know. But it appears they're paying attention now. Good!
It's the big bad buggering of u.s.citizens bill.
Good article. I've lived in red OK, TX, VA, and now FL. I'm always perplexed by these economically challenged people who believe propaganda and vote against their best interests. Because I think to myself, these are not bad people, they're just trying to do the best for their families. I won't be friends with them, or have them over my house, but I do feel sorry for them that they are so easily misguided and often screwed over.
Three Words- CAN THE SHAM. Repubs in Congress trying to turn shit into shinola, garbage into gold. So simple I have no idea why the Dems have such trouble with marketing when they have so much fodder.
If the BBB Act is ever approved then a whole lot of people will quickly learn to hate it and the selfish politicians who signed to approve it.
Will it be too late by then? Kind of like our Republican politicians attitude toward global climate change. It may be too late.
Go online and search for a graph that shows both the increase in temperature and the increase in CO2 concentration.
Bobby Keeland PhD, Research Ecology