I am convinced that Trump's disdain for rules and norms and common decency is the main reason for his success. The people who say "He's one of us" can't be referring to the circumstances and challenges of his life. Perhaps they mean "He doesn't talk like an educated person," but they must also mean "He doesn't care if he insults people f…
I am convinced that Trump's disdain for rules and norms and common decency is the main reason for his success. The people who say "He's one of us" can't be referring to the circumstances and challenges of his life. Perhaps they mean "He doesn't talk like an educated person," but they must also mean "He doesn't care if he insults people for sport and delights in humiliating those who submit to him."
Whatever connection he has with average Americans does not rest on an understanding of their challenges or an interest in learning much about them. Joe Scarborough spoke about how effective it is for politicians to talk with average people, ask them about their concerns and really listen, and he noted that Harris didn't have much time to do that. But she can and does do it. Trump does not, because he lacks the basic empathy to do it. He is really not interested in his base, aside from their hero-worship of him. It's baffling that so many people don't notice it - or don't care.
I am certain that many of the people who claim he was persecuted by "lawfare" are well aware that he committed crimes that they would demand be punished if their political adversaries committed them, and they are celebrating his ability to evade any serious penalty. In a sense, it means that they too are getting away with it. Their ethical compromises and moral relativism have won the day. Ethics and rule of law are for losers.
I am convinced that Trump's disdain for rules and norms and common decency is the main reason for his success. The people who say "He's one of us" can't be referring to the circumstances and challenges of his life. Perhaps they mean "He doesn't talk like an educated person," but they must also mean "He doesn't care if he insults people for sport and delights in humiliating those who submit to him."
Whatever connection he has with average Americans does not rest on an understanding of their challenges or an interest in learning much about them. Joe Scarborough spoke about how effective it is for politicians to talk with average people, ask them about their concerns and really listen, and he noted that Harris didn't have much time to do that. But she can and does do it. Trump does not, because he lacks the basic empathy to do it. He is really not interested in his base, aside from their hero-worship of him. It's baffling that so many people don't notice it - or don't care.
I am certain that many of the people who claim he was persecuted by "lawfare" are well aware that he committed crimes that they would demand be punished if their political adversaries committed them, and they are celebrating his ability to evade any serious penalty. In a sense, it means that they too are getting away with it. Their ethical compromises and moral relativism have won the day. Ethics and rule of law are for losers.
It's all deeply unedifying.
Well said.