As he sat in the restaurant eating breakfast with a Trump hat on, I wondered why. I understand many Trump supporters think that we non-trumpsters think they are stupid. I do wonder but I do not believe stupidity is the reason.
A guy wears a Trump hat in a breakfast restaurant, appears not to have a pot to piss in as the expression goes. If I wore a Biden hat, would he think I am stupid. What went through his mind when he decided Trump would help him, make his life and people like him lives better, that Trump was his guy. I anticipate this may be a lifelong evolution.
If not a Vietnam vet, he was of that era, 60’s and 70’s, probably a high school graduate perhaps some college. A college degree was valued but was not so important to many then. Jobs were available with decent paychecks, benefits including vacations. Most of the salaries and benefits resulted due to unions and government thanks to democrats. A solid working-class lifestyle two weeks vacation, an affordable house to buy, time to spend with his family and college for his children. When did the change begin?
As jobs went overseas or were eliminated due to automation, the factory towns reverted to near ghost towns. Working people stayed with no place to go, few new career options. Sending their children to college became a major hurdle. Our leaders seemed inclined to downplay the need for higher education despite jobs demanding more knowledge and skills. Working people tended to be religious and during challenging times became more involved in church. Religious denominations were changing also at this time. Many witnessed declining attendance limiting their outreach and reducing their collections. Organizations adapt to change and religious groups are no different. Religious leaders shifted to denouncing government for separating religion from government. After the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision some religious types focused on abortion and similar issues as a steppingstone for renewed growth. Some others praised the prosperity gospel to attract members. These wedge issues justified in their minds the necessity for religion to pursue political power. Separation of church and state, blaming Democrats for taking religion out of our government created the scapegoat. Calling for equal treatment for all resulting in African American rights, women’s rights, gay rights, same sex marriage concluded with Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Who would get the “good jobs?” Some may have viewed these as contributing to diminishing the wealth of the working-class. Trump and other political actors followed up on this for their own political gain even if they knew better. If that were not sufficient then love of country could be a tool as well to show what was missing from their lives and who took it.
Playing to the fears of people, of Americans, should bring shame on these political hypocrites. People needed reinforcement not fear. Understanding their dilemma an explanation and help on the way forward. How to cope and what to change not someone to blame. Leaders without knowledge or vision attempt to capitalize on the misfortune of those they represent. Fuel the fire as an effort to gain support for their reelections. Hardly the course for honorable people but honor may not be part of their vocabulary. In a world seen as black or white, winners or losers, best to be winners at any cost. Is that who we are or who some have become?
Perhaps the loss of this senior wisdom that many could have provided was drowned out by the the grandstanding of others. Our elected leaders were no longer speaking to all from the bully pulpit; they had become the bullies in the pulpit.
Without decent leaders many people did not understand how to reconcile their concerns. All those years with his misplaced loyalties took away his hope and replaced it with despair. In effect he inadvertently became fertile ground for anyone pointing a finger, fixing blame, offering a cure. Has he reached the point in his life that he looks back and reconsiders when did he choose the road so many were on, the easy road. Does seeing the direction his country is headed, how America is viewed by the world, our allies and others cause reconsideration of his chosen path. Is this the moment when remorse overtakes despair and a renewed sense of purpose becomes his goal moving forward. Does he see it as his failure and start searching for the place he imagined for himself or continue on with his fear and anger?
Phil's Personal Perspectives 