It has been obvious ever since Trump first ran for president that many of his core supporters actually hate the people who hate Trump, more than they care about Trump or any particular action he takes, no matter how awful.
Of course, I think it is right on because I completely agree and have, inexpertly, been trying to say something close to this since early 2016 when I wrote a Post entitled Driving down the fault thinking about stupid. The essence of the Friedman Editorial is in a quote by Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel, s “Trump was elected by tapping a wellspring of anxieties, frustrations and legitimate grievances to which the mainstream parties had no compelling answer.” These grievances “are not only economic but also moral and cultural; they are not only about wages and jobs but also about social esteem.”
Friedman goes on to say that Humiliation, in my view, is the most underestimated force in politics and international relations. The poverty of dignity explains so much more behavior than the poverty of money. Check it out here (and my post here).
I remember when you wrote that post. It was right then and it still is. They really do hate us. And we really do dismiss them. Only I am now beginning to hate them too. None of which looks very promising for any resolution, no matter who wins in November.
Hope there is a break in the heat and them smoke for you soon.
I think being an Union Carpenter and then being an enlisted grunt in the Army helped me see my Liberal/educated-class/ arrogance. I ran into a lot of guys who never got out of high school who were pretty damn smart. It was 61°F today and dark orange. I’ll post some pictures.