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I think a lot of us thought that economic indicators would make it hard for the republicans to make the case that things were bad and they could make things goo

I think a lot of us thought that economic indicators would make it hard for the republicans to make the case that things were bad and they could make things good but we forgot unfortunately that perception is all and the actual numbers don't mean anything. Under 5% unemployment doesn't mean anything if you can find enough salt-of-the-earth middle class white people who are struggling, because that is enough to convince people to toss the whole system and start over even if unemployment is low and wages are increasing. It is truly staggering to have the right now taking on the mantle of income inequality after decades of obstructing any efforts to tackle it, so they can bring back the kinds of jobs that unions helped to define the middle class with after being instrumental in destroying unions all while blaming the left. I know its not quite that cut and dried but I think the left feels like that globalism is OK as long as you are distributing the wealth made from it. It seems like the republicans right now are willing to make us less wealthy and less well off in many ways, as long as the white middle class can benefit (even if the country suffers in general).

elefanten 9y ago
But the policies of this administration and the Republican Capitol Hill have been the opposite of what you describe. They've stayed away from a strong protectionist turn so far. And they're definitely not enacting policies to address income inequality... the healthcare bill passed in the House today is quite the opposite. edit - I agree with your point that voter perception matters a lot. But I think the Republicans just lied to exploit that perception. They're not actually changing their ideology and agenda to do any of it though.
- okreallywtf 9y ago
  I might not have made my point very clear, I agree with you, its all a big smokescreen and at the end of the day they do what they've always done - cut taxes on the wealthy. The people who felt Trump was a protest vote was really just a vote for the same party and the same results that haven't helped them in decades. Its sad for me because my family (who usually fall for the gun-control fears part of the platform) keep doing the same thing and expecting different results but don't bother to blame the people they've been voting for year after year and instead blame the people that the people they voted for work against year after year.

elefanten 9y ago

But the policies of this administration and the Republican Capitol Hill have been the opposite of what you describe. They've stayed away from a strong protectionist turn so far. And they're definitely not enacting policies to address income inequality... the healthcare bill passed in the House today is quite the opposite. edit - I agree with your point that voter perception matters a lot. But I think the Republicans just lied to exploit that perception. They're not actually changing their ideology and agenda to do any of it though.

okreallywtf 9y ago
I might not have made my point very clear, I agree with you, its all a big smokescreen and at the end of the day they do what they've always done - cut taxes on the wealthy. The people who felt Trump was a protest vote was really just a vote for the same party and the same results that haven't helped them in decades. Its sad for me because my family (who usually fall for the gun-control fears part of the platform) keep doing the same thing and expecting different results but don't bother to blame the people they've been voting for year after year and instead blame the people that the people they voted for work against year after year.