Im seeing quite a lot of the Stupid people voting against their own self interest complaints since the election results. Actually they are not either stupid, or voting against themselves. As people get poorer they become more conservative by and large. They get more frightened and angry, taking emotional refuge in conservative scapegoating and blaming themselves and others for their condition. It is oddly empowering to think it is your own fault that you are in the state you are in. It means that if you can change, and can whip yourself into shape with discipline and sacrifice, you can work your way out of your predicament. You are in the drivers seat, in charge of your destiny. If multinational corporations, discrimination, a rigged economy , and other overwhelming forces far beyond your control are the real cause of your poverty, it means you are powerless, helpless. The conservative up by the bootstraps belief system is an empowering ideology, with a compelling sense of justice and morality to it, based in a powerful myth of an American meritocracy that rewards hard work, discipline, and risk taking. It has great appeal for many people. Of course these folks reject the liberal rhetoric that tells them they are stupid for voting against their self interest, which is like telling them they should vote against their core beliefs and principles in return for a few bucks in benefits. Many would die for what they believe in, and they vote on principle, not just for what might benefit them. They cannot be bought. As long as we ignore their heartfelt commitment to those values and call them misguided, we will continue to totally alienate them.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:05:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015