If you look closely, there is a direct correlation between areas that voted for Trump and areas where the average wage has not kept up with inflation. There is also a direct correlation with education.
So what drove the vote? Hope for improved earnings (purchasing power), revenge on the elites, anger at a system that is outdated and failed, and a dream to return to the past - which was, in fact, better for them.
But that past can't and won't come back. Manufacturing isn't coming back. The 52% won't pay $150 for a pair of shoes made in the USA. They won't pay $75 for the polyester pants they wear to the local bingo hall. They won't pay $5000 for a laptop that today costs $750 at Best Buy. Not going to happen.
In fact, tariffs will worsen their price misery, because they will impact high quality products made in countries other than China. Vinyl made in Germany, jeans made in Japan, a shirt made in India - all will cost more.
Even their MAGA bibles and Trump bobbleheads will cost more.
Republicans have consistently blocked minimum wage increases, worker protections, consumer protections, employment laws - in fact, anything that would actually help that 52%.
Republicans have, consistently over many decades, weakened the education system and access to higher education, necessary to lift that 52% up and at least give their children a better future. Many, maybe most, of that 52% are too dumb and/or lazy to get a higher education. Nevertheless, access is everything.
Republicans have consistently weakened even the modest and toothless oversight of financial institutions. This helps the rich get richer at the expense of the not wealthy and working class.
But hope, revenge, anger and fantasy are a powerful emotional cocktail.
How long they continue to drive Trump popularity remains to be seen.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
