The more analysts try to figure out Donald Trump’s appeal, the more they sound baffled.
Pundits cite Trump’s verbal sloppiness and ridiculousness as proof that he must soon implode. But Trump sees his daily bombast as an injection of outrage for a constituency now hooked on someone who finally voices their pent-up anger. The more reckless Trump’s doses of scattergun outrageousness, the better the fix for his supporters.
Trump’s vague “make America great again” was the natural bookend to Barack Obama’s even more vacuous “hope and change.” The popularity of such empty slogans reflects a culture in which no one any longer trusts institutions, the media, government, or politicians.
The public no longer respects U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the IRS, the VA, or the GSA. Even the once-hallowed Secret Service has become a near laughingstock of incompetency, corruption, and politicization. Is the purpose of NASA really Muslim outreach, as NASA chief Charles Bolden suggested in 2010?
The world that we are told about by our government bears no resemblance to what we see and hear every day.
President Obama has exacerbated this current disconnect between the public and its officials. In unserious fashion, he shares his selfies, parades his annual Final Four picks, and jets off to Los Angeles to appear on late-night talk shows, even as he hectors Americans in sermons about their Islamophobia, their carbon footprints, their immigration xenophobia, and their gun obsessions.
Did the public earn such presidential rebukes because it believes that jihadism at home and the Islamic State abroad are more dangerous than global warming? Or because disarming law-abiding citizens will not prevent law-breaking criminals and terrorists from obtaining illegal weapons? Or because it is unwise to open the borders to anyone who can make it into the United States, few questions asked?
The first reaction of Attorney General Loretta Lynch after the recent San Bernardino terrorist attack was to warn the country about Islamophobia. Her implicit message to the families of the dead was not that the government missed a terrorist cadre or let Islamic State sympathizers carry out a massacre. Instead, she worried more about Americans being angry at the inability of the tight-knit Muslim community to ferret out the extremists in its midst.
So we live in an age of disbelief.
The government reports that a record 94.4 million Americans are not in the labor force. That is almost a third of the country. How can the same government declare that the official unemployment rate is only 5 percent?
Economists warn that a $20 trillion national debt cannot be serviced without major calamities once interest rates rise. Yet even as interest rates are scheduled to go up, the government still borrows nearly $500 billion a year. It calls that profligacy fiscal prudence, because the borrowing is below the usual $1 trillion a year.
It may or may not have been wise for the Supreme Court to sanction gay marriage, or for the Pentagon to allow women in the military to join all combat units, or for the president to tacitly end border enforcement.
But these changes were not made by majority legislative decision. And they have come thick and fast without time for the public to digest their consequences. Instead, if a new idea or agenda lacks majority support, then activists can confidently look for a court or bureaucracy to implement change by top-down order.
In short, millions of citizens think the nation is headed for a financial reckoning. They feel threatened by radical Islamic terrorism. They sense that cultural and social stability has disappeared. And they know that expression of these worries can be a thought crime — hounded down by politicians, media, universities, and cultural institutions that do not enjoy broad public support and are not subject to the direct consequences of their own ideologies.
Amid these crises and the present absence of responsible leadership, if there were not a demagogic Donald Trump ranting and raving on the scene, the country would probably have to invent something like him.
Discussion (33)
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I got news for you..cops are part of the intelligence crime ops. Ok..BORN AND RAISED LEGAL HISPANIC AMERICAN...Where do I sign up for TRUMP, and can Trump stop the intelligence mafia network that's targeting U.S. whistleblowers? And just because I have a beardbeard..does not make me a MUSLIM!!!!ISLAM is demonic. Read first 4 chaps..from app on play store. NEW JERSEY.... So...I decide to take a walk in the late afternoon. As I walk across the parking lot, security guard salutes me BIG BLACK MAN, and another one dressed in scrubs, having a peculiarly treacherous and dim witted stare . Anyway, he asked me how I was...I said Blessed by Yeshua. I even showed him my shirt with Yeshua on it. He asked: WHATS THAT? I explain...and move on, but as I do...he signals a few people. Later, what appears to be a fat white...undercover cop...nearly runs me over, and two black women, appear to be staking out my home. I suppose seeing the beard frightened them, part of their mind control profiling campaign. In any case...the stalking continues. Hopefully I won't wind up another patsy in their false flag ops. You'd think they be busy enough with other criminal activity. In another state...I attempted to report what appeared to be..ILLEGAL drug activity. As I am speaking to officer, three other cops ambush me...falsely accuse me, threaten me, and finally release me. Helicopters began hovering over my property, a camera was placed in front of my home, cops would covertly stalk me in town...and even had a guy in a hood flash a knife at me..in the area. They have been sending creepy agent looking people to my property also ( apparently tagging things) , and I believe it was because I had voiced my opinion concerning 911 on live call in CSPAN. One night I witnessed them attempting to sneak into my home ( see SNEAK AND PEEK), etc. Even placed stationary night drones over my property. My electronics totally sabotaged..see PHANTOM CENSORING. LIFE IN THE POLICE TERROR STATE 2016...AIDED BY THE SLAVE BRAINED BLACK...AND OTHERS. GOD HELP US ALL.
Yes our family is discusted. Americans have become very mean and seemingly entitled to spoils way beyond their contribution. This is going to end in disaster. There is no free anything for long.
Alas, nominee Trump will lose both the Senate and probably the House to Hillary, she will allow millions of illegals to have citizenship, they will vote Democratic and the US and we know will devolve from being a land of opportunity to a social welfare bureaucracy for Mexico. Anyone see any other outcome?
Our inability to process complex social issues produced our political insecurity. Americans are accustomed to creating scapegoats for specific problems instead of clearly analyzing the relationships between social issues. For instance, Immigration and Welfare, while separate fundamentally, are inseparable in practice. Perhaps the 17th Amendment, providing additional direct democracy, was a mistake. Clearly, our passionate, and sometimes irrational, arguments have influenced or created policy out of impulse. We may not be as responsible with the powers of governing as we make ourselves to believe. The success of Donald Trump is an example of a passionate group swept by an effective psychological campaign. His messages are communicated with bare simplicity. Yet, he has never held public office and cannot be held accountable. At this point, people will continue to support him as long as people distrust the government.
If the actions of Ms. Yellen et. al. tomorrow add the Fed and its FOMC to the alphabet soup of lost credibility, and if the economy slouches into recession during primary season, Trump could well be a phenomenon who we will be calling "Mr. President" in thirteen months. Something about the current Fed Chairperson has always reminded of a deer frozen in the headlights. I'm not sure what explanation she will be able to offer for the empty gun in her hand, should things go poorly, after her and her predecessor failed to reload at zero-bound through an entire business cycle. But I don't think anybody is going to believe her.
Can I found any details regarding to this subject in other languages?
Is there any information regarding to this subject in different languages?
Why this site do not have other languages support?
What is most troubling isn't the fact of a popular Donald Trump, but the possibility that what makes him so popular is ignored by those who don't realize we might descend into the kind of ugly future history we smugly think impossible here.
What a great article. Thanks!
""" The F-35: How It Works Lockheed Martin features.""" pulled from "Dr Ausberto Torres twitter,"
Great column Dec. 10. Only the most ardent, knee-jerk liberal would not agree with most if not all of your points. Unfortunately, the greatest threat to Trump's message being interpreted into more civilized language and delivered to all is the Republican Party itself, which appears to be on the verge of forming a circular firing squad.
So well put by the master. Just add one word to the Trump popularity - nationalism.
part ii vdh, Americans are more fearful about the likelihood of another terrorist attack than at any other time since the weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, a gnawing sense of dread that has helped lift Donald J. Trump to a new high among Republican primary voters, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. In the aftermath of attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris and in San Bernardino, Calif., a plurality of the public views the threat of terrorism as the top issue facing the country. A month ago, only 4 percent of Americans said terrorism was the most important problem; now, 19 percent say it is, above any other issue. Jared William Carter Caruthers, Ca
Trump trolls the media with vague anti PC positions, and then when the media throws a hysterical pants shitting fit over it, Trump comes back with a description of a reasonable policy, consistent with past US policy. When Americans look at it, they find they agree with Trump more than the media. Trump looks reasonable, and *capable of challenging the PC orthodoxy*, and every successful bout with the media further inoculates him from media attacks.
Trump président, et l´amérique sera peut être sauvée......
Right on target, I have the same exact sentiment, I have been raising these same concerns for years! I knew Obama was a mistake from day one, his hope and change was just that, him hoping that people would allow him to change things how he saw it. The people got what they deserved and now they are embarking on a another journey, with someone who also is saying hope and change, but silently. People are hoping once again for a better change, Trump is hoping that he can implement the change he wants. Here we go again...
interesting/dangerous times we are certainly living in
You said that "The government reports that a record 94.4 million Americans are not in the labor force. That is almost a third of the country. How can the same government declare that the official unemployment rate is only 5 percent?" But I'd like more details of that. Surely 1/3 of the country's population are children, and many are retired people, etc. SO why is that figure alarming? Otherwise, I agree with your comments.
The leftist elites push an ideological stance on the masses that is founded on the concept that we need to do what they say for the good of 'society'. Multiculturalism, Climate change, inflationary boom and bust cycles, general mercantilism. All of these are such. In reality the 'elites' are owned by financial interests and, invariably, their positions are really just crony Capitalist maneuverings, or Post-Marxist messianic noodlings, with the usual lies about how such agenda's are for the good of 'society'. Ludwig Von Mises clears this all up. He tears apart the concept of 'society' as a thing existing in the ether. In fact, the best notion of society would be the amalgamation of individuals that comprise it. Without this there is truly no such concept, except perhaps living off in that other realm of Plato's forms. In fact, neither the media nor the elites represent the people. Their agenda is contrary to the will of the people. When viewed thus the entire concept of their 'society' crumbles to ashes and we see that it is, in fact, nothing more than the attempt to force the will of the masses to the will of the few. The oldest game in history.
Prof. Hanson, I agree with your view that the "PC suppression of public concerns" has helped fuel Trump's rise. But I disagree with your use of the pejoratives "demagogic" and "ranting and raving." It seems to me that sometimes those ordinary citizens in the center of the political spectrum need a champion, someone who will speak up for them and challenge the elites in politics, the media, and academe. Trump has slowed and reversed the rapid leftward movement of the "Overton Window." He's pushing it back closer to the center where most Americans are. He's certainly much less of a demagogue than Obama was in 2007-8. Historically, some leaders described then and now as demagogic or populist became successful Presidents. I'm thinking of Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and Reagan. As for Trump's "ranting and raving," I suspect there's method there. One, it gives him free media time, and two, it's a negotiating tactic. What some perceive as bombast, is an exaggerated first offer. Banning all Muslims from entering the US forever is not what he was aiming for in the first place. A temporary ban, however, will protect Americans. It makes sense. Common sense. Something we're in short supply of these days. I was in the ivory tower for almost 35 years (albeit on a much lower level than you), and as an old community college Composition teacher I concede that Trump's style may be described as bombast or "ranting and raving," but in my opinion, it's just that. Style. Style that gets attention and still conveys common sense.
You hit the nail on the head, as always Mr. Hanson.
From the statements arising from the Left we would think that the first responders to the massacres are more dangerous than the killers.
Oliver Cromwell's famous advise to Parliament. "You have sat here too long for any good you have done here. In the name of God, go!" The same can be said of the main street media
I don't think Donald Trump rants and raves. I think he tells the truth and that is why so many people like him including me. It is about time we had someone who is not afraid to tell the truth even though sometimes the truth hurts. We have had enough of people like Obama and their lies.
I am afraid there will always be those that do not "get" Mr. Trump. Dr. Hanson is one of many. Well meaning though he is, his assertion that if not for Mr. Trump then someone else would fill the anger void that many Americans are expressing. No sir, this is not the case, not just raw angst that many of us feel. Dr. Hanson is an extremely learned individual and his talents are many, including my deep admiration for his agrarian efforts. He is salt of the earth in my book. However, as this is my only disagreement with his many writings, he is wrong in his summation as to what in blazes attracts many common men to Mr. Trump. There really are many of them, and to say that the reasons are simple because of Mr. Trump's basic way of doing things, misses the mark completely and is as misguided as an ICBM completely off course. For as many Americans to be enthralled by Mr. Trump, the list of reasons have to be many, with sub headings for each. We've heard that he cannot be bought, he is paying out of pocket for his campaign, he willingly battles and triumphs over a mendacious media, the hated GOP establishment is trying to cut his throat and hence drives more supporters his way, he is unscripted, shoots from the hip, dares to be unafraid and unapologetic, has amazing drive, energy and will power, is wonderfully entertaining whether you like him of not, creates reams of print and ad copy revenue in his love hate relationship with the press, has tangible assets from his empire of skyscrapers that can be felt, touched and yes, "bragged" about as opposed to his political competition who can only wave pieces of paper around touting what amorphous law they've just devised. And there are many more. Mr. Trump connects with the common man in my book because he has approached his campaign in a business-like manner offering to run the country in such a fashion. He has become the anti-politician who has proposed a business contract with the voters, pure and simple. “If you hire me, I will state your wishes boldly. I will not back down and sell you out and I will say what you’ve been wanting to say to the Visigoths that are destroying our country.” The voters have said, “We’d like to invest in you in a 50-50 partnership as long as you put everything you’ve got into this. You’re hired.” I will not pin the dreaded E-word on Dr. Hanson, but his erudition, as sometimes befalling others in their efforts to “analyze” Mr. Trump as they wish so deeply that he would be more “polished,” has gotten the best of him I’m afraid. Elitism can attack the best of us, conservative or not. That’s why I believe the good doctor chooses errantly to see anger as the primary facilitator of Mr. Trump’s journey to the White House.
Dr. Hanson, please change the last sentence to, 'if there were not a Donald Trump willing to drop the PC ranting and ravings and having the guts to tell the truth...' Also, Obama's demagoguing is proven, Trumps's is in the eye of the beholder.
Perhaps the biggest foundation supporting the Trump candidacy and popularity stems from his success in business. He has used politicians and our laws to his benefit, and loudly proclaims that he avoids paying taxes as much as he can. In sum, Trump is who most Americans would like to be. Remember: Americans have a relatively low quotient of envy in large part because each believes in the possibility of becoming richer in the future. And we each know that we will have the freedom to possess whatever we want as earnings, success and credit build up. That's what mystifies so many. Americans aren't angry nor envious of Trump's wealth and success. He lives as we want to live. He succeeds as someday each of us will succeed in our own way. The politician class is divorced completely from American reality and their weird ivory towers are chimeras. We are facing an Andrew Jackson moment when the common people rise up and overturn all the certainties so many ensconced crony political rulers count on as sureties.
VDH, It is sad to see that you have no capability of understanding why Donald Trump is rising in the poles. You are responding like a jilted boyfriend who ends up wondering what his x-girlfriend sees in the high school football star! Make America Great Again is an invitation to all to consider the traditions that made our country a prosperous, free, and special place to live. What is vacuous and vague in an invitation to return to our tried and proven American traditions?
YES! I've been waiting for you to write on this topic. Evey media pundit focuses on Trump when the real story is in the coming together of the deprived who have taken their realistic observation underground to avoid the Inquisition of public shaming, and have found a conduit to "speak" to the elite through Trumps meta-communications throwing off the mind-numbing effects of political correctness.
If not, Who in god's name?
I could be Terrorismophobic. Will I also be ridiculed by our government?
I'm sure the German people in 1930 were feeling the exact same way, with Versailles hanging over their heads and the standard of living turned upside down. Imagine what someone could do if they used Trump's tactics and garnered all of this alleged support, but had heinous intent.