There is not an insignificant amount of people

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I see posts here from people who are flummoxed by the fact that Trump's approval despite his racism , nativism, sexism, misogyny, et cetera is hovering around forty percent. There is not an insignificant number of Americans who couldn't give a rip about our civic life as long as the economy is "good". It is depressing but true. They would embrace a Duterte, a Putin, an Erdogan as long as the economy is "good".


I trust these people aren't a plurality, much less a majority.


We can have a good economy and the rule of law. We're not Putin's Russia, Duterte's Philippines, or Erdogan's Turkey, We are the United States Of America. We are an idea, not a big piece of real estate.

[Tatiana]

1. "It's the economy, stupid" -- Carville had it right.

Most people only care about their pocketbooks.

We won't see the required mobilization of the citizenry until the economy tanks. Which is why the nosedive the stock market took yesterday is bad news in one way, but good in another.

Never forget that Obama's election was due in part to Dubya's wrecking of the economy, not advocating torture or invading two countries.

If Trump actually makes it to the end of his term, he can expect the same treatment.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. When I see the posts here that Trump should be in the 20s I empathize with the posters

When I see the posts here that Trump should be in the 20s I empathize with the posters but I understand there are voters who could care less about our civic life as long as there bellies are full. Such thinking would be easier to countenance if we lived in the Philippines or Russia.


P.S. We were in a recession when Nixon was impeached. That's the difference between an approval rating that hovers around forty and one that hovers around thirty when you have a corrupt and fundamentally evil leader. I would argue Trump is more evil than Nixon because at least Nixon had the capacity for introspection and remorse.

[lunasun]

2. greed Their God Money

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. an unholy coalition

The propaganda machine that's been running since at least Nixon didn't rely on a single message. From greedy tv evangelicals (broadcast, cable, little dish satellite, FTA big dish, radio) to the Alex Jones conglomeration of insanity, it worked at telling each gang that their goal was achievable only by eliminating the Democrat and the RINO.

That coalition is a cult that can't hold *if* reality pierces the bubble.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. It's more basic.

Some people would be content in a dictatorship as long as their belly was full.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. absolutely

Some people would be content in a dictatorship as long as their belly was full.

Those are easily manipulated. I assumed your OP was talking about the greedy ones helping to do the manipulating -- willing to accept any consequences of stirring up the racists, sexists, etc., so long as their portfolios improved.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. There are people who couldn't care less about civic life as long as they are fed.

I can understand that thinking if I lived in say, Turkey, Russia, or the Philippines but not in the U .S.

[Hortensis]

8. They would support eliminating taxpayer funding for

all arts, humanities, and sciences programs that did not prepare students for the needs of local employers.

Just thought I'd throw that in because so many think that's just a really sensible idea.