The tendency to demonize those who sympathize with Trump alienates voters that Democrats need to reach. It’s challenging to win over people you scorn, and more importantly, it’s unjust to ridicule working-class Americans struggling economically and socially. Many Trump supporters are people left behind by economic shifts, suffering from addiction and despair, often dying young. They deserve empathy, not mockery. It’s essential to criticize Trump without generalizing or belittling the millions of Americans who have sided with him.

 

Living in a rural area, I have old friends who are Trump supporters. One friend, a kind and generous woman, supports Trump because she feels betrayed by both political establishments. She faced hardship when factories closed, losing her job, her home, and even battling addiction. Her pain and loss make her receptive to Trump’s promises to restore jobs. Her commitment to him only deepens when she hears liberals mock her faith, which helped her survive homelessness, or label her as “deplorable.”

 

Another example is my hairdresser, whose daughter struggled with addiction, leading her to leave her job to care for her grandson. Her replacement also faced loss when her husband died of an overdose, and she now supports her addicted son. She’s not politically engaged, doesn’t trust Trump, sees him as a bully, and is frustrated with Democrats over rising food prices. “I’m not sure how I’ll vote,” she said, “or if I’ll vote.” She’s a hardworking person who would benefit from Democratic policies, yet she’s hesitant because of how her struggles are often dismissed.

 

Working-class Americans have every right to feel abandoned. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the U.S. spent trillions on wars, but the response to the ongoing crisis of deaths from drugs, alcohol, and suicide has been minimal. Blue-collar communities are fraying, and people are justifiably angry. Since Obama’s presidency, Democrats have increasingly attracted educated voters, sometimes at the expense of their working-class roots. In a nation where 74 percent of people believe in God and only 38 percent hold a college degree, condescension toward those without higher education is a losing strategy.

 

Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel criticizes the disdain for less educated people as “the last acceptable prejudice” in America. He’s correct: the scorn that elites sometimes express toward working-class voters is something they would never openly show towards other groups. This prejudice risks distancing the Democratic Party from its historical commitment to standing up for working-class Americans, a legacy that dates back to Franklin Roosevelt’s advocacy for “the forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid.”

 

In recent years, liberals have focused intensely on issues of racial and gender inequality, often overlooking class disparities. Research by Harvard economist Raj Chetty highlights that while racial inequality persists, class divisions are now the more significant factor driving inequality. A comprehensive discussion on inequality today must address both race and class, recognizing that for many people of color, these disadvantages intersect.

 

Kamala Harris, understanding this dynamic, chose a running mate who appeals to working-class voters through his words and policies. She can also credibly present herself as a candidate who worked her way up, contrasting with opponents born into privilege. After tweeting Clinton’s comments on respecting those we disagree with, I received heated replies insisting that Trump supporters deserve contempt. However, resorting to insults rarely wins over undecided voters, just as Trump supporters’ derogatory terms fail to persuade liberals.

 

Donald Trump’s divisiveness has brought out the worst in both his supporters and his critics, fostering mutual hostility. It’s time to take a step back and embrace Clinton’s advice, showing empathy rather than disdain. By treating all voters with respect, Democrats can not only improve their electoral prospects but also contribute to a more civil political environment. Winning hearts and minds starts with listening—and that’s the path forward.

 

Credit: NYT 2024-09-02

 

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

When trump supporters start respecting the democracy we have and quit supporting an obvious conman I will have some respect when dealing with them not before.as I see it trump is the enemy to American democracy he’s also a criminal and quite possibly a traitor!ditch the albatross stop feeling sorry for yourself thinking that con man is going to make things better for you!he’s only interested in fixing things foe himself and his wealthy cronies……he doesn’t give a rats behind for regular people you are being conned.

1 minute ago, Tug said:

When trump supporters start respecting the democracy we have and quit supporting an obvious conman I will have some respect when dealing with them not before.as I see it trump is the enemy to American democracy he’s also a criminal and quite possibly a traitor!ditch the albatross stop feeling sorry for yourself thinking that con man is going to make things better for you!he’s only interested in fixing things foe himself and his wealthy cronies……he doesn’t give a rats behind for regular people you are being conned.

 

Your hate is going to give you a heart attack. 

8 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

Your hate is going to give you a heart attack. 

It’s not hate it is the sobering reality that trump has 30% of our population conned and the Republican Party is terrified of their base knowing if they don’t bend the knee(or are to spineless to stand up for democracy)they will lose office.it is what it is as of now trump is the enemy of American democracy .

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel criticizes the disdain for less educated people as “the last acceptable prejudice” in America. He’s correct: the scorn that elites sometimes express toward working-class voters is something they would never openly show towards other groups.

 

this is so true on this forum as well. clear as day from a core group of posters.

 

now let the attacks begin.

1 hour ago, Tug said:

It’s not hate it is the sobering reality that trump has 30% of our population conned and the Republican Party is terrified of their base knowing if they don’t bend the knee(or are to spineless to stand up for democracy)they will lose office.it is what it is as of now trump is the enemy of American democracy .

 

I think the Democrats and MSNBC have you conned. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Tug said:

When trump supporters start respecting the democracy we have and quit supporting an obvious conman I will have some respect when dealing with them not before.as I see it trump is the enemy to American democracy he’s also a criminal and quite possibly a traitor!ditch the albatross stop feeling sorry for yourself thinking that con man is going to make things better for you!he’s only interested in fixing things foe himself and his wealthy cronies……he doesn’t give a rats behind for regular people you are being conned.

Right back at you. Most democratic politicians are slease bags.

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

I received heated replies insisting that Trump supporters deserve contempt. However, resorting to insults rarely wins over undecided voters, just as Trump supporters’ derogatory terms fail to persuade liberals.

Wow, see this happening everyday in AN. I seriously doubt any Dem will take the article to heart though. It is easier to show hate and to give insults than to see another persons points of view. 

First off, respect is earned.

 

And we respect people, individuals, and not a voting bloc.

 

Obviously, the majority, ~90 % of trump voters are decent folks, who start off with a very high level of respect from me.

 

Most understand that white, working-class citizens have found themselves in challenging situations over he past ~ 50 years.

 

I dispute Mr. Kristof's tired trope about this segment of the population being "demonized" because they support Trump.

 

And he seems to be dismissing racial and gender inequality quite cavalierly, implying that these have distracted us from addressing class issues. We haven't really "solved" the former, so no reason to expect we can solve the latter.

 

I'm not sure how much Trump 45, or Republican Senators/Congresspeople, red state governors/legislatures have done to help this class to date?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by bamnutsak

Nobody exhibits more contempt for Trump voters than Trump himself.

 

He regards them as rubes and grifts off them constantly.

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-hates-you-even-if-you-love-him-1064847/

Birthered the President of the Unites States

Never in my lifetime would I have more than one nice thing to say.

 

American Hero for the drive to vaccines will be the one piece of history he accomplished

Mother raised me that if I have nothing good to say, say nothing. Thus, concerning Trump, I will heed her advice.

7 hours ago, Tug said:

When trump supporters start respecting the democracy we have and quit supporting an obvious conman I will have some respect when dealing with them not before.as I see it trump is the enemy to American democracy he’s also a criminal and quite possibly a traitor!ditch the albatross stop feeling sorry for yourself thinking that con man is going to make things better for you!he’s only interested in fixing things foe himself and his wealthy cronies……he doesn’t give a rats behind for regular people you are being conned.

You are so full of BS.  Has Biden, Harris, or any top Marxist Democrat ever mentioned anything about you liberties, property rights or freedoms.  NO  They want to control you and people like you make it easy for them to do this.   Who comes up with all these regulations that take away your rights and freedoms?  Democrats.  Who tells you what car you are going to buy and what appliances you can have in your home?  Democrats.  What limitations has Trump put on anyone's rights to live the way you want to live?  NONE  You don't know of Democrats plans to have everyone live in condensed housing?  Someday you will not be able to buy that house, with the white picket fence.  Who wants to take away your free speech?  Who wants to take away your right to own a gun.  All Marxist Democrats.  Are you really serious with your replies?

7 hours ago, TedG said:

 

Your hate is going to give you a heart attack. 

Hate is all they have. Trump had the best reading on in poverty index since the beginning in 1959. These hate filled Dems care about music and celebs.

5 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Are you really serious with your replies?

Are you? Really ? Or do you just care about your guns.

2 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Hate is all they have. Trump had the best reading on in poverty index since the beginning in 1959. These hate filled Dems care about music and celebs.

Trump has best ratings always 555555555 according to himself

1 minute ago, bubblegum said:

Trump has best ratings always 555555555 according to himself

You think about him all day long. 

Recognizing Dems ,of years ago possibly ! But these dems who support a marxist activism 

aren’t the party of JFK , the party of liberalism that I grew up with !  The party who believes in DEI with skin color& ethnicity holding sway over character . Their use of censorship, weaponizing agencies,the legal system , through dem lawfare & media to persecute political opposition parties & leaders. NYT is delusional.imop  

 

 

“For example, equity is invoked to justify explicit racial allocations in medical school admissions, doctor hires, and distribution of medical treatment. Letting race override competence or science literally risks lives”. 

https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2023/02/10/the_equity_delusionand_its_marxist_roots_110821.html

 

“Congresswoman Stefanik: “And it was not just meetings, not just censorship of stories like the Hunter Biden laptop story. We also now know that the FBI paid Twitter over $3.4 million of taxpayer taxpayer funds to censor these stories before the 2020 election”.

https://stefanik.house.gov/2023/2/icymi-stefanik-exposes-fbi-doj-corruption-in-first-weaponization-subcommittee-hearing-this-is-the-definition-of-election-meddling

 

 

 

5 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Right back at you. Most democratic politicians are slease bags.

 

 

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

By treating all voters with respect, Democrats can not only improve their electoral prospects but also contribute to a more civil political environment. Winning hearts and minds starts with listening—and that’s the path forward.

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by riclag

There will always be a struggle with political correctness! The left pushes & pushes  for their control , their agenda!

its always been this way

 

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/09/1014744289/cancel-culture-debate-has-early-90s-roots-political-correctness

8 hours ago, Tug said:

When trump supporters start respecting the democracy we have and quit supporting an obvious conman I will have some respect when dealing with them not before.as I see it trump is the enemy to American democracy he’s also a criminal and quite possibly a traitor!ditch the albatross stop feeling sorry for yourself thinking that con man is going to make things better for you!he’s only interested in fixing things foe himself and his wealthy cronies……he doesn’t give a rats behind for regular people you are being conned.

The Democratic Party is a repository of all that is pure and good and right and has no billionaire donors calling the shots?

8 minutes ago, riclag said:

There will always be a struggle with political correctness! The left pushes & pushes  for their control , their agenda!

its always been this way

 

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/09/1014744289/cancel-culture-debate-has-early-90s-roots-political-correctness

You did read the article before posting?

3 minutes ago, mokwit said:

The Democratic Party is a repository of all that is pure and good and right and has no billionaire donors calling the shots?

Billiinaires, rich singers, rich actors etc. 

 

56 minutes ago, neeray said:

Mother raised me that if I have nothing good to say, say nothing. Thus, concerning Trump, I will heed her advice.

Common sense it use to be a virtue ! So are you ok with censorship! You’ll just turn a blind eye for the sake of party , ideology & not causing debate?

 

 

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by riclag

3 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Billiinaires, rich singers, rich actors etc. 

 

Not a hypocrite amongst them. Champions of immigration - into other people's neighbourhoods.

No skin in the game being British but anyone who can vote for that insane convicted dangerous criminal needs their head examined

People in the UK think he's ludicrous in the main

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

You are so full of BS.  Has Biden, Harris, or any top Marxist Democrat ever mentioned anything about you liberties, property rights or freedoms.  NO  They want to control you and people like you make it easy for them to do this.   Who comes up with all these regulations that take away your rights and freedoms?  Democrats.  Who tells you what car you are going to buy and what appliances you can have in your home?  Democrats.  What limitations has Trump put on anyone's rights to live the way you want to live?  NONE  You don't know of Democrats plans to have everyone live in condensed housing?  Someday you will not be able to buy that house, with the white picket fence.  Who wants to take away your free speech?  Who wants to take away your right to own a gun.  All Marxist Democrats.  Are you really serious with your replies?

Whereas Project 2025 is a masterpiece of small government with no intrusion into the lives of ordinary americans?

Ok. We should not mock people who believe ridiculous conspiracy theories, such as Pizzagate, Birther, or the Big Lie! 😀

Respect the Trump as other do. MAGA

21 minutes ago, Chivas said:

No skin in the game being British but anyone who can vote for that insane convicted dangerous criminal needs their head examined

People in the UK think he's ludicrous in the main

The way things are going where you live, I think a little humility is in order. After all, it appears you are giving your young women and even girls over to animals to be raped and murdered. And then letting the perps walk free while arresting anybody who expresses disgust or criticism of it. In short, criticism from your side of the Atlantic is actually high praise.

It appears that Trump is loved by many millions of people. Respect is earned and Trump has earned that respect.