First, I am and have been a JEB supporter.
What the country is witnessing with the ascendancy of Donald J. Trump, however, is not just the visceral rejection of Obama and his ideology (collectivism) but also a deep-seated tantrum caused by the philosophical center of the federal government moving steadily to the left since the beginning of the Bush 41 presidency.
“A thousand points of light” was always a euphemism for endless government intervention. And 41’s betrayal of “read my lips, no new taxes” was the conception of the current-day Tea Party.
A meaningful majority of the country wants the federal government budget downsized to about 15% – 18% of GDP – if not smaller. This majority categorically disdains the welfare state. This majority, correctly, views the culture of dependency and victimization as the gateway to permanent decline. This majority intuitively understands that central planning has been dismissed long ago by history and that the Democratic Party offers nothing new except their latest “plan” for the country.
Enter Trump.
He is a blowhard – to the educated. He is a boor – to the educated. And he is utterly confusing – to the educated.
But to the common man he is a breath of fresh air that placates their years-accumulated frustration and anger. And he crosses partisan lines as if none existed. This is why the mainstream media (and the political class) has no explanation for his rise. They are in denial about where the political center of the common man actually resides and they have no idea about the magnitude of anger currently harbored by the middle class.
I don’t believe the current polling for Trump is accurate; I think he is far more popular.
Here’s why: Trump channels George Patton. “Why, Americans find the very notion of losing HATEFUL.”
America is sick of losing – or, at least, the experience of the perception of loss. America has never lost and the culture of maudlin empathy pushed by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres has run its course to a burnt-out unsatisfying end.
When Trump labels someone a loser it registers. When Trump says he wants to make America great again it strikes a deep, full chord. And when Trump counter-punches attacks it makes people feel like there’s someone who has arrived – finally – to get stuff done.
Trump’s positions on immigration and trade are but vehicles of political expediency to deftly travel partisan lines.
“Hey Focker, I didn’t know they gave ribbons for fifth place?”
Neither did Trump. And neither did the American people – EVER. The left pushes that “fifth place ribbon” crap in all things (race, gender, religion, and class) and it’s corrosive to the culture. It’s the insidious inspiration of political correctness. And they’ve had enough.
America understands the character-building dynamic of competition. They understand the critical role that very dynamic has played in the building of America. They know not everyone can be a winner; That it’s important to experience losing; That losing usually is the precursor to learning how to win.
Say what we will about Donald Trump, he is a winner. People like that.
It’s that simple. It’s that powerful.