In the heady whirlwind of the Russian investigation, plea deals, and indictments, we’ve lost track of our longer term problem as a country.
A slice of Americans are so dissatisfied with our public life that they continue to cling to the Con Man In Chief.
What drives people to overlook the lying, the hate mongering, the environmental disregard, the willful ignorance reflected in today’s public policy?
To some segment of our electorate, the fact that Trump disgusts and infuriates perceived elites seems to be sufficient for them. It’s enough that a self proclaimed strong leader brandishes his fist at the world in their defense.
These voters don’t need signal improvements in their lives so long as those they blame for their troubles are vocally unhappy with Trump.
My theory is that Trump appeals to a segment of our society overwhelmed by the complexity of today.
If you can’t master that complexity, it must be someone’s fault. The “right” leader will expose the villains and somehow roll back the clock to a simpler time which is remembered as better.
The memory may be faulty, but the illusion that one controlled one’s life some time in the past persists.
Greater political health requires that we address the sense of powerlessness experienced by such a swathe of our citizenry.
Complexity isn’t going away.
