The toxic elitism of declaring voters to be unworthy of the task

[DonViejo]

Philip Bump 44 mins ago

The past five years have been replete with conservative hand-wringing about the dire influence of coastal elites over the American public. Donald Trump's ascent in the 2016 Republican primary was a function of his being the right kind of elite: the kind willing to amplify the rhetoric common in right-wing media. Other Republicans, those who'd worked in politics and built coalitions to win elections, were reticent to embrace Trump's nativism and his burn-it-down approach out of concern that doing so would harm their electoral chances and thanks to a more sophisticated understanding of how our systems work. What Trump showed was that leaning into that rhetoric could win a national election and what he created was a Republican electorate that largely expected it.

What emerged was an odd sort of alternate elitism. At his rallies, Trump would often proclaim that he and his supporters were the real elites, the cream of the American crop who represented what the country was supposed to be better than some jerk writing for The Washington Post. It was a sort-of ironic formulation, given who we generally consider to be “elite,” but, like so many things in the Trump era, it captured an actual sentiment. Trump supporters often viewed themselves as better Americans than his opponents, as more patriotic if not more pure. If “elite” simply means “the best,” they were, in their own understanding, the American elite.

This idea that there are good, valid Americans and bad, tainted ones permeates a lot of the current conversation. A poll released in February found that most Republicans see Democrats not as political opponents but as enemies, a group that poses a danger to the country. Most Republicans say they believe that President Biden only won election last year because of voter fraud, an obviously ridiculous assertion for which there's no evidence — but one which overlaps with a sense that the political left is dangerous, dishonest and toxic.

Last November, 81.3 million Americans voted to elect Biden president, nearly 10 percent more than Trump. The conservative Heritage Foundation has identified voter fraud associated with the 2020 election: one case in which a guy in Michigan forged his daughter’s signature to submit the ballot at her request. The vote was not counted. And that’s it.

more/NO PAYWALL
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/the-toxic-elitism-of-declaring-voters-to-be-unworthy-of-the-task/ar-BB1foTFV?

[abqtommy]

1. To me "toxic elitism" and fascism go hand in hand. Thanks for the good op.

[kimbutgar]

2. I would love a requirement to voting to be able to pass a basic 10 question citizenship test

Like what are the three branches of government? How many States? What year was the constitution signed. Who was our first president?

I would bet a whole lot of repukes couldn’t pass that test!

And I know people would say it’s discriminatory for those with special needs. One could get a waiver then.

[Bettie]

3. That should be required, not for voting

but for running for office!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Gross.

[kimbutgar]

5. When I wrote this I had supporters of Marjorie Taylor Green and Lauren Bobert in mind

Who vote for idiots like them.

As a teacher i just think people need to understand representative government to make informed decisions who represent in congress. Not depend on commercials and right wing media talking points.

Sorry my comment offended you.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. "Who vote for idiots like them."

Citizens of this nation who have the right to vote.