Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

William769

(59,147 posts)
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 12:54 PM Dec 2023

Letters to the Editor: At this point, how can you reason with Trump supporters?

To the editor: The Times published a letter suggesting that Trump voters are rational in their support of the former president. The writer stated that America is not working for many people, and that the central issues for voters are income inequality and the unfair tax code.

If that's the case, why would a rational person support former President Trump and the Republican Party?

The Trump administration and the Republican Congress enacted a massive tax cut for the rich and for corporations. Furthermore, they tried to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and refusing to extend Medicaid to more vulnerable Americans has been a GOP goal for years.

Add to that their hostility to other social programs, and it is clear that few rational voters actually believe that Trump supports any sort of responsible safety net for those who need one, or that he would seriously strive to relieve income inequality.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/letters-to-the-editor-at-this-point-how-can-you-reason-with-trump-supporters/ar-AA1l1BpA?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=76286b3a4f8049e8895a3fbbf6b1dd49&ei=21
36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Letters to the Editor: At this point, how can you reason with Trump supporters? (Original Post) William769 Dec 2023 OP
You can't reason with anyone who can't distinguish fantasy from reality Walleye Dec 2023 #1
Exactly. William769 Dec 2023 #3
As soon as they say "Because God says so!" or "You're just being woke!", the discussion is over, Midnight Writer Dec 2023 #11
Best thing to do is try for a clean getaway Warpy Dec 2023 #13
So true, engaging with them is bad for your health, mental and physical Walleye Dec 2023 #25
Ever. At all. To try is to be just as insane as they are. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Dec 2023 #14
You can't claudette Dec 2023 #2
This is true in several contexts. tritsofme Dec 2023 #12
Spot on! Trump supporters are not rational. brer cat Dec 2023 #4
Hi. William769 Dec 2023 #6
You too, my friend. brer cat Dec 2023 #9
CHEESE AND FUCKING CRACKERS Takket Dec 2023 #5
More like cheese and whine. William769 Dec 2023 #7
Yes. Mr. Evil Dec 2023 #19
Chris Rock: "There's nothing that makes a white man dobleremolque Dec 2023 #24
The only income inequality Trump supporters are concerned about is minorities who make more money. Lonestarblue Dec 2023 #8
Just like reagan's welfare queen BS BaronChocula Dec 2023 #32
The use of #7 iron helps. It is the only language some of them understand. ;) Chainfire Dec 2023 #10
A Gap Wedge Has More Mass In The Head ProfessorGAC Dec 2023 #15
I'm partial to dimensional lumber myself..... lastlib Dec 2023 #22
" 'And {Winston,} if the party says that it is not four but five -- then how many?' " . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2023 #16
2024: The Sequel n/t BaronChocula Dec 2023 #33
They haven't just cut the wealthy taxes IbogaProject Dec 2023 #17
You can't. It is impossible. republianmushroom Dec 2023 #18
How does one reason with a "Democrat" who says they won't vote for Biden because they think Joe sop Dec 2023 #20
If you could reason with tRumpers, they wouldn't be tRumpers. lastlib Dec 2023 #21
"central issues for voters are income inequality and the unfair tax code." KS Toronado Dec 2023 #23
Try talking to a rock, we'll get a better response! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2023 #26
There is nothing to gain by engaging these morons JoseBalow Dec 2023 #27
And they delight in showing their stupidity. GreenWave Dec 2023 #28
They literally wave flags proclaiming it! JoseBalow Dec 2023 #29
Oh, the economic anxiety! BaronChocula Dec 2023 #30
Most Trump supporters have sufficient funds Joinfortmill Dec 2023 #31
90% 3auld6phart Dec 2023 #34
Because.... Jeebus Martin Eden Dec 2023 #35
"rational" can be a tricky concept. Caliman73 Dec 2023 #36

Midnight Writer

(25,410 posts)
11. As soon as they say "Because God says so!" or "You're just being woke!", the discussion is over,
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 01:39 PM
Dec 2023

The genius of Republican politics is that they have constructed everything around so-called Christianity, family values, and patriotism.

To deviate from their narrative is to turn their backs on everything they have been taught is good; God, family, country.

Warpy

(114,615 posts)
13. Best thing to do is try for a clean getaway
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 01:57 PM
Dec 2023

One way is to go Emily Post and refuse to discuss politics (or religion, they're the same thing to TFG;s fans) at all. They'll either behave themselves or learn to avoid you like the plague.

Another is to wrong foot them by asking where they heard a thing like that. You can get away while they reboot.

Just never confront them directly for being nasty when their belief in sheer fantasy is questioned. They dig in, double down, get defensive, and start to yell. You never know when they'll whip out a gun these days. Best to avoid the possibility.

brer cat

(27,587 posts)
9. You too, my friend.
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 01:27 PM
Dec 2023

I don't post much because of pain in my hands, but I always read what you post.

Takket

(23,715 posts)
5. CHEESE AND FUCKING CRACKERS
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 01:11 PM
Dec 2023

We aren’t STILL trying to push the economic anxiety bullshit are we? Fucking 8 years since he came down the escalator????

IT’S

THE

RACISM.

That’s what it is. That’s what it has always been. STOP trying to pretend the MAGA base cares about economics!!!

Mr. Evil

(3,457 posts)
19. Yes.
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:41 PM
Dec 2023

These are racist adults with a toddler-like mentality. If they can't have their way they just want to break stuff.

From the top down they don't have any plan or even a clue for what would happen in the aftermath of destroying this country.

dobleremolque

(1,121 posts)
24. Chris Rock: "There's nothing that makes a white man
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:48 PM
Dec 2023

with a penny madder than a black man with a nickel."

Lonestarblue

(13,480 posts)
8. The only income inequality Trump supporters are concerned about is minorities who make more money.
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 01:15 PM
Dec 2023

Much of Trump’s appeal has always been about white privilege and convincing his supporters that he is on their side and will make policies that prevent minorities from taking advantage of their tax dollars because they believe most of them live on welfare. They’re also anti-immigrant. They’re the kind of people who will go to the local Mexican restaurant for dinner because the food is good and usually cheap and then vote for the man who wants to prevent the owners of that restaurant from coming to the country.

BaronChocula

(4,555 posts)
32. Just like reagan's welfare queen BS
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 03:32 PM
Dec 2023

and his oft forgotten tales of a “strapping young buck” using food stamps to “buy a T-Bone steak,” while “you were waiting in line to buy hamburger.”

Republicans are disgusting.

ProfessorGAC

(76,706 posts)
15. A Gap Wedge Has More Mass In The Head
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:07 PM
Dec 2023

I think that would be a better choice for your method!

lastlib

(28,271 posts)
22. I'm partial to dimensional lumber myself.....
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:46 PM
Dec 2023

A 4x6 applied with sufficient force over the human cranium could adjust the attitudes of some of the MAGAt crowd. In some cases, though, even cracking the skull won't open the mind.

IbogaProject

(5,913 posts)
17. They haven't just cut the wealthy taxes
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:37 PM
Dec 2023

They have raised middle class taxes and the t45 gop 'cuts' had temporary middle class adjustments that are gradually phased out. They raised our taxes by eliminating the standard exemption.

sop

(18,626 posts)
20. How does one reason with a "Democrat" who says they won't vote for Biden because they think Joe
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:41 PM
Dec 2023

isn't sufficiently strong on (fill in the blank here)?

lastlib

(28,271 posts)
21. If you could reason with tRumpers, they wouldn't be tRumpers.
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:42 PM
Dec 2023

I've said it for several years. They are truly bat-shit crazy, and weapons-grade stoopid. The Pustule HAS to love the poorly-educated, because they are the only ones who would support him and allow him to fleece them.

KS Toronado

(23,727 posts)
23. "central issues for voters are income inequality and the unfair tax code."
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:47 PM
Dec 2023

Goes back to that old saying "It's the economy stupid", maybe as a Party we need to advertise we'll
eliminate taxes on everyone making say $35,000 a year & $70,000 for couples and be raising them
on people making $400,000 a year and more. And lower rates for everybody making less than $400,000.

Plus beat it into peoples heads how it will boost the economy for everyone rich & poor alike. With
the added bonus of a lower crime rate because people can finally afford food, clothing & shelter.

JoseBalow

(9,489 posts)
27. There is nothing to gain by engaging these morons
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 02:57 PM
Dec 2023

All you will ever find is anger and/or ignorance, never reason, logic, or meaningful discourse.

I only interact with idiots directly to mock them for the luls.

BaronChocula

(4,555 posts)
30. Oh, the economic anxiety!
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 03:19 PM
Dec 2023


That's what made them birthers before they were trumpbeciles. They were upset with income inequality so they challenged President Obama's birthright citizenship.

Joinfortmill

(21,169 posts)
31. Most Trump supporters have sufficient funds
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 03:30 PM
Dec 2023

It's not about being needy. It's about being racist.

3auld6phart

(1,683 posts)
34. 90%
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 03:44 PM
Dec 2023

Of the slobbering idiots haven’t a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. Assholes vote against their own best interests. Having seen some of them being interviewed, Jeesus Christ Is there no hope for the poor widows son? Gawd damn losers !

Caliman73

(11,767 posts)
36. "rational" can be a tricky concept.
Tue Dec 5, 2023, 03:48 PM
Dec 2023

The typical definition is that being rational is about being based on reason and logic, which as you point out, would lead to your question, "How can anyone support Trump and the Republican Party?" I would add the Conservative movement in general to that question.

It depends on the "facts" and attribution that are identified for the problems you posed. Supporters of Trump and the Conservative movement basically live in the same environment that we liberals/progressives/leftists live but they get very different "information" about why it works the way it does. I would say that liberals and leftists see things very differently from each other as well, but that is for another time.

The author of the letter to the editor is correct. America is definitely not working for many many people and it is not working as well as it should for ALL except a very few.

The original letter to the editor is behind a paywall, but the title is: "Yes, Trump voters know they are supporting a racist autocrat" which implies that they support Trump because he espouses views which they hold, which would be rational, at least in the sense of, "If I support Trump and the Republicans/Conservatives, America will look like and become more like I imagine I would like it to be.

Again, the problem comes to information and attribution. People not on the right, see the problems in the US and attribute them in varying degrees to Racism, Sexism, and Capitalism (or "corrupt Capitalism&quot . Typically, because we see that 400 families in the US have as much wealth as half of all Americans combined, which would be about 165 MILLION people. That figure is a bit dated, but the US has always had a very high level of income and asset inequality. We see that and we want to make policies which will distribute the wealth of the country, that the PEOPLE mainly generate through their work and their consumption, more equitably.

Conservatives, on the other hand, are fed constantly that their problems are caused, not by the artificial scarcity caused by the wealthy hoarding the wealth, but by Black people being criminal, by women invading the spaces that men should rightfully occupy, by immigrants coming to America to steal jobs AND be lazy and take welfare (go figure that one), and by LGBTQ people "destroying" traditional culture. Their attributions for the problems of this society are FUNDAMENTALLY different. So, operating by their "logic", a person saying they will, "get rid of those people causing all the problems" seems rational. It isn't the actual truth or fact, but within their perception of the world, it is rational.

The trick and the challenge is how do we get them to have a more accurate attribution to their problems?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Letters to the Editor: At...