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‘Make America Great Again’ is not a policy. It’s an exercise in mass psychology.'
The pledge to make America great again is not an economic project. Its an exercise in mass psychology. The idea is to get people to displace their anger and frustration onto groups that (in Trumps view) have eroded Americas greatness Mexicans, Muslims, the Chinese, political and financial elites, and the media. The Trump treatment is to peddle hatred and resentment for his political gain.
As an election strategy, this might succeed if enough people subscribe to his self-serving stereotypes. But as economic policy, its mostly a dud. It wont change most peoples objective circumstances. In some cases, it may protect them from imports. But for most, it wont provide jobs, and any income gains from tax cuts are skewed toward the rich. Sooner or later, people will recognize that theyve been had.
Trumps serious deficiencies are of character, not intellect. He is a salesman whose favorite product is himself. His moral code is defined by what works. What works to build his popularity is legitimate, even if its untrue, tasteless, personally cruel or inconsistent with what he has said before. What doesnt work is useless, even if it involves inconvertible truths, important policies or common courtesies.
As an election strategy, this might succeed if enough people subscribe to his self-serving stereotypes. But as economic policy, its mostly a dud. It wont change most peoples objective circumstances. In some cases, it may protect them from imports. But for most, it wont provide jobs, and any income gains from tax cuts are skewed toward the rich. Sooner or later, people will recognize that theyve been had.
Trumps serious deficiencies are of character, not intellect. He is a salesman whose favorite product is himself. His moral code is defined by what works. What works to build his popularity is legitimate, even if its untrue, tasteless, personally cruel or inconsistent with what he has said before. What doesnt work is useless, even if it involves inconvertible truths, important policies or common courtesies.
Rest by Robert J. Samuelson at
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/make-america-great-again-is-not-a-policy-its-an-exercise-in-mass-psychology/2016/07/17/e316d5a2-4ab5-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html?tid=hybrid_collaborative_1_na
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‘Make America Great Again’ is not a policy. It’s an exercise in mass psychology.' (Original Post)
FSogol
Jul 2016
OP
forest444
(5,902 posts)1. Typically Orwellian Rethug slogan.
Not unlike the chants they teach children in dictatorships. Sad.
Gothmog
(145,152 posts)2. This slogan is typical GOP racism run amok
FSogol
(45,481 posts)3. Agreed. n/t