General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Rise of Donald Trump is a big flashing neon sign that something is very wrong in this country [View all]Whiskeytide
(4,461 posts)..., and I notice that you tossed a grenade into the middle of this thread and no one even flinched when it went off!
There were some problems with our education system long before the "dumbing down" began, perhaps? Maybe. But I think the real answer to your query is that education is the wrong indicator of Trumpism.
Trump's support is NOT really as much a factor of education as it is a willingness to disregard facts that contradict your preconceived notions. You actually have to have some smarts to do that, I think, because you have to work through some pretty impressive mental gymnastics to reconcile that level of hypocrisy.
Instead, the overriding concern for most Trump supporters, I think, is FEAR - not just of terrorists or economic hardship - or whatever other "boogyman" is featured on the news tonight, but rather a fear of losing one's perceived way of life. These people see the country changing, and they are uncomfortable with that. They think Trump will take things back to the way they remember (selectively, of course) it was before the "others" had so much influence. That fear HIGHLY motivates the authoritarian subject, whether or not he/she can solve a calculus problem.
This actually worries me about the general election. I'm afraid Trump has more support than we understand, but it's flying under the radar because many of them are savvy enough - or fear embarrassment enough - not to announce it or put a sign in their yard or a bumper sticker on their car. But they WILL pull the lever for him in November. I hope I'm wrong - or that I'm misled by the red bubble I live in (Alabama). But - FWIW- I have come to think we are celebrating Trump's loss a little too early.