Coal Country Trump Voters Scared that Obamacare will be Taken Away

[Solly Mack]

64. I read an earlier article on the same subject, fear of losing the black lung provision

and the attitude was, it's not like we're begging for hand-outs, but only getting what we are entitled to...

and I thought the same thing - that implied in that message is the thinking that other people in need are begging and asking for hand-outs and this coal miner needed to distinguish himself, if only in his own mind, from those he saw as lazy or undeserving or wanting something for free.

All his life he was taught and later spouted to his own children, that needing help was a bad thing, so when he needs help, it's not because he is begging or expecting it, but because it is owed to him. And he is owed, but what he is owed is the same thing as everyone else - fair treatment, a livable wage, decent housing, a solid education, and actual health care, as well as help when needed.

So yeah, there is the underlining belief that they are the real Americans, the true hard-working Americans who deserve whatever they can get while others are feeding off the system.

I doubt they will take responsibility for their vote. They've invested their entire lives in certain beliefs and to adopt new ones at this stage would be a blow to their very being. They need to believe they are different or somehow special, otherwise they are like the very people they despise.

Never mind that how they see other people is based on warped thinking steeped in bigotry and false premises.

Corporations have screwed him (and everybody else) with profits over people. Government siding with corporations on profits over people have screwed him (and everybody else) but the single mother needing assistance has not screwed him - but it's her he will heap the most scorn on. Her, and those he sees as like her.

It's still sad, even when it pisses me off. That people can't see how they are instruments, tools, in their own oppression.