It was the racism, stupid: White working-class economic anxiety is a zombie idea that needs to die

[Lithos]

58. B/S

Salon and every other website which publishes political things have articles all over the place about what happened, so pick whatever you believe in. People were racists, people voted against their best interests, Hillary was a bad candidate, etc. And of course any armchair pundit can write a two page article which naturally summarizes one of the most complicated elections in very simple terms.

As Einstein said, "Make things as simple as possible, not simpler" This is yet another example of the latter part of Einstein's dictum. It's too simple and it of course misses the mark just like the "economic anxiety" one did as well.

What this article fails to explain is why voters who supported Obama shifted away from Hillary to vote for Trump. Another thing this article fails to explain is why we're seeing the same pattern as the UK and Europe.

The racism being described has always been present at pretty much the same level and were not those who voted for Obama. Ie, it's background noise and does not explain the "what's changed", or better stated "what failed to change".

So, to find out why Trump is now the President Elect you have to answer - the "what's changed" and "what failed to change" questions.

I think what you're going to find is the "center" in American politics at this time is different, just like it is in Europe. I think you will also find the "Third Way" of the Clinton era with the hallmarks of Neoliberal economics, moderate Social platform, and business first attitude is now in tatters and destroyed because it no longer appeals the same way it once did. Same thing is happening in Europe.