I just listened to a morning NPR report about the rise of
Donald Trump in working-class areas, specifically Pennsylvania in this case. It
was an earnest and fair piece that allowed each person encountered an
opportunity to explain their frustrations and reasons for why they were
beginning to find Trump appealing. But there is an underlying irony to their
concerns and their belief that Trump can or will do anything to allay them.
Many pointed to the fact that rural areas like theirs are
depressed economically because of how many manufacturing jobs have been
exported. It’s an unavoidable reality. But it’s also something that Trump
exploits as a businessman himself. Flip over one of his ties and check the
label: China. Go to one of his construction sites, especially his condos in
Florida: immigrant and undocumented workers. This isn’t difficult evidence to
verify either. Go into a local department store and pick up one of his ties
yourself. Google “Trump immigrant workers”. It’s hiding in plain sight.
One of the next most common statements is that Trump is an
outsider and not a typical politician. He’s un-PC. I’m not exactly sure how
being un-PC is considered a strength as a potential POTUS. Being crass and
uncouth doesn’t exactly make someone more likely to negotiate arms treaties.
But I digress. They are indeed correct that he’s not a typical politician. He’s
not a politician at all. And while that sounds appealing, it carries with it
the same undermining aspects as would me saying I intend to start my own rocket
ship travel agency: I have neither the skills nor the appropriate network of
connections to make it feasible. Likewise, Trump has no experience in foreign
policy negotiations nor anything remotely approaching an experienced group of
advisers. Just as important, Trump has bragged incessantly about being able to
buy off politicians. He’s not a politician; he’s the puppet-master who owns
them. The very guy that middle-America claims to hate is the very same person
they’re embracing.
Others rightly pointed out that trade deals have disproportionately
affected American manufacturing jobs. As I pointed out yesterday the bogeyman
of trade deals, NAFTA, was conceived by a conservative POTUS and ratified by a predominantly
GOP Congress. Clinton was ultimately the POTUS who signed it into law, but only
after adding in clauses regarding worker safety and environmental protections.
It was argued at the time that the trade deficit was a legitimate sacrifice
given the overall bump the economy would receive. Which did happen. NAFTA has
been a net positive with some obvious problems. Trump says he supports free
trade but that we negotiated these deals poorly. How he intends to renegotiate
them or cut them without consequences is never really explained. Yet another
problem with Trump’s rhetoric that seems to go unchecked by those supporting
him.
It’s interesting to consider, though, that NAFTA is a
representation of America exporting democratic capitalism. We want other
countries to embrace our love of buying and selling goods. But this will
occasionally lead to offsets for both sides. Exporting manufacturing jobs to
China because their labor costs less is pure capitalism. Perhaps we should
revisit the notion that capitalism is intended to be an economic system not a
political ideology.
Finally, I was struck by one of the last comments made
during the series of interviews. One rural worker was lamenting that he felt
abandoned by the US government and its policies. He said he felt like the white
American worker had become “the minority. We’re being treated like second-class
citizens.” I’m not sure I’ve got the time or energy to unpack the irony, naiveté,
condescendence, and yes, white privilege (god I hate this term) that is
contained in that sentiment. I’ve no doubt he truly feels this way. But I do
doubt he has to endure the other harsh realities of actually being a minority
in America. That doesn’t make his situation right or deserved. Far from it. But
this solipsistic viewpoint is precisely what plagues us at the moment. And it’s
what the GOP and Trump, first as a businessman and now as a politician (and
make no mistake, he’s becoming a politician just like the others), have always
preyed upon.
I feel sorry for these workers. They trusted a system that
betrayed them and now comes along a snake-oil salesman who says he has the
tonic for all their woes. I’m sure it’s tempting. But I’m also on their side
when I point out that Trump offers nothing but false promises in the form of
vulgar populism. And I’ll continue to do so until he’s forced from this arena
for good.
