STRANGERS IN YOUR OWN LAND

164 Comments

by MIKE FLYNN20 Nov 201510,720GettyImages-495150466 trump crowdA Super PAC tied to Ohio Governor John Kasich is annnouncing a new multi-million dollar effort to torpedo Donald Trump’s campaign for the Republican nomination.

Trump’s continued dominance of national and state-level polling has vexed the GOP establishment and pushed it to near-panic as voting nears.

A recent survey of public attitudes by Reuters/Ispos, though, suggests caution for the GOP establishment.

Whatever failings there may be in his specific policies, Donald Trump’s campaign has tapped into a strong, visceral feeling of millions of Americans. Seeking to destroy Trump, the candidate, may further alienate the Republican party from a rapidly growing block of voters.

According to the Reuters survey, 58 percent Americans say they “don’t identify with what America has become.” While Republicans and Independents are the most likely to agree with this statement, even 45 percent of Democrats share this feeling.

More than half of Americans, 53 percent, say they “feel like a stranger” in their own country. A minority of Americans feel “comfortable as myself” in the country.

There are no doubt lots of reasons underlying this feelings. Demographically, Americans holding these views tend to be white, older, live in the South and have less than a college education. Politically, they are cordoned off as the white working class. While they rarely attract much attention from the political class, they still represent an enormous block of voters.

Their numbers may be declining relative to the entire population, but they are still the largest single block of voters. In many critical swing states like Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina, they represent a significant base of voters that can determine the outcome of elections.

The reasons for their alienation are both cultural and economic. The economic anxiety sparked by the financial crisis in 2007-8 has likely pushed them further away from the mainstream political parties. This isn’t solely a phenomenon on the right, as the resurgent popularity of explicitly socialist policies on the left attest.

Even allowing that the economy has officially been in recovery for the past six years, its benefits haven’t been felt widely. The jobs gained during the economic recovery have generally been at lower wages and benefits than before the Great Recession. The number of Americans not in the labor force, on food stamps or permanent disability have all reached historic highs. Concerns over income inequality have increased as the Federal Reserve has pumped trillions of dollars of stimulus into Wall Street and the financial markets.

There are cultural factors as well.

Several years ago, leading Democrat strategists created the “Bobby Kennedy Project,” an effort to increase the party’s appeal to white working class voters. The effort was soon abandoned, though, when it became clear that the party would have to moderate some of its more progressive social positions. The Democrat party, for now at least, has staked its future on appealing to young and minority voters.

Whether or not this is the politically smart play for the future remains to be seen. In the present, however, it means that a huge block of voters feel alienated and are up for grabs politically. Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is perfectly attuned to those voters who feel increasingly like “strangers” in their own country.

Panic breeds actions born out of emotions rather than somber reflection. The Republican establishment is understandably panicked at the thought of Donald Trump capturing the party’s nomination for President. It is convinced, perhaps incorrectly, that a Trump candidacy will doom the party’s chances next year.

Its zeal to derail his campaign carries huge risks for the party, however. The Trump phenomenon is not simply the product of a media-savvy, hyper-personality candidate. It is drawing strength from very real sentiments of a huge block of voters. The Republican party may take out Trump, but it alienates these voters at its peril.

164 thoughts on “STRANGERS IN YOUR OWN LAND”

  33. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I have got you book-marked to look at new things you post…

  34. I do trust all the ideas you’ve presented on your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. May just you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  37. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe
    for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear
    idea

  38. I just couldn’t leave your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed
    the usual info a person provide to your visitors? Is going
    to be again incessantly to investigate cross-check new posts

  41. I’ve learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely
    worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you place to make this sort of fantastic informative
    site.

  43. I think that what you said made a great deal of sense.

    But, think on this, suppose you were to write a awesome post title?

    I am not saying your content is not solid., but what if you added a
    post title that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean STRANGERS IN YOUR OWN LAND
    | The New Boston Tea Party © is a little plain. You could peek at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create news headlines to get viewers to open the links.

    You might add a video or a related picture or
    two to grab readers interested about what you’ve written. Just
    my opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.

  46. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  50. Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clarity for your put up is simply cool and i can suppose you’re a professional in this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to clutch your RSS feed to keep up to date with approaching post.
    Thanks one million and please continue the rewarding work.

  51. Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you
    amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this
    your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  79. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at a
    few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and
    I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  80. Have you ever thought about including a little bit
    more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything.
    However think of if you added some great images or video clips
    to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video
    clips, this blog could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its field.
    Awesome blog!

  82. Right here is the right website for anybody who wishes
    to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its
    almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a subject that’s been discussed for years.
    Wonderful stuff, just excellent!

  84. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some
    interesting things or advice. Maybe you could
    write next articles referring to this article.
    I desire to read more things about it!

  85. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added
    I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Appreciate it!

  86. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.

  92. 918128 62744I think this really is among the most vital information for me. And im glad reading your article. But wanna remark on couple of general issues, The website style is perfect, the articles is truly wonderful : D. Excellent job, cheers 940987

  94. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you
    wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the
    message home a little bit, but other than that, this
    is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be
    back.

  95. Hi there mates, how is the whole thing, and what you
    want to say on the topic of this piece of writing, in my view its really
    amazing in favor of me.

  96. Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such
    as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you simply can do with a few % to power
    the message house a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
    A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  99. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that
    I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you
    access consistently fast.

  101. I’m not certain the place you are getting your info,
    however great topic. I must spend a while learning much more or figuring out more.

    Thanks for fantastic info I used to be in search of this information for
    my mission.

  103. Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work
    and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.

  104. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied
    that you just shared this helpful info with us.
    Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  105. I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else
    encountering issues with your site. It appears as if
    some of the written text within your content are
    running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
    this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this
    happen previously. Cheers

  106. Undeniably believe that which you stated.
    Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet
    the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that
    they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
    thing without having side effect , people could take
    a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  108. fantastic issues altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
    What may you suggest about your post that you made some days
    in the past? Any sure?

  111. I’ve been surfing on-line greater than three hours these days, yet I
    by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like
    yours. It is lovely worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made just
    right content as you probably did, the net will be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  112. I was more than happy to uncover this website. I want to to
    thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!!
    I definitely enjoyed every part of it and I have you saved to
    fav to look at new things in your web site.

  115. My partner and I stumbled over here different page and thought I may as well check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.

  118. I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re using? I’m having some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to
    find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?

  120. Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like
    to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at
    and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me.
    Thanks, very great post.

  121. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
    I am quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff
    right here! Good luck for the next!

  122. I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article.
    But want to remark on few general things, The site style is great, the
    articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  124. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care
    for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for
    a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  128. Just want to say your article is as amazing. The
    clearness for your put up is simply spectacular and that i can assume you
    are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to clutch your feed to keep up to date with coming near
    near post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying
    work.

  129. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing
    problems with your website. It appears like some of the written text within your posts are running
    off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
    this is happening to them as well? This might be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Many thanks

  133. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.

    Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable
    job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

  134. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both
    educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve
    hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently
    about. I’m very happy that I came across this
    in my hunt for something relating to this.

  135. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly
    loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing on your rss feed and I am hoping you write again very
    soon!

  136. These are in fact great ideas in regarding blogging.
    You have touched some nice factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.

  139. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site
    before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new
    to me. Regardless, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  141. Useful information. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally, and I’m surprised
    why this accident didn’t came about earlier! I bookmarked it.

  143. Quality posts is the important to be a focus for the visitors to go to see the web
    site, that’s what this web page is providing.

  144. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
    wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  145. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find
    many of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking
    for. can you offer guest writers to write content for you personally?

    I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many
    of the subjects you write regarding here. Again,
    awesome website!

  147. Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has
    some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, terrific blog!

  150. When someone writes an paragraph he/she retains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it.
    Thus that’s why this piece of writing is outstdanding. Thanks!

  151. Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger,and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice procedures and weare looking to exchange techniques with others, why not shoot me an email if interested.

  152. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to
    be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this
    is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but
    I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though!
    Hope you get the issue solved soon. Kudos

  153. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to
    be working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest
    website and I would like to find something more safeguarded.
    Do you have any suggestions?

  154. Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info
    on your site. Im really impressed by your site.
    Hi there, You’ve performed a great job. I will definitely digg it and individually suggest to my
    friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from
    this website.

  156. I have been browsing on-line more than 3 hours today, but I never discovered any interesting article like yours.

    It’s pretty price enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right
    content material as you probably did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.

  157. You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
    The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
    At all times go after your heart.

  159. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  160. Right now it appears like Movable Type is the best blogging platform out there right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using
    on your blog?

  161. Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading
    properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the
    same outcome.

  162. Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for
    this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.

    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a
    good platform.

Comments are closed.