Rush Limbaugh’s bumper music is “My City was Gone.” Whether or not Rush chose that due to the title or for its ominous beat, the title says something. In my view his appeal represents loss. Working class guy could bring home a decent, often union-influenced wage, his wife might be able to stay at home, he might even have a boat. Then wages stagnate, jobs go elsewhere, blacks are able to compete in integrated unions, women are getting uppity about their rights, and when they call a business they are told to press one for English. They or their parents or grandparents were part of the greatest generation that beat Germany and Japan, then saw the betrayal as the Iron Curtain fell. And some long haired kids said that Vietnam, which looked to them like Korea, was an immoral adventure. They were known as Reagan Democrats. One could argue then that they voted against their economic interests. You can make the same case now with Trump supporters. As long as the economic numbers stay positive, in my view they will tolerate Trump’s racial comments and lies. One has to admit that his disruptive style is entertaining, but does anyone think he will make blue collar workplaces safer, support an increase in the minimum wage, etc.? His administration has already approved a pesticide that causes birth defects and removed the requirement that the govt consider companies’ safety records when they award contracts.
