I’m copy/pasting text below rather than just the image, but this is what I wrote on my personal facebook page, and a set of responses I got:
ME: Judgement-free question: who do you support for president at this point, and why? Particularly interested in what Trump supporters have to say.
Friend #1: You’re making a big assumption that Trump supporters know how to write.
Friend #2: Presidential politics is one of many topics that are never judgement free on Facebook. Even if you are not judging, someone will be.
#1: If people refuse to express an opinion because they fear being judged, perhaps it’s because they realize they can’t defend their views. The phenomenal efficacy of science is due in large part to the role of peer judgement in assessing evidence and weeding out error. If there are any shrinking violet Trumpites out there, it might do them some good to get feedback on the whole “Muslim registry” thing.
#2: Exactly. Do you think any Trump supporter will respond to this thread? You have basically said they are wrong. Not that there would be a pleasant discussion. You are going to shine the light of truth and show them the error of their ways. My experience is that that tactic usually hardens people’s opinions. Most people just want to live their lives and the day to day struggles far outweigh presidential politics. They are tired of gridlock and leaders who are more interested in poking their opponent in the eye then accomplishing anything for our country. What do Trump supporters I know think? Many are just fed up with the gridlock as usual. They don’t trust any politician because they feel betrayed by the self serving behavior and gridlock. They are tired of the pessimism and the half-hearted slogans that no one believes. Trump actually makes people believe something will change. It may be good. It may be bad. But at lesdt there is hope of something happening. They are tired of the familiar same old same old. How do you find that out? By having a real, conversation. Not the brow beating you see in a typical Facebook thread.
What F2 says about Trump supporters is exactly my impression. They may know that Trump is, deep down, a seriously flawed candidate, but their votes, or, rather, poll responses, are an expression of their extreme frustration with politicians, a sort of “protest vote” on a very large scale.
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