Why Trump?

Ever since the 2016 race for the White House I have asked myself and some other people “Why Trump?” What does he have that attracts such passionate support from so many Americans?

I have spent hours reading and watching (respectable Youtube videos interviewing Trump supporters and others), trying to understand this phenomenon.

Here are some reasons I have found.

First, people all over the world, especially in Europe and the Americas, are attracted to populism. Trump puts on a good populist “face.” Populism comes in right-wing and left-wing forms. It appeals to “little people,” or those who think they are, who feel disenfranchised, looked down on, by “big government” and “big corporations,” who feel they are ignored and exploited. The vast majority of pro-populist people have little education beyond high school and depend on wages to live. They believe “the American dream” has been stolen from them by powerful people and forces. They believe Trump will come to their aid by dismantling the powers that oppress them.

Second, Trump is bold and speaks his mind and isn’t afraid of anyone. Many Americans are convinced that most politicians, whether elected or appointed or seeking to be elected or appointed, are subservient to powerful people and organizations that do not have the common good in heart or mind. Many Trumpists think he will go against those people and organizations on their behalf.

Third, many Americans think America is weaker than it was and should be. The economy struggles, we lose wars, we are increasingly tested by opposing organizations and countries (Iran, China, Russia, North Korea). The Democrats have not stood up to our enemies or would-be enemies. The American empire is becoming vulnerable.

Fourth, American has become morally decadent and even if Trump is himself morally flawed he alone will open doors to Christians and other morally conservative people to pass legislations and create policies that draw back and down the forces of evil in education, popular culture. In spite of his personal failures and flaws, he promises to give permission and power to morally conservative people to push back the immoral, decadent culture of contemporary America.

Fifth, he at least opposes loose and almost free immigration that many Americans believe, rightly or wrongly, is hurting America. Democrats are saying too little, too late. Something drastic has to be done (a wall, deportations).

Sixth, he will appoint cabinet members who head powerful federal government agencies and departments who will roll back policies that many people believe are left-wing, culturally divisive, hostile to white people and men, etc.

Seventh, he will start to re-set America on a different path, away from its perceived head-long rush into moral, economic and cultural oblivion, even if that takes semi-dictatorial, aggressive and autocratic actions.

And therein lies my concern. Many Trumpists seem willing to give Trump permission to cancel democracy, for a time, in order to re-set America, somewhat back to the way it once was (e.g., in the 1950s): powerful, economically strong, proud, moral, Christian. If that requires limiting some rights and freedoms, especially for people on the “left,” so be it.

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