When MAGAs say "elites" I think they mean what they think of as "cultural elites"; e.g., they are against "elites" who think that there is "still" a lot of systemic racism, support LGBTQ+ and are pro-choice. The necessity of fighting a culture war against culture "elites" is one of the pillars of populist movement that has taken over the Republican Party. Trump feeds it and then feeds off of it.

When liberals talk about elites, they more often than not are referring to economic elites (the rich, top percenters, etc.) I think one of Bernie Sanders' strengths in his presidential run was a form of economic populism aimed at criticism of rich people (oversimplified, I know).

It seems like Trump's criticisms of what MAGAs think of as cultural elites has led to a much more potent populist movement than any "anti-economic elite" populist movement any Democrats have put forth. I wonder why that is.

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e pluribus unum



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2023 04:18PM by Ted King.

Elites for MAGAts refer to anyone smarter than them. Plus all Democrats.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

I think the education level of the former president's base might have something to do with it.

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Northern California Coast

In 2016, I used a term 'the lefty Lefts'. I was referring to those who blamed parents when children did not attend college.

Keeping in mind that only 25% of jobs back then needed a college degree, this sentiment by certain 'elites' was clearly going to marginalize the Democratic party.

To my knowledge, President Biden has NEVER considered college the silver bullet to solve what ails the US. But there are plenty who do.

I can support LGBTQ+ rights overall (who am I am to judge who you love?), AOC (in general), and am overall a fan of self-autonomy of our bodies (which means pro choice of course). But I am not a Bernie fan in selling free college to solve all our woes, nor am I against unions (even though I think they have issues too).

Calling any significant portion of our country out as 'deplorables' - reminder, this was FIRST done by Candidate M Romney before Candidate H Clinton said it a few years later.

Am I a fan of MAGAland? Absolutely not. But calling them all out as 'uneducated' is simply wrong.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2023 06:13PM by sekker.

Calling them out as uneducated may be wrong but that doesn't make it inaccurate.

Quote
sekker
Am I a fan of MAGAland? Absolutely not. But calling them all out as 'uneducated' is simply wrong.

An overstatement to be sure, but true to a certain degree.