# "Is it that the Dems don't understand white, working-class America?" No, that's not it **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 28, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291 "2016-11-28T16:35:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/541 "2016-12-16T21:22:50Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > This is a great idea, but I don’t think the numbers work on a basic income unless we increase taxes to never before seen levels. I don’t think any of the anti-minimum wage folks would trade the minimum wage for higher taxes like we would need for a basic universal income. So you’ve got a great idea that costs too much and nobody likes. That’s probably true. But it does depend on the levels of basic income wouldn’t it? The idea isn’t for the whole populace to have no incentive to go out and work. The idea is to get rid of market distorting wage floors and have a safety net to supplement needs. ---
**Author:** ![random6x7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@random6x7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/random6x7)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/542 "2016-12-16T21:30:57Z")
Trump is not a political genius. He did, however, mow through a large field of Republicans, including previous “grass roots” darlings like Cruz. I agree with you, **drad dog**. This was a weird year. When the historians write about this, I doubt they’ll find Clinton to be extraordinarily awful and the reason Trump won. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/543 "2016-12-16T22:46:31Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > The electorate did not vote rationally, therefore you are not any more a good observer of this situation than anyone else. > > I don’t know about her ever saying it was her turn. It’s something that came with the situation and the running dialogue, as a cheerleading meme. That you are filled with vitriol about that one aspect to this is pretty ridiculous, when comparing it to the assumptions and presumptions, lies, and wretched scumminess that came from the other side. > > After all that the headline you extract is “Hillary is a plutocrat”? Bury the lede much? > > On this thread you only answer the people in your mind. They don’t exist. > > Hillary was an above average choice. Why the spittle and superiority? You are indistinguishable in your tone from a russian troll. Speaking of the Russians, why isn’t this receiving more attention? Now the FBI has come out in support of the CIA’s finding that yes, the Russians were using cyberattacks, leaks, and fake news “outlets” to influence the election in favor of Trump. Doesn’t that bother anyone? You’d think all the true patriots (R) should be screaming about that. Fucking hypocrites. Traitors. Quislings. Why isn’t Anyone really talking about that? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/544 "2016-12-16T22:49:33Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > This was a D failure. > > Trump is not a political genius. > > This country elected a black man twice. The alt right did not elect Trump. Hillary did not lose because America is racist. Hillary did not lose because America is misogynistic. Hillary lost because she is a horrible candidate and Democrats allowed her “ready for Hillary” crowd to coopt the primary process and install her as our nominee. Hillary lost because of 2 things… the electoral college People are stupid and will vote against their own best interest. But she still took the popular vote by damn near 3 million votes. So it’s still down to the EC and stupidity. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/545 "2016-12-16T22:50:47Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Speaking of the Russians, why isn’t this receiving more attention? Now the FBI has come out in support of the CIA’s finding that yes, the Russians were using cyberattacks, leaks, and fake news “outlets” to influence the election in favor of Trump. > > Doesn’t that bother anyone? You’d think all the true patriots (R) should be screaming about that. Fucking hypocrites. Traitors. Quislings. > > Why isn’t Anyone really talking about that? At this point, a mass Republican outing to spit on Reagan’s grave wouldn’t shock me in the least. Can you imagine what he would say to Trump and the Trumpettes if he were still alive and coherent? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/546 "2016-12-16T23:07:45Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Speaking of the Russians, why isn’t this receiving more attention? Now the FBI has come out in support of the CIA’s finding that yes, the Russians were using cyberattacks, leaks, and fake news “outlets” to influence the election in favor of Trump. > > Doesn’t that bother anyone? You’d think all the true patriots (R) should be screaming about that. Fucking hypocrites. Traitors. Quislings. > > Why isn’t Anyone really talking about that? It gets brought up but: Do you think there are not russian trolls on SD? > **[Russian web brigades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_brigades)** > > Russian web brigades,\[a\] also called Russian trolls, Russian bots, Kremlinbots, or Kremlin trolls are state-sponsored anonymous Internet political commentators and trolls linked to the Russian government. Participants report that they are organized into teams and groups of commentators that participate in Russian and international political blogs and Internet forums using sockpuppets, social bots, and large-scale orchestrated trolling and disinformation campaigns to promote pro-Putin and pr Kre... ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/547 "2016-12-17T00:49:36Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Speaking of the Russians, why isn’t this receiving more attention? Now the FBI has come out in support of the CIA’s finding that yes, the Russians were using cyberattacks, leaks, and fake news “outlets” to influence the election in favor of Trump. > > Doesn’t that bother anyone? You’d think all the true patriots (R) should be screaming about that. Fucking hypocrites. Traitors. Quislings. > > Why isn’t Anyone really talking about that? So the president knew about this for months. [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&\_r=0](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) Did nothing. And now you blame the republicans? You are a goddamn partisan fool. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/548 "2016-12-17T00:56:13Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So the president knew about this for months. [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&\_r=0](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) > > Did nothing. And now you blame the republicans? You are a goddamn partisan fool. Surprised to see that you think the President should have acted on this. What should he have done? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/549 "2016-12-17T00:59:02Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Speaking of the Russians, why isn’t this receiving more attention? Because the Republicans are involved, and they always get treated like special snowflakes. Nobody would be making excuses if it was Hillary or another Democrat, or for Trump if _he’d_ run as a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/550 "2016-12-17T01:05:16Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So the president knew about this for months. [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&\_r=0](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/politics/obama-putin-hacking-news-conference.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) > > Did nothing. And now you blame the republicans? You are a goddamn partisan fool. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Surprised to see that you think the President should have acted on this. What should he have done? He explained why he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/551 "2016-12-17T03:36:06Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Surprised to see that you think the President should have acted on this. What should he have done? “cut it out” is what the bullied says to the bully. So now not only does the United States bluff, we also whine. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/552 "2016-12-17T03:37:45Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > “cut it out” is what the bullied says to the bully. So now not only does the United States bluff, we also whine. Look forward to another four years of that. We just elected the whiniest man in the country as President. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/553 "2016-12-17T03:46:41Z")
Possibly. What we’re actually going to find out is if being nice to our enemies makes them behave better, which has actually been a liberal suggestion in the past, at least until said bad behavior cost them an election. One of the upsides of all this is that Democrats are now a fervently anti-Russia party. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/554 "2016-12-17T03:50:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Possibly. What we’re actually going to find out is if being nice to our enemies makes them behave better, which has actually been a liberal suggestion in the past, at least until said bad behavior cost them an election. One of the upsides of all this is that Democrats are now a fervently anti-Russia party. And the Republicans are a Russian subsidiary. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/555 "2016-12-17T04:39:01Z")
Trump might be. Other Republicans, not so much. Putin may have been foolish here, strengthening the more anti-Russia party(Republicans), making the other party(Democrats) a lot more anti-Russia than they were before(Obama didn’t even think they were a threat in 2012, making fun of Mitt Romney for suggesting it), all to get one man elected for four years. Putin may live to regret his actions. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/556 "2016-12-17T04:57:27Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Trump might be. Other Republicans, not so much. Putin may have been foolish here, strengthening the more anti-Russia party(Republicans), making the other party(Democrats) a lot more anti-Russia than they were before(Obama didn’t even think they were a threat in 2012, making fun of Mitt Romney for suggesting it), all to get one man elected for four years. Putin may live to regret his actions. [Putin’s popularity surges with Republicans.](http://www.businessinsider.com/putin-poll-favorability-trump-2016-9) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/557 "2016-12-17T05:29:49Z")
Yeah, he’s still very unpopular though. I’d expect that a lot of Democrats now don’t like him who did before. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/558 "2016-12-17T05:37:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Yeah, he’s still very unpopular though. I’d expect that a lot of Democrats now don’t like him who did before. Yeah, I hear Steve has kind of soured on him. Dave’s still pretty hard core, though. So that’s a full fifty percent of all Democrats who liked Putin that have changed their minds. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/559 "2016-12-17T05:43:12Z")
The question that interests me at this point is what Democrats are willing to do about it. Will they go after the real culprit, or just pass a bill that harasses law abiding Americans like they usually do? “We suspect your news site is spreading Russian propaganda, so we’re going to have to shut you down.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291/560 "2016-12-17T05:44:56Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The question that interests me at this point is what Democrats are willing to do about it. Will they go after the real culprit, or just pass a bill that harasses law abiding Americans like they usually do? “We suspect your news site is spreading Russian propaganda, so we’re going to have to shut you down.” Like we’re in any position to be passing bills any time soon. We’re more likely to get federal legislation prohibiting the criticism of the president’s steak houses first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-the-dems-dont-understand-white-working-class-america-no-thats-not-it/773291.md?page=29)