Self-Interest

November 21, 2016

As we journey into day 13, more Trump supporters come out of hiding.  Subsequently, we begin to hear more about the reasoning used to vote for the Donald.  The reasons offered vary somewhat, but I find one of the oddest to be the self-interest reason.  It goes something like this:

I’m was middle class and I’m losing economic position.  I understand that he has said and done horrible things; I understand he is very likely to do things that will hurt other Americans.  Nevertheless, I voted for him because it was in my self-Interest.  Donald will bring back the life we lost.

At first I felt some empathy for this point of view.  Jobs have disappeared; people can’t count on, once common, lifestyles.  But, big pay factory work ain’t coming back, no matter what Trumps tells them.  They’re being conned.  Sad.

Then it hit me.

They understand the danger in what he says?  They get that some groups of Americans are at risk?  But, they are willing to accept that risk because they might make out on the deal?

Wow.

I understand that an element of a good con is to get the mark to buy into something morally questionable – to assure a “we’re in this together” feeling.  But, throwing marginalized people under the bus in the hope of getting your factory or mining job back is beyond morally questionable.  I can’t decide whether it’s evil or stupid.

Perhaps, reflecting upon the thoughts of wiser people would be helpful.

“Stupidity is the same as evil if you judge by the results.”
― Margaret Atwood, Surfacing

Thanks Margaret, I get it.

That’s all I got today. Take care of yourselves and each other,

Osv