The wandering mind of David Brooks crosses into enemy territory in this attempt to explain, in non-demonic terms, the thinking of Donald Trump’s core supporters.
Timely and prescient, as usual. There is another important factor contributing to the problem, I think -- the quality of public education, especially in our cities. The working class and immigrant families who rose through the ranks in the period you speak of were the beneficiaries of first-rate educations -- whether academic or vocational. I am not aware of any city in this country that offers such opportunities to the general student population today.
Excellent column. Perfect even. These issues of cultural dysfunction have been around forever but back in the 90s and earlier they seemed more limited to impoverished black and Hispanic populations. Those populations to the extent they voted at all voted straight Democratic. The Democrats in power did nothing to help them as they continue to do nothing. The one thing that began a move in the right direction was the Welfare Reform Act. Now this dysfunction has expanded to encompass impoverished whites and they have turned to a demagogue and a particularly crazy one at that who tells them they are victims and he will save them. Just like the Democrats do with the African Americans.
Timely and prescient, as usual. There is another important factor contributing to the problem, I think -- the quality of public education, especially in our cities. The working class and immigrant families who rose through the ranks in the period you speak of were the beneficiaries of first-rate educations -- whether academic or vocational. I am not aware of any city in this country that offers such opportunities to the general student population today.
I look forward to more from MIrengoff.............he's even sensible!
Mr Otis is a sensible fellow too
Excellent column. Perfect even. These issues of cultural dysfunction have been around forever but back in the 90s and earlier they seemed more limited to impoverished black and Hispanic populations. Those populations to the extent they voted at all voted straight Democratic. The Democrats in power did nothing to help them as they continue to do nothing. The one thing that began a move in the right direction was the Welfare Reform Act. Now this dysfunction has expanded to encompass impoverished whites and they have turned to a demagogue and a particularly crazy one at that who tells them they are victims and he will save them. Just like the Democrats do with the African Americans.