The research I have read makes a compelling argument that the issue driving the Trump right is loss of status.  My hometown has been devastated by trade policies as have many nearby towns (I grew up close to where J.D. Vance did) and has fallen into deep despair.  Yes, part of this despair is felt by white males without a college degree who feel they have had the rug pulled out from under them.  Of course what the right calls "woke" is going to upset them.  It must feel like salt on an open wound to many.I say this as a liberal who lives on the east coast (Boston) who has a PhD in engineering.  I wholeheartedly applaud the gains that have been made by women, LGTBQ Americans, African Americans, etc. over my lifetime.  I find it to be beautiful.  I am in a position where I don't feel vulnerable.  Many of the people I grew up with don't have that luxury.  I get very discouraged by my fellow liberals when they fail to recognize the real suffering in rural and small town America.  Let's not forget that Democrats also support trade policies that favor the rich and win by playing culture warrior.  I wish we could drop the cultural issues and focus on governing the country.  A prosperous country won't care about which bathroom you use.

The research I have read makes a compelling argument that the issue driving the Trump right is loss of status.  My hometown has been devastated by trade policies as have many nearby towns (I grew up close to where J.D. Vance did) and has fallen into deep despair.  Yes, part of this despair is felt by white males without a college degree who feel they have had the rug pulled out from under them.  Of course what the right calls "woke" is going to upset them.  It must feel like salt on an open wound to many.I say this as a liberal who lives on the east coast (Boston) who has a PhD in engineering.  I wholeheartedly applaud the gains that have been made by women, LGTBQ Americans, African Americans, etc. over my lifetime.  I find it to be beautiful.  I am in a position where I don't feel vulnerable.  Many of the people I grew up with don't have that luxury.  I get very discouraged by my fellow liberals when they fail to recognize the real suffering in rural and small town America.  Let's not forget that Democrats also support trade policies that favor the rich and win by playing culture warrior.  I wish we could drop the cultural issues and focus on governing the country.  A prosperous country won't care about which bathroom you use.

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