Is it true Trump supporters just want a father figure?

[Saint Frankenstein]

Now, I'm confused. In an earlier post, you wrote My political views aren't really represented in American politics. I'm really a nationalist....
But Trump's nationalism seems to be representing your political views well.

In any case, you have a positive opinion of nationalism and I have a negative opinion. I'll explain my reasoning:

Nationalism is a form of group pride. I view all group pride as disguised arrogance because we know intuitively that the man who is especially proud of being Irish and Catholic would be just as proud if, by some twist of fate, he had been raised to think of himself as German and Lutheran. He's proud of his groups, not because his groups are superior, but because they are HIS groups and HE is superior.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel calls it "egoism" rather than arrogance but she had it right when she said:

“Europe is our best chance for peace, prosperity and a good future. We must not let this chance slide; we owe this to ourselves and to past and future generations. Nationalism and egoism must never have a chance to flourish again in Europe. Tolerance and solidarity are our future. And this future is worth fighting for.”

His policies represent some of my beliefs but not all. I have a negative opinion of free market capitalism, big business and our alliance with Israel. I also support universal healthcare and nationalization of various industries. No, there's no political party that represents my beliefs in full.

You can be proud without viewing yourself as superior to others, you know. I don't know why people keep putting the two together. I'm proud of my heritage but that doesn't mean I think I'm superior to others. Everyone should be proud of their heritage, nation and culture. That's a healthy thing. Humans are innately tribalist. We wouldn't have survived otherwise.

Of course Merkel will say something like that. She's de facto ruler of the EU.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Someone who is an authority figure? One who promises to simply take care of everything, keep us all safe, make all the decisions so no effort has to be made by the citizens? The Washington Post ran this article today and it made me stop and reflect. I've been baffled, truly baffled, trying to understand the mind- and heart-set of a person--Republican, Democrat or Independent--who can support the reelection of the current occupant of the White House.

I kept asking myself, "Why doesn't character matter to his supporters? Is it something he accomplished which allows them to turn their faces and cover their ears to his hate-filled rhetoric, his lies and bullying? Or maybe something he promised to accomplish and that hope yet lives?" No, maybe it's as simple and as complex as this article proposes. Is it that Trump supporters are basically racist like him? We might all have bias and find it hard to confess.

I'm not Trump bashing nor Trump-supporter bashing here and I don't want this thread to devolve to that. I really want to know. Please, supporters of Trump and Trumpism, if there are any of you on this forum, I really want to know. Now that you've had 4 years of him, got to know him, see him in action, please enlighten me, why doesn't it matter to you what kind of a man Trump is, i.e., his character? And why doesn't it matter to you that his actions and attitudes (and those of the silent GOP) have put this country back to the tension-filled air and upheavals of the 1960s? Why?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...oter-authoritarian-research/#comments-wrapper

Should people vote on the candidate or upon the party? What would you do if you were, say, a Democrat?
"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." - Mark Twain

Now lets say you weren't a Republican, and you were very upset with one in particular?
"The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury." - Marcus Aurelius

What happens when we demonize groups of people?
"Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things." -- Terry Pratchett

 

[Kenny]

What policies of Biden's in particular do you consider "socialist"?

Take everything that Kamala stands for, and there you have it.

 

[QuestioningMind]

No. I'm really getting sick of the constant insults and bullying towards conservatives and Republicans on this board. It's gotten extremely out of hand. You'd all be crying to high heaven if the nasty **** said about them was said about liberals and Democrats on here. Over 90% of this board is leftist or progressive. Is RF now trying to push away everyone who doesn't agree with those ideologies? Because it sure seems like it! We have staff contributing to this hostile atmosphere, as well!

Yeah, we all know how much Republicans and conservatives HATE it when people insult and bully. They would 100% denounce any politician who used such tactics and they'd be the last ones who'd put an insulting bully into the White House.

 

[Kenny]

If you only knew how many folks are not "voting for Biden" so much as "voting against Trump." And your claim that our system's checks and balances are in operational order is laughable. Absolutely laughable. They've been shredded by this administration.

I don't agree. I think there are more who have looked at what is happening today, the violence, the anti-police sentiments, the growing tax burden and the encroaching governmental control that are voting for Trump than those who are voting against Trump.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

His policies represent some of my beliefs but not all. I have a negative opinion of free market capitalism, big business and our alliance with Israel. I also support universal healthcare and nationalization of various industries. No, there's no political party that represents my beliefs in full.

You can be proud without viewing yourself as superior to others, you know. I don't know why people keep putting the two together. I'm proud of my heritage but that doesn't mean I think I'm superior to others. Everyone should be proud of their heritage, nation and culture. That's a healthy thing. Humans are innately tribalist. We wouldn't have survived otherwise.

Of course Merkel will say something like that. She's de facto ruler of the EU.

Mr. Frankensteinji, no wait! That's Saint Frankensteinji, you have done me a great personal service today by revealing so much of yourself and your beliefs. I had my stereotype of a Trump supporter and you've blown it to smithereens. I still think you're wrong , but thanks for the matching reveal of my own narrow-minded judgement.

 

[stvdv]

Is it true Trump supporters just want a daddy?

Someone who is an authority figure? One who promises to simply take care of everything, keep us all safe, make all the decisions so no effort has to be made by the citizens? The Washington Post ran this article today and it made me stop and reflect. I've been baffled, truly baffled, trying to understand the mind- and heart-set of a person--Republican, Democrat or Independent--who can support the reelection of the current occupant of the White House.

I have not yet read the article. I just answer to your OP.

IMO:
Parents have a huge impact on children. When you have a narcissist father/mother as a child you are burdened by a huge trauma. Usually these people attract other narcs, as this is what they are used to, and they were never able to stand up to their narc parent, never able to say NO to all the wrong, also done to them. They might do lots of therapies, but when you don't say NO to the narc parent, you stay weak. They might rebel against all others (even become President of the USA), but unless they rebel against their narc father, they can't cure injustice done to them, hence they will support injustice (Adharma)

Hence they accept a narc President, who lies continuously and other devious narc games he does (he might have faked Corona for election purpose)

I kept asking myself, "Why doesn't character matter to his supporters? Is it something he accomplished which allows them to turn their faces and cover their ears to his hate-filled rhetoric, his lies and bullying? Or maybe something he promised to accomplish and that hope yet lives?" No, maybe it's as simple and as complex as this article proposes. Is it that Trump supporters are basically racist like him? We might all have bias and find it hard to confess.

Here it goes deeper I think. They are deeply traumatized, hence they accept (vote for) a narc President.
First thing I checked out was Trump's father when Trump became President and I felt "Trump is the Anti Christ"

Spoiler: Reading about Trump's father, I even understand why Trump does what he does (all is seen in D.Trump's behavior)

Trump was a teetotaler[f] and an authoritarian parent, maintaining curfews and forbidding cursing, lipstick, and snacking between meals.[41][42] At the end of his day, Trump would receive a report from Mary on the children's actions and, if necessary, decide upon disciplinary actions.[42] He took his children to building sites to collect empty bottles to return for the deposits.[43]The boys had paper routes, and when weather conditions were poor, their father would let them make their deliveries in a limousine.[43] According to Fred Jr.'s daughter, Mary L. Trump, Trump wanted his oldest son to be "invulnerable" in personality so he could take over the family business, but Fred Jr. was the opposite.[44] Trump instead elevated Donald to become his business heir, teaching him to "be a killer," and telling him, "You are a king."[45][46] Mary L. Trump states that Fred Sr. "dismantled [Fred Jr.] by devaluing and degrading every aspect of his personality" and mocked him for his decision to become an airline pilot.[47] In 1981, Fred Jr. died at age 42 from complications due to his alcoholism.[48][49]

Narcissism is rampant in the world. Not just Trump. Narcs lie and deceive, and vote for those who do. They feel empowered in a unhealthy way

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yeah, we all know how much Republicans and conservatives HATE it when people insult and bully. They would 100% denounce any politician who used such tactics and they'd be the last ones who'd put an insulting bully into the White House.

Democrats do the same stuff. They just have a better PR machine.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Mr. Frankensteinji, no wait! That's Saint Frankensteinji, you have done me a great personal service today by revealing so much of yourself and your beliefs. I had my stereotype of a Trump supporter and you've blown it to smithereens. I still think you're wrong , but thanks for the matching reveal of my own narrow-minded judgement.

Well, I'm glad I can help you see another perspective. We don't have to agree.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Democrats do the same stuff. They just have a better PR machine.

Oh, please DO provide an example of a president that the Democrats have put into the Oval Office who is even a fraction of the insulting bully that Trump is.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Someone who is an authority figure? One who promises to simply take care of everything, keep us all safe, make all the decisions so no effort has to be made by the citizens? The Washington Post ran this article today and it made me stop and reflect. I've been baffled, truly baffled, trying to understand the mind- and heart-set of a person--Republican, Democrat or Independent--who can support the reelection of the current occupant of the White House.

I kept asking myself, "Why doesn't character matter to his supporters? Is it something he accomplished which allows them to turn their faces and cover their ears to his hate-filled rhetoric, his lies and bullying? Or maybe something he promised to accomplish and that hope yet lives?" No, maybe it's as simple and as complex as this article proposes. Is it that Trump supporters are basically racist like him? We might all have bias and find it hard to confess.

I'm not Trump bashing nor Trump-supporter bashing here and I don't want this thread to devolve to that. I really want to know. Please, supporters of Trump and Trumpism, if there are any of you on this forum, I really want to know. Now that you've had 4 years of him, got to know him, see him in action, please enlighten me, why doesn't it matter to you what kind of a man Trump is, i.e., his character? And why doesn't it matter to you that his actions and attitudes (and those of the silent GOP) have put this country back to the tension-filled air and upheavals of the 1960s? Why?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...oter-authoritarian-research/#comments-wrapper

Trump is far from 'daddy'. Sugar daddy is Biden.
The right is for independence and self-reliance.

Still this does come across as yet another trollish thread allowing people to yet continue with their demonaugry.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Oh, please DO provide an example of a president that the Democrats have put into the Oval Office who is even a fraction of the insulting bully that Trump is.

They just use "nicer" language like Obama's comment about conservatives clinging to their guns and Bibles and generally dehumanizing and stereotyping groups not on the Democratic bandwagon. Or do you really believe that only one side is responsible for the division and hatred in this country right now?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I want a daddy alright. Unfortunately, I am not a Trump supporter.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

Trump is far from 'daddy'. Sugar daddy is Biden.
The right is for independence and self-reliance.

Still this does come across as yet another trollish thread allowing people to yet continue with their demonaugry.

Did you mean "demagoguery," to wit:
noun

1. political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.

Trump is giving a master class in demagoguery, Twilight. And I see that you, too, avoid answering any of the questions raised in the OP.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Trump is far from 'daddy'. Sugar daddy is Biden.
The right is for independence and self-reliance.

Still this does come across as yet another trollish thread allowing people to yet continue with their demonaugry.

ROFL... unless of course you're a multimillionaire or a defense contractor who NEEDS the American people to give them trillions of dollars in tax cuts and military contracts that aren't needed for our national security. We certainly can't expect THEM to be independent and self-reliant. After all, what's more important? Poor and middle class people getting affordable healthcare or rich CEOs being able to buy a third vacation home?

 

[QuestioningMind]

They just use "nicer" language like Obama's comment about conservatives clinging to their guns and Bibles and generally dehumanizing and stereotyping groups not on the Democratic bandwagon. Or do you really believe that only one side is responsible for the division and hatred in this country right now?

WOW... you're right! Saying that conservatives cling to their guns and bibles is JUST LIKE Trump calling McCain a loser because he got captured and served time as a POW in Viet Nam. **mod edit**

 

[joe1776]

His policies represent some of my beliefs but not all. I have a negative opinion of free market capitalism, big business and our alliance with Israel. I also support universal healthcare and nationalization of various industries. No, there's no political party that represents my beliefs in full.

Perhaps, but our exchange isn't about your beliefs in full. It is specifically about your comment that your nationalist views not being represented in American politics.

...Everyone should be proud of their heritage, nation and culture. That's a healthy thing. Humans are innately tribalist. We wouldn't have survived otherwise.

I think you're mistaken. I think arrogant group pride offers a credible explanation for why groups attack their neighbors and draw first blood. It represents the number one threat to the survival of our species.

Our religion is superior to theirs!
Our race is superior to theirs!
Our nation is superior to theirs!
Our tribe is superior to theirs!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Perhaps, but our exchange isn't about your beliefs in full. It is specifically about your comment that your nationalist views not being represented in American politics.

I think you're mistaken. I think arrogant group pride offers a credible explanation for groups that attack their neighbors and draw first blood. It represents the number one threat to the survival of our species.

Our religion is superior to theirs!
Our race is superior to theirs!
Our nation is superior to theirs!
Our tribe is superior to theirs!

I still don't understand why you keep bringing up feeling superior when that isn't the same thing. I'm a realist. Humans are primates and we're just naturally tribalist and define ourselves by group identities as we're social animals. A nation is just a tribe writ large.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

WOW... you're right! Saying that conservatives cling to their guns and bibles is JUST LIKE Trump calling McCain a loser because he got captured and served time as a POW in Viet Nam. **mod edit**

That's nice.

 

[metis]

Someone who is an authority figure? One who promises to simply take care of everything, keep us all safe, make all the decisions so no effort has to be made by the citizens?

As we seen repeated over and over again in world history, "strong leaders", using Trump's own words, tend to attract attention while generally offering simplistic "solutions" to often difficult situations. The fascist leaders prior to WWII are cases in point, with rallies that generated hyperbole as supposed being solutions while at the same time demonizing and stereotyping supposed "enemies of the state" that usually also included the media-- except theirs of course. As Goebbel's said, tell the big LIE often enough and people will come to believe it.

I kept asking myself, "Why doesn't character matter to his supporters?

Largely as a manifestation of their own hatred whereas "the ends justify the means". Notice the stereotyping and hatred that's spewed out in these rallies, whereas everything is either black or white-- thus no areas of grey.

Most religions tend to teach peace, and yet one would hardly recognize this at such rallies. It's hate-hate-hate, while at the same time proclaiming a belief in God.