A wonderful essay, spot on. We can go deeper by asking how elites (on both sides of the aisle) came to see the people as children, and feel entitled to manipulate us “for our own good.”
The constant hunger for campaign cash - as election costs skyrocketed after Citizens United - surely contributes.
We the people ceased to be politicians’ constituents and were replaced by their donors, who are also a lot more stimulating to talk to. Both parties see voters as a necessary evil, a problem to be managed - not as the source of legitimate authority.
Journalists who cover politics couldn’t help from being infected by this condescension toward voters.
Like most humans, American voters resent being dissed. President Trump channeled voters’ thoroughly justifiable anger and desire for systemic change, though it’s hardly change we can believe in.
A wonderful essay, spot on. We can go deeper by asking how elites (on both sides of the aisle) came to see the people as children, and feel entitled to manipulate us “for our own good.”
The constant hunger for campaign cash - as election costs skyrocketed after Citizens United - surely contributes.
We the people ceased to be politicians’ constituents and were replaced by their donors, who are also a lot more stimulating to talk to. Both parties see voters as a necessary evil, a problem to be managed - not as the source of legitimate authority.
Journalists who cover politics couldn’t help from being infected by this condescension toward voters.
Like most humans, American voters resent being dissed. President Trump channeled voters’ thoroughly justifiable anger and desire for systemic change, though it’s hardly change we can believe in.
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