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submitted 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) by HorseRabbit@lemmy.sdf.org to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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The majority of Americans who voted, at least in the swing states, have voted for the republicans. Why? Do the republican policies reflect popular opinion? Or is it that their vibes are more aligned with the public? Or maybe people are worse off now than they were 4 years ago and are hoping to turn back time? As a non-american I don't quite get it. People must think their lives will materially improve under the republicans, but why?

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[-] Thorngraff_Ironbeard@hexbear.net 59 points 15 hours ago

I think it's two things:

Firstly, identity politics is a hell of a drug and Trump has put the blame for the current miserable situation on the "Wokes".

Secondly, America is a country where you have beaten into you from a young age that voting every 2 years is how political action is done. Protest are constantly put down as childish inconvenience at best and actively criminal at worst. With that in mind how as an American do you voice your frustration with the incumbent? You vote for the challenger.

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[-] FortifiedAttack@hexbear.net 20 points 13 hours ago

SQUIRREL

[-] marxisthayaca@hexbear.net 16 points 13 hours ago

It’s the economy. Everyone thinks the president has the power to fix the economic agenda.

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[-] Blockocheese@hexbear.net 16 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

At least in PA, a more important swing state, people are so fucking racist and xenophobic, think trump will save them money, and are still annoyed there were minor precautions against covid

Some voted third party or not at all because of the genocide but I don't think that alone is enough to explain why he won

[-] plinky@hexbear.net 14 points 14 hours ago

They are worse off, but idk how it interacts with who votes (it’s older or richer people usually)

[-] HorseRabbit@lemmy.sdf.org 12 points 14 hours ago

So are you saying the 40+% that didn't vote might skew away from the republicans? Like the vote might not have been representative of general opinion?

[-] plinky@hexbear.net 21 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

well yes, the polls sample likely voters (and they do vote), but full economic view of america has two bottom quintiles (40 percent poorest), basically being completely stuck on wage front (noticeable percentage of them are on social security and thus old, and maybe voting), so there is some unknown sea of non-voters, who don’t vote for god knows what reason (cynical, log cabin type guys, disillusioned over shenanigans by some candidate and swearing off of voting, not having time to vote working three jobs). From what I remember last time, there is consistent underrepresentations of people making less than 15 k, or some shit (that’s 20% of people roughly)

Maximal cynical take is top 20 percent got mad over taxes, with billionaires ready to execute khan lady, and then 40-80 voted their heart.