2020 Election: Led By Worldview or Economics

I was reading an editorial in the Wall Street Journal (Tuesday, January 21, 2020 [A4]) by Gerald F. Seib, who writes for the Capital Journal, entitled For Many Voters, It Isn’t About the Economy. Mr. Seib boldly questioned the line spoken by James Carville in the 1992 presidential campaign by Bill Clinton when he said, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Over the years this blunt quote has been echoed by politicians on both sides.

Seib points out that despite the economic growth, Trump’s popularity in the country still lags behind. The editorial declares that the good economic news we are witnessing is not having the political effects the analysts expected. “Some of those benefiting most from the Trump economy reside in urban areas on the coasts. Yet their hatred of the president burns hot despite the economic benefits they feel.” Seib stated. Then he goes on to say that those who have benefited the least across the country, tend to be the most supportive. 

My first reaction was a rejection of his assertion. Doesn’t he recognize the old adage of ‘people vote their pocketbooks’, is the tried and true concept? However, as I pondered his point and looked at the supporting evidence, I found myself in total agreement. Clearly, the 2020 election is not going to be totally based on the economy. 

I would like to piggy-back on Mr. Seib’s position and articulation of the issue. I suggest that the partisan cultural focus ascending over the economic issues is the result of two contrary worldview perspectives. 

People who support Trump see him as a political avenger draining the swamp of machinations by professional politicians. They are conservatives alarmed by what they see as rising challenges to traditional family values; same sex marriages, gun rights, abortion, freedom of religion, and increasing government control. These people predominantly inhabit what is referred to as ‘fly-over country’. Faith plays an important role in their lives. 

Those traditionalists, party membership aside, are alarmed to see social progressives holding contrary positions and determined to wreak havoc on conservative beliefs and values. In short they see Trump, in spite of his coarseness, bellicose tweets, and his proclivity for hyperbole, as a revolutionary leader protecting their belief system and insuring them that traditional rights will be protected. 

On the other side, the progressive left see Trump as an obstacle to their worldview concept in which absolutes are nonexistent. For a progressive, what is moral or valuable could and does change. What was once acceptable in the past for the progressive becomes verboten. In addition, if a behavior or speech is now declared improper, immoral, or not politically correct it is retroactive for the past. The person who committed those acts, no matter how long ago, when it was culturally acceptable is guilty of evil action and consequences should be dealt out to them. Even if they are long dead historical figures like Thomas Jefferson for being a slave owner. His name should be expunged from schools and streets. It is analogous to a driver receiving a ticket for speeding a month later when the speed limit at that time was 55, and then reduced to 40. How could the driver be held responsible for a future change?

What progressives miss is that this ideological position can come back to haunt them. Their positions could be modified or totally rejected sometime in the future by other progressives and they can be subject to punishing consequences. For example, what if Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren become president and enacted socialistic regulations and laws. They may redistribute wealth and place stifling restrictions on companies and cause the US to suffer depression and perhaps the dismantling of society. Is Sanders or Warren ready be ousted by their progressive allies and accept their fate of being demonized? Are they ready to be declared immoral or unethical as the progressive’s fickle judgments remove all memory of their former choices and toss them into the dustbin of history?

Both sides, Trump supporters and Trump haters, see each other as immoral and evil. Truly, the 2020 election will have more to do with the voters’ ingrained belief system than the economic situation, good or bad. I welcome reader’s thoughts.