In respect of the "wasted" campaign money, it's at least in part because grass-roots people want very badly to believe that, in this day of consultants, pollsters and mega-donors, they can still make a difference.
I think it's less a true commitment to their ideology than it is self promotion, which you touch on; this is compounded by an obsessive focus on a highly-online, wealthy, influential slice of the electorate.
I can imagine it's intellectually comforting to believe that these people are true believers who are simply misguided, especially when the more likely alternative is that they're as every inch as greedy and self-interested as the capitalists they condemn.
I have often wondered what makes the naked greed for political power so much more socially acceptable than greed for material well-being amongst a certain "elite" set. This would be a good thing to write about sometime, Josh!
This reminds of the honor culture vs dignity culture conflict. The GOP has always struck me as an honor culture, and democrats a dignity culture -- a coalition party has to be ordered around delivering practicalities and can't afford to worry too much about face. I'm worried that Democrats are transitioning into an honor culture mirror of the Republican party.
Principle first .... I guess there is something there to be admired. But you can't put your principles into practice if you can't get elected. And your principles must not be that popular if not enough voters are following your lead .... (first trump tapped an ignored sector with a message they believe and too many still still believe.... the second trump got exposed .... figured this was coming and I would offer my opinion instead of having to reply). Fortunately, this is where we find the ultras ofsides. Perhaps they will be accommodating enough to stay there.
I enjoyed your guest column, Josh! (Saying that here because I don't believe Andrew has comments.)
In respect of the "wasted" campaign money, it's at least in part because grass-roots people want very badly to believe that, in this day of consultants, pollsters and mega-donors, they can still make a difference.
I think it's less a true commitment to their ideology than it is self promotion, which you touch on; this is compounded by an obsessive focus on a highly-online, wealthy, influential slice of the electorate.
I can imagine it's intellectually comforting to believe that these people are true believers who are simply misguided, especially when the more likely alternative is that they're as every inch as greedy and self-interested as the capitalists they condemn.
I have often wondered what makes the naked greed for political power so much more socially acceptable than greed for material well-being amongst a certain "elite" set. This would be a good thing to write about sometime, Josh!
What are the chances: Democrats would actually apply the revenue from tax increases towards the debt? I’m guessing about zero.
This reminds of the honor culture vs dignity culture conflict. The GOP has always struck me as an honor culture, and democrats a dignity culture -- a coalition party has to be ordered around delivering practicalities and can't afford to worry too much about face. I'm worried that Democrats are transitioning into an honor culture mirror of the Republican party.
Just a history question: Is this extreme part of one of the parties who would rather lose gloriously that win unprecedented?
Principle first .... I guess there is something there to be admired. But you can't put your principles into practice if you can't get elected. And your principles must not be that popular if not enough voters are following your lead .... (first trump tapped an ignored sector with a message they believe and too many still still believe.... the second trump got exposed .... figured this was coming and I would offer my opinion instead of having to reply). Fortunately, this is where we find the ultras ofsides. Perhaps they will be accommodating enough to stay there.