Wealthiest Republican supporter in Ohio quits party, praises Obama

[IceSpear]

Yeah but that doesn't mean you guys can be dickheads about people who are suffering from poverty, regardless of who they voted for.  But what should we expect?  The only defense mechanism some of you seem to have is to endlessly strawman what "socialists" actually believe.  Nobody that I'm aware of on here has called on for Democrats to become the Party of Nowheresville, Kansas.  Just that we actually be consistent about y'know. . . . . . . taking on the corrupt elements that have been robbing the poor and middle classes of all races for decades.

Course, if I tailored my strategy to freaking Reagan Republicans maybe I would be resorting to intellectual dishonesty as often as I could too.

I don't see you or anyone else criticizing them for being dickheads to minorities, many of whom are also suffering from poverty. You just explain it away with how they're just "victims" who are so "misled." They're grown ass adults, they know right from wrong.

And by the way, it's not the politicians misleading them. It's the politicians telling them what THEY want to hear! In nicer parlance anyway, at least before the age of Trump. Now the dogwhistles have become megaphones, and it's not a coincidence that Trump performed better with rural whites than any Republican has in a long time. "Economic anxiety" my ass.

As Technocracy Timmy said, go look up the Southern Strategy. It is alive and well.

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

I'm angry that people voted for Trump  and it appears that they are more racist than not, especially looking at that nytimes poll, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to still pursue policies that will benefit them! We can't just deny benefits to people we dislike! Single Payer, free college, raising the income tax to 80%, raising the death tax to 90%, taxing wall street, and having stronger labor protections are all things I still support! Single payer and free college may not repel wealthy voters, especially not in the age of trump, but I just don't think wealthy suburbanites are sustainable long term with the type of policies want! And these districts all seem to oppose more leftist social policies like abolishing ICE! Some will, but not all. We have to fill in the gaps somehow, and Obama-trump voters are the most likely to vote democrat out of all the non wealthy white voters. Who knows, maybe in 20 years poor white voters will be different and more democratic but until them we have to appeal to as many people as possible

[Meclazine for Israel]

I'm angry that people voted for Trump  and it appears that they are more racist than not....

Haha. That sounds like this:

My name is Democrat Dave, and I am using a non-judgemental open mind and consensual and co-operative framework to understand Republican viewpoints and hoping to change their misogynistic and racist bigotry. They are soul-less troglodytes, and I will make it my death wish to burn each and every one of them in the flames of Hades.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Good. More people, of all types, should defect from that cultist criminal organization disguised as a political party. However, they should make sure that their opposition to that party is meaningful and not let a mistake like the Trump era happen ever again.

[Badger]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

In fairness, Hillgoose, how is it remotely fair to broadly impugn white working class people with the apparent dysfunction and entitlement mentality your family apparently suffered from? Serious question.

[libertpaulian]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

In fairness, Hillgoose, how is it remotely fair to broadly impugn white working class people with the apparent dysfunction and entitlement mentality your family apparently suffered from? Serious question.

I think HG is trying to say that rural and post-industrial white working class culture has a particular mentality, and HG's family is a manifestation of it.

[Badger]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

In fairness, Hillgoose, how is it remotely fair to broadly impugn white working class people with the apparent dysfunction and entitlement mentality your family apparently suffered from? Serious question.

I think HG is trying to say that rural and post-industrial white working class culture has a particular mentality, and HG's family is a manifestation of it.

Fair enough, but perhaps it would be more compelling if you spoke about the type of same mentality being rampant in his community, if he's actually familiar with that being a problem, as opposed to one perhaps just with his extended family and their friends.

[PSOL]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

In fairness, Hillgoose, how is it remotely fair to broadly impugn white working class people with the apparent dysfunction and entitlement mentality your family apparently suffered from? Serious question.

I think HG is trying to say that rural and post-industrial white working class culture has a particular mentality, and HG's family is a manifestation of it.

Fair enough, but perhaps it would be more compelling if you spoke about the type of same mentality being rampant in his community, if he's actually familiar with that being a problem, as opposed to one perhaps just with his extended family and their friends.

There are problems with the working class as they have cultural issues, yes that isn’t deniable. What I was trying to say is that most socialists want to uplift the working class out of poverty and reactionary traps. This is an effort that the middle class wants as well, they see suffering and they know the nation has the resources to fix it.

[HillGoose]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

In fairness, Hillgoose, how is it remotely fair to broadly impugn white working class people with the apparent dysfunction and entitlement mentality your family apparently suffered from? Serious question.

I would have a harder time saying a generalization based on my family was accurate if it wasn't for the fact that pretty much the whole town I grew up in was like them as well. Every family around us was like my family was in terms of being addicted, entitled, and generally leeches.

I will admit that maybe I grew up in a particularly rough area. I was talking on Discord about my hometown once and someone looked it up and the general reaction was "This place looks like the freaking Ukraine." (A perception probably influenced by the prominent abandoned limestone quarry) But I don't think my experience was too uncommon for people who grew up in the rural WWC overall.

[Yank2133]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Yeah, some lefties are really paternalistic when it comes to rural whites. It was one of the most annoying things to listen to during the post-2016 autopsy.

For all of the crap Icespear takes for his attitude towards these voters, he at least has enough respect for them to actually listen to what they are saying. Instead of pawning off your own political views on them and pretending that they are bunch of children who are been tricked by "elites".

[Pericles]

It'd be good if he supports Democrats, rich people aren't less worthy Democrats just because they're rich. However at the same time they aren't more worthy Democrats than ordinary people, and their wishes shouldn't be given greater weight than those of other party members. It's positive if Democrats welcome these people into their party, it's negative if Democrats give them undue influence and let them take over the party and distort its ideals.

[YE]

Rural whites aren’t monolithic. The Democrats in general have done worse with the rural working class vote since the 1960s. It is true that many people are highly subject to racial resentment and they’re predominantly located in the South. However, for a while after the Democrats still did decent with the working class vote; West Virginia and eastern Kentucky were Dem strongholds till 2000, and largely shifted right due to the environment and even then may still winnable at the local level since I’m unsure how much Dems tanking there was due to Obama being in the Oval Office. Other areas like the Iron Range, Driftless area, and upstate New York, all went for Obama and then Trump but is fairly elastic and less receptive to the culture wars the GOP pushes and where the Democrats need to focus in the short term to speed up a realignment and bust through the current polarization. The divisive rhetoric done by folks like IceSpear just plays into the GOP’s hands. The Democrats win with their economic agenda is front and center while Republicans win when they make it about black people kneeing.

[HillGoose]

Atlas Democrats:

"Trump is obviously a vile human being, why do still people vote Republican?"

Atlas Democrats, after a wealthy Republican says he will stop voting Republican because Trump is a vile human being:

"I don't want your support, neoliberal scum!"

The left's outright hatred of rich people is so odd to me. Especially since many of them came from well off families.

Atlas socialists often come from middle class white suburban backgrounds and in their teen/20’s angst must rebel against it and everything it’s about. So instead their admiration is glued towards rural white voters who they avoid in real life and make weird caricatures about them being socialists with a social conservative bent. It’s similar to how white weeaboos worship Japan while knowing nothing about actual Japan.

You just always get it so right. Preach!

No, no he didn’t. The stereotype of the Champaign socialist being the only socialists around is a false stereotype.

Literally the first word of my post refers specifically to atlas socialists. I highly doubt Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Debs’ ghost are browsing atlas.

I think you have a reading comprehension problem.

I did mention the atlas working class members that are socialists later in my post and why giving crap to the middle income folks here is bunk. Plus let’s be honest, the accusations of atlas members is your generalization of all socialists.

Well it’s either they’re sheltered from being middle class or they’re just deluded to assume that rural whites are interested in socialist policies. You can claim all you want about how people like me “segregate ourselves” from suffering but you guys are the ones on this forum who defend the same people that time and time again have voted for Republican candidates and elected Trump. They don’t see themselves as victims and people like your ilk come across as being hilariously condescending when you try to tell them that they’re actually suffering (arguably more condescending than Icespear’s entire posting history).

Also the best case scenario you’ll get is rural whites just not seeing themselves as victims. Worst case scenario you’ll find plenty of the ones who know they’re getting screwed and are fine with it so long as minorities aren’t getting the benefit. Read up on the southern strategy if you have the time mate.

My family are practically all working class rural whites. They think they're some kind of victims and that their lack of success in life is the fault of everyone but themselves, and that because of that it's justified to be a useless drug addict or alcoholic. I hate them and their loser victim mentality. That's why the worship of rural working class whites on Atlas makes me so mad. I grew up in that environment and it's horrible. Yet no one on Atlas takes my actual experience living with working class whites as legitimate or whatever, even though few or none of them have ever lived that lifestyle. It's infuriating.

This almost perfectly applies to the community in rural Missouri I spent a majority of my childhood in. And yet people like Politician and Zaybay think I’m an out-of-touch elitist for noting my own experiences. Trust me, these people aren’t voting GOP because they like Republicans’ economic ideas better than Democrats’. It’s all about black people kneeling and “us vs them” but don’t tell the Atlas socialists that

Yeah. My actual life experience immediately got labeled invalid by people who don't even claim to have lived any sort of rural WWC lifestyle.

I don't think people in these areas shouldn't be helped. I don't think the adults should be helped, but the children deserve all the help they can get to get out of the situation that their irresponsible parents got them into. That's why I support intense government monitoring of the finances of those who receive government benefits, to ensure they are spending the money on their children instead of drugs or alcohol or themselves.

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

Rural whites aren’t monolithic. The Democrats in general have done worse with the rural working class vote since the 1960s. It is true that many people are highly subject to racial resentment and they’re predominantly located in the South. However, for a while after the Democrats still did decent with the working class vote; West Virginia and eastern Kentucky were Dem strongholds till 2000, and largely shifted right due to the environment and even then may still winnable at the local level since I’m unsure how much Dems tanking there was due to Obama being in the Oval Office. Other areas like the Iron Range, Driftless area, and upstate New York, all went for Obama and then Trump but is fairly elastic and less receptive to the culture wars the GOP pushes and where the Democrats need to focus in the short term to speed up a realignment and bust through the current polarization. The divisive rhetoric done by folks like IceSpear just plays into the GOP’s hands. The Democrats win with their economic agenda is front and center while Republicans win when they make it about black people kneeing.

They really don't get it, and many don't want to.

They love the rebellious Kaepernick because they're not in a situation where they are playing for keeps.