Keep It Simple for the Stupids

I think it is all because of a preternatural need for simplicity.

The rise of Trump and xenophobia and nationalism are simply tools to help keep back complications.

We are overthinking it all. Forget all the talk and prognostications about what the US presidential election “is all about.”  Forget what the “Brexit” means or what Putin is doing in Eastern Europe.

It’s all about simplicity. Many crave order and easy to understand explanations.  They deeply need to be able to comprehend without thinking too much.

Donald Trump appeals because he says incredibly simple things. Donald Trump appeals to many people’s most basic nature that was instilled in them when they were seven-years-old:

“Dad, can I watch TV?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

 “I’m going to build a wall on the Mexican border and Mexico is gonna pay for it.”  But how are you going to do that? “Don’t worry, I’ll just do it.” 

The racism, the nationalism, the bullying…those are all symptoms, not the true underlying reason for Trump. The reason Trump as legitimate contender to become president exists is because he provides simplicity for those who can’t handle complication.

Like the ancient peoples who looked up at an eclipse and, instead of pondering the complex movements of celestial bodies, decided on a simple story about an angry god, Trump offers the easier path for their minds.

Current rules of engagement, perhaps even political correctness, and standards of journalistic decency don’t allow The New York Times or ABC News to say it – but Trump offers simple words to people not smart enough to grasp complexity.  White American men without college degrees in largely rural areas are among the dumbest humans walking the earth. That just so happens to be the demographic which keeps pulling voting levers for The Donald.

And so, this group has thrown their lot in with a man who obviously can’t and won’t do what he promises.  That’s not the point. All politicians lie and swindle, Trump just does it so much simpler. At least they can follow what he is saying for longer than their normal attention span allows.

Jeb Bush talked about the complexities of the global economy; John Kaisch talked about reforming the tax code; Marco Rubio talked about evolving social mores…but Trump talked about keeping Muslims out and making China pay us more and allowing guns everywhere. And Jethro and Molly and all the other unemployed drywall contractors and DMV clerks lapped up the simplicity like a sweet tonic.

Jethro and Molly, when interviewed by CNN election coverage said: “Trump just makes sense, while those other career politicians don’t.” But what they really meant was: “We don’t understand the complex words those career politicians are saying, but we can understand the simple words of Trump. And so, we will vote for him.”