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The Politics of the Downwardly Mobile Professional Class – The New York Times

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The Politics of the Downwardly Mobile Professional Class – The New York Times

At the outset of her ultimately doomed primary campaign against Platner, Maine’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, had a habit of saying she knew almost nothing about her opponent, “other than that his dad was a prominent attorney and his mother a successful business owner,” according to The Portland Press Herald.

Conservatives have gone even further, insinuating that Platner has been cosplaying as a working stiff in order to sneak his woke agenda past voters. The historian and commentator Victor Davis Hanson highlighted past social media posts in which Platner identified as a communist and, separately, said that rural white people “actually are” racist and stupid. (Platner later apologized for many of his posts.)

Such skepticism reflects how much class has become a political fault line in America. As President Trump has built a following among voters without a college degree over the past decade, his success has heightened the political competition over who best represents the working class, and has exacerbated an already bitter debate over who belongs to it.

Trump’s Self-Indulgent Streak Deepens G.O.P. Fears He Is Risking Losses in Midterms – The New York Times

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Trump’s Self-Indulgent Streak Deepens G.O.P. Fears He Is Risking Losses in Midterms – The New York Times

A little more than five months ahead of the midterm elections, President Trump seems to be focused on virtually anything other than keeping Republican control of Congress.

He endorsed a MAGA challenger over Texas’s senior Republican senator, ignoring warnings that he could endanger the seat. He has boasted almost daily about his expensive and expansive new White House ballroom. He has minimized rising gas costs, waving off spiking prices at the pump as “peanuts” last week compared to what he is pursuing in Iran. And even as he engaged over the weekend in negotiations to end the Iran war that he began, Mr. Trump has made plain that he prioritizes his record abroad above domestic affordability, which he has dismissed repeatedly as a Democratic “hoax.”

For many, a new jaw-dropper came last week when Mr. Trump created a $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they have been victims of “weaponization and lawfare,” including those who attacked the Capitol and law enforcement officers there, on Jan. 6, 2021.

Memorial Day is Tragic

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I often think Memorial Day is one of the most tragic holidays, as it’s one that honors the war dead, young men and women killed by the folly of our leaders.

Most war could be ended if our leaders had more of a calm demeanor, more of an ability to listen and to bridge differences through discussion and negotiations rather than violence.

World-wide the planet is making progress at ending war but its happening at much too slow of a pace. Fewer people are dying in modern times from war but its still not obsolete yet. But it should be as war and violence is totally unnecessary in modern times.

Peace

Map: Cod Pond Trailhead Camping Opporunities

Trump, Defiant After Bad Week, Pushes Ahead on Politically Unpopular Ideas – The New York Times

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Trump, Defiant After Bad Week, Pushes Ahead on Politically Unpopular Ideas – The New York Times

By pretty much any estimation, President Trump has had a very bad week.

New poll numbers show his approval rating has hit a second-term low. He is weighing whether to restart a bombing campaign in an unpopular war against Iran. Gas prices are high and inching higher heading into Memorial Day weekend. And his grip over Republican lawmakers is beginning to slip after he proposed a pair of deeply unpopular spending items, prompting an unusual revolt from the Senate.

When faced with such a backlash ahead of midterm elections, many politicians would pivot, redirecting their focus to issues they are on stronger footing with.

But Mr. Trump has decided to double down, presenting himself as politically all-powerful even in the face of indications that he is not.