Dog Whistles & Donald Trump

I recently reread Paul Krugman’s bestseller, Conscience of a Liberal. My respect for Krugman has waned over the years, but I still try to give him the benefit of the doubt when I can. There are some decent economists on the left, but most of them just can’t put the pieces of the puzzle in the right places. Otherwise smart people reach wrong conclusions and promote bad policy.

Nonetheless, Krugman’s book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the intellectual basis of the left. Most conservatives and liberals agree that the gap between the political left and right has widened considerably in the past several decades. Conservatives argue that socialists and other statists pulled the Democrat party to the far left. Liberals like Krugman tell a different story, maintaining that “movement conservatives” pulled the Republicans to the far right. Krugman’s argument is flawed in a number of ways, but I want to focus on one of his key themes.

Conservatives—which include most Republicans—have held their own at the ballot box by blowing “dog whistles” to ill-informed, racist southern voters who are unable to see that their interests are really represented by Democrats. This point is not merely a side comment in his book, but a major crux of Krugman’s political philosophy. When Hillary Clinton claimed that half of Trump’s supporters are deplorables of some kind—“racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic”—she wasn’t just getting caught up in a political speech. She was parroting the core argument of modern statists like Krugman.

The problem with the Krugman/Clinton argument is that it lacks a factual basis. Bigots vote too and are probably split between Clinton and Trump, but this does not make either candidate a bigot. The notion that a large percentage of Americans fall into one of Clinton’s hate categories is hard to support, but that is not what is so problematic about her statement. Clinton’s contention that Trump voters are either haters or confused suggests that she simply does not understand the intellectual arguments for liberty and limited government. Put another way, she argues for a more intrusive government because she does not see any alternative.

It’s impossible to have a meaningful conversation with someone who believes that their view is the only legitimate one. If you’re in this camp, please understand the following. There IS a rational argument for strong borders that is not based in racism, isolationism, or xenophobia. There IS a rational argument for traditional family values that does not condone mistreatment of the LGBT community. There IS a rational argument that Islamic thought is a key issue with ISIS and other terrorists. There IS a rational argument for “law and order” that respects individual liberty and seeks to treat all Americans fairly.

If you’re on the left, know that the dog whistle argument is a non-starter and offends thoughtful Americans who don’t see things your way. If you want to have a productive conversation, dispense with the allegations of hatred and political correctness. You might find more common ground than you think.

6 thoughts on “Dog Whistles & Donald Trump

  1. I disagree with both views on the parties. Both republicans and democrats have moved to the left and are still very close in terms of policy. That’s why Gary Johnson is the only real alternative.

  2. hey liberty1985, don’t waste your vote. I wish Trump was more fiscally conservative, but NEVER HILLARY. Johnson will not win.

  3. The “basket of deplorables” would presumably include Trump supporters who happen to serve in Congress. Recently Hillary bragged about having worked with Republicans on the Hill. Great way to start a dialogue by calling someone a name, huh? Cooperation for Democrats means “you agree with me”.

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