Solve This Huge Problem That’s Even Bigger Than Trump – Are You Ready?

It’s possible to debate the missteps Democrats took in the recent election. Clearly, they erred, as evidenced by their failure to thwart the reactionary right. However, instead of casting blame, why not start searching for solutions?

In various articles and books, I’ve long maintained that Donald Trump isn’t our central issue. The real threat to our liberties stems from a longstanding movement that currently sees Trump as its emblem.

The election results prove this point. If Trump were the sole problem, then the relentless focus on his numerous shortcomings and absurdities would have decreased his support. Trump is pathetic, delusional, and corrupt—traits that typically undermine backing for any leader. Yet Trump isn’t really a leader; he’s merely a symbol. Criticisms of Trump don’t impact the movement because the movement doesn’t revolve around him.

Easier said than done, but the doing of it is necessary. We have to show people the alternative.

Trump presently serves as the key spokesperson and icon of the right-wing American nationalist movement. There’s nothing novel about Trump or his statements (except perhaps that infamous “grab ‘em by the pussy” remark). Trump’s divisive talk merely recycles the anti-immigrant sentiment and faux moral indignation that have permeated American politics since its inception.

The American Right Wing

All right-wing factions aim to reinstate traditional power structures, limiting power to a select few and thus creating a society divided into the haves and the have-nots. The ideology of American nationalism includes a belief in America’s exceptionalism and superiority over other nations, coupled with a conviction that this exceptionalism can only be preserved through a society that concentrates power among white male Protestants. Recognizing these elements clarifies the actions and rhetoric of the American right wing.

Trump didn’t invent American nationalism. Trump has never truly invented anything. He merely brands various things—whether buildings, planes, bibles, or even American nationalism—with his name. His only concern is himself. If he’s achieved anything, it’s the deceit of marketing himself as a patriot to scam people out of their money.

Ask the Correct Questions About the American Right Wing

Simply targeting Trump doesn’t address the deeper issues of America’s right wing. We must instead focus on the underlying causes. We need to ask why some Americans desire a stratified society and why they believe such a structure is essential to America’s greatness. We should also probe why these individuals insist on excluding various groups from power.

Addressing these questions reveals the core issues. It explains why some Americans see Trump as their standard-bearer, why his crimes and offensive behavior don’t deter them, and why they choose to believe his falsehoods over the truth. They support Trump because he expresses disdain for the same groups they do, and they believe he will ensure these groups remain the underprivileged in America’s dual-class society.

It’s about finding significance. Those who support and even idolize Trump derive a sense of importance and belonging from their association with the movement. It’s a typical human behavior to join groups or follow public figures to gain a sense of identity and significance.

Individuals are drawn to American nationalism to bolster their self-worth—a sense of purpose that unfortunately often comes at the expense of others’ rights and sometimes their lives. That’s the reality we face—that right-wing individuals derive their sense of power and importance from being American nationalists.

It’s not just about Trump. Our focus in preserving freedom should be on countering the American right-wing movement and the millionaires who exploit it to accumulate more wealth and power. These issues are not sufficiently understood or discussed, including by the Democratic Party.

Smarter Opposition

The challenge we confront is the older, larger, more entrenched right-wing movement. This movement thrives because it is backed by substantial corporate interests, and it markets a vision of a two-tiered America. This marketing strategy succeeds by offering people a sense of purpose cloaked in the guise of American nationalism.

Defending freedom and equality for all Americans means opposing the ideology of the American right wing. The Democratic Party’s strategy of attacking Trump and appealing to moderate Republicans has failed, as it was bound to. A more effective strategy involves connecting with people on a deeper level and addressing their need for purpose.

We should discuss why people vote against their own interests when they support right-wing politicians. But rather than demeaning them as uninformed, we need to demonstrate how they can find purpose in a different vision of America.

Supporters of MAGA back Trump because he vilifies the same people they do. Others align with the right-wing agenda because they identify something in it for themselves. While we may not be able to engage with or influence die-hard MAGA supporters, we can offer the rest of the country an alternative to the American right wing.

What would that alternative look like? We can start by acknowledging the existence of two distinct Americas.

The America that welcomes immigrants, and the America that vilifies them.

The America that rewards diligence, and the America that favors the affluent at the cost of the working class.

The America that upholds liberty and justice for all, and the America of slavery and segregation.

The America that champions universal suffrage, and the America that suppresses voters.

The America that defends freedoms, and the America that protects corporate interests.

Politics is fundamentally about power, and the American right wing seeks an America that centralizes power in a society that privileges certain groups over others. The wealthy, who gain the most from this arrangement, sell their right-wing agenda by offering people a sense of purpose, even though they gain little real benefit from it.

A smarter opposition to the right wing involves offering people the alternative of an America characterized by opportunity and freedom. It’s not enough to simply talk about this other America; we must actively build it and demonstrate our commitment through action.

Easier said than done, but the doing of it is necessary. We have to show people the alternative. We should discuss the Project 2025 agenda of an America dominated by wealthy elites. We also need to discuss the alternative America that distributes power among its citizens.

We should explore why people vote against their own best interests when they choose right-wing politicians. Instead of belittling them as ignorant, we should illustrate how they can find meaning in a different America.

When Project 2025 starts disadvantaging people, we need to have a better alternative agenda ready. Simply saying “I told you so” won’t be effective. If we remain indifferent, or worse, antagonistic, they will continue to support the right wing.

We need to address a problem much deeper than Trump. We need to confront the broader American right-wing agenda and, more crucially, work to support everyone else.