Anti -Trump like me regards the presidential election as a liquidation of American democracy.For many Trump's supporters, this is a simple issue.
At the end of this summer, I left my home in New York and talked with dozens of working class in the south, central and western regions and west.I don't have any agenda, I just want to hear what they are talking about, and try to understand the world from their perspective.I interviewed hairdresser, retired sawmill workers, bakers, truck drivers, self -service laundry managers, open -air barbecue chefs, casino dealers, and even a former professional denim rider.
For the economy, the word that people speak the most is "terrible".Followed by "too bad".
There are men and women who talk to me, including white, black, Latin, Asians and aborigines.Their appearance is different, but they say the same.Everyone wants to provide better material conditions for themselves and their families, and everyone is trying to obtain these conditions.Some people don't want to talk about politics.Some people feel that they have been ignored by politicians, so that they will no longer participate in this process.Everyone who published opinions supports Trump.
If this country is a political body, then the working class is the most sensitive nerve ending of the economic spasm.Although some of their reactions are the result of decades of chronic diseases, the most obvious pain has appeared in the past few years.The worst inflation and the fastest interest rate increase since the early 1980s -for the rich, these are news titles.For the labor people, these are the fundamental challenges of their daily life.Workers are more concerned about paid days, not January 6.
This is fair, but why is it required to help a loy and a billionaire who is abused to help them solve economic problems?Their explanation is simple.When Trump was president, everyone had a good life.At present, the price of eggs is almost three times four years ago, and the interest rate of automobile loans is more than 50%higher, and some companies are cutting their working hours.They believe that Trump is a candidate to reverse the situation.
In many ways, these emotions are not surprised.From Alexis Toco, to James Kavir, commentators have noticed the central position of money in the United States' life and politics.After all the remarks and anxiety, maybe this election will once again prove Kavier's motto: don't be stupid, the election is economical.
Indiana Nande Dede
George Limley's right arm had a burns, which was caused by the hot brass parts he grabbed the hot brass parts from the conveyor belt while working.There are many small pinholes on his left arm, which was left by his local blood bank to donate blood. He went twice a week for external fast.
Limley's two -time lasted 90 -minute blood donation process can be exchanged for $ 140; hospitals and pharmaceutical companies have obtained important raw materials.George is 45 years old, single, and his mother lives with him to save money.He said that he started to donate blood because "everything is outrageous."
Before working in this factory, George worked in the local Crog supermarket, so he studied food prices."I went there to buy a pound of burgers there today," he said."In the past, the highest was two five, and now it costs four pieces. Ordinary bread only costs 99 points before, and now two pieces are sold. You may say, two pieces, but two yuan a week, one month is eight, eight is eight a month, eight is eight a month.Block
When I was a teenager, George was Clinton's "hardcore fan".But in 2020, he voted to Trump. This fall, he was interested to vote for him.
"I agree with Trump's saying anything, but I don't care what he said," George explained."What I care about is his policy and its results. Under the leadership of Trump, the economy is very good."
Western Avenue is located in the south of Nande. It is a yellow brick building and emerald green lawn away from the Virgin University.One yuan store is a wonderful window to understand the lives of American salary class, because almost all people with economic constraints will patronize one yuan store.
In one of the stores, Daniel Williams and a colleague helped to collect cashiers to help customers find goods. One of them should take care of each other when resting.
"Where do you want me to start?" When I asked the economic situation, Williams said."Food, gasoline -I think it's too bad."
Williams has not decided to vote for.She seemed to be reserved and talked softly, but when discussing this issue, she was even hesitant.As a black woman, she was surprised by Trump.But from 2016 to 2020, she was more economical."When Trump served as the president," she said, "That belongs to our best time."
Oregon Dals
Liz Gutzman's parents are immigrants in Mexico, and they come to California to pick grapes and oranges.Last year, she started from her kitchen and opened a baking shop.She saw how inflation stressed the micro -economic environment she was in."When my cost rises, I must be more ruthless in pricing to ensure that I can make a profit," she said.
The increase in interest rates has also affected her.In order to get a larger kitchen, she and her husband decided to buy a new house.This requires them to replace the mortgage loan with interest rates at about 2%with a mortgage loan with a interest rate of about 6.5%. She said: "This is a big burden." Now, she must pay more $ 800 a month.
Guzman has considered renting a store, where he sells cheese cakes and Burjeo, but now she and her husband think that this is too risky."Let's say that, we can still keep it," Gutzman said."The situation is pretty good, but the economy is definitely not good."
She remembers the evaluations of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, but she has always been interested in politics. Until last year, she registered for voting under her husband's urging, so they could be Trump each Trump each.Person contributed a vote.
"We want to take action," she recalled her husband, and she agreed."Economy, bills, food costs, our taxes, and the cost of buying cars must be changed," she said.
"I don't like this person itself, but I like him from a career perspective," she said when talking about Trump."He definitely has a financial mind."
Langberton, North Carolina
On the northern Roberts Avenue, a woman walked into one of the many bonded banks in Langspot to pay the monthly supply for her pendant bracelet.
The economic principles of pawn bank transactions are as simple as plasma banks.She replaced the jewelry to $ 200 in cash.In return, she must pay $ 44 a month's interest, processing fee and warehousing fee.This is equivalent to 22%monthly interest rate and 264%annual interest rate.If she missed any of the previous three payments, she would lose the bracelet.
Because people should be paid to items when they need to use money, you may feel that the pawnshop business is very good.The clerk Austin Revers said the fact is exactly the opposite.During the economic downturn, more people should take their own property, but few people have the money to buy the exact items of others.
"Everything is completely finished," Levils, who was almost 30, said."In the past, people had money to go to the pawn or flea market to buy things. Now they have no money anymore. The money left after buying gasoline and groceries can not be left now.The weed machine usually buy it but now they don't buy it. "
I don't need to ask who Revles supports.He wore Trump's hat and Trump's wristband.There was a Grook pistol hanging on his belt.
A piece of American school
Some phenomena I have seen can be explained by economic changes that have occurred in the past decades.American PaiyueThe bigger, but most of the time, it is allocated in a very disapproval way.Aside from the recent economic turbulence: In the past 45 years, with the country's shift from the industrial economy to the back industrial economy, the labor people have been severely hit.The most important thing is that many voters have never experienced rising prices in their lives.
Considering this, when the Chinese see it, a dark and unreasonable candidate promises not only to restore their income, but also to restore their pride. They feel that they are talked about.Is it?I can't, really can't.Artificial intelligence has not replaced my white -collar workers, nor does it replace most of my colleagues' white -collar workers.But if it really comes, I don't know how weird our politics will become after 40 years.
Adam Seessel was a reporter, now a fund manager, and the author of where money is.
Translation: Du Ran, Jin Qijiao
