Issue #302

Right-wing “populism” is a joke: Poor-bashing, immigrant-hating, and a revolting agenda

Writer John Judis presciently published an important book about American politics about a decade before its time called “The Paradox of American Democracy: Elites, Special Interests, and the Betrayal of the Public Trust” in which he accurately observed the seeds of discontent among the American public and its mistrust of political institutions. He saw the Tea Party coming before it was born. In the wake of David Brat’s recent win over Eric Cantor he analyzed the race and helpfully defined the right-wing populism that drove it. We see the two strains of populism springing up in both political parties with more and more energy. On the left the Elizabeth Warren wing is gaining steam. There actually is one right-wing populist speaker out there who has no trouble getting right to the heart of the matter:  Sarah Palin. Sure, she’s something of a joke to the mainstream and nobody thinks she’ll ever run for anything again. But her celebrity remains formidable as she uses the modern communications technologies to stay in touch with her followers. And she speaks their language perfectly. Heather Digby Parton, Salon, 7-10-14.