[quote=briansd1]
I’m still trying to grasp the rational motivations of working-class conservatives.
[/quote]

Because “they are bitter”? 🙂

Okay, that was a cheap shot. But America is a land of optimists and positive thinking. True or not – most people believe that there is a good deal of meritocracy and class mobility here. I may be broke today but I truly believe that in this society I can move up and join the ranks of the rich. Therefore, I would not support policies that advocate taxing their wealth away.

In most of the world elsewhere people view things differently. Rich/aristocrats are a separate class – one can never join them. So it is OK to tax their wealth away.

Because of our limited history most people also believe that the rich earned their fortune fairly. In most other places, people think that the rich became what they are by stealing from others.

And finally, working class conservatives probably feel threatened by the elitist leaders of social liberalism. GOP candidates probably do a better job connecting with them on some level.