Why and what is MAGA?

[HTacianas]

and our leadership in the world and a return to loving our nation.

Three of the things Trump talked about. There are these perennial problems that have been around for decades now. Three of them were the US trade deficit with China, the general unfairness of NATO, and out of control Federal spending. People have for years looked at them and sort of said, "yeah but what are you gonna do?" and left them to linger and get worse. Then when Trump went about at least trying to fix them a whole world of hate was unleashed on him. And I still don't know why.

 

[Occams Barber]

and our leadership in the world and a return to loving our nation.

Given Trump's isolationist policies 'leadership in the world' makes no sense. If it did what does 'leadership' mean?

What does 'loving our nation' mean? (what would cause you to 'love' your nation?)

OB

 

[Eloy Craft]

Because your comments were cryptic, incomprehensible and ambiguous.
OB

I seriously doubt that. Novel maybe.

 

[Eloy Craft]

Sounds like a rerun of 'Leave it to Beaver'

OB

Why isn't that an acceptable image of national greatness?

 

[GoldenBoy89]

It symbolizes a return to manufacturing and innovative greatness and also our tradition of family.

What is a tradition of family?

 

[Eloy Craft]

What is a tradition of family?

A tradition that preserves and models the first one.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

A tradition that preserves and models the first one.

Still kinda vague but, ok.

And how did the “MAGA” movement intend to return the country to this tradition?

 

[GreekOrthodox]

What does "the reality of our own time" look like?

For me, we're at the end of Pax Americana. We're not the only world's major power anymore. Yes we still dominate to a large extent, but like Pax Romana facing Germanic tribes and the Persian Empire, we're facing rising powers of China and India. We're facing a plague like the Antonine Plague, which decimated populations. We now see the first major European land war since WW2. Much like Rome in the latter days of the Empire, America is stretched thinly economically and militarily. We traded away our stable blue collar jobs in the 80s and 90s while company executives took their stock options.

I might add that the income disparity and economic mobility is reflected in what was happening in the latter days of the Roman Empire as well. While wealth and power are always going to accumulate, it is far worse today than in the 1950s. Economic mobility is stagnate or declining. Personally, one of my grandfathers was quite wealthy in the 1960s and the other had a union job at the local power company. So white and blue collar, but both had stable incomes. Despite a first rate education, I've struggled most of my career and got hit hard in economic downturns. My children are certainly going to have it worse.

When I've spoken to my father in law, he had a stable career with a chemical company and was able to re-engineer a new career in his mid-50s. He continues to live on a nice pension. Most likely, I will never see retirement and I fear for my wife as her family tends to live into their 90s. Even he has said that he cannot give me advice because the circumstances are so different.

The Crisis of the Middle Class and American Power

 

[Goonie]

I always read it as MJCGA, where JC does not stand for Jesus Christ.

 

[Ceallaigh]

In other words, a rewind back to the 1950's. Those were good days!

Not in all ways. And not for all Americans. But in several ways, it was a golden age for America in general.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Back in the early 70s MAGA was summed up in this song:

 

[rturner76]

As a one time suit and tie wearer, I have always been fascinated with Trump's tie length. I reached the conclusion that it's a deliberate attempt to create the illusion of height and minimise the obvious pot belly.

OB

I think it's a phallic symbol

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Back in the early 70s MAGA was summed up in this song:

And shattered by this kiss

 

[Ceallaigh]

I think it's a phallic symbol

The Trump Phalacy?

 

[Ceallaigh]

And shattered by this kiss

The mores of the 50s period were good overall and desirable. But it was also severly marred by inequality.

 

[Eloy Craft]

Still kinda vague but, ok.

And how did the “MAGA” movement intend to return the country to this tradition?

One way was Trump made it easier to not feel guilt for holding to Christian beliefs.

 

[Athanasius377]

I think the best explanation is the one @GreekOrthodox offered. It is a longing for a return to a time when we had more social, economic, and diplomatic stability than we do now. It's a longing for leaders who while not Christian at least cared more for their country and their constituents than what we have now.

To be clear, there was never a good 'ole days. They never existed. The 1950s were not paradise any more than any other decade in the US. Recall we started the decade with the police action in Korea, stagflation, suburban flight, McCarthyism, Red Scare, the intellectual phonies and perverts of the Beatniks and the list goes on.

What are in fact seeing is the collapse of the Pax Americana and the pruning and extinction of cultural Christianity. Add to that the fact that our leaders regardless of party affiliation no longer respect our traditions or the people Lord over. MAGA is reaction rejecting the above.

 

[NxNW]

One way was Trump made it easier to not feel guilt for holding to Christian beliefs.

I'm sure all three of his wives and many mistresses would agree.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

MAGA evidently is ok with obscenity. I see a lot of F^%$ Biden signs these days.

 

[rturner76]

When they talk about those old days I feel like they are saying they are opining for segregation. You know back when people knew how to stay in their place, gays were in the closet, no race mixing, women stayed at home and dad would give you a wallop if you got out of line. WHen women were women and men wore hats.

One thing that would MAGA is if people got married and stayed married like they used to. I think single parenthood has hurt America. There is a reason why the word bastard became a derogatory term. I am one myself and it's tough to grow up without a dad. You make it through but with one parent, you can figure out what you can get away with. With two parents, one catches what the other one misses so you can't get away with much. Some still can but it's harder to get one over on two parents.