How true is Richard Rorty's prediction from 1998 for the condition of the USA?

[loveslongnails]

Richard McKay Rorty (October 4, 1931 – June 8, 2007) was an American philosopher, historian of ideas, and public intellectual. Educated at the University of Chicago and Yale University, Rorty's academic career included appointments as the Stuart Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University, the Kenan Professor of Humanities at the University of Virginia, and a professor of comparative literature at Stanford University. This describes maga in a nutshell, and the situation today in the United States. The book "Achieving Our Country" was written in 1998,

Thoughts? Comments? Queries?

[Telekinetic-Potato]

I'd argue that this has time pretty much came and went. It's what lead to the 2008 housing crash. Every politician Democrat and republican has been trying to assume this "strawman" role. Trump was just the first person to do it who wasn't a member of the elite class.

Which might sound crazy to some people but trump is a small fish relative to the richest people in the country. Before running he barely made it in the Forbes billionaire list. There are clothing designers and performers richer than he is.

So far as the super rich are concerned, he was seen as blue collar. And for the most part that seems to be the company he kept. He actually frequented golf clubs many people who I know personally are members of. My old boss has used his lawyer, my step mom used to socialize with people in his circle. She's met his family before. And she only made around 90k a year.

People think that the amount of money you make is how you measure how much someone cares and can relate to you. In my experience it's more about the company you keep.

And from growing up in an area he spent a lot of time in, it seems like he spends most of his time with super rich people but also has a lot of people very close to him who are firmly middle class. Based on stories I've heard he sounds like that's the culture he was largely raised under.

[loveslongnails]

This is a very accurate observation. My family worked papa Fred Trump. who made his fortune on Federally subsidized housing projects and basic real estate. He was very much a "middle-class" type according to the stories I heard. They also know little Donnie growing up, and there was many accounts of spoiled DJT getting into trouble and daddy bailing him out.

Trump tried to break into the real upper crust of NYC's uber wealthy, but he too crass. He was shunned by the likes of the Rockefellers, the Carnegies, the Morgans, and even the descendants of the Schiffs. Being considered trash by Jews like the Schiffs didn't sit well.

So little Donnie started wheeling and dealing, shifting and grifting, and saw his net worth go up. He thought that being ostentatious would gain him acceptance, but it never did. This is why you'd see Don with more "celebrity type" millionaires and politicos; all for show. Did the generationally wealthy with the REAL money do that? Never. They kept a low profile. They even bought an island in Georgia (Jekyl Island, now owned by the state) where they would all to hang out so they could be left alone They didn't need to show people " Hey look, I'm a millionaire". He always did.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Maybe if you study these people closely, you can learn to be successful too. He really didn't do anything anyone else couldn't have done.

[loveslongnails]

I have all the financial success I need. The last thing I want is to become like these people. Take care now.

[Snakeyes7]

It appears to be playing out in real time. What's sadder is that this is 100% avoidable but we just kept electing economic flat-earthers.

[loveslongnails]

Agreed, and it takes a lot of effort and mind opening to escape the propaganda machine and pure Oligarchy simultaneously.

[strateguy632]

Correct the part about 'prevent job export' indeed DOES "describes maga in a nutshell" where trump policy created jobs , pulled companies to u. s. And increased new industrial projects that MADE NEW ADDED JOBS here in u. s.

[exitseven]

Some of this is true, Jobs have been shipped overseas for the last 30 years and up until President Trump came along the government did not give a shit.

[loveslongnails]

I say the same to you as I said to Sofa King: SHOW US the jobs that are coming back, and what they pay, and the impact they'll have. I'll show you what he's chased away.

Everything this guy predicted has come true, not "some of it"; every damn word of it.

[exitseven]

in his first term President Trump saved both the steel and coal industries. These policies continue into his second term.
New factories and facilities have shown a large increase in construction jobs. There were 8.3 million construction jobs by late 2025. The problem is there is now a shortage of workers to fill these jobs.

[loveslongnails]

More horseshit Exit. Trump save 73 coal mining jobs in his first term. 73, and they now are closed down. There IS no increase in factory buildings. You have no workers because you deported most of them or imprisoned them. Nice going, Exit. Just brilliant.

[loveslongnails]

*saved

[NathanDavis]

it wasn't a prediction really

that was the plan exactly... since 1992/1994, with NAFTA mostly, and few other things too

[goaded]

Clearly, he was spot-on.