Ronni, you are correct about the ageism in AARPpublications. These products focus on the younger old, not the elderly. However, the truth is, to survive, they are using demographic research like every other publication, which shows a much larger market in these younger ages. Makes me wonder what they will do when the babies born in the "birth dearth arrive at age 50?

I agree that there are angry men suffering the last straw with the loss of their youth and no longer having command of the room. These men have lost power gradually over the years and had always had grudges against women and minorities and unemployment ----and here comes Trump--finally someone who is saying out loud what they have been thinking all these years but have not be able to say because they would be accused of being "politically incorrect".

Church membership gave some power as head of the home so some chose to be embraced into the fold. Some bought Harleys and felt powerful. Some just did passive -aggressive behavior whenever possible.

Having to share the wealth is not fun especially if you feel you have been forced to accept defeat --when you knew you were a better man.

That said---- there are some really great men out there!!

My two cents is that it's probably very difficult - maybe impossible - to tease apart all the -isms and -phobias that characterize Trump supporters. Racism. Ageism. Extreme sexism. Homophobia. Xenophobia. I believe there's a feeling of profound fear that underlies all of those things, leading them to crave an authoritarian figure who will tell them what to do and make it all right again. So maybe they're angry because "no one is paying attention to them anymore." But maybe they're also afraid.

Lest anyone think I'm feeling compassionate towards these Trumpish folks, I'm not. They need to put on their big-boy (or big-girl) pants and suck it up because no one gets out of here alive. Maybe once we can all learn to wrap our minds around that, we'll learn to be more kind to one another.

Great post that totally makes sense. Add to that chronic health problems from smoking, diet & alcohol and you have some self-centered unhappy men.
Susan

Passed over for promotion - I know all about that one. I come with my full plate of skills and when I get to the interview, OMG, she is over 40 - it seems like an exercise in futility.

My observation has been that Trump supporters are more likely to be undereducated white men of all ages who finally see someone who publicly condones and encourages their anger, bigotry, hate, zenophobia, and other antisocial behavior. If only it were limited to men in their 60s and 70s. Then I'd have hope for the younger generation. It's the pervasiveness through several generations that's so frightening.

I heard a talk by Donna Leon, author of the Commissario Brunetti mysteries a couple of years ago. She's an American, but has lived in Venice for decades. Someone in the bookstore audience asked her why Berlusconi kept getting elected. She said that men admired his way with beautiful women and his wealth. That's trump's men in a nutshell as I see it.

double

I agree with Patty, PiedType, Wendl and others as well. Most Drumpfeteers appear to be angry white males between ages 45-70 and the women they have kept "in their place"; that is, dominated by white males. Lack of education is likely part of it since most of his supporters have little or no college--this is true among the younger cohorts of his supporters also. The older Drumpfeteers came of age in a time when well-paid manufacturing jobs were plentiful and available to white males (only!) with a high school diploma or less. How could these men not view themselves as "entitled" since no women or minorities were even allowed on the playing field.

Like any good carnival barker/reality TV show host, Drumpf is highly attuned to what his audience wants to hear and gives it to them--right back atcha! Racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, hatred, bullying, up front bigotry--they've got it all in Mr. Drumpf. Unfortunately, the rest of us will get the whole package as well if this terrible man gets elected President in November. Electing Drumpf would only reinforce the same traits in the next few generations, although demographic change will render them increasingly obsolete.

What characteristics do Trumpeteers share?

Anger -- they blame immigrants, legal and illegal, for loss of jobs and opportunities that, if they were honest with themselves, they wouldn't qualify for even if there were no immigrants.

Fear -- Most of them are technologically challenged (as is Trump himself) and are actually afraid of the world passing them by. They may have mastered their iPhones, but couldn't make a spreadsheet if their lives depended upon it.

Insecurity -- Remember when we were all told that if we got a decent job with a big company we'd be set for life? Then those companies switched their manufacturing to Singapore or China and everyone here was left high and dry. Oh, and they stole your pension plan, too.

Insecurity Part 2 -- The house you'd paid for for years and had all that equity built up suddenly lost all its value in 2008 - 2009, and there went all the money you thought you'd have for your retirement. Now you're stuck with the idea of having to live on nothing but your Social Security, in other words, you'll be living below the poverty level.

Insecurity Part 3 -- The kids you sent to college can't find a job either and so they've moved back in with you and your wife along with their three squalling kids and un-housebroken puppy.

I fully understand the anger and fear and insecurity -- but how do they think Trump is going to solve those problems? He knows nothing about the system and how to work it, he'll only make everything worse. They're all going to be up a creek without a paddle.

I appreciate the various comments and won't enter the Trump debate tho I'm not pro. What kind of bothers me is the broad brush used in describing "Men"...I see it as ageism pure and simple. I thought this was an issue we all rail against...I guess not when it comes to politics. ..almost a male bashing . Discrimination. ...so much for a united front against ageism.

Hi 2nd
R.,

I work as a retiree a couple days week with these type people
Many are real angry with anyone who has more than they do. And that includes anyone their ago. The plus 60 year old guys I see all look like Wilford Brimley.

They all have giant pot bellies, terribly unkept white hair, no money, KMart shoes and 2 - 3 marriages behind them. They are positive they'd be rich if they could have invested their money instead of the government thru Social Security.

They are clueless,
Fred

I do not cease to wonder how such a large country, powerfull, home to millions of citizens, many of them worthy, could only produce two such candidates for President!
President - the highest, most powerful position in the USA.
How can Americans consider leaving their future in the hands of Trump?!
And what mistifies me even more is that, when the time comes, most Americans will NOT VOTE. If you don't like any of the candidates, at least vote in the one that is less poisonous. The lesser evil.
Do something! protect your future!