Taylor Swift and the New "Left Behind" Demographic


It's widely believed that the 2016 victory by Trump was, more than anything else, caused by a demographic of those who felt "left behind." Women and black people were making progress. Cities were growing and prospering. A group said, "Hey, what about me?" This was the lower middle class, especially rural areas. They voted in big numbers.

I don't listen to Taylor Swift's music, but the link explains the songs she writes and performs gives legitimacy to the feelings women have about their lives. No one in the arts, religion or politics does this except her. This gives her a lot of power over how women spend their money and vote. Trump's group will not be energized like that of Swift.

What group has a more legitimate claim to being left behind than young women? For decades we have heard the forced-birth political operatives chant, "A human life is present at conception. Abortion kills a human being." The fetus has always been a part of the woman's body. Forcing her to give birth puts her in harm's way. Not one word is spoken about the welfare of the woman. (That is except for "thoughts and prayers")

I suppose many women thought that so long a Roe was in place they themselves would be OK. When Roe was overturned a light went on, "These forced-birth whackos do not care one twit about me. I will not stand for this." As many of us predicted, women have the numbers, forced birth does not.

Observers of popular culture marvel at how Taylor Swift rations her comments about politics and contemporary culture. She has let it be known she is a Democrat but mostly says little about these topics. Other show business celebrities and professional athletes talk about nothing but politics. I suspect they have little impact. It seems to me Taylor Swift might have a larger impact than most others if she chooses to use it.

One thing is certain, whatever group feels left out at any moment in time will turn out to vote. They may have an impact only once, but like Trump supporters they can upset conventional wisdom.

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