Thread by @julie_kelly2

So let’s deconstruct just one facile response to Tucker’s monologue. This piece by @DavidAFrench. First, I think I speak for plenty of people who are weary with certain commentators telling us what to think, do, accept, reject, etc. French is one. 1/ nationalreview.com/2019/01/the-ri…

French claims manufacturing has not disappeared in a generation. But the article HE CITES touts manufacturing gains (under Trump) for the 1st time in 13 years. Further, the article says the sector is at an all-time low, from 28% in 1953 to 11.6% in 2017.

cnbc.com/2018/08/03/job…

His claim that marijuana use among our youth is on a slight uptick and nothing to worry about is laughable on its face. The chart he cites shows a major rise since the 1990s - and even this is sketchy because self-reporting studies are dubious at best

drugabuse.gov/sites/default/…

French totally twists Carlson’s point about the ruling class caring more about the Congo, and boasts about American charity. That wasn’t Carlson’s point at all. He used it as a comparison about policy - not charity. His comment was about jobs in Dayton and Detroit.

I won’t get into how ironic it is that French eschews victim-based politics to bolster a political agenda.

And this comment indicates French didn’t get Carlson’s point - at all. “The problem with populism is that it focuses on the political at the expense of the personal.”

What? His whole point is that political self-interest by a few have caused serious personal consequences on many

Another irony: French and his fellow NeverTrumpers have been as divisive, angry, and insulting as Trump or the Left. But now Tucker - who used to be a fellow traveler puts it into stark words and suddenly “we must not create a victim class of angry citizens.” WTF?

This is the same crowd who has shamed evangelicals for supporting Trumps and mocked white rural voters. Just 2 months ago, French basically cited the same failings as an alleged reason for a (nonexistent) rise in white supremacy:

amgreatness.com/2018/11/19/the…

The biggest fail in this article, aside from denying legitimate problems, is the absence of any alternative. I’m inclined to yes, assign more blame to the individual than government. That doesn’t mean public policies- many promoted by the Right-haven’t had unintended consequences

The refusal to re-examine these long term threats is politically-driven by the very people who claim populism is political. No, it is you who’s being political. And tribal. And close-minded. And selfish. And all the other accusations you make against Trump supporters.

Carlson’s most devastating point is how rural America is now mimicking the inner cities. And for decades, the Right largely (and correctly) blames awful government polices and selfish, ineffective leaders for inner city plight. But now that it’s Decatur and not Detroit? Buck up!