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A few decades ago, the Republican party had one foot in the anti-intellectual camp, but only one. They were the party of young-earth creationists, religious pro-lifers, climate-deniers and gun-lovers - but also of educated fiscally conservative folks. The party would welcome economics professors and leaders of medium-sized businesses, promising no radical changes, no big increases in spending or regulation, and a generally pro-market/pro-business stance. The genius of Trump was in realising the educated fiscally conservative folk were driving 95% of the republican policy agenda but only delivering 10% of the votes. The average Republican voter loves the idea of disbanding the IRS and replacing all taxes with tariffs on imports. Sure, you lose the educated 10% who think that policy is economic suicide - but you can more than make up for it with increased turn-out from the other 90% who are really fired up by the prospect of eliminating all taxes. And it works - jumping into the anti-intellectual camp with both feet has delivered the house, the senate, the presidency (electoral college and popular vote), and the supreme court. The conservative movement has a brain-drain because they've realised they don't want the votes of smart, educated people. |