Why do poor white people support McCain?

(Warning: This post contains the N word.)

Chris Rock once did a comedy routine called "Niggers versus Black People."

In this bit he talks about ignorant Black People who take pride in not knowing things and acting without much common sense or forethought. He reflects on the fact that African Americans who are trying to improve their lives are angered by members of the African American underclass who embrace the most negative aspects of their culture.

It seems as if something similar may take place in the wider society.

"It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant," said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama recently when referring to the McCain campaign's political hacks who have made fun of Obama's advice that people keep their tires properly inflated to save oil.

On the right, intellectuals are seen as elitist. People who read books and eat foods other than meat and potatoes are effete. If you have ever listened to a country music song and then listened to hip hop you'll probably hear some parallels. "I don't care what nobody thinks" is a phrase used in both genres.

A refusal to change and become a "phony" is also prevalent. The Black and White underclasses are very similar. The difference, and problem, is that the White underclass is filled with poor people who think they are middle class who vote like they're rich for the people who make them poor.

A sort of rugged individualistic machismo destroys both the White and Black underclasses. The Black underclass destroys itself with drugs, teenage pregnancy, and crime. The White underclass destroys itself with these same things, but they add a habit of voting for politicians that lower their standard of living to the list. They put politicians in place who help corporations keep their wages low and take away their health insurance.

There are definitely a large number of people in the United States who take pride in their ignorance. But hopefully we'll stop letting them run the country.