Climate change "disappointment"

A few days ago I was at an event and one of the people I was sitting near expressed concern over Hurricane Florence hitting the Carolinas, opining that it's an example of the rise of stronger storms due to climate change.

As frequently occurs, Florence lost much of its strength before hitting the coast. While billed as a potential Category 5, it was Category 1 at landfall and soon after has been labelled a tropical storm. While there was flooding and damage from the storm, North and South Carolina have weathered stronger storms in the past.

Thus I sympathize with disappointed Climate Change activists who have lost a prime example of the coming climate apocalypse.

Revolt against the establishment

Recent books have explained the election of Donald Trump is a revolt against the establishment. See for instance The Great Revolt by Selena Zito or White Working Class by Joan C. Williams. Trump voters report having voted for candidates who claim to share their concerns only to see the candidate become part of the Washington establishment after the election. They saw Donald Trump as an outsider who would actually make changes, albeit from the political right.

The recent primary victories of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley, though left wing, are in many ways the same phenomenon. In both cases voters rejected the establishment, opting for radical change. These candidates follow Bernie Sanders run at the presidency, again a vote against the establishment.

Though considered opposite ends of the political spectrum, Donald Trump and these left wing candidates are different aspects of the same political movement. Rejection of incumbent / establishment politicians, instead embracing a call for change.

Next year should be interesting as these left wing candidates will most likely be elected.