It's worth pointing out that this is the season when both candidates promise the moon. I think you make good points about how much the tone has really done a polar switch (dems framing things in conservative 'family and patriotism' terms but also the republicans being extremely identity-political, talking about the need for safe spaces of different kinds, and dogpiling on 'offensive' or even 'triggering' remarks). But I wonder if the bigger issue won't be low turnout due to a massive loss of faith in these oh-so-generous-sounding campaign promises. I'm not an expert and I can't say, but legitimately most people I know under the age of 65 have no intention of voting for a presidential candidate.
It's worth pointing out that this is the season when both candidates promise the moon. I think you make good points about how much the tone has really done a polar switch (dems framing things in conservative 'family and patriotism' terms but also the republicans being extremely identity-political, talking about the need for safe spaces of different kinds, and dogpiling on 'offensive' or even 'triggering' remarks). But I wonder if the bigger issue won't be low turnout due to a massive loss of faith in these oh-so-generous-sounding campaign promises. I'm not an expert and I can't say, but legitimately most people I know under the age of 65 have no intention of voting for a presidential candidate.