As an American living in the UK for over 20 years, there are some fundamental things about American culture and the American mindset that Brits don’t really understand. It’s obvious every time the U.S. votes. Cc: @gavinmit

Our civic education teaches us that the greatness of the U.S.A. is built around the idea of the ‘American Dream’ which is basically this idealised way of talking about our obsession with ‘rugged individualism’ or the idea that the promise of America is that anyone can get rich.

We learn that in the US, if you work hard, you succeed. If you haven’t succeeded, it’s your fault for not working harder. It’s why Americans work long hours and don’t use their holiday entitlements.

People who are poor are poor because they don’t try hard enough, so they don’t deserve help. They should just work harder.

The idea that if you are poor you are disadvantaged early on thru a worse education, poor diet, lack of opportunity does not fit the narrative of America. So socialism, where everybody gets looked after, is the fundamental opposite of America.

If you are rich you shouldn’t have to give what you’ve worked for to those who have failed due to their own laziness. If you are poor, you do not want to accept the handout because it means you have failed at being American.

The reason people believe the rhetoric of a Trump is because they believe that as he’s rich he is better because he is something they have yet to become. He must deserve more because he has more.

His tax cuts, and handouts to cronies are fine because they work hard so one day that will be them.

They reject socialism and are easily led to believe the left is anti-American because that is literally what we learn from birth, although not in those words.

When you hear Trump supporters railing about the lefty socialists destroying democracy, it is because the idea of socialism does not work with their worldview and what they know about the world.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom - there is a growing recognition that nationalised healthcare is a good idea. Not everyone is there yet, but the ACA is giving people a taste of what they could have.

But this American ideal won’t change overnight. It’s why the Dems won’t go all in on a socialist candidate - yet.

It’s why what looks center right in Europe is called center left, or just left in the US.

And it’s why our elections baffle you so much. We just don’t think the same way.

That said, I do believe we will have a socialist candidate in my lifetime. Just not yet.