Marjorie Taylor Greene reinforces the stereotype that Conservatives are stupid and philistines

Why the Right internalizes their enemy's propaganda

Marjorie Taylor Greene argued that Ukraine does not matter because Americans can’t find it on a map. There are legitimate reasons to be skeptical about America’s unconditional support for Ukraine but the ignorance of low IQ rubes should not be one of them. Besides, MTG is inconsistent in wanting to throw Ukraine under the bus while unconditionally supporting Israel. Overall MTG is a mixed bag. On one hand, she has taken some bold anti-establishment stances. However, she comes across as kooky and unsophisticated while still having baggage from Bush/Reaganite conservatism. I have much more respect for Matt Gaetz or Thomas Massie than MTG, because they are willing to go all in on being anti-establishment.

The thing is Marjorie Taylor Greene isn’t necessarily prole, as she has a net worth of $11 million, as a businesswoman who owned a CrossFit gym franchise. MTG epitomizes the high prole or economically successful but culturally prole demographic, thus her populism is more cultural than economic. Despite being well off, this demographic feels like liberal elites disrespect their culture and way of life. These types are often good at business but think that knowing about geography or philosophy is for nerds. It is the same with Trump, who is actually fairly intelligent, yet he seems to dumb down his message at his rallies.

While the vast majority of Americans cannot even place every state on the map, including most Democrats, the distinction is that the Left loves to signal that they are smart, even if they are not. In contrast, conservatives often signal against intelligence and cultural sophistication. Basically, the Left are dilettantes while the Right are philistines.

I don't like having to agree with Liberals or Neocon Never Trumpers, but MAGA broadcasting that they cater to low IQ philistines about geography is not a good look for their movement, and that is why liberals win. Basically, they internalize the propaganda from Hollywood liberals rather than fighting back with a rightwing intellectualism. There really isn’t much of a Brahmin Right, though ironically both establishment conservative, William F. Buckley, and the Alt-Right/New Right presented themselves as more intellectual. MAGA is the least intellectual wing of the Right, with some exceptions. For instance, Stephen Miller and Tucker Carlson represent the most intellectual of MAGA, though even Tucker tries too hard to be folksy. Contrary to populism, some degree of elitism can be a good thing and is needed.