According to Freud, the human psyche has three parts: the "id," the "ego" and the "super-ego."
The "id" is the dark, primordial yearning that exists deep down in our core. It represents our unfiltered animal instinct. The "super-ego" is our moral compass. It is our conscience, keeping us in line. The "ego" acts as the arbiter between the "id" and "super-ego." It seeks to satisfy both desires in a realistic, culturally appropriate and personally beneficial way.
When applying Freud's psychic apparatus to today's Republicans, it's clear that Donald Trump is the party's "id." He is racist, sexist and ignorant, with no regard for societal norms or common decency. He says exactly what he thinks, whether you like it or not. With Trump, there is no "super-ego" keeping him in line.
Normally, a person like Trump would be laughed off a presidential circuit, publicly shamed for being such an offensive, divisive figure. However, as we've seen the past few weeks, the exact opposite is happening. The more outrageous Trump gets, the more his popularity soars among Republicans.
Trump has hit a nerve with the far-right base. He has tapped into their hatred for government and disdain for political correctness. He is channeling their anger in a way no other Republican has in recent years.
After watching the first GOP Debate, it's clear that none of Trump's competitors can touch him. They aren't brave enough or skilled enough to take him on. Trump is a ten-time Big League All-Star. Bush, Rubio, Walker and the rest are Single-A ballplayers.
When Trump first launched his campaign, he was considered a side-show. Now he has a commanding lead in the race for the Republican nomination.
THE ANTI-POLITICIAN
For years, Trump has been a favorite among Tea Party Republicans.
In the early Obama days, he was lionized for spearheading the "Birther" movement. Now, Trump has risen to near-mythical prominence by demonizing immigrants and taking on Mexico.
He questions John McCain's heroism. He calls Mexican immigrants "rapists." He makes misogynistic, sexist comments about women. He condemns our political leaders as "idiots" and "morons." And yet, amazingly, these comments do not hurt him. In fact, they only make him stronger.
Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination because he is the anti-politician. He is the knight in shining armor for Republicans on the far-right who think they are losing their country. Trump may be a billionaire, but he speaks their language. He shares their hatred for establishment politics and the "liberal media." He talks like them. He acts like them. He is politically incorrect, just like them.
A GIFT FROM HEAVEN FOR DEMOCRATS
I may be an Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders Democrat, but I must admit: I find Trump wildly entertaining.
Yes, he is absurdly ignorant and offensive, and I vehemently disagree with almost everything he says, but I respect his authenticity. As Americans, we are so used to politicians playing both sides of an issue, pandering to whatever audience they're speaking to, telling us one thing today and the complete opposite tomorrow.
Trump is vile, but it's refreshing to hear someone tell you what they truly believe. He isn't owned by lobbyists and special interests. He isn't a puppet of the Koch Brothers. He is so rich that he is beholden to no one.
In the end, one would expect the Republican "ego" to step in and overrule Trump, the party's "id." After all, as much as he is beloved by the Republican base right now, at some point the party will realize that Trump is too divisive to win a general election, so making him the nominee would be a futile endeavor. Instead, they will nominate someone like Jeb Bush, a "safe bet" in the mold of John McCain or Mitt Romney.
But even if that happens, it still may not be enough to stop Trump.
He is too popular, too out of control to turn back now. He has lit a flame that no one on the right can put out.
During the first GOP Debate, Trump reiterated the fact that if he does not get the Republican nomination he might run as a third-party candidate.
All across the country, Liberals will be cheering Trump on, knowing the more popular he gets, the more likely he becomes the Ross Perot or Ralph Nader of 2016.
