They actually do see that the roads are worse and things cost more. All that other shit is projection and wedge issues designed to distract them, and their anger. They blame Clinton and the deep state for all of capitalisms blowbacks, because blaming capitalism itself would be a threat.

I'm not saying they have class consciousness, I am saying they are at least aware things are shitty. They've just been distracted by whatever is this week's outrage, by the people who are the most invested in them being distracted.

I like to think of it like a lightning rod. Take their anger, and point them somewhere, anywhere, that won't do damage to the status quo. That way they don't have anger left over for the shit that actually matters. And if their anger can be put towards something beneficial to the status quo, even better.