Understanding tea party rage

I wish I could.   I would guess that the voters who kicked Eric Cantor to the curb on Tuesday were fueled by rage and disappointment.  I wonder how many of them would like the kind of government they would get if enough of their darlings get elected.  Smaller government in the era of mega corporations means government by the corporations, for the corporations, etc.  Many of these rugged individualists can barely get off their scooters to vote and consistently state they expect all the benefits they feel entitled to.  This hardly gibes with the Paul Ryan school of less benefits for the average voter and more relief for the 1%.    What causes these people to vote against their own interest?   The idea that the undeserving are getting government largesse is a big factor.  The current President helps to focus their anger on the "other".   But what are the other reasons?  The economic desperation many feel is powerful.  The feeling they are being elbowed away from the trough by the surging minorities, especially the "illegals" they are constantly being reminded are taking their jobs.  There are probably many more factors at play, but until we understand them all, we will be doomed to a deadlocked government which will slide into irrelevance as the corporations take over its function.