Why is it that educated Americans will vote against their own best interests?

Because education often allows you to look past the obvious and see the forest for the trees. For instance, I myself am a government contractor doing research at a national lab. I am also a dues paying Libertarian. Technically every time I cast a vote next to the candidate with (L) by their name I am voting against my best interests. That doesn't matter to me though because it is THE RIGHT THING TO DO! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I believe Hillary to be the best candidate, or that her NAFTA stance is anything less than a lie. But educated people might be voting for her because they think she is the best choice to lead the country, regardless of whether her past stances have directly benefited them. It's taking an ideological approach to voting rather than a pragmatic one. I know lower middle cl republicans who vote republican because they think it's the right thing to do, even if it's not in their best financial interest. If you think about yourself first and the nation last you're really just a political prostitute. Do the RIGHT thing, instead of the EASY thing, and our country will be stronger for it.