if people voted on issues, there would be overwhelming support for democrats. unfortunately, people in the US are uninterested in politics and national news. they instead rely on catch phrases, marketing and propoganda.
issues such as port security, macroeconomics, separation of power and civil rights are complicated. gay marriage, questioning patriotism and religious wedge issues are easy.
you must be kidding.
Why is it then, that Democrats typically do better when there is a larger voter turnout? Those who do pay attention to the issues are your core group of voters...the people who still vote in a low turnout...republicans/conservatives do better. Yet, as more people show up, the more ignorants who vote, the better the democrats do.
Yet, I suppose you're right.
The fact of the matter is that working class voters who vote simply on self interest should to vote democrat. I'm not sure you can even debate the other side with a straight face (In fact, many conservatives use this fact as a key talking point, read: welfare/entitlements/et al). I can understand your objection to Urap's statement, as he's defining issues in his terms (which I happen to agree with, but I can understand those who don't). Some people, as crazy as it seems to me, REALLY care about gay marriage, and other wedge issues. These issues are so effective that, when employed by a very sharp political mind like Karl Rove, can drastically alter election results. The timing of the debate to add a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage was a brilliant political move... disgusting to me, but effective.
The democratic party is an interesting animal. They rely on voters making decisions in their own self-interest (poor, working class) and voters making a seemingly altruistic decision that flies in the face of what's best for them (Goddamn Liberal Elites!). I suppose the same an be said for Republicans, but the other way around... They rely on people voting in their self interest (High income Americans). At the same time, they rely on voters making decisions that fly in the face of their own economic self interest (Working class voters voting on cultural issues)
Both Parties have their share of "ignorants." The key to many elections is which party can set the terms of the debate. Will they vote on economic self interest, or to legislate their cultural beliefs?
