Why do people vote Republican?

[margotb822]

Seriously.


(Ok, maybe not so seriously, but it makes no sense to me) :shrug:

[peacetheonlyway]

1. mom and dad did it or preacher says so.... too stupid to think for themselves....

[uppityperson]

2. Advertising works. eom

[jgraz]

3. You left out poor and greedy

Or rather, middle class and greedy. I can't believe how many Rethugs are willing to get screwed right now in order to preserve their ability to not pay taxes once they win the lottery. It makes no sense to me. :crazy:

[margotb822]

6. I guess I thought those people were generally gullible/stupid

Since Republican policies don't actually benefit them. Just my thinking...

[jgraz]

9. They can be both.

[C_U_L8R]

8. Poor greedy and stupid

suckers who believe (because jesus told em so) that if they vote for the rich man, then they'll be rich too

[TahitiNut]

26. Lotto's biggest "investors" and Amway scambots.

:dunce:

[JDPriestly]

4. Rich and greedy -- at least they think they are rich and they don't want to pay taxes.

They mistakenly believe that they will pay higher taxes if Democrats are in power. Republicans also appeal to those who like bullying or who are bullies as well as the wanna' be, country club, golf course, keep-up-with-the-Jonses snobs.

[slackmaster]

15. I know a welfare mom who is Republican

Mainly because she is a fundamentalist Christian.

[margotb822]

28. And Republicans have morals?

Oh, I forgot, they just pretend. I don't have a problem with divorce, but I do have a problem with people who claim to the morality of the right and then do whatever they want (McCain).

[slackmaster]

53. These narcissistic circle-jerk threads do nothing to further understanding of the opposition

They just illustrate our collective refusal to acknowledge that we might not have a monopoly on decent values.

[margotb822]

56. No one has a monopoly on values

It's up to the person to decide how to conduct themselves. But, the rigid life structure that Republicans subject themselves to leaves little room for error.

Personally, I know more about the "opposition" than I ever really wanted to. Sometimes, we need to get a laugh out of it before we can get back to work, imo.

[godai]

21. Repub Reps in VA would not support 1 cent gas tax increase for 5 years!

Who would ever notice this increase?? They are willing to support a 'tax' if it is called a fee but seem to believe that they'll burn in hell if they support a tax increase.

[Zorra]

5. Rich and greedy and gullible and stupid are the main reasons.

with gullible and stupid making up 80% of republican voters.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. They're stupid, brainwashed, wanting to feel they belong, or they're mega-rich and criminal nt

[tabasco]

10. Brainwashed.

Do not underestimate the power of the telescreens.

[minnesota_liberal]

11. Same reason people bought pet rocks

Advertising meets stupidity.

[orleans]

23. .

[Kerrytravelers]

30. Bwaaahhhh... snort...

:rofl:


:thumbsup:

[InkAddict]

42. No pet rocks, I got Chia pets, LOL.

[flvegan]

12. It's easier than thinking.

That's it, that's all.

[blonndee]

13. Other: fear

Fear of the other, fear of the future, fear of the different, fear of change...I really think all their prejudices and hate can be summed up this way. Maybe I'm too simplistic, but this is how I see it. The pukes seem to see it and are master manipulators of this fear.

[NOLALady]

65. But, there are minorities who do not vote Republican

who are also afraid. History has shown they have real concrete reason to fear.

While there 'values' are more conservative only a small percentage of them vote Republican.

[wolfgangmo]

70. Fear

Fear... of everything.

[slackmaster]

14. Most Reps were born and raised in Rep environments

The small Iowa town where my mom grew up has always been majority Republican. Her parents, friends, classmates, teachers, members of her church, etc. were pretty much all Republicans.

Most of them are decent people, actually. The extremists who took over the party have really messed it up. My mom finally quit in about 1997.

[margotb822]

16. Yes, it has definitely changed

It used to represent fiscal responsibility and small government, but since the 80s, it's been taken over by fear mongering, hateful, greedy people. I just hope that more people wake up to that fact.

[GOPBasher]

17. Stupid and ignorant. n/t

[againes654]

18. What I don't get is

the waitress that is making $2.13 an hour plus the tips he/she has to kiss ass for. When that person is a repuke, I just don't understand.

I really worked with a girl that said she thought the Dems were trying to create "drive through abortion clinics". I almost fell out of my chair. I said, I would rather have a President that won't leave the poor population of a city to drown. She asked me, if I understood how government worked.

[ncteechur]

19. them is ascared.

[Generic Brad]

20. Scared, pathetic little shits they are

[Middle finga]

22. Hatred & Selfishness... They think democrats will take their money give to

those "other people", They would rather flush hundreds billions of dollars down the drain in a war that they know is unnecessary rather than allow a few billion dollars to be spent on some social program that may go toward helping some poor mother in the inner city.

[kath]

24. racist or greedy or stupid (includes religiously brainwashed)

[Perry Logan]

25. Repressed homosexuality.

[Cairycat]

27. My son asked me this

once after hearing me ranting and raving. I said all rethugs were greedy, bigoted, or both. Can't think of any exceptions.

[Aviation Pro]

29. Greed and stupidity....

...the only Earthly reasons.

[Zynx]

31. Many different reasons.

A lot of people vote their self-interest and if you are a rich bastard, Republicans are good to you. A lot people vote their hatred of labor-unions. A lot of people vote their racism. Some Republicans honestly believe that Republicans are better for our security. It goes on and on.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

32. There are people who are vulnerable/gullible without being demeaned as STUPID!

It bugs the FUCK OUT OF ME when criminals are given a pass on the backs of their victims.

WHY DON'T YOU TARGET THE FUCKERS, THE OPPRESSORS,...rather than the people? :mad:

[MedleyMisty]

34. Because the information is out there for anybody to find?

Because every human should be able to look at other living beings and say, "I care about you."?

Of course the oppressors are responsible for their actions and have most of the burden on their backs. But still, people do have free will and have the choice to support the oppressors. And if it's not clear to you that they are oppressors, you are pretty damn stupid.

I mean, I will call out anyone who tries to blame people for being poor or a member of a minority or whatever. But your mind is always free, no matter what socioeconomic chains your body is bound in. Sure, a lot of people can't afford a computer and a net connection and don't have the free time to inform themselves, but still - if you have enough free time and security to even think about voting, then you have the time and ability to think about how to vote.

Do you give the Germans who chose to ignore the camps in their midst a free pass? Of course they don't have nearly the responsibility of the Nazis, but they do have some. It was their choice to ignore the wrongs and to go along and to obey and conform.

[margotb822]

36. Everyone is responsible for their own choices

The oppressors wouldn't have any power if people didn't give it to them.

And, the Oppressors/Criminals are voting Republican, too. I'm talking about all of them.

[MedleyMisty]

33. Hard to pick just one

A lot of those are factors.

I've been doing some research lately, and I think that it's being abused as children, fear, and a very fragile ego built on denial of reality that must be protected at all costs. Also genetics. And lack of moral development.

Really, like most everything about us, it comes down to nature and nurture - the interaction of our genes with our environment.

Here are some interesting links.


http://www.wam.umd.edu/~hannahk/bulletin.pdf


http://psychologytoday.com/articles/index....2-000001&page=1

[Adsos Letter]

35. All, or portions of, their belief system...

is contained in the Republican platform.

And, they have been convinced that non-Rebublicans are less "American" somehow...probably by twisted interpretations of History, and the skillfull co-option of symbols to define "Americanism."

Some of them believe that the Bible and Republicanism go hand in hand, or that prophetic interpretations (theirs) place America within a specific eschatological framework which the Republican party is seen as a function of.

EDIT: to add that "That would be my guess." :dunce:

[napi21]

37. I voted Other because there are a lot of different reasons.

Most of them are single issue voters. Their issues?

Abortion
Gay rights
gun rights
protection of wealth
mistrust of immigrants
mistrust of Blacks
stem cell research
Imperialism of the US


I'm sure there are some I've forgotten, but there's no single thing that ALL Pubs respond to, however, they do seem to always come together behind their chosen guy, apparently happy if THEIR single issue gets at least some support even if they don't get everything.

[conflictgirl]

38. The abortion issue

Seriously. Every single person I know who votes Republican does so because that's the party that (supposedly) stands against abortion. It never seems to dawn on them that they're being played for fools by these Republican crooks who swear they will outlaw abortion but never actually do...

Single-issue voters get screwed and never seem to figure it out.

[slackmaster]

60. It's their albatross, as gun control is for us

IMO the key to maximizing the number of people who support you is to minimize the kinds of restrictive laws you talk about.

[Arugula Latte]

39. Combo of greedy and/or stupid.

[bkcc]

40. I could make a smart-ass comment, but...it's just ignorance.

I think there are many people who vote Republican just because they think they should. They hear one or two issues that seem to make sense to them and latch on.

[EFerrari]

41. I think it's that "side with the winner" deal.

We went to see "Tora Tora Tora!" when my brother was about four. He started cheering for the Japanese because they seemed to be winning for most of the film. Republican voters side with the greedy bastards against their own interests because they seem to be powerful winners. Sad, really.

[TrogL]

43. They are the Authoritarian Personality type

Click link below.

They deal well only with simplistic ideas and require a strong leader to follow.

That's not quite the same thing as gullible and stupid as some have rather inventive ways of justifying those simplistic ideas.

[Two Americas]

44. the utter failure of modern liberalism

People vote against modern liberalism as much as the vote for the Republicans. The contempt displayed on this thread toward the people is a perfect illustration of the disaffection and alienation between the liberal activist community and the general public. No one likes being talked down to or told they are stupid or treated as though they are not good enough to join the elite club.

Beyond that, the failure of the Democratic party leadership to take strong principled stands against the extreme right wing has made the party look weak and unprincipled.

Big business interests as a political force has always been around. The lack of strong opposition to those interests is what has caused the current crisis. That is something that is under our control. We cannot expect the people to support us if we do not champion the people.

[margotb822]

55. It goes both ways

Conservatives berate liberal for being ignorant, communist, terror loving, tree huggers with unrealistic expectations of the world, so I wouldn't say that there's any less contempt on the right.

I do agree that the Democratic party has lacked leadership, but the Republican party has moved further and further from its roots. I think a lot of people moved over to the Republican side during the civil rights movement, but now that the far right has sold them down the river, they are starting to realize that its not the party for them.

There will always be the single-issue voters, but I place most them under gullible/stupid because they ignore all the signs that indicate that the Republicans actually hold none of the moral standards that they claim.

[B Calm]

45. Anybody who works for a paycheck and votes republican are kiss asses!

Then there is also my sig line..

[The Inquisitive]

46. You nailed all of em I think

If I had to make a wild guess of my own I'd go through this order. Evangelicalism, An intentional oversimplification of politics, intentional miscommunication of important debates through both politicians and the media, stupidity and complacency, malevolent sociopaths.

[Demagitator]

47. Other....

They -- basically -- are sheep that worship the gods of security, reputation and power.

[NuttyFluffers]

48. if you removed "It Was a Dare" i'd say "All of the Above"

but i'll just abstain for now.

[Enthusiast]

50. They are afraid to think out..............

They are afraid to think outside the box. It's a matter of how they were raised. Some parents are strict authoritarian types that jump on their kids for expressing an independent idea. These kids become adults that don't recognize they have been traumatized. They won't even entertain an idea that doesn't fit into their limited conception of the world. They express the desire for a "strong leader", above all, in a political figure.

[sheelz]

49. double dog dare ya

[annabanana]

51. becasue they STILL thing that "republican" means "responsible"

That is... responsible in a good.. not the way they really are...

[sweetpotato]

52. Racism, misogyny, fear of change

At least that's what I see in my red family. They wouldn't admit it. They would say they are trying to *save* the country, but frankly, I don't particularly like the America they are trying to *save*

[Echo In Light]

54. Brainwashed. America is the most highly indoctrinated country on earth

[L. Coyote]

57. We are the first generation raised by the one-eyed baby sitter, and we are more

loyal to her than to the heritage of our parents.

Some cultures have traditions, we have advertisers.

"Beware the culture whose icons fell from a horse's arse." L. Coyote, Anthropologist :rofl:

[Echo In Light]

59. No culture aside from mass marketed corporate consumer culture

[Lorien]

58. Brainwashed, gullible, and fearful of everything

only the uber rich benefit from administrations like BushCo. The merely wealthy are getting screwed like everyone else.

[SteppingRazor]

61. A combination of #1, 4 and 5

Greed, Stupidity and/or Fear seem to be the driving forces behind conservative thought.

[NOLALady]

62. Low self worth.

A need to identify with the oppressors.

[margotb822]

66. Almost like Stockholm Syndrome!

[atommom]

63. There needs to be an option for "religious reasons."

I have a lot of otherwise intelligent relatives who firmly believe that only Republicans are good people. They believe that because they're told that every Sunday in church (in a couple of cases, they're the ones preaching it). It is brainwashing, but it's a specific kind of brainwashing that feeds on their desire to be "good." How they reconcile this belief with reality, I have no clue. But their churches' exhortations to have faith and not rely on reason have a lot to do with it.

[dysfunctional press]

64. other: guns, abortions, and brown people.

they like their guns, they think abortion is murder, period., and they don't want ANY of their tax dollars to go to or benefit brown people in any way.

[hyphenate]

67. There are a lot of people who will boast

of voting against their own interests, and they tend to be wary of any kind of elitism that shows another candidate is in any way superior to theirs.

Most people wear their ignorance proudly on their sleeve when it comes right down to it. The "dumbing down" of the general populace has been going on for a very long time, and it doesn't matter how much we try to counter it, it will continue to go unchecked until such time as the general IQ of the public is at 80 or lower. (That's a metaphor, not really a statistic.)

There are lots of reasons, but I would say just dumb idiocy on the part of those who refuse to do any more than show up at a polling place on the GE and vote for the one who is least threatening to their general lifestyle.

And a lot of these people tend to be one-issue voters. If Dems are attacking their gun rights, or women looking for abortions, equal job opportunities or other things, they will vote for the one candidate that doesn't threaten the status quo. And we've got two potential candidates that definitely attack the status quo.

I'm terrified to say it, but I think we're heading for a McCain victory as a result of all that prejudice and ignorance out there.

[margotb822]

69. Is the status quo worth saving?

I doubt it. And, at this point, I think a McCain presidency may very well seal the end of America. There is no way our country can continue on this path.

The GOP will try to appeal to the single issue voters, and thanks to the GP's ignorance, many will buy it. But, I'm encouraged by the primary turnout. I think a lot of people are fed up with the status quo. It will be up to us to keep the issues front and center.

[Edweird]

68. Generally gullible/stupid.