The WHY Of It All

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 6 years ago

   
   What makes the American working class, lower middle class, & certain ethnic enclaves vote Republican in overwhelming numbers?  What appeal does the Republican Party for them in terms of solid values & ethics? Are the American working class & lower middle class veering towards conservative values?  Have the Democratic Party turned off the working class, lower middle class, & certain ethnic enclaves by its increasingly radical politics?

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   1. 81

      Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      What certain ethnic enclaves? The Republicans are basically a "white persons" party, not to be rude to those of the Caucasian persuasion that participate in these forums.
      
      Every statistic says that because of so little participation from ethnic groups, what left is white, Anglo and that is today's Republican party.
      
      So, tell me African americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Jews vote predominantly Democratic. And don't talk to me about the desire for handouts, that cannot be said to any degree about the Asian and Jewish populations here.
      
      Why isn't the interest in the Republican  party more widely spread among the various demographics? I have had a hard time getting an answer to this, would you take a stab at it? After all, are they not the great bulwark against socialism, supporter of a superfluous defense establishment and the believer in feudalism, where the rich take all? Is this kind of stuff only attractive to Anglos?

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      1. 85

         GA Andersonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I will take a stab at this one Cred.
         
         I think it is because of two things; religion and change.
         
         It is my perspective that religion is losing its grip on the, (US), populace. In years past religion was so publically embedded that to not be religious was blasphemous. Today, I think, religion is still important to many people, but I think it is more of a private thing than it is a badge to wear.
         
         I think the Republican party, and too many conservatives, are demanding that we display that badge and proclaim our belief in religion the way we did in the 1940s and 50s. It is a turn-off to me.
         
         Secondly is change. Change, in the right doses, is a good and necessary thing. We can't progress without it. I think the Republicans, and many Conservatives, are seen as opposed to change in any form, (which I do not think is true, but that is the picture), which is another turn-off to all those groups you mentioned. which because of the past, are demanding change.
         
         Ipso facto - the Republicans and Conservatives are seen as only a bunch of old white men. Ethnic groups aren't welcome because they want change. Ethnic groups aren't served because change is resisted
         
         At least that is my take on it.
         
         I would bet that if the Republicans and Conservatives could put religion in its proper box, and show that they aren't against all change - just radical change, then they would begin to pick up more ethnic group support.
         
         There is more of course, like personal responsibility and those entitlement points you spoke of, but I think those are the two major points.
         
         GA

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         1. 81

            Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Search and you find...
            
            That is a very good explanation.
            
            I find for myself and my folks that the status quo has always been unacceptable, agitation for change has always been part of the DNA. When you are on the outside looking in, rather than basking in relative comfort of a status quo that seem to advantage some over others, it is a great explanation for the reticence of minority groups to join 'the big tent'.
            
            Your proposed solution is great, helping to get rid of what from my perspective is a stodgy, old guard image.
            
            I cannot ignore the influence of Evangelicals and their almost unanimous support of the GOP. There comes the influence of religious fanaticism and its association with patriotism and the hegemony of Judeo-Christian ideals as the foundation of a society that is uncomfortably diverse for them.
            
            How long do they think that can they keep the 'barbarians away from the gates"?
            
            Most helpful, GA, you nailed it and hit the bullseye with your 'stab at it"

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      2. 84

         gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Credence2, I was addressing White ethnic enclaves such as Italians, Greeks, Poles, & Slavs.  On average, they lean towards conservatism in their social, ethical, & fiscal values.  In high school, many Italian & other ethnics were for Nixon(this was in the late 60s & 70s).   There were some who were moderate Democrats but in the 1970s towards the 1980s, many veered towards the Republican Party because the party represented their values.  Credence2, a good book on the subject is THE RISE OF THE UNMELTABLE ETHNICS by Michael Novak.   It is a very old book,published in the 1970s.  Another book is ROOTS TOO:WHITE ETHNIC REVIVAL in POST CIVIL RIGHTS AMERICA by Matthew Frye Jacobson. 
         
         
         New York is known as a liberal state but in some parts of Brooklyn, Queens, & Staten Island, there is a sizeable Republican/Conservative base.   When I started working in the 1980s, many blue collar Italians, Poles, Greeks, & other White ethnics voted Republican; they viewed the Democratic Party as the party of handouts.  I am referring to the blue collar, lower middle class Italians, Poles, Greeks, & other White ethnics here.   Of course the more educated & affluent among the White ethnics lean towards Democratic values & ethics.

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         1. 81

            Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Understood, Grace.
            
            These "ethnics" have long been assimilated as "white" in this society. The Ralph Cramden class were the largest component of the "so called" Reagan Democrats in the early 1980's. They split from the Democrats primarily on culture based issues. But, non-white ethnics were no so moved.
            
            Then you have to take into account education and income which can and does make changes in expected allegiances.
            
            It is just that for non-white ethnics, they strongly lean Democratic regardless of levels of education and income.
            
            GA hit on a crucial theme, there is something of value for Anglos that they perceive that the GOP preserves for them, that may be considered an inhospitable barrier for the rest of us.
            
            The GOP needs to slough off this image as in time it will create adverse consequences for the conservatives in general and the Republican Party in particular.

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2. 69

   Live to Learnposted 6 years ago

   We have, during this generation, felt secure in our democracy. I've never considered the Republican party the bulwark against socialism. Although, I will say I'm growing suspicious of the new democratic left.
   
   I was raised on the adage that if democrats ruled always they'd spend us into oblivion and if the Republicans ruled always they'd starve us to death. We needed, and had, a balance.
   
   That balance is gone. Any goodwill between the two has been washed away in a rush of polluted floodwaters in Washington. I do think the democratic party is so disjointed and lacks a clear path. I don't see it gaining much traction, in the long run, until they find a way to give a clear and cohesive plan for the future.
   
   Change is good. Change for change's sake, not so much.

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