Misinformed USA: Why average Americans vote for Republicans

[Pharaoh]

One can only wonder why average working class Americans would vote for a party that is so obvious in their bias towards the wealthy. It would make sense that someone in the top 1% of the income bracket would vote for the Republican party since they have the wealthiest American's best interest at heart. You could even make the case that highly religious Christians would vote for Republicans even though, at times, they vote against their own best economic interests. So the question remains, while scratching your head, why do working class Americans vote for Republican candidates?

Average Americans need to be more informed about what is going in the country, but also where to get their information. The argument isn't about holding a liberal or conservative ideology, it's about facts that are based on truth or information that is based on twisted logic. Americans need to learn to dig a little deeper to find honest reporting, not just believe something that falls in their lap at the expense of a billionaire funded think tank or news organization.


http://www.examiner.com/article/misinformed-usa-why-average-americans-vote-for-republicans

[ananda]

1. Extreme fundies, superrich, racists vote for Reeps!

I consider them well below average.

[Michigan Alum]

2. People tend to vote the way their parents voted and stubbornly hold onto that.

They identify themselves as Republicans and like the idea of being identified as a "Conservative." The Republicans did a good job of turning the word "liberal" from being something good to an ugly term. They use psychological warfare. The Dems not as much.

[repiblikensouse]

3. When someone who isn't rich says something like, "Keep the government out of my

Medicare", it could be merely because they are ignorant of the government's role in Medicare. If they still say it after they've been informed of the truth, then they are just stupid.

[Populist_Prole]

6. I tried bringing that up with my father

Hot-headed tea party type. I pointed out that very example of the hypocrisy of people availing themselves of government services/benefits/entitlements while railing against government. I mentioned the "Get government hands off my medicare" meme. He COMPLETELY missed the irony and basically took the statement at face value.

In the end, he was just mad his hot headedness and pushiness didn't "win" the argument for him. Unreal.

[JackN415]

4. Not misinformed. Many choose to believe it. It's a choice. Comfort and security

[Populist_Prole]

7. Otherwise known as "god & guns" to so many of them

They're super paranoid about both too.

[JackN415]

14. In some parts of the world, it is known as "Allah and AK-47" :D

[Populist_Prole]

17. Astute

Same dynamic, different locale. Same stupidity.

[lindysalsagal]

18. Agreed. They choose not to let in anything that makes them think.

It's aggressive stupidity.

[juajen]

5. I personally do not believe that the Republicans have that many voters.

They can hardly steal elections unless they have the voters to back it up. So, I'm saying they inflate the numbers.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Most Americans are apolitical conformists and go with the winds and tides.

Most don't give a rip about ideology or politics and will vote the same way their relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers vote.

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” - H.L. Mencken

[MadrasT]

9. Bingo.

This morning I asked my mom what was up with my my (40-something) sister "liking" Mitt Romney on Facebook. (Mom and dad and I are Democrats).

She said my sister doesn't care about politics and all her friends (and her husband) are "conservatives", so she is too.

Middle class educated family with 4 children. Voting for Romney. Depressing.

[Kindly Refrain]

10. Met somebody this week who voted for Romney

Because her son works for Romney(after some pressing she wouldn't elaborate) and she wanted her son to have a job after the election. I couldn't help but feel like the woman was an idiot.

[moondust]

11. Imagine growing up in Oklahoma.

Last edited Sat Oct 20, 2012, 07:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Or the Deep South. If you're white you find out early in life that you won't get very far or have many friends if you don't conform to the dominant RW culture and pull for the conservative team. Once you choose the path of least resistance it's probably hard to "escape" even if you want to, which many probably don't.

[Brickbat]

12. "Average Americans need to be more informed about what is going in the country, but also where to

get their information."

Says some dudebro on examiner.com.

[Ilsa]

13. Some people believe that others are wealthy because

God ordained them to be wealthy. They think that wealth is a sign of God's favor. This is part of that prosperity gospel brainwashing that the GOP started 10-20 years ago. People will vote for wealth because they think it is god's will, and they, too, will be rewarded.

[LucasD]

15. Too many people simply vote their party line

"I call myself a republican, so by god I'm gonna vote for anyone who runs as a republican!"

"BUT SIR, THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IS THE DEVIL INCARNATE."

"I don't care, he's a republican and therefore has my best interests in mind."

[Poiuyt]

16. I heard that conservatives vote for an authoritative candidate while liberals want a

compassionate leader. It's pretty obvious that many people don't vote for what is in their self-interest.

[spanone]

19. all poor people are just millionaires temporarily down on their luck