Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Maybe Republicans are banning books because reading and learning turns people into Democrats." (Original Post) kpete Feb 2022 OP
No 'maybe' about it. elleng Feb 2022 #1
They think idiots Turbineguy Feb 2022 #2
either they haven't seen Idiocracy SouthernDem4ever Feb 2022 #15
a well educated populace is harder to exploit and control. Think medieval serf... Thomas Hurt Feb 2022 #3
Republicans are about superstition, cults, and exploitation bucolic_frolic Feb 2022 #4
🎯 Nevilledog Feb 2022 #5
That is why I am a Democrat, I READ... ProudMNDemocrat Feb 2022 #6
Literacy has long been known to be a tool of freedom. keithbvadu2 Feb 2022 #7
Karl Rove accidently spills the beans. CrispyQ Feb 2022 #8
Definitely some validity to that idea. Caliman73 Feb 2022 #9
I think he's on to something... Wounded Bear Feb 2022 #10
You and Jon win DU's Global Best Headline Award for the month of February. KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2022 #11
There is much truth in the statement that reading turns people into PufPuf23 Feb 2022 #12
I wish I had your optimism about the "rural people" SouthernDem4ever Feb 2022 #16
Note I said "some" not all and some time as well. PufPuf23 Feb 2022 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author DesertGarden Feb 2022 #19
Bingo! jaxexpat Feb 2022 #13
they all act like they need to go back to re-hab !! monkeyman1 Feb 2022 #14
This message was self-deleted by its author DesertGarden Feb 2022 #18
More likely they don't even know how to read ironflange Feb 2022 #20
Democracy depends upon an educated citizenry. Irish_Dem Feb 2022 #21
Repubs don't like education... albacore Feb 2022 #22
Karl Rove explains: alterfurz Feb 2022 #23

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
3. a well educated populace is harder to exploit and control. Think medieval serf...
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 06:21 PM
Feb 2022

they know how to do their craft or job but you don't even teach them to read.

keithbvadu2

(36,370 posts)
7. Literacy has long been known to be a tool of freedom.
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 06:35 PM
Feb 2022

Literacy has long been known to be a tool of freedom.

It was illegal to teach slaves to read and write in many states.

CrispyQ

(36,232 posts)
8. Karl Rove accidently spills the beans.
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 06:47 PM
Feb 2022
"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans - unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing." ~Karl Rove

Caliman73

(11,694 posts)
9. Definitely some validity to that idea.
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 06:52 PM
Feb 2022

Same reason why conservatives constantly attack University education as "liberal indoctrination". While it certainly is not indoctrination, it is backed by evidence that when exposed to different view points and diverse populations, we tend to develop more "liberal" ideas. The concept of liberalism has to do with entertaining diverse views, forming views based on evidence, and not being bound by tradition.

To be a Conservative, you almost have to be averse to change. Tradition is a driver for sentiment and thought. Things that challenge long held beliefs are typically treated as dangerous and worthy of banning.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
11. You and Jon win DU's Global Best Headline Award for the month of February.
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 08:04 PM
Feb 2022

Forwarding this one to my daughter, the eighth-grade public school reading teacher!

Tee shirts, banners, internet mimes and interstate billboards must be made.

KY......

PufPuf23

(8,689 posts)
12. There is much truth in the statement that reading turns people into
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 08:06 PM
Feb 2022

Democrats.

Here are my thoughts in a serious vein.

I do not think one can any longer fully participate as a citizen or member of society without a good internet connection and telephone and the ability to use the devices for basic stuff.

The great investment in the USA would be to provide everyone with internet and smart phones and the training in the use of the devices.

FOR FREE

Cell phone and internet access suck in much of the rural red USA.

I know because cell phones do not work where I live and my choice in "fast" internet is either Hughes or ViaSat satellite (have had both, Hughes is more stable and dependable and current provider.

Think of the economic stimulus alone in terms of jobs.

The fast internet and good phone access would do several things:

1) Rural people can remote work from home. Some urban can go live where nature is pretty and less crowded, traffic, etc.

2) Most people, in particular the young, are curious and the internet would open an entirely new world and a choice of information perhaps better than their local Pentecostal preacher for instance.

3) There would be less reason for the more gifted rural born to leave for opportunity and would likely foster more people choosing a rural lifestyle.

4) Good internet and smart phones makes some rural Republicans into Democrats and over time we retake the hinterlands and make their lives better.

SouthernDem4ever

(6,475 posts)
16. I wish I had your optimism about the "rural people"
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 09:04 PM
Feb 2022

they will just visit right wing rags on line if they get the internet and believe all the q anon crap.

PufPuf23

(8,689 posts)
17. Note I said "some" not all and some time as well.
Wed Feb 2, 2022, 09:32 PM
Feb 2022

The young are more accessible, especially those that would normally leave.

My experience is that more rural youth leave for the military than college.

Most certain some will head toward the rightwing rags especially Boomers fixed in place (I am 69).

Frankly not that optimistic alas. Trying to come up something positive to do.

I do believe that rural people cannot fully function as a citizen without good internet and phone.

Response to PufPuf23 (Reply #12)

Response to kpete (Original post)

alterfurz

(2,467 posts)
23. Karl Rove explains:
Thu Feb 3, 2022, 10:46 AM
Feb 2022

"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans--unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing."

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"Maybe Republicans are ba...