How Does the Democratic Party Get Back Middle to Lower Class Whites?

[Spike89]

87. Agree, but think it is even broader

We (liberals) ARE the good guys, and we use our superior education, intelligence, and enlightened outlook to come up with policies and programs that benefit the poor and middle classes. We also can't help but snark and patronize those same populations (who, in our defense are pretty sensitive about their lack of education, intelligence, and exposure to enlightened thought). I'm being a tad snarky right here, but I'm also serious. You can't really laugh at the poor slob with the mullet and the "Morans!" sign, then profess to be mystified when he "votes against his best interests". He isn't. He's voting against the people who ridicule him and make him feel inferior. The republicans may be screwing him, but they make him feel good while they do it.

Just a note on the gun issue...guns are extremely loaded (sorry) emotionally, but with totally different connotations for the two "sides" in the gun debates. In small town/rural and suburban America, guns have been given to boys as a coming of age ritual for generations and generations. Generally, getting that first gun comes with praise for being responsible enough and mature enough to "be a man"--that is powerful stuff for a 12-13 year old boy. To these boys, guns are tools, symbols, and connections to their fathers and grandfathers, really their entire way of life.

In an urban setting (and on TV and movies) guns are overwhelmingly connected quite viscerally to violence and crime. You need a gun to commit a crime, or you need a gun to defend yourself from crime.

Of course there are yahoos in the country who shoot up roadsigns, play militia, or just go gun crazy. Not everyone in the city with guns is dirty Harry either. This is a simplified look, but if you don't share the same emotional connections, it is really hard to even understand each other.