General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When You Cannot Pass Even Reasonable Guns Laws In The Light Of Massacres You Are Beyond Hope. [View all]Savannahmann
(3,891 posts)Guns don't poll anywhere near the top ten important issues. You may think it's important. I may think it's reasonably important. But nobody else does. http://www.gallup.com/poll/1675/Most-Important-Problem.aspx
Economy comes first. But there we're screwed. We can't fund another Stimulus with the Congress like it is, and President Obama is wasting his Mojo on a fruitless effort to bomb Syria. Look at the poll, Guns show up next to nowhere on the list of issues that voters think is important. So what do we do? We rail about how foolish the people are for not voting for politicians who want Gun Control, call it whatever you want.
Look, in all honesty, I would want to see all guns banned. But I am a friggin Minority in that opinion, and I know it. Even to me, the issue is way down on the list.
If we want to win elections, we have to first find what is important, and second, come up with plans to address that which is important. President Obama "pivots" to the economy now and then, and proposes nothing new. You can't "Pivot" to something, identify it as a problem, and then wonder off having proposed nothing. Worse, you can't "Pivot" to a problem as seen by roughly half the people, and then say that there is no problem, all is well, carry on. Oh and invest in canned food gang.
Politics is about perception. If you are aware of the issue, working towards a solution for the issue, and able to converse intelligently about the issue, you probably will win. If you propose something that sounds a little nutty, but at least you have a plan, you will probably win. But if you have no plan, no idea what can be done, and all you do is ignore the problem, or worse acknowledge the problem and wish everyone well, then you are not likely to win.
The Republicans are reading those polls. They are mentioning the economy a lot. They are talking about the failed policies of President Obama, and pointing to the economy. I saw a news story that the economy had grown by .5% over some 50 months. That is roughly four years. Is that better than contracting? Yes, but to the millions out of work, and the millions stuck in part time jobs struggling to make ends meet patting yourself on the back while you have a full time job and perks of public office is just bad form.
So rail against guns, and how stupid the voters are, and then ask yourself this. If the voters care about an issue, shouldn't we listen to them since they are the ones who, well you know, vote?