Why do people vote against their economic interests? Take a look at some threads here. [View all]

[RZM]

There are of course many reasons why this happens. Some people genuinely believe Republican policies are best for themselves and the economy. Others might not be fans of Republican economic policies, but vote on social issues or foreign policy.

But I suspect many aren't voting for Republicans as much as they are voting against Democrats - and among them, I'd guess distaste for liberals and progressives is a big part of that. There are many factors here as well, including racism, but I think it has to be acknowledged that many progressives can be quite condescending towards poor people who aren't solid Democrats.

With the Alabama and Mississippi primaries coming up and the recent Bill Maher piece, we're seeing this firsthand here on DU. In every thread about the south, you've got posters essentially saying that people there are subhumans. Lots of cracks about inbreeding, dental hygiene, and a general consensus that many people there are braindead idiots. It's not just about the south either. Many DUers seem to think that it's fine to call anybody who isn't rich and votes Republican a stupid, brainwashed idiot.

While most people have never heard of DU, let alone read it, I think this kind of thing matters. It's not as much about DU, but more about the fact that DU represents a slice of real-world progressive opinion. Stupid or not, people are quite attuned to what others think about them. They don't like being called idiots, racists, or brainwashed followers.

I'm not asking people to stop saying what they think. Nor am I asking anybody to stop being critical. I'm just asking people to think before they say this kind of stuff. While it might make one feel superior and be an occasion for back-slapping among the like-minded, that's about all it's good for. In the end, I think that it harms Democrats more than it helps them.