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I'm not trying to start an argument or be negative... but I have really wondered why Republicans seem to continually vote against their best interests. I will say that I'm not greatly versed in politics nor am I able to express my opinions on politics well, but I would really like to have a "discussion" on why "well-informed" republicans vote the way they do? Can anyone help me actually "understand" why... not the Fox News sound bites, but actually and honestly why you see things the way you do?
Because some people are not selfish and short sighted, so to you what may be "voting in their best interest" might be something that they don't see as a long term and bigger picture benefit as a whole.
I'm not trying to start an argument or be negative... but I have really wondered why Republicans seem to continually vote against their best interests. I will say that I'm not greatly versed in politics nor am I able to express my opinions on politics well, but I would really like to have a "discussion" on why "well-informed" republicans vote the way they do? Can anyone help me actually "understand" why... not the Fox News sound bites, but actually and honestly why you see things the way you do?
You need to clarify what you mean by "vote against their best interests." Maybe they feel that voting Democrat is to "vote against their best interests".
I think some of it is cultural and regional for either party--for instance, if you grow up in a deeply republican area in the south, and everyone you know is a republican, then it's harder to stand out from the crowd and support something different, because it means arguing with your friends and your neighbors when you talk politics. When you combine the far rights focus on social issues with evangelical christian beliefs, it adds another layer to the equation. I think the cultural and religious issues are a huge part of of the issue in many small towns and rural parts of the country. Some of it may also be not having the ability to sort out complex issues and information. I'm absolutely NOT saying that all low income people are stupid--some are well educated and choose careers that don't pay well, and some are very bright and never have the opportunity to get an education, but there is also a certain percentage of the population that's poor because they didn't win the genetic lottery in the smarts department, and they're doing the best they can to just survive. They don't understand the complexity of many of the issues that impact them.
According to most folks on the Left, the reason is because they believe that those who vote Republican it is because he has been bamboozled, hoodwinked and led astray by GOP talking points on social issues, such as same-sex marriage, affirmative action, illegal immigration and abortion. In your post you call it "against their own interest"
When working-class people vote conservative, as most do in the US, they are not voting against their self-interest; they are voting for their moral interest of both themselves and the country. They are voting for the party that serves to them a more satisfying morality. Believe it or not there are people who prefer to take care of themselves and pay their way and people who want the country to do well economically.
God bless America where we are free. DON'T ever take that freedom for granted.
God, guns, and gays. That and a complete disregard for what is actually in their own self interest. In short, they're stupid people.
You forgot to mention "ethnic peoples". That's still a biggie down my way.
My hardshell Baptist relatives will probably vote Romney, but there is no enthusiasm whatsoever since he is a heathen and going to hell. Obama's race is what will drive them to vote, period.
BTW - I have only seen two Romney stickers on cars in my morning commute this week. When Bush ran, the cars looked like bulletin boards with all the stickers.
what direct benefit does the middle class get from taxation? unless you are poor, disabled, in the military, or a senior citizen, does it really matter whether the top tax rate is 39 or 38%? middle class people want a job and retirement.
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