Why does this state always vote Republican in national elections? (school, subsidized)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Originally Posted by pathseeker

Also, keep in mind that for every wealthy person, there's a slew of lower income people who depend either directly(working for them) or indirectly(higher tax tax base paying for programs) on them, who are likely to vote to maintain the status quo(their subsidized living situation). Hence the blue pattern in places like the Northeast and West Coast.

But it is also the case that many wealthy people in the "Blue" states are socially liberal (support abortion rights, same-sex "marriage", and belong to the "Religious Left", or are non-religious). Since the early 1970s, the Democratic Party has been on the "left" side of the "culture war".

[pathseeker]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

But it is also the case that many wealthy people in the "Blue" states are socially liberal (support abortion rights, same-sex "marriage", and belong to the "Religious Left", or are non-religious). Since the early 1970s, the Democratic Party has been on the "left" side of the "culture war".

Yes, good point. However, I'd venture to guess that the proportion of social liberals amongst the poor is roughly the same as it in the higher rungs of the socio-economic ladder.

Also, keep in mind that the social/cultural issues don't tend to be as much a factor in the blue states. People in those areas tend to base their votes more on pocketbook issues.

[Southern man]

This is why I vote Republican.

RANGEL FIBS: DEMOCRAT CLAIMS

[An Einnseanair]

This was my reply the last time this topic was brought up just before the elections in November:

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of Mississippians are white, rural, middle-class, and religious. Generally that type of person votes the way their preacher tells them to vote(*), which means they vote for the party that is officially anti-abortion and against the party that is perceived to be pro-homosexual.

For those voting for economic reasons, they look around and believe they see all the lazy black folk down the road getting guv'mint assistance (ignoring all the white folk who are getting the same assistance, because the white folk are just down on their luck and the black folk are pure-D lazy), and they vote against the party they believe is taking their hard-earned money and giving it to the lazy folk.

Others listen to the venom and bile spewed across the airwaves by the likes of Rush (he's right, so he's gotta be right, right?) and Glen and such.

So the result is that hard-working Mississippians will go to the polls next Tuesday and vote for a man who would, without blinking an eye, buy up the company they work for, steal all the money out of the pension fund, send all their jobs overseas, and fire all of them.

(*) Note: I believe that a church cannot officially endorse any politician or political party and maintain a tax-exempt status (that whole separation of church and state thing). But preachers can talk to people from locations that aren't pulpits.

Mississippi does have the largest percentage of minority residents, but that percentage is still a minority.

I also didn't mention guns because it wasn't a big issue for me last November. Mississippi is most definitely a pro-hunting, pro-gun state (most rural states are), and Republicans are generally seen as the pro-gun politicians.

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Originally Posted by pathseeker

Also, keep in mind that the social/cultural issues don't tend to be as much a factor in the blue states. People in those areas tend to base their votes more on pocketbook issues.

If wealthy people in Blue states want to do something for the poor, let them contribute to charity instead of voting to raise taxes on themselves. On the other hand, wealthy people tend to find ways out of paying higher taxes.

[pathseeker]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

If wealthy people in Blue states want to do something for the poor, let them contribute to charity instead of voting to raise taxes on themselves.

You're preaching to the choir...

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

On the other hand, wealthy people tend to find ways out of paying higher taxes.

BINGO..You nailed it...They support higher taxes, knowing they're not the ones who will have to pay them....

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

So has your Mom always voted "R" or "D"?

Sorry, by mom and pop I meant the average person. My mother has always voted Democrat.

Originally Posted by Southern man

This is why I vote Republican.

RANGEL FIBS: DEMOCRAT CLAIMS

To be honest, some of us democrats are stupid, just like some republicans. Over a million people have been killed by guns since 1980 though. And I'm not a supporter of the recent assault weapons ban because I know it wouldn't solve anything. However, I don't understand how a responsible gun owner can not respect the idea of more safety regulations that specifically concern ownership, purchasing, background checks, etc. My good friend, best friend really grew up with guns, hunts, fishes, etc. His father owns many guns, his little brother has a few guns and he's only 10. We all own guns. He recently had two incidents where he completely went psychotic and I had to rush to help on both occasions to make sure he didn't hurt anyone. Thank God both times he didn't have his pistol on him because he likely would've took someones life. This is an example of a man who grew up around guns, gun safety, and hunting and I don't think he should own another handgun for his and other people's safety. All of us democrats don't want to take away guns or the freedoms we are entitled to as citizens of this country, just the people who have had problems such as him.
So, I do not support any magazine or ammunition bans, however mandatory background checks, mandatory safety classes, and mandatory registration, is probably a good thing.
Every republican I've talked to about this issue is completely against this (all were gun owners) and that's why I will probably never vote republican.

[p-squared]

Originally Posted by pathseeker

I know this is a pattern in most Southern and Rural states but rather than post this question in the general forum, I wanted to get some insight from those who are Native to the state.

The big reason for my curiosity stems from the irony I see in the voting patterns. For instance, Mississippi has the highest proportion of African Americans, has the lowest per capita income. However, despite that, the state went overwhelming for Mitt Romney, From Massachusetts(of all places) who hailed from a very privileged background. That's not to suggest that Obama is much more in touch with the citizens of this state(I don't believe either one is) but I think he's at least a bit more so, than Mitt, who I'm sure some think of as a Northeastern elitist.

The above is just one of many examples I could have come up with. Mostly, I'm just curious as to why the Republicans have what seems like an automatic lock on this state every election cycle.

Did you also post this question, reversed of course, in the California forum or the New York forum, or the Rhode Island forum? Those states, too, have a tradition of voting one way or another.

Asking a question like this dances on a tightrope strung above an alligator pit full of bias, pre-conceived notions, and cliche. It assumes that color of skin and not content of character is more important when voting. Why is it ironic that a state like MS votes Republican? Read your question again, reworded. "Mississippi, you have lots of poor black folks, but you keep voting for rich white guys. Why?"

MS-ians want to be under-taxed and under-regulated, as opposed to our over-taxed and over-regulated friends up north. We don't want political leaders who feel it necessary to try and protect us from every one of Life's possible mishaps with another law or another program. MS-ians would rather give a dollar to our neighbor than give a dollar to the government so the government can give fifty cents to our neighbor. MS-ians want to live in peace with each other, instead of having the sins of the past used as a bludgeon and a wedge at every opportunity - I am specifically talking about race issues.

To be sure, there are plenty of folks who vote D or R because Daddy did. There are plenty of folks who buy into the rhetoric they hear on the radio and TV about this party being for the little guy, this party being for the big guy, etc. Happens everywhere.

After many years, I personally have arrived at the conclusion that D and R don't matter, the real contest is between the "ruling class" and the rest of us. We are so used to being lied to that we no longer hold our elected leaders accountable when they do something contrary to their pre-election promises. I could close my eyes and pull levers at random for national political offices, and the odds are nothing would change.

Finally, I am curious what other "many examples" you could come up with to explain your perceived irony that the GOP has a lock on MS.

[woody516]

It's like the North Koreans who support their grand exalted leader, all the meanwhile their children are living in misery and their countrymen are dying of hunger. Maybe it's fear of change/difference.

[Bob-Man]

Makes me wonder why even bother voting...