A Recent Gallup Survey Shows America Is Becoming Less Conservative...
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth
Not surprising at all. The old United States of America is indeed becoming less conservative socially and more liberal and or soft libertarian. Hard core conservatives (neo cons and evangelicals in particular), as they see their influence waning have responded with... more of the same that is gradually yet decidedly being rejected in increasing numbers.
Continue on to the full Gallop Survey.
Via: Memeorandum
Purveyor of Truth
Not surprising at all. The old United States of America is indeed becoming less conservative socially and more liberal and or soft libertarian. Hard core conservatives (neo cons and evangelicals in particular), as they see their influence waning have responded with... more of the same that is gradually yet decidedly being rejected in increasing numbers.
• 31% say they are socially liberal, 31% socially conservative
• This is the first time conservatives have not outnumbered liberals
• Conservatives maintain edge on economic issues
Americans' growing social liberalism is evident not only in how they describe their views on social issues but also in changes in specific attitudes, such as increased support for same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana. These longer-term trends may be attributable to changing attitudes among Americans of all ages, but they also may be a result of population changes, with younger, more liberal Americans entering adulthood while older, more conservative adults pass on. Gallup found evidence that population replacement is a factor in explaining changes in overall ideology using an analysis of birth cohorts over time.
The 2016 presidential election will thus be contested in a more socially liberal electorate -- and a less economically conservative one -- than was true of prior elections. Economically and socially conservative candidates may still appeal to the Republican Party base in the primaries, but it may be more important now than in the past for the GOP nominee to be a bit less conservative on social issues in order to appeal to the broader general electorate.
And while Americans are less economically conservative than in the past, economic conservatives still outnumber economic liberals by about 2-to-1. As a result, Democrats must be careful not to nominate a candidate who is viewed as too liberal on economic matters if their party hopes to hold the White House beyond 2016.
Continue on to the full Gallop Survey.
Via: Memeorandum
Will people's views be trumped by big $$$?
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly a definite possibility. Especially since Citizens United remains in full force and effect.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile the distractions will continue and accelerate methinks.
Americans have been hoodwinked by the Rightwing into thinking "fiscal conservatism", nor NOT investing in growing our economy, is a sane economic policy. You need to spend money to make money. The State needs to invest in it's people the same as a business invests in the resources it needs to grown and become more profitable. Fiscal conservatism chokes off growth, which is why it is bad economic policy. Democrats must be careful to nominate a candidate who is liberal on economic matters... and explain to the electorate why investing in American is CRUCIAL.
ReplyDeleteI wonder of we are less conservative, or less whatever the extremist wing of the GOP is...
ReplyDeleteLike is someone who is a live and let live guy, yet believes in a balanced budget, less conservative, or less extreme?
It seems to me such an individual is less extreme. Perhaps a centrist.
DeleteLabels are misleading I think as a majority of folks are a mixture of conservative, liberal, and libertarian views.
For example, in every test for political leanings I come out a centrist with left leaning libertarian views. IOW a fiscal conservative with more liberal social values.
America has its polar political opposites (the extremes) and all the rest tend to fall one side or the other off center. The American centrists that dislike the extreme and understand bipartisanship is far more effective than extreme partisanship.
In life you win some and you lose some. Why should politics be any different?
I've been warning conservatives of this for a few years now.
ReplyDeleteIn 2008, a black "liberal" Democrat named Obama won the Presidency, and won the popular vote, a telling indicator in this context, by 10,000,000 votes.
In 2012, an unpopular President Obama mired down by war and a severe recession, won the Presidency again, and with a 5,000,000 popular vote lead, and without Sarah Palin! The Democrats, that year, though they remained in the minority, won a plurality of the popular vote, by about 1 1/2 million votes.
In 2014 and 2010 the GOP did well. Their voters come out for the mid-terms, and the others don't. That's all you can really say about it. 2016 is up next. I predict a sound defeat for conservatism.
JMJ
The pendedulem swings. Right now it is swinging left. Much as it did during the 30's and 40's and 60's. I suspect it will continue until America determines it needs a rightward correction again.
DeleteI may be wrong. Look to Europe. A clue may be found there.
RN: And don't be surprised if when... if.. .it swings too far to the left, you have left-wingers making you grit your teeth as much as Cruz.
DeleteThis is true dmarks. But no more so than when it swings too far to the right. Which at present is where it is headed.
DeleteI have a habit of reading research reports with skepticism because I always find over-simplifications and nuances that are missed. Is the nation trending towards a more liberal consensus? I think there are grey areas that are missed.
ReplyDeleteProblems, I perceive, are in the definitions of “liberal,” “libertarian,” and “conservative.” These are labels that fail to capture more complex attitudes and phenomena. No one person is “pure this” or “pure that.” Self-identification depends on issues de jour as politics swings pendulum-like from year to year. Research reports are snapshots in time that do not account for subtleties or shifting patterns.
Yet, I don’t need a research report to inform me that there is a public backlash against political excesses that have crept into our public life, and I detect a convergence of opinion among liberals, libertarians and conservatives alike on matters of constitutional law - equality of citizenship, human rights, the wall of separation between Church and State, and the corrupting influence of money in politics. On matters where we agree, we should work together to implement reform. This is what a healthy and constructive democratic republic should be all about.
Yes, labels are a problem. We all know "former" republicans who now label themselves "fiscal conservatives" in order to distance themselves from the current crop of crazies. But when it comes down to voting, they still pull the republican lever.
DeleteNot all Jerry. When was the last time you voted other than the bug 'D'?
DeleteBig D as in democratic wise ass.
DeleteThe u is adjacent to the i on my small smart phone keypad. I have fat
fingers syndrome' as do many
But if you are enamored with bugs that's fine.
Must have known what you were gonna write in advance Dervish. :-)
DeleteDon't bother replying, it won't get published.
I voted D, R, and L in the last, mid-term election.
DeleteI certainly agree that simplification is a primary tool of those who mine statistics and marshal facts for ammunition. Are we just looking at a pendulum swinging here? Maybe it's too early to know, but in any even I wish the damned pendulum wouldn't keep hitting us on the head as it swings from left to right to left. . .
DeleteIf the historical swing to and fro continues as it has thus far I believe we are looking at a swing. With any luck it will stop near the center or ever so slightly right or ever so slightly left. It is unlikely but if it did maybe the country would regain a measure of itslost sanity.
DeleteYes Captain, my head hurts as well.
DeleteYes (O)CT(O)PUS conservatives, liberals, and libertarians ought to be able to work together to reform our corrupt system where there is agreement. Unfortunately it seems for too many it is winner take all and take no prisoners. Unless and until such time as this changes do you see it happening?
DeleteSure there are many that can find common common ground on boards such as this, but in the real world, not so much. Call me a cynic but that's how I see it.
It is winner take all and no compromise because that is the way the people funding elections want it. Nothing will improve until campaign finance is reformed. Campaign finance reform is very unlikely because reform must come from congress and congress people are cemented to the current system. There is no incentive for them to change. They would lose their jobs.
DeleteComplete agreement Jerry. The oligarchs and plutocrats are holding all the cards.
DeleteRight now the pendulum is swinging from the far Right to the center Right (exactly where RN says he wants it to stop). With any luck it will continue swinging to the Left and Bernie Sanders will be elected POTUS.
DeleteRN: The oligarchs and plutocrats are holding all the cards.
DeleteWe're on our way to the Libertarian paradise! Ayn Rand would be smiling in hell right now if she were a little more flexible in how she thought the oligarchs should attain complete power.
Sanders, YOU are one of the most inflexible, incorrigible, and unrelenting people I have ever had the displeasure to run across. Frankly I have tired of it. Keep chewing but you'll be waiting a long, long while for a response.
DeleteOy Vey...
If Hillary won, the Presidential pendulum would swing from left to left... which is, not at all.
DeleteIf Bernie won, it would swing from left to deeper left.
If Trump won, the pendulum would bounce around like Daffy Duck. (No, Jersey... i don't think it is likely to happen)
I agree with dmarks that a Hillary presidency would likely be very similar to the Obama presidency, given that they are both center Right Democrats. The pendulum would not move much, if at all. From center Right to center Right.
DeleteWith Trump it would swing further to the Right. Is dmarks referring to Leftist ideas held by Trump? He might be lying about being "pro life" and being opposed to "gay marriage". Worse yet, The Donald has said "we must have universal health care". So he might be for getting rid of Obamacare... And replacing it with single payer?
Very true, RN, not all. That's why I did not say all. But I bet the majority that don't punch R will punch a third party instead of D. That effectively removes them for the current election...although third party participation may influence positions in future elections.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we hope Jerry. Future influence that will diminish the influence of the donkey and elephant parties
DeleteI've never voted for the "Bug D", but then I've never seen his name on the ballot. Nobody named "Bug" with a last name beginning with "d"... Or is Bug's last name just "D"?
DeleteI voted for "Bug D" back when he ran for Alderman. Good old A. Bugliosi Dimatteo... his nickname stuck in the 19th Ward election due to his bulging eyes. He promised a chicken in every pot, a change and a hope, and to fight City Hall.
DeleteSo did I. I tried to vote for Bugsy Seagal but somebody told me he got shot.
DeleteAnyway, you have a phone with a keyboard, RN? Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, one of those free Obama cell phones. ;-)
DeleteThe free phone program began before Obama. And you only get a basic cell, not a smartphone.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows about free stuff from the government it is Mr.Sanders...he's been sucking on the public teat most of his life.
I suspected before posting my comment that someone would respond as Will did, stating as fact information he has no access to (details about my personal life I have never shared). It's pure ad hominem (as well as hate for people based on their financial status).
DeleteBecause Will hates the "takers" he assumes I am one (and he is absolutely sure of this despite there bring no evidence at all). It's an ugly classest attitude exhibited by many libertarians (although it seems Les is moving away from this, which is good).
Actually I heard about the "Obamaphones" on the news (probably MSNBC). It was pointed out that this program existed under bush, so Republicans using the issue of free phones to attack Obama is just another example of their hypocrisy.
And Will's response is another example of the ugly class hatred that exists on the right.
Excuse me, the commenter was Rusty. I was so expecting it to be Will that my eyes deceived me into seeing "Will" instead of "Rusty". But that Rusty is the liar is no surprise, given the fact that he hates poor people even more. My apologies to Will. Even though he has made the same "teat" accusation against me in the past... He did not do so in the his conversation.
Delete