Why Poor People Vote Republican

[EDoG2K]

The republicans have massive following here in the United States. Almost half! In many states, they hold a strong majority.

A little about America: The average per capita income in the United States is around 30k. Most of America does NOT make that much money. I come from California, specifically the Bay Area, so we have higher incomes around here as compared to most of the country, but I am aware that most of this nation is not very wealthy. Only 30% of the country goes to college. The top 20% of US HOUSEHOLDS make $80,000. The top 5% make $150k+. Where am I going with this?

The republican party is all about big business and tax cuts for the rich. Government contracts and government subsidies for industry are huge for the GOP. Why is there so much support for the republicans? They really SHOULD only appeal to the top 5% of the nation, possibly the top 20, but for some reason there are millions of poor people supporting the Republican party.

I would say ignorance and the conservative ideology. The republicans have aligned themselves with the Christian right and in doing so, have gained the trust and support of poor conservative people. Issues such as gun control, same sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty strike a chord with many conservatives. The problem with this is that most of these people do not realize that the republican fiscal policy is completely at odds with their best interest.

Perhaps the social issues outweigh the fiscal issues, but I think that they are just put in the forefront and many Americans don't realize what the republican party's economic views really are! (flagrant support for the rich, complete disregard for the poor)

 

[Dimkaumd]

who employes people this country? mostly big business...you take away money from the businesses your taking away jobs from americans. Let me give you an example:

I was in italy a year ago and hung out with a guy who was layed off from an auto plant four months prior to me meeting him. when I asked him why he didnt find another job, he replied because the government was paying 80% of his salary for up to a year. Now of course in America the gov't doesnt pay someones salary for a year, but taxing companies and redistributing the income is the same thing. instead of paying this auto worker the 15,000 or 20,000 dollars per year, the govt would give that money to the auto-plant in tax breaks so that it can rehire this employee. this way instead of sitting at the beach all summer he can actually work and be productive. this way productivity goes up and more money in peoples pockets.

 

[Colebert]

did you know that 90% of the top one hundred richest US zip codes voted Democratic in the last election?

 

[Dimkaumd]

no...but if thats true its very interesting.

 

[Colebert]

DataQuick Information Systems recently put out a list of 100 ZIP code areas where the median home price was above $500,000. By my count, at least 90 of these places ? from the Upper West Side to Santa Monica ? elect liberal Democrats.

Source: Brooks, David. "Bitter at the Top".. The New York Times. June 15, 2004.

 

[Dimkaumd]

An individuals college education and affluence does not reflect intelligence. this is not to say democrats are not intelligent. Many of them are and I agree with many aspects of the democratic platform. However, as David Brooks says, by "his count the 90% voted Democratic Party" is not only probably inaccurate, but more importantly irrelavent. just as the voting patterns of the 100 poorest zip codes would illustrate nothing. I would be much more interested in seeing the voting patterns of the median 50% of the population. I can only assume that the majority of the white collar middle class votes republican.

 

[Painman]

This issue is analyzed in Thomas Franks' book, "What's The Matter With Kansas?". I haven't read the book, but there's some good analysis of it here.

*Warning - unapologetically leftist site at link - wear protective gear*

 

[Excelsior]

I thought that republicans were for tax cuts all around, while democrats want to raise taxes across the board. So I heard wrong?

 

[sinunbeso]

I am surprised none of you guys mentioned this considering you are Americans yourselves: RELIGION
All the minority-hating, bible-toting southern good people are going to vote GOP no matter who the tax policy benefits. How often does Bush quote his god? Does this happen at all in other developed countries?
What religion does in middle east is exactly what it does in the U.S. It erodes civilization and distances people from reality.

 

[Siddhartha]

The old democrat south, move to the republican party because of the Democratic party's, Truman to Johnson, support of Civil rights for aftro americans.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I thought that republicans were for tax cuts all around, while democrats want to raise taxes across the board. So I heard wrong?

The senate democrats are for fiscal responsibility, pay as you go. Since Reagan, the republicans have been for tax cuts and the resultant huge deficits.

 

[LordMagnusKain]

All the minority-hating, bible-toting southern good people are going to vote GOP no matter who the tax policy benefits.

God you say.. no, God?s not for any political party and both sides do evil worthy of not having the good Lord?s name attached to either, sure I?m against abortion, but I?m also against the death penalty.

I?m poor, I vote republican, I vote that way because I?m content, I don?t need anyone to feel any more of my pain. I don?t need to take any more of HeartSurgeon?s money because he has honestly worked hard to earn it. I don?t want to discourage people from adding more to society by taxing them greater a percentage if they do.

Do I have some grievances with the liberal Bush administration? Sure do. But trying to increase taxes on the ?top two percent? can only lead to fewer people being employed and fewer tax revenues coming in.

Overall: a liberal president?s push for spending and tax increases will can only serve to reduce the number of private sector jobs.

I can go over the various economic theories but to put it simply:
The more the government touches money the more wealth gets into the hands of politicians and those who buy them.

 

[cquark]

Originally posted by: Dimkaumd
who employes people this country? mostly big business

It depends on what you call big business. About half of Americans are employed by businesses with 500+ employees according to the 2001 census bureau statistics.

Unfortunately, big businesses aren't good at creating truly innovative products for new markets. No mainframe company was successful in the minicomputer market and no minicomputer company made it in the PC era either. Innovator's Dilemma explains why in more detail than we can go into here.

...you take away money from the businesses your taking away jobs from americans.

Many of the largest businesses, like Cisco and Microsoft, don't pay federal income taxes.

 

[DWW]

Originally posted by: EDoG2K
The republicans have massive following here in the United States. Almost half! In many states, they hold a strong majority.

A little about America: The average per capita income in the United States is around 30k. Most of America does NOT make that much money. I come from California, specifically the Bay Area, so we have higher incomes around here as compared to most of the country, but I am aware that most of this nation is not very wealthy. Only 30% of the country goes to college. The top 20% of US HOUSEHOLDS make $80,000. The top 5% make $150k+. Where am I going with this?

The republican party is all about big business and tax cuts for the rich. Government contracts and government subsidies for industry are huge for the GOP. Why is there so much support for the republicans? They really SHOULD only appeal to the top 5% of the nation, possibly the top 20, but for some reason there are millions of poor people supporting the Republican party.

I would say ignorance and the conservative ideology. The republicans have aligned themselves with the Christian right and in doing so, have gained the trust and support of poor conservative people. Issues such as gun control, same sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty strike a chord with many conservatives. The problem with this is that most of these people do not realize that the republican fiscal policy is completely at odds with their best interest.

Perhaps the social issues outweigh the fiscal issues, but I think that they are just put in the forefront and many Americans don't realize what the republican party's economic views really are! (flagrant support for the rich, complete disregard for the poor)

We don't see it like that. At least, I didn't when I was a poor conservative.

I respect them not for their social policy but MORESO for the fiscal. Why? Simple. I believe that there is a tax burden on the wealthy which is not right IMO. There was a thread about tax burden a couple days ago and I completely agree with it--"legal plunder". Regardless if you are rich and CAN afford to support joe wellfare, I don't think that you should be FORCED to pay more taxes due to your success. In my opinion, tax cuts to the wealthy is the morally correct thing to do.

I believed that when I was poor and I believe that while I'm doing well.

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: cquark

Originally posted by: Dimkaumd
who employes people this country? mostly big business

It depends on what you call big business. About half of Americans are employed by businesses with 500+ employees according to the 2001 census bureau statistics.

Unfortunately, big businesses aren't good at creating truly innovative products for new markets. No mainframe company was successful in the minicomputer market and no minicomputer company made it in the PC era either. Innovator's Dilemma explains why in more detail than we can go into here.

...you take away money from the businesses your taking away jobs from americans.

Many of the largest businesses, like Cisco and Microsoft, don't pay federal income taxes.

Im all for closing tax loop holes.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: EDoG2K
The republicans have massive following here in the United States. Almost half! In many states, they hold a strong majority.

A little about America: The average per capita income in the United States is around 30k. Most of America does NOT make that much money. I come from California, specifically the Bay Area, so we have higher incomes around here as compared to most of the country, but I am aware that most of this nation is not very wealthy. Only 30% of the country goes to college. The top 20% of US HOUSEHOLDS make $80,000. The top 5% make $150k+. Where am I going with this?

The republican party is all about big business and tax cuts for the rich. Government contracts and government subsidies for industry are huge for the GOP. Why is there so much support for the republicans? They really SHOULD only appeal to the top 5% of the nation, possibly the top 20, but for some reason there are millions of poor people supporting the Republican party.

I would say ignorance and the conservative ideology. The republicans have aligned themselves with the Christian right and in doing so, have gained the trust and support of poor conservative people. Issues such as gun control, same sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty strike a chord with many conservatives. The problem with this is that most of these people do not realize that the republican fiscal policy is completely at odds with their best interest.

Perhaps the social issues outweigh the fiscal issues, but I think that they are just put in the forefront and many Americans don't realize what the republican party's economic views really are! (flagrant support for the rich, complete disregard for the poor)

Wow, did you just take Intro to American politics 100, it is uncanny how much this sounds like my first year poli sci professors introduction to the class...that and comparing star wars to the structure of the American govt...luckily the higher level courses had some more down to earth professors

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: cquark

Originally posted by: Dimkaumd
who employes people this country? mostly big business

It depends on what you call big business. About half of Americans are employed by businesses with 500+ employees according to the 2001 census bureau statistics.

Unfortunately, big businesses aren't good at creating truly innovative products for new markets. No mainframe company was successful in the minicomputer market and no minicomputer company made it in the PC era either. Innovator's Dilemma explains why in more detail than we can go into here.

...you take away money from the businesses your taking away jobs from americans.

Many of the largest businesses, like Cisco and Microsoft, don't pay federal income taxes.

Hey look I'm a liberal and I can just lie - maybe nobody will check out my lies!



Microsoft - 4.7 Billion paid in income tax last year
Cisco paid 1.4 billion in income tax last year

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Siddhartha

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I thought that republicans were for tax cuts all around, while democrats want to raise taxes across the board. So I heard wrong?

The senate democrats are for fiscal responsibility, pay as you go. Since Reagan, the republicans have been for tax cuts and the resultant huge deficits.

They should have filibustered spending bills.

 

[tnitsuj]

The president should have vetoed them.

 

[DoubleL]

Why Poor People Vote Republican

Now don't you know only rich republicans vote republican

The Poor and uneducated vote democrate

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: DoubleL
Why Poor People Vote Republican

Now don't you know only rich republicans vote republican

The Poor and uneducated vote democrate

Wrong, the poor and uneducated usually don't vote as they feel disenfranchised, even if it is of their own doing.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: DoubleL
Why Poor People Vote Republican

Now don't you know only rich republicans vote republican

The Poor and uneducated vote democrate

Wrong, the poor and uneducated usually don't vote as they feel disenfranchised, even if it is of their own doing.

when i was part of the working poor i used to ask my co-workers
(who b!tched ad nauseum about the government, politicians, & taxes)
who they supported. they always told me they never voted
because "it doesn't matter."

OTOH, i think it's probably better that people who don't care &
don't know anything about the candidates or issues don't vote.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: EDoG2K
The republicans have massive following here in the United States. Almost half! In many states, they hold a strong majority.

A little about America: The average per capita income in the United States is around 30k. Most of America does NOT make that much money. I come from California, specifically the Bay Area, so we have higher incomes around here as compared to most of the country, but I am aware that most of this nation is not very wealthy. Only 30% of the country goes to college. The top 20% of US HOUSEHOLDS make $80,000. The top 5% make $150k+. Where am I going with this?

The republican party is all about big business and tax cuts for the rich. Government contracts and government subsidies for industry are huge for the GOP. Why is there so much support for the republicans? They really SHOULD only appeal to the top 5% of the nation, possibly the top 20, but for some reason there are millions of poor people supporting the Republican party.

I would say ignorance and the conservative ideology. The republicans have aligned themselves with the Christian right and in doing so, have gained the trust and support of poor conservative people. Issues such as gun control, same sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty strike a chord with many conservatives. The problem with this is that most of these people do not realize that the republican fiscal policy is completely at odds with their best interest.

Perhaps the social issues outweigh the fiscal issues, but I think that they are just put in the forefront and many Americans don't realize what the republican party's economic views really are! (flagrant support for the rich, complete disregard for the poor)

:roll:
You are massively minsinformed. As others have pointed out, rich people vote Democrat just as often as poor people vote Republican. The difference lies mostly in where the voters live, i.e. urban or suburban/rural, but the key factor is that poor people who vote Republican are looking for a "hand up" while poor people who vote Democrat are looking for a "hand out". Those who vote Republican do not see that kind of fiscal policy as being at odds with their "best interest", as they want to actually work for a living. You see, many people are too stinkin' proud to sit out their asses and collect welfare, and would rather die first.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: EDoG2K
The republicans have massive following here in the United States. Almost half! In many states, they hold a strong majority.

A little about America: The average per capita income in the United States is around 30k. Most of America does NOT make that much money. I come from California, specifically the Bay Area, so we have higher incomes around here as compared to most of the country, but I am aware that most of this nation is not very wealthy. Only 30% of the country goes to college. The top 20% of US HOUSEHOLDS make $80,000. The top 5% make $150k+. Where am I going with this?

The republican party is all about big business and tax cuts for the rich. Government contracts and government subsidies for industry are huge for the GOP. Why is there so much support for the republicans? They really SHOULD only appeal to the top 5% of the nation, possibly the top 20, but for some reason there are millions of poor people supporting the Republican party.

I would say ignorance and the conservative ideology. The republicans have aligned themselves with the Christian right and in doing so, have gained the trust and support of poor conservative people. Issues such as gun control, same sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty strike a chord with many conservatives. The problem with this is that most of these people do not realize that the republican fiscal policy is completely at odds with their best interest.

Perhaps the social issues outweigh the fiscal issues, but I think that they are just put in the forefront and many Americans don't realize what the republican party's economic views really are! (flagrant support for the rich, complete disregard for the poor)

News for the economically challenged

 

[EDoG2K]

So many people to respond to. Lets see...

Excelsior said, "I thought that republicans were for tax cuts all around, while democrats want to raise taxes across the board. So I heard wrong? "

You did. Tax cuts across the board, perhaps because everyone got a little bit of money back on Bush's tax break. Sadly, the poorer people in the country got their $300 dollars and will never see anything more while the rich will reap the benefits in the thousands for years to come. Income tax is at 30%. Capital gains is at 15%. Poor people don't have capital gains. Also, the democrats aren't going around flaunting higher taxes. It's not so much about raising taxes to get more money, it's about where the money is going to be spent. More on that later...

sinunbeso said, "I am surprised none of you guys mentioned this considering you are Americans yourselves: RELIGION
All the minority-hating, bible-toting southern good people are going to vote GOP no matter who the tax policy benefits. How often does Bush quote his god? Does this happen at all in other developed countries?
What religion does in middle east is exactly what it does in the U.S. It erodes civilization and distances people from reality. "

I agree. I was trying to touch on that point in my original post.

DWW + Vic and some others mentioned welfare and that the democrats somehow encourage social laziness. You are missing the point. No one is encouraging people to be lazy and useless. I'm talking about positive social programs, such as more money for schools, job seeking assistance, and my favorite, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! Affirmative action and welfare are controversial, I know, but the spirit of those programs are to help those in need (something that should appeal to the Christian ideal) What many republicans ALSO fail to realize is that these social programs are a FRACTION of the federal budget, we are talking far less than 10%! People get in a big uproar about democrats raising taxes and spending all this money on social programs. When 50% of the federal budget goes into the military and defense spending, getting on the democrats' case about social programs is really absurd. There is more than enough money to go around, its just being shunted into the wrong programs.

I posted a couple months ago about the Republican party losing its way. The GOP is supposed to be more fiscally responsible and should not be creating this huge deficit. Instead of Bush's $200 billion dollar war, we could have given every person in the United States full health care coverage.

Do you really think we did the right thing? Please!