Most Republicans vote the way their parents did.

[Cyrano]

And in doing so, they have no idea that they're screwing themselves.

Their parent's generation benefited from the middle-class policies of the Democratic Party. And once they were settled into their nice, comfortable middle class lives, they decided they were going to pull the ladder up after themselves.

They grew up in nice, middle-class homes during the eras that worshiped Nixon, or Reagan. And during those eras, those who benefited the most from being in the middle class never realized how badly they were about to get fucked.

And now, for some incomprehensible reason, they still don't get it. And I'm not talking about "Duck Dynasty" yahoos living in rural America. I'm talking about millions of suburban Americans who just don't "get it."

If and when they wake up, it may just be too late. They'll never understand that their "fuck the THEMS" attitude had a very high price attached to it.

[valerief]

1. The TV tells them to vote Republican. GOP puppeteers own all the media. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Most dems do as well

there are studies on this. Parties are like religions or tribes, to be honest.

[Cyrano]

3. Perhaps so. But our "tribe" isn't

as mean spirited or hateful as the Republican "tribe."

Whatever the reason, there really is a difference between those who want to see a better world for all, and those who want to own everything.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. That is because you are looking at it from the pov of your tribe

Republicans say exactly the same, about their tribe, "we are the reasonable ones."

The problem with this, and it's been noted by both political scientists and observers, is that this is exactly what has led to the state of dysfunction in DC. Don't get me wrong, Republicans do get the lion's share, but democrats are not innocent either. And at one point or another this state of perpetual war will have to stop if we are going to get anything of consequence done in the country.

Why I don't care who gets elected to the WH in Nov. This dysfunction will prevent anything major being done. That includes a Republican president, the Rs are so fractured internally that they will also stop their own president.

Either we become a parliamentary system (one choice, requires major reforms to the constitution), or we have major reforms to the voting system itself, that will fracture the parties, or stop this state of constant warfare.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?size=large&id=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0123507.g002

Hyper partisanship is NOT healthy.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. Can agree as long as one branch is controlled by Dems.

We had our chance for real change in 2009 and 2010 and we blew it by letting the Dino's determine the agenda. Thank you Rahm Emanuel and the Fromm Brothers.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. We'll both party leaderships

Have been doing this to their bases repeteadly.

Nope the Rs are not getting their major red meat, gets them to the ballots...but neither have the Ds

Once you start looking at this as a non partisan, it is actually sort of comedic.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Todays annoucement of a purposed per barrel oil tax,

talk about f----n over the 99%. Idea might sound great to some,but to the average person,were is my vasseline.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Ultimately, and this is my view

the tribes help the oligarchy to stay in power and well, as you put it so nicely F&**^ the 99 percent.

But I am cynical at this point about politics. I really do not expect change, unless something fundamental changes.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Cynical is good.

Ignorant is bad,and you and I know being cynical means we ask the needed questions.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. You know when I cast my first vote as a newly naturalized citizen for Gore

I still believed that mattered,

Now... no, not really anymore.

[Wellstone ruled]

13. Hang in there,it does get better.

Been involved with the process for 56 years,and each time I say it will be my last,only to do it again every 2 years.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. We still vote

Just to reman in practice.



But we also cover city hall. So watch enough sausage making....

[bigwillq]

6. The same can probably be said for a lot of DEMs (nt)

[Jharr827]

12. I'm guilty

My first vote for a president was against Obama because my mom brought me and told me too! I wouldn't have voted had she not made me. Then I started paying attention and realized I was not a republican!