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socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
13. You are correct on the makeup of this country........
Wed Dec 26, 2012, 12:09 AM
Dec 2012

The mistake that a lot of people make in thinking that the US is a center-right country is that they look at self identification polls rather than polls on issues. The RW has demonized the WORDS "left" and "liberal" to the point where very few will use these names for their political identification. Something like 25% or so, while 35% or so identify as conservative. But when you look at stands on the ISSUES it becomes clear that almost EVERYONE who identifies as "moderate" or "centrist" actually hold left or actual center-left views ON (most of) THE ISSUES.

Now, it can be argued that this is a more recent development, say the last 10 years or so. The country did become enamored of the Reagan talking points for a couple of decades (although once again, on the issues even during the 80s the country wasn't as RW as Reagan was), so that they VOTED in a center-right direction, but that era is over and has been for a while.

The problem is that a whole generation of politicians of BOTH parties came of age during this center-right phase. And as usual, the politicians are behind the public on the issues. Add in the money involved in running for office, money which MUST COME FROM WEALTH EITHER PERSONAL OR CORPORATE, and you have a generation that's not only behind the curve compared to the public, but also has no INCENTIVE to change the meme they grew up with politically.

Because of all the factors discussed here by everybody, I don't see it changing by the ballot box. The PTBs are way too close to winning, even though they are a minority on issues, to change things on their own. And they literally OWN the political class of both parties, so we won't be able to vote changes in.

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