General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why are the South States "Red" ? [View all]PJMcK
(22,065 posts)As you probably know, Equinox, when President Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act into law, he famously observed that the Democrats would lose the South for at least a generation. The institutional and cultural racism of the former Confederate States would push most of those states' voters to the Republican Party. Subsequently, Richard Nixon and his nefarious advisors developed their "Southern Strategy" to exploit the former Dixiecrats. Ever since, the Republicans have taken advantage of this racism.
Over the intervening years, Republicans controlled most of the South's statehouses and legislatures and among their many regressive policies, they diminished the quality of public education. Under-educated voters are easily manipulated and tend to lack critical thinking skills resulting in people who inexplicably vote against their own interests.
I whole-heartedly agree with you: "Is is time for them to flip!"