Why do people consider themselves Democrats?

[Ming]

And the next person that doesn't stay on topic in this thread will get restricted as well...

And if I see this crap continuing in other threads...

[MRT144]

albert, its time to stop the racial stereotypes and put down the crack pipe.

the reason minorities vote for democrats is because democrats dont give minorities the shaft. the democratic party actually has a reasonable amount of minorities involved in it rather than the token black people of the republican party.

maybe when republicans actually try to help minorities rather than harbor racists like trent lott maybe then, minorities will vote more republican.

[Flubber]

Its not that odd for a person to identify with a party that holds the contrary view on a given issue if on balance they find that the party reflects their views on the issues they find most important-- The two american adherents would hardly have any adherents if the party had to reflect the persons view on every issue

parties and people do not have simplistic views on every issue. In fact people can be wildly inconsistent in their views.

[Urban Ranger]

Just because people think GWB is an idiot doesn't automatically make them Democrats.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

All you've really latched onto is that black Americans, and especially black voters, tend to have traditional religious values. That would be really important if traditional religious values had an impact on how people vote. But, in general, they don't.

More than anything, people tend to "vote their pocketbooks" -- they tend to vote in what they perceive to be their own economic interests. This is how we can end up with gay Republicans; they can actually join the same party as Senator It's-the-Same-as-Bestiality Santorum because, in the end, a fat juicy tax cut matters more to them than a fat juicy...well, you know.

So too black Democrats. For the last 70 years, it's been the Dems who have fought for entitlement programs for minorities, whether that means welfare, affirmative action, guaranteed student loans, fair employment laws, fair housing laws, or what have you. Over the last 70 years, Republicans (and, Southern Democrats, before they gave up and became Republicans) have fought most such programs and sought to dismantle them. Whether or not such programs are a good idea, and whether or not they work, it is nevertheless clear that the Dems appear to care more about the economic welfare of black Americans. And people vote their pocketbooks.

[Lincoln]

I think that Rufus has it about right. People vote for people who will give them what they want financially. That is why Democrats are always raising taxes. They need more money to give to people who vote for them.

[uh Clem]

People who want to kick in your bedroom door to arrest you if you're not performing sex the way they think you should: what party do they join?

[Jac de Molay]

Strange, I seemed to remember three little words "read my lips".

It's a question of how I want my money spent. Democrats, historically, seem to be the lesser of the two evils in that regard, and more humanistic in general.

For instance, I think welfare needs to be expanded to include adequate day care and job training. Not a chance in hell that will happen in a republican regime.

[Sava]

Oh BTW, if some people want to make silly stereotypes about Democrats not being religious, you should look no further than Jimmy Carter.

[orange]

AHHHH not another one of these threads.

Speer...I don't know what they're feeding you at Masterman...but I will never, ever understand nor comprehend your political views. This is just another shining example.

[Worthingtons]

The people who are left are usually left because they have something to be left about..
ie Boris is left because of his homosexuality

As soon as people realise they have something to be left about they consider themselves a democrat and go along with all the other left ideas.

[Sava]

an excellent study of Democratic sociology

[Japher]

Glad you finally noticed this Speer.

the reason minorities vote for democrats is because democrats dont give minorities the shaft. the democratic party actually has a reasonable amount of minorities involved in it rather than the token black people of the republican party.

This why most minorities are Democrats, and is why Dems get elected... Because a lot of ppl are as ignorant as MRT and actually believe this BS.

I am of the opinion that if minorities actually looked at their canidates platform they would probably not vote for them. Repub.s ideals are far more aligned with the view point of most minority societies, and have a lot of good minorities in their party and in elected or appointed offices.

We, republicans, don't need token minorities because we don't give things to people who haven't earned them... Unlike democrats.

Maybe its is that attitude of the rebulicans that get them overlooked by minorities. We a stern and strict, and all around boring. I guess the majority of minorities just want a fancy show with lots of lights and smoke... Wait, I think Bush just gave them one, though it didn't involve a slut and a cigar so I guess they will overlook it.


Blah...

[PLATO]

Rufus' points are well put. I would add that many of the "entitlement" programs actually have the effect of being self perpetuating. If the democrats would push the ideas that DetroitDave proposed instead of simple handouts then they might find much broader support.

[Japher]

Rufus has a point.

So too black Democrats. For the last 70 years, it's been the Dems who have fought for entitlement programs for minorities, whether that means welfare, affirmative action, guaranteed student loans, fair employment laws, fair housing laws, or what have you.

All which further the gap and segregation between race and class.

Over the last 70 years, Republicans (and, Southern Democrats, before they gave up and became Republicans) have fought most such programs and sought to dismantle them. Whether or not such programs are a good idea, and whether or not they work,

Which they don't... at least not 'fairly'

it is nevertheless clear that the Dems appear to care more about the economic welfare of black Americans.

No. The dems care more about their vote than they do about the welfare of black Americans. I ask you, why would democrats put in programs that would help minorities?

And people vote their pocketbooks.

So true. So, when Mr. Poor Blackguy uses all of the dems programs to raise himself to Mr. Middleclass Blackguy, who will he start voting for? Those who protect his pocketbook, thats who.

So, I ask you again, why would democrats put in programs that would help minorities?

While I am a very right wing rebup, I know that the dems are not stupid, and wouldn't throw their votes away. They need minorities to stay a minority, and they need them to stay poor. That assures you that these programs a) suck and b) encourages the continuing practices of segregation.