I just had an epiphany

[knight_of_the_star]

It may seem kind of obvious, but its something that I just realized.

The base motivation of the GOP to convince people to vote for them is through fear and greed.

The base motivation for people to vote Democratic is hope for a better future.

If people prefer a better tomorrow, then why are they so easily swayed into their baser instincts?

[smirkymonkey]

1. Because they are more fearful and greedy

than they are hopeful. It's pretty sad.

[JasonBerry]

2. It's Not That Easy

That's how we see it from here - and I would agree - however, on the other side they would say that the

The base motivation of the Democrats is to convince people to vote for them for giveaways and a bigger government.

The base motivation for people to vote Republican is hope and opportunity.

Can't you hear that? It's all about the spinning and the people who buy it.

[knight_of_the_star]

4. Yeah, except that doesn't fit with why people vote for the parties

When you ask them.

People vote GOP because they feel the GOP is the party that is 'strong on defense' (fear) and because the GOP says, 'smaller gov't, tax cuts' (greed). Those are the usual responses that I've heard anyway. Oh, and you could say 'traditional morality' probably has some roots in fear as well.

People when asked why they vote Dem is because they think that the policies of the democrats are good for society as a whole. Interesing, no?

[DemBones DemBones]

5. I think it's mostly about the nature of the buyers,

that your political view has a lot to do with your temperament/ personality, and probably goes back to early experiences in life.

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Fear and greed can be very powerful, so

the right wing likes people to be fearful and dependent, and they want them to believe that someday they will be rich and want lower taxes. Spin, spin, spin!

I guess it proves that half of us don't mind being taxed if the money is used for good purposes, like helping the poor, elderly, disabled, but the other half are opposed to the government giving "their" money to someone else, no matter what the situtaion.

If we liberals or progressives see someone use food stamps to buy groceries and then notice they get into a brand new car to drive home, we might think WTF? but then we'd reason that the person had bought the car just before being laid off -- or it was a borrowed car. Right wingers would see that person as proof that everyone on welfare is a lazy cheat.

Maybe all RWers were just weaned too early, or potty-trained too early, or both. They always think they've been robbed somehow.

[JasonBerry]

7. Very good! N/T

[Az]

6. The left does not offer absolute answers

We are the side of moral relativism. We are the party of diversity. It is far easier to sound like a leader telling people absolutes. The certainty of the religious right allows politicians on the right to stand for absolutely clear positions.

Someone with absolute answers is easier to follow than someone with uncertain ideas. Its really that simple. Add in the fact that it is easy to disrupt the ideas and project of the left for they depend on cooperation and effort. The destructive side always has it easier over the progressive side. It is easier to topple a structure than to build it.

[ghengisjim]

9. That is spot on

If Moral reletavism is the democratic mantra, then democrats need to find a new mantra. Everyone should at the very least be able to agree that there is an absolute truth. From there we can move on.

Republicans (most republicans anyways) do not think of themselves as greedy because they do not want to be taxed. And democrats do not think of themselves as wanting to limit freedoms of the individual.

But this is the spin that one side attempts to paint of the other.

In terms of the economy, republicans and democrats simply have different interests and values. Republicans value productivity and efficiency, while democrats value equality and job security.

So its productivity vs. Jobs ... Of course, this is a dramatization --- pure capitalism vs. pure socialism. Out of curiosity, though, I would like to know how many people here at DU consider themselves socialist? Any thoughts?

[Solomon]

8. Look. People that have it good, or think they have it good,

never care for a "better" tomorrow for more people. That implies change, and change is what the haves (and the think they haves) don't want.

[buckeye1]

10. Gop/future.

The xtian fundies have none. Jesus is on the way,you non-believers will suffer and we will get the last laugh. He will fix it all. The fear is anyone that contradicts this is the devil.

The big money types want make as much as possible,after all there can never be enough. Their fear is anyone that cares about the futures is a communist.
I could go on but Bernie is ass kicking and its time to listen,not talk.