I just watched F 9/11 for the first time - ...

[flygal]

Can someone please tell me why this election is even close? For 8 years Clinton was smeared all over b/c of a bad investment and blow job. I know I'm preaching to the choir - but WTF?! How is * getting away with all this?

I wish I were doing more for the dems - but being overseas all I can do is vote (done!) and send money (note the shiny little star next to my name) So here's a shout out to you guys busting your hineys to get * out of here!!!

[The Traveler]

1. Welcome to DU, flygal

Keep 'em flyin' over there and we'll kick butt over here.

People will eventually wake up ... keep the faith, sister.

[Droopy]

2. I don't know why this election is close

My only guess is that we have a lot of ingnorant people over here. I think a lot of people don't know anything beyond what they see on their tv screens. But I guess even that isn't really an excuse, because a lot of people who just watch tv for their information are going to vote for Kerry. Maybe Bush voters are insane.

[izzie]

3. I guss if you just turn on Rush and Bush you think every thing is good.

and it is for them they both have millions.I think things look scary in all ways and I am usually an up-beat person. I am seeing a lot of people living good but a lot are living off credit cards and re-morg. homes at low interest. I just do not understand what Bush is doing. We have the whole world trying to re-think the use of oil and how we are going to live with it at $80 and Bush tells us to go shop. I feel like we are just day dreaming in this country.We are like nuts spending all our hard payed in money to the govt. on wars and tax brakes for large corp when we are going to need this money as we lose jobs over seas. We are going to need to re-educate workers.

[Selatius]

4. My best answer

It's because the Republican Party has successfully utilized wedge issues such as abortion, gay marriage, etc. Health care, public education, labor standards, the environment, civil liberties--these are the things that progressives have dominated in the past. This is why the 20th century saw major changes brought about under progressive governments, courts, as well as people's movements.

The wedge issue attempts to divide the populace by showing that "they" are not of "us." It becomes an us vs. them mentality. Abortion is probably the greatest wedge issue ever utilized by the Republican leadership to make many people abandon the Democratic Party. Where did the Christian left go? They are still there. It's just that even though the Democratic Party may address things such as health care and education, many do have issues with voting for a candidate that sanctions "the murder of the unborn."

Decades ago, the divisive issue of abortion and gay rights and such were not the major issues of the day. Back then, poverty, war, and civil rights dominated the political discourse, and that's where the liberals dominated. This is where we had widespread support even among Christians because it was consistent with Jesus' message of compassion for others. Abortion and gay rights were small potatoes compared to the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. The Republicans after the Vietnam era then decided to play on those issues heavily in an attempt to show itself as the party of family values and of morality and decency. The role of corporate media also played a part. It functioned as a megaphone for them. It made sense, since their views on the environment, public education, health care, and some other issues were not as appealing as what the liberals were fighting for.

I'm not going to say that it's the magic bullet answer you're looking for, but I'll tell you that it is my opinion on why so many identify with the Republicans even though their long-term goal is to dismantle social programs and cripple the government's ability to enforce regulatory law meant to protect people. It's also in line with the corporatists' dream of a small, weak government that is unable to check their power.