Don't Be Republic-Conned* or Buy Into The Myth: America Isn't Conservative

[Me.]

Ever since I read the Media Matter story from several months ago I have been watching for signs that the story is true. They’re there, though underreported. The evidence is scant at this point because this country has been so been beaten over the head that we are a conservative country or at the very least, center minded. I say not true, there is a shift occurring under the radar that is going to rise up and smack both conservatives and our politicians in the face. This country is becoming more socially minded, less inclined towards war. They’re fed up with lies and corruption and if any of them would pay attention they would realize that the polls indicated that corruption was a big reason the dems took a majority in 2006. It can’t be stopped now, it’s gathering momentum. If you look you’ll see it’s not just in this country but Globally, Take a look at South America. Really all we have to do at this point is keep on keeping on and bide out time. For despite appearances to the contrary, it’s on our side.


Myth: America is Conservative

New Report Documents Progressive American Majority

Independent Public Polls Debunk Conventional Wisdom
That Americans Agree With Conservative Agenda

“Washington, D.C. - Today, Media Matters for America and Campaign for America's Future released a special report, "The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth," documenting how the conventional wisdom that Americans are overwhelmingly conservative is fundamentally false. Through decades of public opinion data from nonpartisan sources, the report shows the majority of Americans hold progressive positions on a broad range of issues.

"This report shows that on issue after issue, most Americans agree with progressives and have for decades, despite what we hear from the media." said David Brock, President and CEO of Media Matters. "The conventional wisdom advanced by the media -- that the United States is becoming more and more conservative -- has been debunked repeatedly by independent public polling, but that hasn't stopped them from perpetuating this clearly flawed perception."

Media Matters and Campaign for America's Future conducted this study by examining the past 20 years of independent, nonpartisan polling data from sources such as the American National Election Studies (NES), the General Social Survey (GSS), and Gallup polls. By compiling all of this data, we have examined not only the top-level conclusions, but the underlying questions asked in each survey.” Cont…

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706130002


“CHICAGO — The Democratic Party is growing more liberal for the first time in a generation.,,cont


There is greater liberalism today, both on economic issues and in opposition to the war," said Robert Borosage, co-director of the :Campaign for America's Future, a liberal group that saw attendance at its June "Take Back America" meeting swell to several thousand from just a few dozen six years ago. "The conservative era is ending."

The Democrats' shift to the left carries some risk, but probably much less than it would have in years past. That's because independent voters — the ones who swing back and forth and thus decide elections — also have turned against the war and in favor of many more liberal approaches to government.

"There is greater support for the social safety net, more concern for inequality of income," said Andy Kohut, the president of the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. "More people are falling into the liberal category based on their values." Cont…

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/18692.html


New Hampshire Becoming More Liberal
Democratic Control Manifested in New Laws


“According to a Boston Globe article, posted on boston.com, New Hampshire, known for decades as a haven of conservatism, is now exhibiting the signs of a move to liberalism. Democrats now control both houses of the state legislature and among the results have been the legalization of same-sex civil unions, a law that bans smoking in bars and restaurants, a state budget that reflects a 17% increase in state spending, and a near miss on a mandatory seat belt law. New Hampshire, according to the Globe, is the only state in the nation that does not require the use of seat belts.” Cont…


“The Globe reports that politicians are divided on the future of the liberal Legislature and the shift from right to left of the state. Some New Hampshire Republicans contend that the control of the Legislature by the Democrats was an aberration caused by a combination of factors: an anti-tax Democratic governor, no strong Republican challenger, anti-Bush sentiments, and the Iraq war. Republicans feel that the situation will be corrected as voters rebel against the actions of the Democratic majority.

Others, however, point to the fact that many of the new laws were bipartisan productions.

Andrew Smith, according to the Globe, says that the fall of the Republican Party to the Democrats, was not a surprise. He said that it had been on the verge of collapsing for many years, and finally did so in 2003, the year of the Democratic takeover. The Globe quotes him as saying, "The fact that it finally fell down didn't come as a surprise to people who had been watching it closely."

ttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article/299775/new_hampshire_becoming_more_liberal.html


* Kudos to the Duer who came up with that term, I saw it in passing and think the shoe fits.

[H2O Man]

1. Right.

Another related point: many conservative people are disgusted by President Bush, and outraged by VP Cheney.

[Me.]

4. I Would Point To Bruce Fein As A Good Example Of That

Other die hards like Vigurie have also turned the corner, even the dreadful, Mellon Scaife, is has played a large role in this debacle is now horrified by what he has done. As to progressive/liberal moving forward, it is a natural reaction and one that was to be expected. It has been in the making since the time of Raygun. It reached it's apex in Florida in 2000 when the republicons descended on Florida like a group of brown shirts and continued through the first 5 years. It's on the down slide now, however, they will not give up without a fight and those countering their offensive will have to be the netroots ad the people themselves.

[ananda]

2. Shift to the left? Where?

I haven't seen it. In fact, all I've seen is a
huge shift to the right.

Absolutely nothing is being done with regard
to social programs that benefit real people.

Words don't count.

[Me.]

5. What You've Seen Is Politicians Heaving Right

I believe the country, and the world, is moving in the opposite direction,

[RufusTFirefly]

6. "The world's other superpower" is at odds with U.S. politicians

That other superpower is public opinion.

You're right, ananda. The politicians are pulling us further and further to the right. That's because very few of them actually represent the people. Most of them are shills for corporations instead. "People power" has proved potent in the past. Let's hope it overcomes the obstacles imposed by corrupt politicians and oppressive corporations.

[EFerrari]

15. No shift to the left but a denuding of the wingnut propaganda. n/t

[Richard Steele]

3. K&R

[Warren DeMontague]

7. The media also tells us that reproductive choice is a "losing" issue for us. Except poll after poll

shows that the majority of Americans are strongly pro-choice.

It's like the myth of the all-powerful "values voter". It's a corporate media lie designed to cover for, among other things, GOP election theft. The American People have a very strong mind-your-own-business streak along with a very pragmatic fairness streak. The way to win votes is to come out for a two-pronged, bold agenda of shoring up infrastructure and the safety net (Livable min. wage, SPHC system) along with unapologetic support for individual freedom and civil liberties: end the drug war, end the war on reproductive choice and birth control, stand up for the right of consenting adults to do what they damn well please with their own bodies and bloodstreams and in their own bedrooms.

[Me.]

8. Exactly To My Point

What we've had is a 'don't believe your lying eyes' campaign of disinfo. Distracting the eyes. Young people are also tending more progressive. They want peace, jobs, health care and don't really give a damn what their gay neighbors are doing. They are less judgmental and more tolerant of others.

[unblock]

9. america has consistently favored liberal *policies* -- though conservative leaders

i think to some extent it's the nature of the offices. congresscritters are all about battling out policies. congress doesn't inherently have genuine positions of broad authority. sure, there's a hierarchy, but for the most part it's just a sea of people representing voting communities arguing about policy.

the president, on the other hand, does and can look much more like a single authority figure just like kings and dictators in other countries and eras. so i think there's a natural pull toward having congress be liberal and matching the people on policy, while having the president be conservative and having the authoritarian imagery that makes people feel they have a leader they can be confident in.

not my own personal desires, just my sociological observation on america's perspective.


now, if we could get a liberal president who could really master republican-style presidential imagery, we'd really have something....

[TahitiNut]

10. It's a stereotype that results in a form of self-abuse.

I see this in many human behaviors. I've known women who'd say "all men are brutes" who'd find themselves in one abusive relationship after another. What about those guys who aren't brutes" Well, they're not "real men." Thus, this person would buy into a codependent stereotype and self-select - preferring to be 'right' than 'happy.' I've known men who'd say "all women are sluts" who'd find themselves in one failed relationship after another, choosing women whose monogamous inclinations were less than stellar. What about those women who aren't "sluts"?? Well, they're just no "sexy" enough. Again, this person repeats a behavior that merely confirms a negative stereotype and has one failed relationship after another.

Same with politicians. Kucinich is "unelectable" ... "woo-woo" (even by those who admire such people as Gandhi and Mandela) .. and too short. But we get the steroidal, sleazy people - BECAUSE THEY AREN'T "REAL LEADERS" (or 'electable') UNLESS THEY ARE.

We deserve what we get.

The "turned off" electorate isn't in the 'middle' - that's nonsense. They're basically progressive and liberal and (correctly) see EVERY ELECTED politician to their RIGHT. There's absolutely NO ROOM whatsoever in the 'middle' of the tow political parties - and CERTAINLY not enough to accommodate the purportedly 'moderate' non-voting electorate. Thus, the specious notion that the two parties flank some illusory 'center' is sheer propaganda - IT'S A LIE!

[burythehatchet]

11. Remember politics today is defined by the quest to retain power

This is why you see politicians becoming more conservative while the people become more liberal. Liberalism is always the way forward, by definition. Today's conservatives, middle aged white men, realize that their grip on power is loosening. This is why they will become more radical as they face the true the nature of the people, liberalism.

[Me.]

13. Here's My Question

And relates to some of the really good points made on this thread. What do they hope to gain by becoming more conservative? As you say their middles aged white man base is dwindling. Who do they think is going to vote for them? And isn't there a time, in any situation, when the preponderance of opinion against a particular ideology becomes so vast that it is simply swept away, without a need for a movement or planned strategy? It becomes simply because it is.

[RufusTFirefly]

12. Publicly fund campaigns, and the politicians will follow the will of the people

Until then, most of them will run right to avoid alienating their big-money backers.

[Me.]

16. Good Point

Another thing that is becoming a factor is the amount of money you can raise on the net. I think we should have publicly funded campaigns but don't see it happening soon. However, I think in time money raised online may be another form of that. Millions of small donors who will demand a say/

[EFerrari]

14. The US is NOT conservative. The rightwing whore media is.

WE have the numbers, the opinion AND the impetus.

Don't buy in. It's simply not true.

The only way the Right can get the White House is to steal it. The only way they can get the Congress is to shave our vote by a bunch of tricks.

WE are the majority. When will we begin to act on that fact?

[skyblue]

17. Too bad the polls are showing close races between lead candidates in the 2 parties.

Americans are against the endless lawlessness that occurs in foreign lands @ a billion of our tax dollars a week and the endless lawlessness in our homeland's leaders.

Americans are against forced pregnancies for their neighbors, mercury in our air, salmonella in our food.

But the polls are still showing close races when individuals are asked to choose between the lead republican candidate and the lead democratic candidate as they would in a general election. Individual Democratic candidates should be absolutely eliminating the competition by a long shot here Sucks!!!

We do not have the automatic lead that some tend to think.

my .02