The majority of Americans are conservative

[mudesi]

Is this a fair statement? I never really believed it until this total capitulation by the Democrats. They fear for their political futures for some reason, and I can only wonder why. Let's consider for a moment:

- The president's approval ratings are at 30%.
- Americans consider George W. Bush and his cabal responsible for this war.
- 70% of Americans are tired of this war.
- The Democrats won the last election because Americans are tired of this war.

Why then, do a significant number of Democrats fear for their political futures so much that they allow a man with 30% approval ratings free reign to conduct the very war that they were mandated to put an end to?

Perhaps if the Democrats had shown some real leadership, the people would have followed. Then again, perhaps they know better than the rest of us, and that the sad truth is that the majority of their constituents are conservatives and Republicans. Am I wrong?

[dysfunctional press]

1. then how could this possibly be confused with a 'christian' nation...?

how could anyone actually read the bible, and not come away with the impression that the main character in the new testament is a flaming, to-the-bone, LIBERAL...?

[glowing]

2. They aren't afraid of Bush, they are afraid of loosing their

corporate sponsor's. Look at what they do to Paul and Kucinich... And who prospers under the war machine?

Politics is corrupt and bought. Why do you think we don't have universal health care.. 4 Lobbyist = 1 representative.

Its about money and power.

[Ishoutandscream2]

3. I don't know

Where I live, most are conservative. Very conservative. However, I'm not naive enough to believe the whole country thinks like them.

However, you could make a very general argument that maybe America leans more to the right considering a very radical right wing Republican congress was in the majority for 12 years. I keep waiting for the pendulum to move the other way. Perhaps some of our congress critters are still frightened to be considered "too liberal." The "L" word still seems to be a curse word to many out there it seems.

[BootinUp]

4. If you substitute ignorant and greedy for conservative

then I would call it not only fair but quite accurate.

[SoCalDem]

5. The problem is in the definition of "conservative"

Most ADULTS become "conservative" when they start their own households/families.

There comes a time when partying all night and having people you just met, crash at your place ..just seems to be a bad idea.

You also start paying close attention to things like leaving the lights on 24-7, which can be a drag when YOU are paying the bills..

Bringing kids into the mix also makes people realize that they are responsible for keeping this little critter alive and safe..and will be doing it pretty much forever.

Conservative in that context means, staying employed, doing a bit of ass-kissing to keep that job..and getting a bit pissed off at people who are still doing what you USED to be able to do (and may still be longing to be doing :evilgrin:..)

Most people are probably THAT kind of conservative..but I seriously doubt that "most people" are the bible-thumping, hyper-critical numbskulls that we see on TV :)

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Because We've Shown Them That It's OK

Two of the three Democratic presidential frontrunners voted for the war - one even co-sponsored the thing.

There are zero consequences in this country for starting a ruinous war. Zero. Nada. Bubkes.

[StClone]

7. Republicans do what they shouldn't

In secret and Democrats don't do what they are supposed to in public.

[OHdem10]

8. The Democratic Party believes in a strong military

and strong defense. This is our History. FDR, Truman, JFK
Johnson.

The rank and file(voters) are primarily pro defense pro military.
It is in the Democrats Genes.

Therefore some actually believed that under no conditions would
they ever be accused of cutting funding for troops. They believe
this with the same degree of passion a pacificist is ANTI-War.

If there was fear it was politically--the Republicans would
have a ball making commercials--those cut and runners, they
are even worse they cut off supplies to boys while they were
fighting on the battlefield.

The Most Gross error ever made was the Dems not getting on
the air and diffusing those gosh awful tags--
cut and runners and the Defund The Troops. They
just ignored this and now it is almost permanent.


They must come up something just as cutting and fight back.
This hiding out up on the Hill is not good. Even a small majority
is the Majority. They can get on TV now. No excuses.

[johnaries]

9. Actually, I think the majority of Americans are apathetic.

They really don't care that much about politics or religion, for that matter. They are too busy with work and fulfilling their family obligations to care very much about anything else.

They just want to go to work, come home and eat, watch TV, and take the occasional vacation.

As long as they can do that, they're content to let someone else to tell them what to believe about religion or politics.

This may sound cynical, but think about most of the people you work with....

[dave_p]

11. Agreed

Its a near-universal problem in developed democracies. the US is just leading the way, along with Britain (6 million drop in voter turnout since 1997).

And the disasters are happening in foreign policy because that's where voters are most apathetic of all. The only checks & balances are in how much the issues can be dumbed-down to a one-sided 5-second soundbite.

Citizens aren't doing their job as citizens.

[pretzel4gore]

10. the majority of mass media are 'conservative'

if by conservative you mean privileged (racist, sexist, elitist)

[porphyrian]

12. The majority of Americans are simply self-involved, not conservative.

While we may like to think of conservatives as having a monopoly on selfishness, that isn't the case at all. Most people just want to live their lives without outside interference or undue hassle, and as long as they have that level of comfort, they can pretend everything else is external and doesn't affect them. No huge conspiracy, no coordinated effort (at least, not on a large scale), just people trying to live their lives without bother. Most "conservatives" act like liberals in certain situations, just as "liberals" can have some very conservative behaviors. Sure, people, when asked, will seem quite partisan, but what people say and do are often dissimilar. Many of us here are extremely partisan, so it may be difficult to see or understand that most people aren't, rather they are rooting for a team they've chosen to bet on, though that cheering can seem to be personal creed. In practice, they're just trying to do what they want.

[uppityperson]

13. Define "conservative.

Do you mean Republican, or fundamentalist, or rightwing, or what? Don't make changes randomly but stick to the same old thing? Don't use a lot? What?

I am conservative about many things, but am also very liberal about others. "conservative" needs to be defined.