I think it speaks to how out of touch democrats are on what problems the country is facing. I'm not worried about democracy beyond consistent efforts by one party to curtail election oversight and auditing. A lot of people are hurting and fear-mongering isn't going to cut it.
With respect, these are, of course, not mutually exclusive goals. To say that one feels "it's the economy, stupid," does not mean that they have a distaste for democracy. Conversely, to think that democracy is more important than the economy does not mean that such voters think the economy doesn't matter at all.
During FDR's term, I read that there was actual fear that there would be another revolution due to the effects of the Depression. A better economy changed that.
Lastly, while "democracy" is a somewhat nebulous term that has come to mean little more than "say no to Trump," the economy is something that affects us at the most visceral level. We can "understand" how we are being affected financially much better than we can with many of the more abstract issues related to whether our democracy is safe or not.
Polls like this are particularly perverse. On the one hand, Republican legislative policies have greatly increased income inequality, and Republican presidential administrations usually coincide with economic downturns. On the other, Democratic politicians have been singularly ineffective in safeguarding the hard fought freedoms that most people associate with a "functioning democracy." It's as if voters in this country are saddled with exactly the party that will disappoint them.
You don't hear much about the biggest threat to democracy... Citizens United, that one decision opened the floodgates of dark money. The Haves will buy elections to insure they remain the Haves, something like $18 Billion in this mid-term. You can kick in your $20 or $100 but the politicians are listening the the guy kicking in $50 million this cycle, and will continue to listen to him up to the next cycle. xoxoxoBruce
You're both right and wrong. It certainly hasn't helped American democracy, but even if coroporations couldn't fund ads or donate, they'd still find a way. The entire history of America in recent times has been shaped by lobbyists, most obviously, and the media in general. What is strictly illegal in US campaign law is miniscule compared to what is legal but problematic. (I'm in the UK, where our politics is comical because we've sacked a bunch of head politicians recently, none of whom have as much power as a president. Counter-point, we have a robust democracy and decent press, evidenced by us sacking a bunch of head politicians recently. Truss could have held on to "power" as Prime Minister but individual UK MPs are much more beholden to voters - imagine! She wanted to Trump and got a short, sharp shock in British Democracy.)
I think it speaks to how out of touch democrats are on what problems the country is facing. I'm not worried about democracy beyond consistent efforts by one party to curtail election oversight and auditing. A lot of people are hurting and fear-mongering isn't going to cut it.
ReplyDeleteYes, like you, I must give credit to Republicans finding more votes for Biden when they oversaw their own vote audit in AZ.
DeleteWith respect, these are, of course, not mutually exclusive goals. To say that one feels "it's the economy, stupid," does not mean that they have a distaste for democracy. Conversely, to think that democracy is more important than the economy does not mean that such voters think the economy doesn't matter at all.
ReplyDeleteDuring FDR's term, I read that there was actual fear that there would be another revolution due to the effects of the Depression. A better economy changed that.
Lastly, while "democracy" is a somewhat nebulous term that has come to mean little more than "say no to Trump," the economy is something that affects us at the most visceral level. We can "understand" how we are being affected financially much better than we can with many of the more abstract issues related to whether our democracy is safe or not.
Polls like this are particularly perverse. On the one hand, Republican legislative policies have greatly increased income inequality, and Republican presidential administrations usually coincide with economic downturns. On the other, Democratic politicians have been singularly ineffective in safeguarding the hard fought freedoms that most people associate with a "functioning democracy." It's as if voters in this country are saddled with exactly the party that will disappoint them.
ReplyDeleteYou don't hear much about the biggest threat to democracy... Citizens United, that one decision opened the floodgates of dark money. The Haves will buy elections to insure they remain the Haves, something like $18 Billion in this mid-term.
ReplyDeleteYou can kick in your $20 or $100 but the politicians are listening the the guy kicking in $50 million this cycle, and will continue to listen to him up to the next cycle.
xoxoxoBruce
You're both right and wrong. It certainly hasn't helped American democracy, but even if coroporations couldn't fund ads or donate, they'd still find a way. The entire history of America in recent times has been shaped by lobbyists, most obviously, and the media in general.
DeleteWhat is strictly illegal in US campaign law is miniscule compared to what is legal but problematic.
(I'm in the UK, where our politics is comical because we've sacked a bunch of head politicians recently, none of whom have as much power as a president. Counter-point, we have a robust democracy and decent press, evidenced by us sacking a bunch of head politicians recently. Truss could have held on to "power" as Prime Minister but individual UK MPs are much more beholden to voters - imagine! She wanted to Trump and got a short, sharp shock in British Democracy.)
I hate Polls. The only one that really matters is Election Day. All the rest is cheap sleazy magic
ReplyDelete