Today’s regularly scheduled blog, “A Stranger In A Strange, Strange Land” has been rescheduled for a later date to be announced.
Instead, we feel it imperative to report this news, which should come as a welcome sign to other politically active persons who refer to themselves as ‘Progressives’.
If you’re reading this blog, it’s certain that you read others. And, of course, one of the most widely read and, in our humble opinion, one of the best is “Daily Kos” the website of Markos Moulitsas. Here’s some of what was posted by “kos”, as he refers to himself, posted Tuesday, December 19th at 4:57 pm, PST:
“Earlier today I wrote about the great recent news on youth voting, anchored by these observations. The first by Publius:
Speaking as a political scientist…Generally speaking, the “you get more conservative as you get older” myth really is a myth. People’s ideological/partisan identification don’t change much after the age of 30. If someone votes for the same party three times in a row, they’re hooked for life.
…
People don’t get more conservative as they get older, but they do get more rigid. What happens is that ideology acts as an informational screen – people shield out stuff that is inconsistent with their predispositions (which is why FOX News works). So as we get older, our attitudes get reinforced.
And:
In 1984 three exit polls pegged Ronald Reagan’s share of the ballots cast by Americans under 30 at between 57 and 60 percent. Reagan-style conservatism seemed fresh, optimistic and innovative. In 2006 voters under 30 gave 60 percent of their votes to Democratic House candidates, according to the shared media exit poll. Conservatism now looks old, tired and ineffectual.
Democrats are solidifying their hold on the Northeast and should make similar gains in the Midwest in the coming years. After that, I believe strongly that the Mountain West is the next source of gains for the party.
I would urge those who read my humble blog to check out “Daily Kos”.
You’ll find a wealth of informed thought authored by people who obviously care very deeply about our great country. Also, I’d like to recommend another site, “MyDD” (aka My Daily Democracy) for more well-informed commentary.
Without being too preachy, much of America’s dilemma stems from a deep apathy among voters. For there to be an almost 60% response in an off-year election, one must conclude that the nation had shaken off much of its lethargy out of a sense of distress borne out of a disastrous foreign policy playing out in Iraq.
The apathy manifested in our national elections I believe to be borne out of people’s perceptions that their vote really doesn’t count; that the real control of the levers of power rests in secure rooms that are hidden away from public scrutiny. When decisions are made by those whose interests are not in line with our own, and those decisions repeatedly work against the well-being of the national welfare, people succumb to the futility of active participation in our democratic system.
A little levity is in order at this point. Quoted on website Domai.com, (http://www.Domai.com/index.html) the ubiquitous Britney Spears says,
“Sundance (the film festival) is weird. The movies are weird – you actually have to think about them when you watch them.” Thanks, Britney; it always helps to have your input.
Tomorrow: Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!
Today is December 20th, 2006. 760 days until the end of the Bush Administration.
Instead, we feel it imperative to report this news, which should come as a welcome sign to other politically active persons who refer to themselves as ‘Progressives’.
If you’re reading this blog, it’s certain that you read others. And, of course, one of the most widely read and, in our humble opinion, one of the best is “Daily Kos” the website of Markos Moulitsas. Here’s some of what was posted by “kos”, as he refers to himself, posted Tuesday, December 19th at 4:57 pm, PST:
“Earlier today I wrote about the great recent news on youth voting, anchored by these observations. The first by Publius:
Speaking as a political scientist…Generally speaking, the “you get more conservative as you get older” myth really is a myth. People’s ideological/partisan identification don’t change much after the age of 30. If someone votes for the same party three times in a row, they’re hooked for life.
…
People don’t get more conservative as they get older, but they do get more rigid. What happens is that ideology acts as an informational screen – people shield out stuff that is inconsistent with their predispositions (which is why FOX News works). So as we get older, our attitudes get reinforced.
And:
In 1984 three exit polls pegged Ronald Reagan’s share of the ballots cast by Americans under 30 at between 57 and 60 percent. Reagan-style conservatism seemed fresh, optimistic and innovative. In 2006 voters under 30 gave 60 percent of their votes to Democratic House candidates, according to the shared media exit poll. Conservatism now looks old, tired and ineffectual.
Democrats are solidifying their hold on the Northeast and should make similar gains in the Midwest in the coming years. After that, I believe strongly that the Mountain West is the next source of gains for the party.
I would urge those who read my humble blog to check out “Daily Kos”.
You’ll find a wealth of informed thought authored by people who obviously care very deeply about our great country. Also, I’d like to recommend another site, “MyDD” (aka My Daily Democracy) for more well-informed commentary.
Without being too preachy, much of America’s dilemma stems from a deep apathy among voters. For there to be an almost 60% response in an off-year election, one must conclude that the nation had shaken off much of its lethargy out of a sense of distress borne out of a disastrous foreign policy playing out in Iraq.
The apathy manifested in our national elections I believe to be borne out of people’s perceptions that their vote really doesn’t count; that the real control of the levers of power rests in secure rooms that are hidden away from public scrutiny. When decisions are made by those whose interests are not in line with our own, and those decisions repeatedly work against the well-being of the national welfare, people succumb to the futility of active participation in our democratic system.
A little levity is in order at this point. Quoted on website Domai.com, (http://www.Domai.com/index.html) the ubiquitous Britney Spears says,
“Sundance (the film festival) is weird. The movies are weird – you actually have to think about them when you watch them.” Thanks, Britney; it always helps to have your input.
Tomorrow: Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!
Today is December 20th, 2006. 760 days until the end of the Bush Administration.
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