With all the information out about George W Bush, I couldn't really understand why people are supporting him. But now I have a theory that the country is divided into a number of groups. In general, REGARDLESS OF WHAT A CANDIDATE SAYS OR WHAT HIS POLICIES ARE, people will vote one way or another strictly based upon what group they fall into.

Group 1: Very wealthy
This group generally is interested in protecting and maintaining their wealth. They are also interested in increasing their wealth. The promise of low taxes is of extreme importance to this group. Also minimizing regulation on businesses, even at the expense of the environment, is of the highest priority. Their real interest in other political issues is secondary or even non-existent. They will vote for a president who advocates tax cuts and business breaks at the expense of every other issue.

Group 2: The Nostalgic
We all tend to look back at the past nostalgically from time to time and think about how grand it would be to live in the ‘good old days’. Of course, we can’t turn back the clock but this group feels that perhaps it may be possible to turn our backs on the present-day issues in the world and go back to a gentler time. We live in frightening times. Very frightening. People in this group respond immediately to peaceful hometown images of autumn leaves, grandma’s cookies, American flags, and rhetoric about returning to "family values" although, when put to it, they really couldn’t say what that sujective phrase actually means or how to do it. Any information content presented to them is lost as they walk forward, looking behind them, reminiscing and sighing.

Group 3: Religious extremists
We know that throughout history men of power have repeatedly used religion to influence and control whole populations. It is the most powerful tool a politician can use. When a president wears his religion on his sleeve, religious people will follow him no matter what he says, even if it is to murder and destroy. When that leader has done something wrong, they will look the other way. They will tolerate almost anything. This group has really no interest in political policies; they are interested in the purported religious beliefs of their leader and will follow him no matter what, no matter where.

Group 4: Stopping abortions and homosexuals
Plain and simple, this group is interested in conservative judges on the Supreme Court. They have one and only one very narrow, very specific objective. Their goal is stop abortions and/or to stop homosexuals from obtaining the same rights as heterosexuals. In an amazingly huge number of instances, people in this group actually agree that the president is doing a terrible job. But, they must do all they can to ensure conservative judges are installed in the Supreme Court, no matter what the long-term cost or what price is ultimately paid.

Group 5: The uneducated
Unfortunately, this is a group that is growing in this country. They get their information from television and make their judgments based on an MTV rooted pop-culture. Their skills at listening are limited, so when a candidate can sum up his campaign in quick slogans like “You’re either with us of against us.”, or “You know where I stand”, their ability to identify with the candidate is reinforced. Even though no information is gleaned by these one-liners, the mental engram is planted. Speeches of more than five minutes are lost. People in this group easily become bored and when they hold the television remote in their hand, this means death to those that bore them. Information beyond the first line is bounced off this group, or the channel is changed. The candidate with a line he can put in their head is the one who will get their vote. To really listen to a candidate speaking with an adult vocabulary is simply overwhelming and is seen as pretentious, uppity and above all, boring. Is it exciting? Is it catchy? Is it boring? These questions will determine who this group will support.

Not everyone falls strongly into one of these groups. However, those that do will support a candidate who appears to support their niche(s).

EDIT: SUCKED ALL THE CAPS OUT OF THE TITLE AND PUT THEM IN THIS LINE

[edit on 20-9-2004 by Kano]

Group 6: The Scared

They feel that Kerry is too wishy/washy to effectively deal with terrorists and the threat they pose. They feel that Bush has done his job, since there has been no repeat of a 911 style incident....


Still though, Bush is...

1. A moron. Middle School grads have a better grasp of of the English language than this "Harvard grad" *snickers*. It's never good to have your nation's representative to the world, incapable of making a spontaneous, coherent statement.

2. A warmonger. Actively engaging in two guerrila wars without a decisive plan of how to disengage from them with a desired outcome.

3. Responsible for America going from one of the most respected nations in the world, to one of the most reviled, in just one term.

4. Ballooning the Defecit to phenomenal figures.

5. A Draft Dodger. Not really a big deal, if we had the means, we likely would have done the same...but then he went a step further and then went AWOL from the Guard...

6. As right-wing Christian as they come. I'm not very comfortable with a leader who thinks he's on a mission from God... This bit about the banning of gay marriages, harsh abortion stance, etc. all does not sit well with me....

New research indicates that as many as 100,000 YOUNG voters have been signed up in each other battleground states due to university movements and voter drives. These voters aren't included in polls due to the highly mobile nature of teens. No landline to take the polls.

It's no secret that the youth favour kerry, he snowboards, ski's and is smart.

Bush chops wood for fun.

You forgot Group 7... The Stupid, and easily duped ..

Originally posted by jupiter869
EDIT: SUCKED ALL THE CAPS OUT OF THE TITLE AND PUT THEM IN THIS LINE

[edit on 20-9-2004 by Kano]

Cause I'm laughing out loud.

Apologies. Resume program.

you're kidding, right? first off, that group you designated uneducated, the "get their information from television and make their judgments based on an MTV rooted pop-culture" group is known for voting democratic, or possibly independent, not republican. furthermore, you actually believe bush has no positive points, and that alone discredits you. because, neither candidate is perfect, and neither is completely terrible, unless you're insanely partisan. for everything you stated, their is an equal group that will be voting for kerry based on the exact opposite viewpoints.

i wanted to add this...what information? are you speaking of the obviously fake memo's currently in the news? or of the actual facts on the issues that you disagree with? face it, a lot of the stuff on both presidential candidates comes down to opinion. for example, the 1029 deaths of soldiers in iraq is seen as atrocious and uneccessary by democrats/liberals while those same deaths are seen as contributions to a rather worthy cause by republicans/conservatives.

[edit on 20-9-2004 by astroblade]

Originally posted by jupiter869
With all the information out about George W Bush, I couldn't really understand why people are supporting him.

After observing and participating in numerous ugly flame wars on this subject over the past few days, I actually think the answer to this is somewhat simpler. In a nutshell, this country is filled with really good-hearted, well-meaning people who want little more than the ability to live their lives the way it's always been lived. That is true in all walks of life, whether you are a right-wing gun owning bible thumper living in Alabama or a bleeding heart dope-smoking pinko from Oregon. There are so many types of people that a list like this is kind of useless from a political standpoint.

What's the bottom line? Well, the candidate that wins is the one who can manipulate the desires of the people the best. It confuses me that folks from my side of the political spectrum (the left) are called America-haters by conservatives, but they are entitled to the opinion and I think they really believe it. That always just makes me kind of sad. We are all Americans and the inherent hypocrisy of calling people unamerican because we are dissatisfied with the way the country is being run should be evidence enough that this administration needs to go.

I think most people who vote for Bush are simply unable and unwilling to allow themselves to believe that their leaders are wrong or evil or would ever lie to them on purpose. Without getting into specifics I'll say that no intelligent human being can possibly ignore the mountain of evidence that the contrary is true. Nevertheless, Americans are like children that need to be patted on the head and told "Everything will be fine, just let us take care of it" and that is why Bush is winning. He's much better at convincing the people that nothing is wrong, that we will be safe and nothing will change if you just leave him alone.

The price for this kind of ignorant trust will visit us on our very doorsteps if it is allowed to continue, but I wish I knew how to change it.

This thread amounts to nothing but a supplemental for those who advocate "Anyone But Bush 2004".

Sad and with no factual bearing at all...seriously sad...no, no, wait...thats good.....but then again, thats sad, very sad......hrmmm, second thought, no, thats good, real good.....umm, wait......




seekerof

All of you knuckleheads seem to think you know what your talking about. We, Americans, are only told 1/3 of whats really going on behind closed doors. If you knew what really was going on, you would crap in your undies. There is so much more going on that reading all of the idiotic comments of people who are clearly partisan in their thinking makes me laugh. To quote a movie "...you cant handle the truth". The fact is, we had to go into IRAQ...it was a message. You dummies dont even know that we are killing MUSLIM RADICALS in over a 10 to 1 ratio. Remember this...and you all forget, they attacked us (9/11 sept). So before all of you bleeding heart liberals start to make the arguement that its our fault, we shouldnt have attacked. THEY started this war when they killed over 2900 americans in NY. We are not killing IRAQI's, we are killing MUSLIM EXTREMISTS in Iraq. So, it's kill them there or kill them here. Personally, I prefer that this war is fought over there. I have close friends that are in Iraq today and they tell me that it's not as bad as we think. They would rather fight this war in Iraq and not at home. We are in a critical time in our countrys history and we need a leader who is going to make a decision and stick to it. If that aint Bush, then who? Kerry? Give me a break. If all we had to worry about were Health Ins, Higher Pay, Social programs for the weak, ignorant and the lazy...then MAYBE he's the man. But for this time...It's BUSH...

Originally posted by Seekerof
This thread amounts to nothing but a supplemental for those who advocate "Anyone But Bush 2004".

Don't worry, seeker. Come November they'll be shipping us all off to camps and you won't have to hear it anymore.

Originally posted by azheat
All of you knuckleheads seem to think you know what your talking about. We, Americans, are only told 1/3 of whats really going on behind closed doors. If you knew what really was going on, you would crap in your undies.

And you, oh Holy Shunner of the Paragraph Break, must know all about the other 2/3, right?

You dummies dont even know that we are killing MUSLIM RADICALS in over a 10 to 1 ratio.

You must be culling information from all those detailed Iraqi casualty statistics we've been getting. I'd love to see your proof of this, unless it's in the 2/3 of what's going on that we'll never know but that you obviously do.

Also, don't call me a dummy. Fascist.

If all we had to worry about were Health Ins, Higher Pay, Social programs for the weak, ignorant and the lazy...then MAYBE he's the man. But for this time...It's BUSH...

Thank you for this little tidbit, which speaks for itself. I'm sure you've never benefitted from a social program in your life. Neither have your loved ones or your ancestors.

Let me educate you for a second here, since our social programs for the ignorant have failed. The fact that you say that social programs are for the weak, ignorant and lazy is pretty shortsighted. When you retire (unless you plan to work until you die) and they start sending you Social Security checks will you send them back and write "I'M NOT LAZY" on them? If you are drafted to fight in a war against scary Islamic Militants and you are wounded, will you refuse treatment at the VA hospital and say "I'M NOT WEAK"? (Those are "social programs" as well, you know.) Lastly, when your kids are offered help by tutors provided by federal grants because they are 14 and still can't read are you going to refuse them and say "I'M NOT IGNORANT"? If so, then I applaud your willingness to adhere to your principles.

The sad fact is, you've probably been taking advantage of federally funded social programs your entire life, but since they aren't advertised to you and because you are so blindly partisan about it you probably really believe you don't need them. Do some research about what happens to 8 out of 10 retirees when they get sick and see how many social programs are being cut that used to help them out. It sickens me that we have so little regard for the elderly, many of whom have spent an entire lifetime working or defending our country so that folks like you can call them weak, lazy and ignorant.

People are voting for George Bush because they agree with him and like the way he's leading the nation. People are voting for John Kerry because he's not Bush not because they like him just because he's not Bush which is dangerous because Kerry could turn out to be a real creep if people are voting for him not really knowing who they're voting for.

Got my toothbrush ready, and reporting for Camp!

People will vote for Bush because HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE US IN TIMES OF TERRORISM!
Bush is the almighty, Jesus second coming. He's here to save us from those horrible people who attacked us (wink wink) on 911.
He is our savior and is protecting us from that heathen, Kerry.
Off with your head, Kerry, you so shamefully betrayed us by badmouthing Viet Nam Vets.
Bush's superpowers even used scare tactics on CBS, and it all worked!
Dan Rather probably had a knock on his door in the middle of the night...take it all back OR ELSE!!!

Scare tactics, terror alerts, lies, death, yes, it will all be ours once we renew Bush's lease. I cant wait

Well, I voted Libertarian in 2000, just as I did in 1996, 1992, 1988,1984, and 1980.

I think George Bush is going to win, which is terrible -- but not quite as terrible as if John Kerry would win. If I could hold my nose and actually vote for one of those fascist thugs, it'd probably be the right-wing fascist, because, even though I disagree with him on almost everything, I know where he stands.

The left-wing fascist, on the other hand, changes his mind and his spiel every other day.

don you unnerstan?

I'm votin fer bush cause he's gud, for you, an for me.
Wow I is stoopid!


Or AM I?

Originally posted by spacedoubt
don you unnerstan?

I'm votin fer bush cause he's gud, for you, an for me.
Wow I is stoopid!


Or AM I?

Space, you're awful continental in your speech today.
Forgot your English? I think you are saying Bush is your man. right?

Continental, yes, thats some sort of breakfast, correct?

And Yes, I am voting for Bush, for various reasons.

Most of his naysayers are Monday morning quarterbacks, Kerry included.

"If I'm elected, I'll do all this really cool stuff. I'll tell you how, but first elect me, and THEN I'll tell you..Maybe the UN will help out, or something "

dgtempe, I honestly believe GW is a good man, with a lot of troubles facing him at the moment, and the DEMS are HOPING he fails..I have a problem with that..Thats what bothers me the most, like vultures, waiting to pounce on a failure, or setback..

Space

Why people vote for bush? Very simple they do it because of political affiliation and faithfulness to their political parties let's not forget tradition.

They will stand by their political parties candidates even if is moronic like bush.

Can anybody blame them for these?

Most people actually vote for their parties not the candidate.

And this is my opinion, thank you very much.

Marg,

Up until the Mid-90's I was a democrat. No tradition here!
I changed my mind, and might even do it again. I admire that about John Kerry,
And you though it was only a womans perogative!

Originally posted by marg6043
Why people vote for bush? Very simple they do it because of political affiliation and faithfulness to their political parties let's not forget tradition.

They will stand by their political parties candidates even if is moronic like bush.

Can anybody blame them for these?

Most people actually vote for their parties not the candidate.

And this is my opinion, thank you very much.

Marg, you're right. People dont want to lose to the Democrats under ANY circumstance.
They dont care who's representing their party, how dumb, what the outcome of 4 more years is. AS LONG AS ITS A REPUBLICAN, its all good.