Email
PrintObama won because more Americans prefer Democrats
Editor, Index-Tribune:
In the Nov. 23 Op-Ed piece, “For half of America, Big Government sounds good,” Rob Schwarzwalder and Cathy Ruse discussed what Republicans must do to win elections. They stated, “We must learn the hearts and minds and language of the other America, so that we can make the case for conservatism in every corner.”
Rob and Cathy mistakenly think Americans voted for Obama because we like being dependent on government. They wrote, “Conservatives know this is part of the strategy of the political left: get people dependent on government and you will get their votes.” Sorry Rob and Cathy, Obama won because a majority of Americans prefer Democrats over Republicans to run our country, and the margin is increasing.
Why? Because the Democratic message is better. It’s better for our democracy, for our environment, for women’s rights, for gay rights, for ending wars, for job programs, for automakers, for our educational and health-care systems and for helping the poor and disadvantaged feed their children and improve their lives.
We are more concerned about these issues than the conservative message of “limited government” and “traditional values.”
If Republicans can ever figure this out, they may have a future. In the meantime, as Rand Paul put it, they are going the way of the dinosaur.
Tom Sokolowski
Boyes Hot Springs
Please note: Your full name will be published with your comment.
Sorry Tom but I totally disagree. Studies have shown
that cutting taxes do not show wide spread favor
because people are afraid of their government hand-outs
not being funded and hence losing their benefit. I
believe that many people voted for Obama (even those
who did not vote for him the first time. Some are
probably even Republicans)for fear of losing Obamacare.
Basically, Obama is Santa Claus to many people. If you
don't think we have a large class of people who view
Government as Mommy and Daddy then your head is buried
deep in the sands of denial. It's no more complicated
than this. The Democratic party is viewed as the party
that wants to give us things. The Republican party is
viewed as the party that wants to take those things away.
We live in a society that is all about Selfishness and Self!!
If you think that mindset is only found in the Corporate
world of CEO's, then again, your head is buried in the sand.
We have a huge amount of TAKERS in our country that are
not sitting behind mahogany desks and living in penthouses
in the sky. As you have heard before. The safety net has
now become a hammock for far to many people. No...Obama
won because he is Santa Claus.
OMG, Wayne Hardy! This is the worst, most foolish bit of self delusion! I know I speak for others when I tell you I voted Democrat, not because "Obama is Santa Claus" (how insulting is that?), but because I despise the divisive politics and small-mindedness demonstrated by the Republican Party, because I think the Republican characterization of people as "TAKERS" is a particularly ugly thing, because belittling the motives of the majority rather than listening to their ideas is tragic. I voted Democrat because I think the ideals upon which this nation was built; welcoming immigrants (remember the Statue of Liberty?), lending a hand to those less fortunate than ourselves, separation of Church and State, and equality for all are noble things, not things to decry. I am saddened that Republicans can't step back and see why the electorate voted as it did. Republicans tried to sell fear,hate and division, and we just did not buy it. I believe we are better people than that and I will continue to try to live up to the ideals upon which this nation was built.
Donald..I have no doubt that many people voted for
Obama for the reasons you give. But you do not
represent..nor think as..all of the people who
voted for Obama. To many people in this country
have the mindset "what can my country do for me"
instead of the other way around as JFK stated it
should be.