Let’s consider the voting groups often mentioned; the elderly, minorities, African-Americans, women, men, low-income and the young (with obvious overlap).
The message from the left is clear. Life is not fair, billionaires control everything, blame Wall Street for the recession, there is no need to fight extremism, we are for women, the poor and the middle-class and if we only raise taxes on other people we can give you lots of free stuff.
A lot of people believe all that, or want to.
The message from Republicans is … well I’m not sure, is there any consistent message? The problem they face is that they don’t appear to be able to articulate the reasons for their position on an issue and explain their logic. Rather, it comes across negative to those who don’t want their ox gored.
Before you can sell a position, you better be sure you have convinced your audience of the facts … something that escapes most politicians.
Let’s take ISIS. A group that callously murders and promotes sex slaves and the rape of women and girls as doing God’s work if they are not Muslim and who many experts believe pose a direct threat to the US.
The truth may well be that you cannot contain this evil let alone destroy it without boots on the ground … do you believe that? Do you want to ignore that?
How about abortion? Is it a person’s right to believe that abortion, especially for casual birth control, is morally wrong and why is that framed as a war on women? Why shouldn’t there be a virtual elimination of the need for abortion now that all forms of birth control are “free” to American women? Do you believe that?
Now for immigration reform; do you believe that’s what we are talking about or are we talking about the influx of illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America? Have you heard anyone say that? Do you think Republicans are opposed to all immigration? Where is the serious and practical plan to manage our southern border and deal with the millions of illegals here? Do you see the question as either kick them out or make them citizens?
What about Social Security and Medicare; do Republicans want to see seniors starve and Democrats have them receive more? Why can’t Republicans make the case for inter-generational reform measures? Why do people believe the Democratic message of “no problem” and no impact on federal debt?
If Republicans are opposed to “free” college is it because they dislike young people or because it adds to the already unaffordable entitlements and/or encourages higher costs with no added value?
Is there any logic to the Republican opposition to raising the minimum wage? Do you believe a $15 an hour minimum wage can be enacted without consequences up and down the economy? Do you care what they may be? Do you believe every job is worth over $30,000 a year?
What about Obamacare? Will it ever be repealed? Do you want it repealed? Why are Republicans wasting time on this issue?
The point is this isn’t merely for or against something and it’s not always for is good and against is bad. Every position has consequences, some immediate, some long-term. Being for popular things may be appealing, but it doesn’t always make them right … or affordable.
Republicans need to be more forthright in explaining their position and Democrats must be more realistic and honest explaining the consequences of their populist agenda. The problem for Republicans is that the populist message from Democrats is a lot easier to sell.
There is no magic in all this, but somewhere there is truth … and we haven’t heard much of that on either side. On the other hand, do voters want the truth?
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It is way too early to even care what the candidates are saying however I have to give Trump credit for being so anti-PC. He is saying what some consider outrageous things. I think he is saying what the rest of congress will not even address. Bernie Sander is the other extreme for me but I think people are buying his socialist agenda of everything for nothing. I am not saying I agree with anything that they said, but I know it is not the usual Washington talk and that is refreshing. I hope they both can stay in the race just long enough that the rest of the field finally will give real substance to their speeches instead of the usual party lines.
I am also hoping that people with think for themselves or else we may become a socialist nation. I mean, I would even like everything free and sit home and get my government money too and in the process become indebted to the government and lose my freedom. Where do I turn in my guns and money?
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I realize that it is early in the campaign cycle but what concerns me the most is the apparent polarization of the country at least as far as the polls go. I wonder if the sentiment evidenced by the rising popularity of Bernie Sanders on the left and Donald Trump on the right will carry through to the general election.
The size of the Republican field will force candidates to try to outdo each other with incendiary or provocative statements aimed at increasing media attention for their campaign but which will have to be walked back as the elections get closer. This can only hurt them.
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VOTE FOR TRUMP,GET BOOTS ON THE BATTLEFIELD, WIPE OUT THE ENEMY, BEFORE THEY COME HERE, AND DESTROY OUR WAY OF LIVING.
THESE SORRY PEOPLE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION ARE CHICKEN, TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY, THEY JUST WATCH IT GO DOWN THE TUBES, JUST LIKE THE JOINT CHIEFS, WORRIED TO DO WHATS RIGHT, UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.
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