How Republicans Can Become the National Majority Party

[JohnnySavage]

I agree. The GOP is more in tune with traditional values and religious freedom that appeal to many Hispanics. I also agree that economic problems are a major factor. Inflation and the economy are top concerns with Hispanic voters as well the broader electorate. They are rapidly losing confidence in the Democratic party’s ability to address these issues. The primary elections are less than 70 days away. Very exciting times!

Adultery and pussy grabbing are traditional values?

WoohOOOOO!!!

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

Adultery and pussy grabbing are traditional values?

WoohOOOOO!!!

No. But legislation pertaining to parental rights and religious liberty are.

 

[pecksniff]

No. But legislation pertaining to parental rights and religious liberty are.

"Religious liberty" in what form?

 

[The_Trouvere]

The GOP is now a populist party.

The GOP is a faux populist party. In the 1980 presidential campaign Ronald Reagan told a conference of Protest Fundamentalists, "Because of the law you cannot endorse me, but I want you to know that I endorse you."

As president he did nothing to advance the agenda of the religious right. He did cut the top tax rate from 70% to 28%.

Similarly, during the presidential campaign of 2016 Donald Trump posed as one who cared about those who had been left behind by economic changes. One of the first things he did as president was to cut the top tax rate. Yearly deficits had declined under President Obama, but they were still high. Republicans used to at least pretend that they valued balanced budgets.

 

[WillJ8787]

A winning policy for either party would be to eliminate the poorest 40 million tax payers from paying personal income tax altogether. It would be incredibly popular, would not affect revenue anything like as much as you might imagine, and allow the IRS to do more work on the big time tax cheats. So it won't happen!

This is a great idea, founded in some good rational facts.

 

[pecksniff]

This is a great idea, founded in some good rational facts.

But, again, it would not create jobs, nor enhance employees' bargaining power as against employers.

 

[The_Trouvere]

"Religious liberty" in what form?

Protestant Fundamentalists have religious liberty. No one prevents them from attending their Fundamentalist churches. No one prevents them from reading the Bible. No one forces them to have abortions. No one forces them to purchase pornography. They run into problems when they try to force their values onto others.

The single exception to what I have written is when Fundamentalists who cater to marriages are required to cater to gay marriages. I admit they should not be required to do that.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

"Religious liberty" in what form?

For examples of forms, see Christian bakers, florists, chicken sandwich chains, adoption agencies, and hobby stores. Or churches of various faiths that were shut down during the pandemic.

 

[pecksniff]

Samuel Lubell posited that in American party politics there is typically a "Sun party" that drives the public agenda and a "Moon party" that reflects and reacts. This dominance can be seen even during periods when the Moon party holds the White House. The Democrats were the Sun party from 1932 through 1980. At present, and probably since the middle of the W Admin, we have a divided system of two Moon parties.

The only way either party can regain that hegemonic Sun-party status is to improve the incomes and security of the working-class majority of all colors. Racial feeling -- whether the "racial realism" Trouvere expresses, or the opposite viewpoint of critical race theorists -- can only be marginal to that endeavor. But the Dems, having positioned themselves quite effectively as the antiracist party, have a better chance of success there than the GOP, which at present is handicapped by its particular and exclusive commitment to the white working class.

 

[phrodeau]

Adultery and pussy grabbing are traditional values?

WoohOOOOO!!!

Sure, along with orgies and cocaine.

 

[pecksniff]

Sure, along with orgies and cocaine.

I think Cawthorn is pulling our legs, at least about some of that.

 

[pecksniff]

I think Michael Lind is too quick to dismiss the religious right as an important Republican Constituency.

In case you haven't noticed, Christianity is dying. I don't mean RR politics, I mean the Christian faith as such. At least 25% of Millennials are self-ID'd atheists or agnostics -- that's more than in any elder generation -- and among the rest you'll find many who call themselves "spiritual but not religious," i.e., not affiliated with any church or doctrine.