Why is it that in 2008, American's overwhelmingly voted the democrats into office and now just two short years later most analysts predict that the Democrats are going to lose and lose big? Is it really possible that Americans can change their minds that much that quickly? Most of us hold certain beliefs very dearly, so if that is the case how can so many Americans change their political positions so quickly?
I believe that the reason that we change which party is in power so much is not because our viewpoints change but precisely because our core viewpoints do not change.
George Patton said that "Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser!" I believe that is the crux of the issue. At the heart of it, the vast majority of Americans want America to continue to be seen as a strong nation in the world. Most Americans also want to enjoy economic prosperity. Most Americans want to know that they are safe from crime and that they will be protected by the police. Americans want their children to have access to top quality education. So really, Americans hold the same views. They differ which methods best achieve those ends but they believe in the same ideals. So why do we switch parties in and out of power so much? Because a large percentage of Americans vote for whichever party they feel will best uphold the aforementioned ideals. When the republicans were in power and the economy collapsed (ala Great Recession) so Americans perceived that Republicans couldn't uphold the ideal of American economic prosperity. Conversely when the Democrats were in power and appeared weak internationally (ala Iranian Hostage Crisis), Americans perceived that the democrats couldn't uphold the ideal of American international power.
So in the end we are mostly divided by different methods to achieve the same ends and we vote for which ever party we feel best helps us achieve those ends. So for 2010, sorry democrats, Americans are disgruntled with the current state of affairs so you won't fair so well this cycle. By next election though.... Who knows?
~The Extemp Guy
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