Political affiliation and household income

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I remember a story about conservatives being more generous in their donations. I wonder if this is related?

[Cassie 8]

And now to get more personal. My situation. Our household income buys us a townhouse about 30 miles from Manhattan. It buys us two compact economy cars and a little money left over to eat out once in a while, all the while saving approx 10% in our 401Ks and another 10% in savings. Should we be Democrats or Republican? I am Republican when I hear Dems talk about raising my taxes. I won't be able to freaking retire if they keep raising my taxes. I am Democratic when I hear about people who lost their homes because they fell behind on payments due to health crises. I worry about it all, because they're both very 'real' possibilities. So what am I? I am your mixed-ballot freak, the guy who confounds all the pollsters trying oh so hard to crowd us all into two neat schools of thought.

I hear ya, Gupt.

[Dan J 277]

There may be some correlation which may have generated the stereotype, but there are of course many exceptions.

The republican party used to be associated with fiscal responsibility. If they still were, I might actually vote for them. But in truth, neither of the parties are. So instead of coming to a question about under who will I pay less taxes, its a question about who will spend money on the priorities I think are important. Repulicans put more money into defense (and offense) and debt, while democrats tend to spend more in social programs, education and health care. In my opinion if money is going to be spent, i would rather it be spend at home, on things that will improve the lives of most Americans rather than abroad bringing democracy to nations with force.

As far as the correlation, I have a bachelors degree, and i make just above the median income for most Americans. I have a little cc debt which will be mostly paid off by the end of the year, after which the only debt remaining will be student loans.

[BelwinMills 0]

I heard that teachers go to the left and they are more liberal. Has anyone ever heard this before?

[brtlmj 0]

I am educated and plan to be as wealthy as I can be. I like neither party. If I ever vote in this country, I will vote for split government. We've all seen what happens to checks and balances and fiscal responsibility when one party is in power. And no, I don't think Dems would be any better.

Regarding party affiliation and donations... let's play a devil's advocate here. Might it be possible that people from one side of the political spectrum give money "for show", in public places, while the other side prefers to quietly send checks?

Bartek

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am educated and plan to be as wealthy as I can be.

You da man

[mybackpages 0]

I've noticed that many left or liberal leaning members here struggle financially, while

those who are well-off tend to be more conservative.

Is this a correct observation? Does a rise in income generally increase the likelihood

of a person voting Republican?

What do you think?

Voter generalization do support this. The wealthier you are the more likely you are to vote Republican. Of course there are always excptions, plenty of wealthy people vote democratic.

Otehr generalizations include education (the more you have the more liberal you are), gerography, race and ethnicy, gender, age etc... It means very little really and is not static. USually of interst to those wondering where to allocat campaign resources.

I heard that teachers go to the left and they are more liberal. Has anyone ever heard this before?

as a generalization, this is true.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Totally correct. Money makes you greedy, being greedy makes you a republican.

and being broke makes one a democrat?

[DeadPoolX 9]

Some of the wealthiest people on the planet are Democrats, and some of the poorest people are Republicans; likewise, some of the most intelligent people I have ever had the good fortune to run across have been Republicans, and some of the dumbest, most moronic people have been Democrats.

I think making generalizations about who is what is pretty nonsensical. People are people, and have their own varying reasons -- sometimes to do with education and wealth -- for voting whichever way they wish.

I have one degree already and I'm working on another. I will be soon going for my PhD. I dislike both the Republicans and the Democrats, and I'm sure they'd dislike me. I tend to be more centrist on many issues, choosing sides with my own moral compass and business ethics as opposed to party lines. That's probably one of the reasons why I couldn't ever run for a political office -- I wouldn't want to answer to a specific party; besides, I don't think I could lie through my teeth for a living. I'm too honest and upfront, and as we all know, that's death for a politician.

[Alex+R 0]

One study I read (and can't find) that I thought was really interesting showed that people who saw themselves as "pre-rich" were more likely to vote Republican and hold conservative economic views. These are people who sympathize with their bosses, can be anti-union because they sympathize with corporations, and fantasize that one day they will be among the rich.

They vote based on the future they hope to have, and the class they identify with, although most of them never attain that kind of wealth. Apparently there is a rather large segment of the US lower-middle and middle classes that votes this way.

Edited March 3, 2007 by Alex+R

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

One study I read (and can't find) that I thought was really interesting showed that people who saw themselves as "pre-rich" were more likely to vote Republican and hold conservative economic views. These are people who sympathize with their bosses, can be anti-union because they sympathize with corporations, and fantasize that one day they will be among the rich.

They vote based on the future they hope to have, and the class they identify with, although most of them never attain that kind of wealth. Apparently there is a rather large segment of the US lower-middle and middle classes that votes this way.

Optimism doesn't always work out. But I'm still optimistic.

[Fandango 1,439]

I remember a story about conservatives being more generous in their donations. I wonder if this is related?

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Really-Cares-Com...m/dp/0465008216

[Peikko 1,575]

Party politics is broken. We need some nice shiny new parties.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Party politics is broken. We need some nice shiny new parties.

My mind is obviously in the gutter right now. I read that as "we need some nice new shiny panties."

[Peikko 1,575]

Are you one of the 'online' drinkers?