Opinion Identity Politics Won: America's Divide is Demographic, Not Ideological

[luckyshot]

Are we a divided nation? Yes. And no.

According to midterms we are sharply divided by demographics. Here are a series of national medians and how the parties fared relative to them:

National median age: 37.7
Districts older than median: R+11
Districts younger than median: D+47

National median household income: $55,322
Districts earning less: R+35
Districts earning more: D+71

National median of population foreign born: 13.2%
Districts with less: R+83
Districts with more: D+119

National median of non-white population: 38%
Districts below: R+78
Districts above: D+114

National median of college graduates: 30.3%
Districts below: R+53
Districts above: D+89
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/poli...ivide-party-demographics-districts/index.html

So, demographics are currently completely predictive of voting.

Districts that are older, whiter, less-affluent, less-educated and more native vote overwhelmingly Republican.

Districts that are younger, more diverse, more affluent, more educated, and more immigrant heavy vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

The demographic gulf is huge.

Interestingly, however, we are probably more UNITED on major ISSUES than we've ever been.

70% of all Americans support Medicare for all
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/28/mos...edicare-for-all-and-free-college-tuition.html

Almost 90% of Americans support rigorous universal background checks for all firearms purchases
https://www.politifact.com/wisconsi...americans-support-background-checks-all-gun-/

72% of Americans favor higher taxes for the wealthy
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/11/thr...gher-taxes-for-wealthy-reutersipsos-poll.html


It takes some real cunning to take a nation that is largely united on policy, and turn it into a bitterly divided nation based on demographics... all the while its ruling class delivers none of the policies the population overwhelmingly supports and cares about.

So have fun arguing about the Wall, America!

 

[PrinceOfPain]

Predictable and predicted.

 

[Deleted member 457759]

"More educated" these days often means "more indoctrinated".

Many Republicans have a lot of blue color knowledge that "educated" dems dont have.

Dems and their "educated" base are trying to destroy America with open borders and lunatic socialism.

 

[Lavalamp]

When I hear protesters, I hear a large ideological divide.

Open borders
No more ICE
etc.

Even Nancy Pelosi

 

[PrinceOfPain]

"More educated" these days often means "more indoctrinated".

Many Republicans have a lot of blue color knowledge that "educated" dems dont have.

Dems and their "educated" base are trying to destroy America with open borders and lunatic socialism.

It's called 'tacit knowledge', it comes from doing, rather than simply studying, and it is pretty damned important, especially in encouraging space for innovativeness in organisational structures.
While education is important, there is such a thing as overspecialisation, and it tends to stifle innovation. It's hard to think outside the box when one has never seen outside of the box. And graduates tend to be sheltered and ignorant on everything outside of their narrow fields, with an over-reliance on theory that they've never really seen put into real-world practice.

 

[luckyshot]

When I hear protesters, I hear a large ideological divide.

Open borders
No more ICE
etc.

Even Nancy Pelosi

"More educated" these days often means "more indoctrinated".

Many Republicans have a lot of blue color knowledge that "educated" dems dont have.

Dems and their "educated" base are trying to destroy America with open borders and lunatic socialism.

It's called 'tacit knowledge' and it is pretty important, especially in encouraging space for innovativeness in organisational structures.
While education is important, there is such a thing as overspecialisation, and it tends to stifle innovation.

These comments do not address the central point of the thread: we have become more demographically divided even as we have a growing consensus on the most important policy issues (according to midterm voters, healthcare was far and away the number one issue).

 

[Deleted member 457759]

These comments do not address the central point of the thread: we have become more demographically divided even as we have a growing consensus on the most important policy issues.

I'm undermining the validity of the study by suggesting bias. Referring to dems as more educated because they made it to post secondary school is misleading. A majority of graduates are more indoctrinated than educated. I'm talking about the humanities.

 

[PrinceOfPain]

These comments do not address the central point of the thread: we have become more demographically divided even as we have a growing consensus on the most important policy issues.

I was replying to a tangent I was more interested in than the topic. Apologies.
You seem to be implying that Trump is responsible for a demographic divide that some might say was always inevitable?

ETA: Ignore the 'some might say was always inevitable' there. It doesn't really fit the discussion. But are you implying that Trump's to blame? Also, if people are united on important issues, what's your problem here? And why wouldn't demographics be predictive of voting? Hasn't that always been the case, hence some election tactics are considered to be racist, since they overwhelmingly impact specific races?

 

[luckyshot]

I'm undermining the validity of the study by suggesting bias. Referring to dems as more educated because they made it to post secondary school is misleading. A majority of graduates are more indoctrinated than educated. I'm talking about the humanities.

First of all, "more educated" is my phrase, and it is just a short-hand, not meant to be a value judgment.

Second, I am not quoting a "a study." It's basic demographic information. Districts with a higher percentage of college graduates have become likely to vote Democratic. That's a fact. You can make a value judgement about it if you choose, but you cannot "undermine its validity."

The whole point of the thread is not a value judgement; it is to point out that our "DIVIDED STATE AS A NATION" that everyone talks about so much is more predictive of (and predicted by) demographic differences than policy preferences.

I was replying to a tangent I was more interested in than the topic. Apologies.
You seem to be implying that Trump is responsible for a demographic divide that some might say was always inevitable?

ETA: Ignore the 'some might say was always inevitable' there. It doesn't really fit the discussion. But are you implying that Trump's to blame? Also, if people are united on important issues, what's your problem here? And why wouldn't demographics be predictive of voting? Hasn't that always been the case, hence some election tactics are considered to be racist, since they overwhelmingly impact specific races?

Do I think Trump is "to blame" for this trend? Not quite. Do I think he recognized it as an opportunity and has exploited it ruthlessly? Abso-freaking-lutely.

 

[POWER2]

Are we a divided nation? Yes. And no.

According to midterms we are sharply divided by demographics. Here are a series of national medians and how the parties fared relative to them:

National median age: 37.7
Districts older than median: R+11
Districts younger than median: D+47

National median household income: $55, 322
Districts earning less: R+35
Districts earning more: D+71

National mean percentage of population foreign born: 13.2%
Districts with less: R+83
Districts with more: D+119

National mean of non-white population: 38%
Districts below: R+78
Districts above: D+114

National mean of college graduates: 30.3%
Districts below: R+53
Districts above: D+89
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/poli...ivide-party-demographics-districts/index.html

So, demographics are currently completely predictive of voting.

Districts that are older, whiter, less-affluent, less-educated and more native vote overwhelmingly Republican.

Districts that are younger, more diverse, more affluent, more educated, and more immigrant heavy vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

The demographic gulf is huge.

Interestingly, however, we are probably more UNITED on major ISSUES than we've ever been.

70% of all Americans support Medicare for all
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/28/mos...edicare-for-all-and-free-college-tuition.html

Almost 90% of Americans support rigorous universal background checks for all firearms purchases
https://www.politifact.com/wisconsi...americans-support-background-checks-all-gun-/

72% of Americans favor higher taxes for the wealthy
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/11/thr...gher-taxes-for-wealthy-reutersipsos-poll.html


It takes some real cunning to take a nation that is, basically united on policy, and turn it into a bitterly divided nation based on demographics... all the while its ruling class delivers none of the policies the population overwhelmingly supports and cares about.

So have fun arguing about the Wall, America!

1. presents readily available information as if it is unknown
2. applies information incorrectly to situation
3. presents no solutions to implied problem
4. suggests everyone is stupid
5. make racist comment

You were so close to a Perfect 10 War Room Post. So close...

 

[all caps]

Should have been listening to sniper this whole time

I really have been telling yall...

 

[luckyshot]

1. presents readily available information as if it is unknown.

That's called citing a source. You should attempt it some time.

2. applies information incorrectly to situation

Elaborate, oh wise one. (I won't hold my breath.)

3. presents no solutions to implied problem

If problem is implied, so is solution. People should start making sure their representatives actually represent their policy preferences, not just their demographics.

4. suggests everyone is stupid.

Nope, just those who cannot follow a simple and clear argument.

 

[Mr Holmes]

all the while its ruling class delivers none of the policies the population overwhelmingly supports and cares about.

Well, the left actually only cares about tranny rights.

 

[MicroBrew]

Are we a divided nation? Yes. And no.

According to midterms we are sharply divided by demographics. Here are a series of national medians and how the parties fared relative to them:

National median age: 37.7
Districts older than median: R+11
Districts younger than median: D+47

National median household income: $55, 322
Districts earning less: R+35
Districts earning more: D+71

National mean percentage of population foreign born: 13.2%
Districts with less: R+83
Districts with more: D+119

National mean of non-white population: 38%
Districts below: R+78
Districts above: D+114

National mean of college graduates: 30.3%
Districts below: R+53
Districts above: D+89
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/poli...ivide-party-demographics-districts/index.html

So, demographics are currently completely predictive of voting.

Districts that are older, whiter, less-affluent, less-educated and more native vote overwhelmingly Republican.

Districts that are younger, more diverse, more affluent, more educated, and more immigrant heavy vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

The demographic gulf is huge.

Interestingly, however, we are probably more UNITED on major ISSUES than we've ever been.

70% of all Americans support Medicare for all
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/28/mos...edicare-for-all-and-free-college-tuition.html

Almost 90% of Americans support rigorous universal background checks for all firearms purchases
https://www.politifact.com/wisconsi...americans-support-background-checks-all-gun-/

72% of Americans favor higher taxes for the wealthy
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/11/thr...gher-taxes-for-wealthy-reutersipsos-poll.html


It takes some real cunning to take a nation that is, basically united on policy, and turn it into a bitterly divided nation based on demographics... all the while its ruling class delivers none of the policies the population overwhelmingly supports and cares about.

So have fun arguing about the Wall, America!

I agree to a degree that demographics plays a huge role but I don't think it is a recent phenomena. I just find it hard to believe that (decades back) poorer and less educated Americans would not have shown a voting discrepancy to rich educated Americans . And Catholics probably showed a preference for the Dems over the GOP during the Kennedy presidency??

 

[all caps]

Arguing with each other, begging the government to strip our rights, celebrating the silencing of each other, meanwhile we all agree on the majority of shit <Lmaoo>
We are some suckers

 

[Higus]

Well, the left actually only cares about tranny rights.

Lol the right wing obsession with trans people is mind blowing.

 

[Mr Holmes]

Lol the right wing obsession with trans people is mind blowing.

No you are!!!1

 

[NoDak]

Well, the left actually only cares about tranny rights.

lol

 

[ithinktheymad]

"More educated" these days often means "more indoctrinated".

Many Republicans have a lot of blue color knowledge that "educated" dems dont have.

Dems and their "educated" base are trying to destroy America with open borders and lunatic socialism.

Anti-intellectual and proud of it.

 

[franklinstower]

"More educated" these days often means "more indoctrinated".

Many Republicans have a lot of blue color knowledge that "educated" dems dont have.

Dems and their "educated" base are trying to destroy America with open borders and lunatic socialism.

No way man. I grew up on the blue collar world but transitioned to white collar in my late twenties. In my experience blue color people are smart, that is true, but they are not educated and so often, usually even, don't have the facts and can't interpret them if they do.

Blue color men are also often base, covertly or overtly bigoted, and resentful towards the other. Even though toughness is valued greatly among them I have never seen a group of men so driven by emotion in any other walk of life, certainly not in white collar men. The emotion that drives these men is fear but it comes out as anger and is portrayed as "toughness".

That is just how it is and whatever wisdom you see in them is had by people with education too.

White collar people are indoctrinated by the system though to some degree and since they are often the beneficiaries of the system, as it is, they will sometimes lean towards the status quo when it ought to be obvious that is is wrong to do so.