Absolutely. They also have no need to vote in favor of minimum wage increases or any other benefits for the working class. Their biggest concern is low taxes on their retirement accounts, which is why they pick the centrist Democrat when voting in the Democratic primary.
That’s part of it, but not everything. In the 2020 presidential primary the number one issue for everyone, including seniors, was electability. Beating Trump was what Democratic voters cared about, and cable news blared the false but believable message that only a centrist who could capture Republican votes could do that.
Another big issue is, oddly enough, minority voters. Minorities are not all that different from other populations in their policy views, but they do tend to be far more committed to the team blue. (Though that commitment is waning). That means that minority conservatives tend to vote in Democratic primaries, giving us more conservative Democratic nominations.
I really wish more people would vote on something other than their own perceived self interest. Barring that dream, we need to fix broken perceptions. The people seniors and others are voting for, in both primaries and general elections, don’t actually serve the interests of their voters.
True. There’s also the problem of closed primaries. You’d never believe how many independents and other third-party registered voters were turned away at the polls in the 2016 primary in NY. 30/50 states have closed primaries, and people participate in them so rarely, they didn’t know any better.
The sad thing is that the primary process is entirely controlled by the state parties. There is nothing in the way to reform but Democrats. There ought to be crazy outrage that the Democrats run such an undemocratic process, but too many Democratic supporters bristle at any criticism of the party.
Agreed. The problem is that people have fallen into such a defeatist complaint loop that they don’t vote anymore. So let’s get everyone doing their part, and expose the flaws or corruption left behind. We’re not changing anything by blaming the DNC or establishment Democrats if we don’t actually participate when it’s time to vote.
Absolutely. They also have no need to vote in favor of minimum wage increases or any other benefits for the working class. Their biggest concern is low taxes on their retirement accounts, which is why they pick the centrist Democrat when voting in the Democratic primary.
That’s part of it, but not everything. In the 2020 presidential primary the number one issue for everyone, including seniors, was electability. Beating Trump was what Democratic voters cared about, and cable news blared the false but believable message that only a centrist who could capture Republican votes could do that.
Another big issue is, oddly enough, minority voters. Minorities are not all that different from other populations in their policy views, but they do tend to be far more committed to the team blue. (Though that commitment is waning). That means that minority conservatives tend to vote in Democratic primaries, giving us more conservative Democratic nominations.
I really wish more people would vote on something other than their own perceived self interest. Barring that dream, we need to fix broken perceptions. The people seniors and others are voting for, in both primaries and general elections, don’t actually serve the interests of their voters.
True. There’s also the problem of closed primaries. You’d never believe how many independents and other third-party registered voters were turned away at the polls in the 2016 primary in NY. 30/50 states have closed primaries, and people participate in them so rarely, they didn’t know any better.
The sad thing is that the primary process is entirely controlled by the state parties. There is nothing in the way to reform but Democrats. There ought to be crazy outrage that the Democrats run such an undemocratic process, but too many Democratic supporters bristle at any criticism of the party.
Agreed. The problem is that people have fallen into such a defeatist complaint loop that they don’t vote anymore. So let’s get everyone doing their part, and expose the flaws or corruption left behind. We’re not changing anything by blaming the DNC or establishment Democrats if we don’t actually participate when it’s time to vote.
You are just too fucking reasonable. Gimme something to flame you on already! Godspeed friend.