Monday, November 12, 2012

'Demographic' Voting? Try 'Self-Identified' Voting

Demographic voting seems to now be the norm in America. 
People apparently vote based on their race, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, etc.-- not where they live or how well each campaign presents its case. 93% of blacks, 70% of Latinos, 60% of those under 30, and 62% of single people, voted for Obama. 
And white married couples over 30 years of age voted for Romney. 
On the promise of unity and a color-blind society, we've been split apart along racial and other demographic lines. The chasm could not be greater. 
So, a president and a party elected and re-elected through what one might call 'identity politics' has ushered in a time barren of common interest and devoid of real issues. It's divide, group enough divisions to win, and conquer -- pure and simple. This seems to be what determines the outcome. 
Has it come to this? 
Are our votes really predictable based on "non think" factors even well before anybody does any campaigning? 
Apparently so -- because the campaign did not move the numbers at all. None. Nada. 
Whew! What's happened to independent thought and reasoned judgement? 
What does this say about us? 
And what does it say about those who seemingly exploit these demographic differences?

No comments: