The Great Lake states are "purple" states. In other words, there is close to an even mix of Republican and Democrat voters. The biggest impact on election results is to motivate base members of the party to go to the polls to vote. The political trends taking place nationally can be seen clearly in the campaigns of conservative candidates Illinois 2014.
Urban populations with their higher numbers of African Americans and other minorities vote for Democrats. Rural areas vote more Republican. There are deeply rooted cultural and social explanations for this. Minority populations need more of the type of social service programs that Republicans despise. Cities generally require more government spending for infrastructure.
A main concept that drives the dogma is that government has become too large. Overbearing regulations imposed by liberals impede economic growth. These regulations make it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses which inhibits job growth and economic expansion. The Republican view is that government is getting in the way of economic growth. The best strategy to help the middle class and the poor is to free business from too many regulations.
Election after election voters hear about the same core right wing issues: excessive government spending, the abuses of labor unions, the murder of unborn children through abortion, and massive voter fraud. This explains why in states controlled by both Republican governors and legislatures laws have been passed that restrict abortion, weaken labor unions, limit early voting, and put strict voter ID laws in place. Some states now require drug testing before someone can collect welfare or unemployment.
Many people are concerned about run away government spending. They believe that too much government spending and too much government debt is hurting the country. They believe that government is too big and out of touch. When government spends too much and has too much debt it makes it difficult for investors to create new businesses and jobs. Liberals believe that government spending can help get the economy going again. The conflict between these two opposing economic theories has created gridlock in congress. The success of the Tea Party along with the influence of Libertarian thinking has made it difficult for compromise to take place.
The key to winning elections is a party getting their base to vote. Voter ID laws in theory will suppress the Democrat vote. However, the strategy could backfire because it will anger voters and galvanize them to organize voter registration drives. Studies have shown that voter fraud is practically non-existent. Apathy is the best way to get people not to vote. Making them angry when they perceive their rights are being trampled on may have the exact opposite reaction.
The historical trend is that the minority party picks up seats in congress during mid-term elections. There have been notable exceptions to this historical trend. The Tea Party by challenging mainstream Republican incumbents in primary elections has forced the party far to the right of the political spectrum. It has caused gridlock in congress. Important issues are not being addressed. This is irritating some voters who wish to see the two parties compromise in order to make progress.
All politicians face difficult contests. The key to victory will be rallying the base voters to go and vote. Voter turnout is the single key element in winning elections. The party that is better at motivating its base voters will be the party that wins in November.
Urban populations with their higher numbers of African Americans and other minorities vote for Democrats. Rural areas vote more Republican. There are deeply rooted cultural and social explanations for this. Minority populations need more of the type of social service programs that Republicans despise. Cities generally require more government spending for infrastructure.
A main concept that drives the dogma is that government has become too large. Overbearing regulations imposed by liberals impede economic growth. These regulations make it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses which inhibits job growth and economic expansion. The Republican view is that government is getting in the way of economic growth. The best strategy to help the middle class and the poor is to free business from too many regulations.
Election after election voters hear about the same core right wing issues: excessive government spending, the abuses of labor unions, the murder of unborn children through abortion, and massive voter fraud. This explains why in states controlled by both Republican governors and legislatures laws have been passed that restrict abortion, weaken labor unions, limit early voting, and put strict voter ID laws in place. Some states now require drug testing before someone can collect welfare or unemployment.
Many people are concerned about run away government spending. They believe that too much government spending and too much government debt is hurting the country. They believe that government is too big and out of touch. When government spends too much and has too much debt it makes it difficult for investors to create new businesses and jobs. Liberals believe that government spending can help get the economy going again. The conflict between these two opposing economic theories has created gridlock in congress. The success of the Tea Party along with the influence of Libertarian thinking has made it difficult for compromise to take place.
The key to winning elections is a party getting their base to vote. Voter ID laws in theory will suppress the Democrat vote. However, the strategy could backfire because it will anger voters and galvanize them to organize voter registration drives. Studies have shown that voter fraud is practically non-existent. Apathy is the best way to get people not to vote. Making them angry when they perceive their rights are being trampled on may have the exact opposite reaction.
The historical trend is that the minority party picks up seats in congress during mid-term elections. There have been notable exceptions to this historical trend. The Tea Party by challenging mainstream Republican incumbents in primary elections has forced the party far to the right of the political spectrum. It has caused gridlock in congress. Important issues are not being addressed. This is irritating some voters who wish to see the two parties compromise in order to make progress.
All politicians face difficult contests. The key to victory will be rallying the base voters to go and vote. Voter turnout is the single key element in winning elections. The party that is better at motivating its base voters will be the party that wins in November.
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