Why Do Poor People Like Republicans?

[desihawk]

I thought it was well established that poor people generally prefer to vote democrat, so I think OP's question is really about why do any poor people vote republican. The answer in either case (whether voting dem or rep) as others have noted already boils down to economics 100%. Welfare and jobs essentially. So for e.g. in WV, it's rational for the poor folk to vote rep. By the time, religion and culture make it into decision making, i suspect we are no longer talking about the bottom layer.

 

[1inamillion]

This is a question that has always puzzled me. Given a chance, none of those people at the White House Lawn would even imagine associating with poor America, regardless of race. So why do these brainwashed masses vote for these ass clowns?

I don't think poor people care if they socialize with trump, but they most likely would like to take a shot at the American dream and not live in a socialistic society like venzuala as the present Bernie bros and oac crowd seem to be asking the country to embrace.

 

[Brok85]

Hillary failed miserably connecting with lower income people and her campaign alienated them. Democrats became viewed as the party of the elites and middle class white liberals. Democrats need to change this perception and I think Biden’s the man to do it. But he‘s got to get out there more, especially in the rust belt.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Rocky forgot the most important group: People that are successful

That's the single biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats. If you want an excuse and be a dependent, you like the democrat message. If you want to take ownership and not rely on others, you like the Republican message.

This is a solidly middle class (not wealthy -- like $50K-$100K/yr household income) mindset.

I hope for you that one day you'll be affluent enough to change your point of view.

 

[Dorrman]

There is a good book called "What is the Matter with Kansas" by Thomas Frank which talks about this very point. The book is probably 10 years old now so. I think they did a documentary based on the book as well

 

[blhawk]

Rocky forgot the most important group: People that are successful

That's the single biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats. If you want an excuse and be a dependent, you like the democrat message. If you want to take ownership and not rely on others, you like the Republican message.

God you are a dumb POS....is that why every single city that has the bulk of the successful people like NY, Chi, LA, SF are OVERWHELMINGLY Dem? Iowa success ain't shit compared to real success in those places but peons like you make up lies like this to make you feel better about your miserable lives. JFC you are a pathetic, delusional loser!😆. Poster boy for the boot licking inbreds

 

[MepoDawg#]

To be honest, poor people have been f**ked over by both parties. The democrats sometimes, at least, try to offer a fig leaf. The republicans really don't gaf.

Democrats offer just enough to keep their vote. They’re about keeping them down. Both sides don’t care about the middle or lower class.

 

[haw-key]

Can you define “poor people” a bit more? Don’t you really mean poor whites and perhaps some poor Hispanics?

And more and more poor AA too

 

[Fijimn]

Thomas Franks addressed this in his book What’s The Matter With Kansas? He presented an interesting thesis

 

[GOHOX69]

Democrats offer just enough to keep their vote. They’re about keeping them down. Both sides don’t care about the middle or lower class.

This is actually fairly accurate. I used to go on tax payer junkets and parties paid by the lobbyists who fund Iowa politicians, both D and R's. They co-mingled and both wasted tax payer money like it was going out of style. Eventually, I felt like crap going on these things because it leaves a stench on you but honestly no D or R gave 2 craps about their constitutents back home in Iowa. That DC scene is messed up beyond belief.

 

[Joes Place]

"I alone can fix it."

Did he fix it yet? It's been 3.5 years.

"Fix" as in "Rig"

So, yep.

 

[86Hawkeye]

This is a question that has always puzzled me. Given a chance, none of those people at the White House Lawn would even imagine associating with poor America, regardless of race. So why do these brainwashed masses vote for these ass clowns?

Theories welcome!

Maybe because their kids are stuck in crappy public schools, dominated by the teachers unions, and they don't effectively have a way to send them to better schools. Just one theory.

 

[billanole]

Side observation - my Trump-loving neighbor lives in a $750k house, has a big truck, two Mercedes, a ski boat, dirt bikes, lots of other toys, but is going to vote against a local tax proposal for city road maintenance that would cost him an extra $300-400 a year. Just selfish.

I live on a gravel road shared by seven neighbors who have always looked after each other during good and hard times. We throw together for road maintenance informally, neighborhood watch, tend to needs, etc...
Then a new guy moved in next door. My trump/gator neighbor decided that he is only willing to pay for “his share” of gravel every couple of years bases on the distance from the paved county road to our shared (for a small distance) driveways. He feels that others should pay based on distance to their driveway.
I am closest to the county road and have always paid one of the highest shares (some neighbors are elderly) as well as helped maintain ditches, etc... I asked him if he understood what an HOA would extract from him. He would not enter the road without paying up. He stubbornly sent the neighbor who borrows a truck to haul the gravel (and also scrapes the road with his tractor) a small check. It did not get cashed, as we did not want to lessen his quality of life.
Hope he does not need me to piss on the fire at his house...

 

[1inamillion]

"Fix" as in "Rig"

So, yep.
On the other hand, he is not trying to turn this country into venezuala

 

[1inamillion]

On the other , he is not trying to turn the country into venezuela like Bernie and oac want to do.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

This is a question that has always puzzled me. Given a chance, none of those people at the White House Lawn would even imagine associating with poor America, regardless of race. So why do these brainwashed masses vote for these ass clowns?

Theories welcome!

Simple. They've been convinced they'll be in the 1% someday.

 

[bdcolt45er]

Simple. They've been convinced they'll be in the 1% someday.

Temporarily embarrassed millionaires.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

Lots of rich republicans got that way thanks to government on all levels. But then they yell socialism(and worse) when other's are helped.

More accurately, lots of rich Republicans were born into money (see: Trump Donald J.) thanks to government on all levels. But then they yell socialism(and worse) when other's are helped.

 

[silasstarr]

This is a question that has always puzzled me. Given a chance, none of those people at the White House Lawn would even imagine associating with poor America, regardless of race. So why do these brainwashed masses vote for these ass clowns?

Theories welcome!

Abortion and they've been told liberals are the devil since birth.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Simple. They've been convinced they'll be in the 1% someday.

Plus, every year there’s Caddy Day at the club pool.

 

[silasstarr]

Where is Chuck Grassley on that list?

Don't bother engaging. If that is a glimpse into his logic, there is no helping him.

 

[UKGrad93]

The perception that social welfare programs aren't utilized in rural settings is hilarious. There's a lot of broke ass white people in rural settings that rely on the social safety net.
Our social workers often have conversations with these families and they will say the most ridiculous things. They don't want to rely on the government. But their kids are on Medicaid an they are using all sorts of public resources.

I agree with you that a lot of rural folks are on govt. welfare programs. Like you say, for some reason it is not perceived the same way as a welfare recipient in an inner city.

 

[Joes Place]

I agree with you that a lot of rural folks are on govt. welfare programs. Like you say, for some reason it is not perceived the same way as a welfare recipient in an inner city.

....the perception difference is almost 'black & white'....

 

[silasstarr]

Can you define “poor people” a bit more? Don’t you really mean poor whites and perhaps some poor Hispanics?

These people?

 

[MepoDawg#]

This is actually fairly accurate. I used to go on tax payer junkets and parties paid by the lobbyists who fund Iowa politicians, both D and R's. They co-mingled and both wasted tax payer money like it was going out of style. Eventually, I felt like crap going on these things because it leaves a stench on you but honestly no D or R gave 2 craps about their constitutents back home in Iowa. That DC scene is messed up beyond belief.

2 words: Term Limits

 

[MepoDawg#]

More accurately, lots of rich Republicans were born into money (see: Trump Donald J.) thanks to government on all levels. But then they yell socialism(and worse) when other's are helped.

Except he was always more of a Democrat than Republican.

 

[FAUlty Gator]

This is a question that has always puzzled me. Given a chance, none of those people at the White House Lawn would even imagine associating with poor America, regardless of race. So why do these brainwashed masses vote for these ass clowns?

Theories welcome!

Probably for the same reason the good people of Washington DC elected a known crack head a few times...whatever that is.

 

[FSUTribe76]

People like to believe that they’re better than others. The republicans vilify minority groups as rapists and murders and the poors think - we’re better than that!

I disagree with only “we’re better than that.” Americans are for the most part %*%* people nowhere near as humane and caring as most of the other advanced societies. If literally all I know is national origin, I’d rather hang out with a bunch of Canadians, French, British, Irish, Aussie, Kiwi, Italian, German, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, Brazilian, Mexican, insert Caribbean Island origin, Peruvian, Argentinian, Japanese, and Korean just to name a small few over standard Americans.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Rocky forgot the most important group: People that are successful

That's the single biggest difference between Republicans and Democrats. If you want an excuse and be a dependent, you like the democrat message. If you want to take ownership and not rely on others, you like the Republican message.

Highly unlikely. Democrats are more likely to have a college degree or two and as a result earn more over their respective lifetimes than Republicans.

Try again.

 

[JRHawk2003]

These people?

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What a cluster F of "humanity".

Bitter, angry, and ignorant. What a combo

 

[UKGrad93]

Just my point of view, so take it as you will. My church does not fit into the spot you have described. We are also in a fairly small county. We spend a lot of effort and resources on those who have less simply because that is what is supposed to happen.
The United Methodist Church has basically split due to the gay preacher/marriage issue. African (the continent) members are a majority of our worldwide congregation and they are mostly against gay leadership roles and or rights. They also currently have leadership roles pertaining to the overall direction of our members.

For a myriad of reasons, small town poor folks have tended to vote against their economic welfare for most of my life. I am old. If you told me in the 80’s that poor people would rally to slick, bankrupt boy trump, I would have horse laughed, but it is so.

My answer was given in broad terms. I am sure that there are many exceptions. Just as the United Methodist Church is split, so is the Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)tends to be very liberal, while the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is very conservative.

At first, I thought that the people voting for Trump were mostly just people that wanted to vote against Hillary Clinton, but it seems that for some reason he appeals to a lot of these people for reasons other than being an outsider.

In my home state of KY, I know that some voted for Trump based on his environmental policies that made it easier for coal mining to continue. Many felt that Obama and other democrats had given the EPA power to end mining. The truth is that the coal industry was hurt by cheap natural gas more than environmental policy.

Being against abortion and gay rights does not look like a strategy for winning national elections going forward. It will remain a way to win local/regional elections for a while.

 

[silasstarr]

What a cluster F of "humanity".

Bitter, angry, and ignorant. What a combo

I'd bet these people never said 'fake news' once before Trump ran for POTUS.

 

[Hawkeyenuts66]

The inner city poor that have voted Democrat for decades are not really poor ?

So what has voting Democrat for decades done for them? If they are still poor, the answer is nothing.

 

[JRHawk2003]

I'd bet these people never said 'fake news' once before Trump ran for POTUS.

You can tell some in fact watched it before Trump.

A truly insane lot.

They can pound sand. I struggle a lot with compassion for those people.

 

[Flie]

Maybe they're tired of being poor, and want to try something else..

How's that working out for them? Did the republican party just spring to life suddenly? Pretty sure they were there all the years that are referenced.

 

[IAHawk2011]

These people?

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Unreal. It’s a cult.

 

[hexumhawk]

Can we not pose the same question to inner city voters that continue to vote democrat even though their situation rarely gets better and often worsens?

 

[1inamillion]

I disagree with only “we’re better than that.” Americans are for the most part %*%* people nowhere near as humane and caring as most of the other advanced societies. If literally all I know is national origin, I’d rather hang out with a bunch of Canadians, French, British, Irish, Aussie, Kiwi, Italian, German, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, Brazilian, Mexican, insert Caribbean Island origin, Peruvian, Argentinian, Japanese, and Korean just to name a small few over standard Americans.

Wow you really hate this country. You know you can leave anytime.

 

[JRHawk2003]

Wow you really hate this country. You know you can leave anytime.

Hey, its still my country. Even with Republicans and other crappy people living in it.

 

[FlickShagwell]

Where is Chuck Grassley on that list?

Mitch McConnell entered politics in 1968 - 52 years ago.