Why Ask Why?

Many political pundits have tried to figure out why people often vote in ways that go against their own best interests. One article I found quoted a Kentucky woman who was thrilled with her coverage under Obamacare yet still planned to vote for Mitch McConnell who was determined to destroy it. When asked why she said, "Born and raised Republican. I ain't planning on changing now."
 http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/09/26/why-do-citizens-vote-against-their-own-best-interests 
Now, how does one counter such a remark?  I shake my head in disbelief!

Dave Zweifel, the writer of the Common Dreams article, goes on to say, "Hers is not an unusual story. Citizens tend to get caught up in everything from family traditions to believing blatantly misleading 30-second TV ads, leading them to vote in favor of candidates who are opposed to their own interests." Zweifel contends that people just don't or won't pay attention to what candidates actually believe.  

So, if we're going to change things around, then we have to get the voters' attention! 

James Carville in an opinion piece in The Hill last December, wrote, "During my time as a political strategist, one of the most vexing problems was figuring out why so many people vote against their perceived interests." He points out how so many stock brokers consistently vote Republican when it is under Democratic presidents like Clinton and Obama that the market sees strength. It just does not make anymore sense than the Kentucky lady voting for McConnell.

So, we must ask how it is that Republicans get voters to vote against their own self interests? And we have to keep answering that question until we find out.  This writer who chooses to remain Anonymous says, "The Republican party and the pundits who support them, use an agenda of fear, channeling the ways of former Republican senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy....(they) push the fear of gays, Muslims, atheists and others who aren't evangelical Christians onto conservatives voters, using those fears to bypass many economic issues that could normally work against them." http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/iowa/ajax.html?t=13381954#page:showThread,13381954  If this is the case, then we must find ways to dispel the fears. 

In regard to women's issues, one wonders how any woman can support the Republican party, yet, many thoughtful, educated women still do.  Gerry Meyers last year in a Huffington Post Politics piece pondered this issue. She said, "Gerrymandering, suppressing the vote, allowing unrestricted funds and unlimited terms have led to undemocratic practices which will destroy America if voters don't stand up and fight for what is right." 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerry-myers/voting-against-own-best-interests_b_5185414.html

So, it seems we must fight against gerrymandering, voter suppression, and campaign finance reform if we are going to change things for the good of our country. 

Last November was a mid-term election which Democrats have historically been prone to avoid. But, it was pretty sad that only 1/3 of the eligible voters even bothered to vote. By not voting, those Democrats ended up giving Congress over to Republican majorities. So, it seems we must also address voter apathy. How do we even get them to the polls? One writer suggested that we make elections more like the lottery. Seriously, it's called the Mega Millions Solution! I am not making this up! 
 http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/the-mega-millions-solution/?_r=0 

Whenever Apple releases a new product, we see people camping out for days to get a place in the line to purchase the latest device. But, when it comes to voting, no one feels inclined to inconvenience themselves. An idea that I like is to offer everyone who votes an income tax break. Would that be incentive enough? Maybe to the folks who file taxes it would help with motivation.

As with any other issue facing our country, this one is also multifaceted and complex. There isn't one simple solution. We have our work cut out for us. Will we rise to the challenge? I sure hope so because the thought of Republicans controlling all three branches of government scares me into action!