Politics and Culture

Get rid of every policy position except progressive taxation.

I don't agree with it, but I see the appeal of telling people, "we'll take rich people's money and give it to you." If you calculate it just right, 51% of the people can think that they're getting something for nothing.

If Obama had started off with positions exactly like those of John McCain in every other respect, he'd be winning by 20%. Most Americans don't care about any of the other issues. Most Democrats don't either unless they're graduate students, union workers, or trial lawyers, or convinced that they're oppressed.

Let's take a look, shall we?

Health Care:

Nobody wants to pay more for the same thing. That's what Democrats promise, "We're going to raise taxes so that twenty-somethings and illegal aliens can sit next to you in the waiting room."

Gay marriage:

You can ask, "How will same-sex marriage affect yours?" You can also ask, "How will same-sex marriage help your marriage?" It won't unless the lesbian couple next door leaves their shades up. The best leftists can hope for is that the ninety-something per cent of people who like the opposite sex will break down under the constant nagging, "OK, just shut up."

Preschool/ "Education:"

We're talking about helping students in ghettos, let's face it. Most voters are happy with their kids' education. Most people in ghettos would prefer a private school. But, it's easy to scare people on that stuff and, who's going to vote against "education?"

Preschool is the dumbest idea ever. Totally useless in and of itself, it wastes money and discourages the best kind of pre-school, parental care.

Paying for college:

This one sounds good. Like health care, the more the government pays, the higher the cost. I don't know if most people vote on this, anyways.

Foreign Affairs/Crime:

Republicans usually win on this so Democrats would be wise to imitate them here. Most people want to be safe, both locally and globally.

Various programs:

Imagine somebody hears a proposal that starts, "Let's set up a program that..." What comes to their mind? The DMV, the social security office, school administration, forms. Most people dread having to go to a government office.

People who vote for government programs are direct beneficiaries like corn farmers and government workers. The people the programs "help" are probably too lazy to vote since, in most cases, that's why they need help in the first place.

I have to think that a majority of the populace either don't anticipate needing government programs or doubt that it would do any good, considering its track record.

Mommy stuff:

Trans-fats, tire inflation, etc. People who support these measures don't think that it's for them- they want to help others live like themselves, enlightened. Democrats don't mention these things in speeches because it sounds like nagging.

Environmentalism:

This one's like education. People generally support it until it costs them money. That's why Dems are getting drilled on...errr...oil drilling.

God:

Democrats shouldn't mention God unless God is actually a factor in their thinking. Particularly, don't say things like, "I'm a fervent Catholic that doesn't think abortion is wrong." It sounds ignorant. Religious voters aren't stupid. Better to say nothing.

Anyways, I think Democrats would win all of the time if they follow my advice.