[Magdalen] Time is -- uh ....

[Roger Stokes]

Don,

I think the problem is that half the electorate are below average 
intelligence.  They also tend to have their views informed by news media 
that match their previous views.  The problem with this is that it tends 
to drive people to the ends of the political spectrum, and this applies 
particularly to those who select the candidates for their particular Party.

 From what I have read this is a particular problem for the Republican 
Party at present. (In principle this could happen in the Democratic 
Party as well at some stage.) I believe there are sensible, rational 
supporters of that Party on this list and elsewhere.  The problem is 
that if X wants to be the candidate then they need to espouse views 
distinctly right of centre to secure the nomination.

If the area from which they want to be elected is sufficiently dyed in 
the wool Republican then, come the General Election, they will get in 
and continue to promote their partisan views.  The problem is that the 
majority of people in their constituency may well not support those 
views, but it is the elected representative who helps decide what laws 
are passed.

Roger

On 03/11/2015 00:02, thedonboyd at austin.rr.com wrote:
> Mr Guthrie writes, " Of course, it **is** Texas, where ignorance is bliss and ignorance of basic
> science and technology is endemic amongst the booboisie majority (evidenced by who they elect)."
> A similar sentiment was expressed a short while ago by another Jim.  And who could disagree with them?  Our current governor makes his predecessor (Perry) look smart, and HIS predecessor (Bush43) statesmanlike.  Our senators, arguably smarter, are just frightful.  Our (elected) state board of education is distinguished by its members' anti-intellectual bias.  And I mustn't get started on the state legislators (though, truth to tell, has anyone anywhere ever found a state legislature
>
> Imagine what it's like for a lifelong decently-educated liberal to live among such yahoos!  And yet--and yet--they are my folks.  I didn't choose them, and many of them would disown me if they could, but this is where I was, and they, were planted.  And--dare I say this--I can't see what dissing them (however much they deserve it) contributes to discussions in this forum.
>
> And as I have made clear on previous occasions, I am offended by your Texans-are-boobs cheap shots (not that offending me matters).
>
> Maybe I'm just thin skinned.  Ah yes, that must be it.  The behavior isn't offensive, it's me.  Big oops.  (This is where I usually delete the whole post without sending it.  Many times.  Not today.)
>