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The challenge faced by American Democracy

  
By:  Vic Eldred  •  5 years ago  •  50 comments


The challenge faced by American Democracy
Julián Castro really wants to make sure that his fellow Democratic presidential candidates, and the voters watching the first 2020 Democratic presidential debate, know what “Section 1325” is. It’s the section of Title 8 of the United States Code that makes it a misdemeanor for immigrants to enter the United States without papers. Castro wants to get rid of it — so that being an unauthorized immigrant in the US would still be a civil offense but no longer a federal crime.

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We the People


The concept of a free market place of ideas holds that truth will emerge from the competition of ideas through a free & transparent public discourse. This concept has thus far served the nation well throughout it's rich history - that is up until now! Our form of democracy (a representative democracy), is in peril from an insidious political tactic known as "identity politics".

Identity politics, which flourished as a game changer by the modern democratic party, means that one votes for a particular party based on one's own ethnicity or race rather that issues or policies. Thus if the democratic party can simply get enough people to play the game, the more rational mind no longer prevails. Pandering to groups has long been the strategy of the democratic party but by virtue of the wide open southern border having produced a seismic change in the demographics of the United States, it may eventually put the democrats in power permanently.

One group alone will tip the scale, if they vote as democrats want.

From the Pew Research Center:

"Latinos make up an  increasing share  of the U.S. electorate. A record  29 million Latinos were eligible to vote in this year’s midterm elections, accounting for 12.8% of all eligible voters, a new high. While it’s too soon to know how many voted and their turnout rate, Latinos made up an estimated  11% of all voters  nationwide on Election Day, nearly matching their share of the U.S. eligible voter population (U.S. citizens ages 18 and older). Here are key takeaways about Latino voters and the 2018 elections."

1 In U.S. congressional races nationwide, an estimated 69% of Latinos voted for the Democratic candidate and 29% backed the Republican candidate , a more than two-to-one advantage for Democrats, according to National Election Pool  exit poll data . These results largely reflect the party affiliation of Latinos. In a  Pew Research Center pre-election survey , 62% of Latinos said they identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party compared with 27% who affiliated with the Republican Party. Among other racial and ethnic groups, a lower share of whites (44%)  voted for Democrats  in congressional races compared with blacks (90%) and Asians (77%). (Exit polls offer the first look at who voted in an election, a portrait that will be  refined over time  as more data, such as state voter files, become available.)

2 About a quarter of Hispanics who cast a ballot in 2018 (27%) said they were voting in a midterm for the first time , compared with 18% of black voters and 12% of white voters, according to the exit polls. Meanwhile, many new voters this year were young.  A majority of voters younger than 30 said they were voting in a midterm for the first time.  (Note: This item has been corrected. See details at end of post.)

3 Hispanics had a gender gap in voting preference, with 73% of Hispanic women and 63% of Hispanic men backing the Democratic congressional candidates – a reflection of the election’s broad gender differences.   In a pre-election Pew Research Center survey of Hispanics, differences by gender extended to views of the country. For example, Hispanic women were significantly   more dissatisfied   with the way things are going in the country today than Hispanic men.

A gender gap also existed among white voters, with 49% of white women backing the Democratic congressional candidate compared with 39% of white men. By contrast, few gender differences existed among black voters, with about nine-in-ten black voters of both genders backing Democratic candidates.

4 Latinos made up a notable share of eligible voters in several states with competitive races for U.S. Senate and governor , including Texas (30%), Arizona (23%), Florida (20%) and Nevada (19%). In these states, Democrats won the Latino vote, sometimes by a wide margin. In the Texas Senate race, 64% of Latinos   voted for Democrat Beto O’Rourke   while 35% voted for Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. In the state’s race for governor, about half of Hispanics (53%)   voted for Democrat Lupe Valdez   and 42% backed the Republican, Greg Abbott.

In Florida, Republican candidates often win a larger share of the Hispanic vote than elsewhere, in part due to a   large population of Cubans   that has   tended to vote more Republican   than other Hispanic groups. In the Senate race, 54% of Hispanics   voted for Democrat Bill Nelson   and 45% backed Republican Rick Scott. Latinos voted similarly in the race for governor, with 54% of Hispanics   voting for Democrat Andrew Gillum   and 44% voting for Republican Ron DeSantis.

Meanwhile, Latinos voted for Democratic candidates by wide margins in Nevada. About 67% of Latinos   voted for Democrat Jacky Rosen   in the Senate race, compared with 30% who voted for Republican Dean Heller. In the race for governor, Latinos   voted in a similar manner .

  5 In Florida, the number of Hispanic registered voters reached 2.2 million this year, an 8.4% increase over 2016.   This is nearly double the increase from the previous midterm election in 2014, when Hispanic voter registration increased 4.6% over 2012.

Counties with some of the largest Puerto Rican populations had some of the fastest growth in registered voters, including Polk, Pasco, Osceola, Lake, Marion and Volusia – all counties where Hispanic voter registration grew by 15% or more over 2016.  (Note: This item has been corrected. See details at end of post.)

6 Nine U.S. House districts in which Hispanics make up at least 10% of eligible voters changed parties. These include Florida’s 26th and 27th districts, California’s 25th District, Arizona’s 2nd District, Texas’ 7th and 32nd districts, Colorado’s 6th District, New York’s 11th District and New Jersey’s 2nd District. In all of these congressional districts, the Democratic candidate won a seat previously held by a Republican.

The number of representatives of Cuban origin representing South Florida districts fell from three to one. (South Florida holds more than half of the nation’s Cuban-origin population.) In Florida’s 26th District, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an immigrant from Ecuador, defeated incumbent Republican Carlos Curbelo, who is of Cuban origin. In addition, a Cuban no longer represents Florida’s 27th District, where longtime Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen did not seek re-election. Democrat Donna Shalala defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar, who is of Cuban origin. Meanwhile, Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, who is of Cuban origin, won re-election in Florida’s 25th District

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/11/09/how-latinos-voted-in-2018-midterms/



The question now is what can be done?  The answer lies with the GOP. While the battle for America's sovereignty is currently a losing one, Republicans can at least be reasonably optimistic about another Trump victory, a possible turnover of the House and hopefully gaining a super majority in the Senate. If all that happens maybe we get some solid immigration law that finally closes the southern border. Maybe, even with that, it's already too late for the elections after that. The GOP needs to develop a post trump strategy that reaches out to Hispanic voters. Yup, that's right, we have no other option than to become what we are fighting against. If dems pander, Republicans need to pander to the greatest degree. If dems offer benefits, Republicans have to offer more benefits. I hate making this argument, but the only option left is to steal away the very political weapon forged by liberals for so long.

 


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Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1  author  Vic Eldred    5 years ago

Can the GOP convince America's big demographic to vote Republican?

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
1.2  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @1    5 years ago
Can the GOP convince America's big demographic to vote Republican?

Only if the Republican Party returns to its founding principles taken from a protestant progressive philosophy that is uniquely American.  The Republican Party creed was based upon the priorities of God, Union, and family.  Serving self was not part of the Republican creed.

The Republican Party was not established on the ideas of classical liberalism.  If that were true then Republicans would be clamoring for unrestricted abortion, lax drug laws, gay marriage, and open borders for immigrants.  The Republican Party is the party of Abraham Lincoln; not Thomas Jefferson.  The Republican Party was the first (and perhaps only) progressive party in American politics.

Modern Republicans embracing the ideas of small government and individual freedom is actually more aligned with the philosophy of piracy than that of classical liberalism.  The Republican Party has become the party of tax cheats, swindlers, shysters, and self serving fraudsters.  Today's Republican Party has turned its back upon the founding creed of God, Union, and family.

If Republicans want to attract more voters from an immigrant population then Republicans need to speak to the motivations for immigrating to America.  If Republicans continue to speak the language of pirates then the party will only attract immigrant voters who are successful pirates.  

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
1.2.2  Nerm_L  replied to  XDm9mm @1.2.1    5 years ago
While I agree to a point, I must also note that ALL politicians, of any philosophical political leaning are all self serving hypocrites and lairs.  Everyone of them will say whatever it is the immediate, within the sound of their voice, constituency wants to hear in order to steal their vote to get elected, then forget the promises and idealism they made on the campaign trail.

The measure of a political party is not its politicians but, rather, by who supports and sustains the party political activities.  The modern Republican Party is supported and sustained by tax cheats, swindlers, shysters, and self serving fraudsters.  

While its true the Democratic Party is supported by financial gamblers, hucksters, liars, and snake oil peddlers that doesn't change that the Republican Party has been taken over by pirates.

The politicians of both political parties represent the supporters that sustain the party's political activities.  Obtaining money without doing any work is always a corrupting influence.  Party politicians are only megaphones for whatever their financial supporters want the voters to think. Otherwise the politician wouldn't be provided financial support.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
1.3  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Vic Eldred @1    5 years ago
Can the GOP convince America's big demographic to vote Republican?

The democrats are doing a pretty good job of that.  Just look at the Democrats running for the nomination.  Many have been in politics long before Trump came into the political arena and none have not done a damn thing to take on any of the problems that pre-date Trump's political ambitions.  And they want us to think they will take them on now?  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.3.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @1.3    5 years ago
The democrats are doing a pretty good job of that.

"Our children and grandchildren may yet curse the day we began hyping race and ethnicity. There are countries where that has led to slaughters in the streets but you cannot name a country where it has led to greater harmony.".......Thomas Sowell

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2  PJ    5 years ago

Unfortunately, the plan is to continue to find ways to suppress voters rather than find ways to be inclusive. 

This may work for a couple more cycles but it is a losing battle.  In addition, the current white republican voter is aging. 

One thing is certain, these old voters cannot live forever.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
2.1  Nerm_L  replied to  PJ @2    5 years ago
Unfortunately, the plan is to continue to find ways to suppress voters rather than find ways to be inclusive. 

This may work for a couple more cycles but it is a losing battle.  In addition, the current white republican voter is aging. 

One thing is certain, these old voters cannot live forever.

The current white Democratic voter is aging, too.  Democratic identity politics is becoming a competition between growing minority blocks which will eventually tear the Democratic Party apart.  

The United States won't become a single party political system.  The Democratic Party is as likely to go away as is the Republican Party.  We are already witnessing growing divisions within the Democratic Party.

The era of old, white Democrats like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer is coming to an end.  I doubt the Democratic Party will survive the passing of the torch.

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2.1.1  PJ  replied to  Nerm_L @2.1    5 years ago
Democratic identity politics is becoming a competition between growing minority blocks which will eventually tear the Democratic Party apart.  

I don't disagree. 

The United States won't become a single party political system. 

I hope you're right but I'm not convinced anymore after this past election and the corrupt practices of the republicans to suppress and disenfranchise voters while encouraging hostile countries to attack our democracy.

The Democratic Party is as likely to go away as is the Republican Party.  We are already witnessing growing divisions within the Democratic Party.

Absolutely.  As an example, I'm tired of being made to feel as though I owe an apology to a block of voters who will never accept the apology because it's not in their interest to.

The era of old, white Democrats like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer is coming to an end.  I doubt the Democratic Party will survive the passing of the torch.

I agree.  The difference is the basis of the democratic ideas will live on whereas the racist ideas of the republican voter will not survive.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
2.1.2  Nerm_L  replied to  PJ @2.1.1    5 years ago
I agree.  The difference is the basis of the democratic ideas will live on whereas the racist ideas of the republican voter will not survive.

But the white Republican voter is aging and dying off.  The Republican Party cannot remain the party of old, white racists forever.  Nature will ensure that.  What then?

Who will be the source of grievances when the Republican Party is gone?  If only the Democratic Party is left, then Democrats will be required to point fingers at each other.  See why the United States cannot become a one party political system?  See why the Democratic Party will go away when the Republican Party goes away?

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2.1.3  PJ  replied to  Nerm_L @2.1.2    5 years ago
Who will be the source of grievances when the Republican Party is gone?  If only the Democratic Party is left, then Democrats will be required to point fingers at each other.  See why the United States cannot become a one party political system?  See why the Democratic Party will go away when the Republican Party goes away?

The republican party will never truly go away.  More and more are moving towards the alt right nazi party under this president.  They will be a minority but they will continue to impact policies in the years to come. 

The democrats that are feeling more and more boxed out with the "free for all" agenda will move more to the right ultimately forming a new party that promotes middle of the road policies. 

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
2.1.4  Nerm_L  replied to  PJ @2.1.3    5 years ago
The republican party will never truly go away.  More and more are moving towards the alt right nazi party under this president.  They will be a minority but they will continue to impact policies in the years to come.  The democrats that are feeling more and more boxed out with the "free for all" agenda will move more to the right ultimately forming a new party that promotes middle of the road policies. 

I agree that the emergence of alternative parties would be likely.  The money stranglehold by the two parties is becoming less of an obstacle.  I think that challenges for access to being placed on the ballot would be the next step; the two parties still have too much control over the ballot process.

I hope the shift will be a return to American progressivism rather than a reinforcement of European style conservatism and liberalism.  Keep in mind that both Nazi and Socialist politics came from Europe; there isn't anything American about either Nazi or Socialist politics.  A Roosevelt progressive (either Teddy or Franklin) would do well, I believe.  (BTW, Donald Trump is closer to Teddy Roosevelt in his political agenda than to Adolf Hitler.)

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2.1.5  PJ  replied to  Nerm_L @2.1.4    5 years ago

Geesh...... and we were having a pretty good discussion.  jrSmiley_89_smiley_image.gif  

Donald Trump is a fucking racist, rapist, misogynist, crooked, lying POS and doesn't need to be compared to Hitler because he's his own kinda evil. 

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
2.1.6  Nerm_L  replied to  PJ @2.1.5    5 years ago
Donald Trump is a fucking racist, rapist, misogynist, crooked, lying POS and doesn't need to be compared to Hitler because he's his own kinda evil.

So was Bill Clinton.  So, what's the point being made?

Trump's policy agenda is still closer to Teddy Roosevelt than to Adolf Hitler.  Trump's policy agenda has been more American than what Hillary Clinton proposed.  The biggest gripe against Trump has been the rejection of European liberalism (which is not and never has been progressive and certainly has never been American).

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2.1.7  PJ  replied to  PJ @2.1.1    5 years ago

I didn't realize that the seeder had the ability to censor their own group's articles.

Good to know going forward.   

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.8  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  PJ @2.1.7    5 years ago
I didn't realize that the seeder had the ability to censor their own group's articles.

It works that way for every group, but this group now has an official moderator, it won't be me any longer.

 
 
 
PJ
Masters Quiet
2.1.9  PJ  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.8    5 years ago

I didn't realize it was permissible but now that I'm aware I'll know which groups will be unfriendly towards me.  I doubt it will matter for me who the moderator is.  lol

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.10  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  PJ @2.1.9    5 years ago

Lol....Have a good night!

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
3  The Magic 8 Ball    5 years ago
While the battle for America's sovereignty is currently a losing one,

LOL... no.

we have no other option than to become what we are fighting against

that is never a solid plan and always ends badly.   

option #1  do better than that.

 
 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
4  Tessylo    5 years ago

Our biggest threat to democracy is this 'president'.

No way will over 50% of this country vote repubicant

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
4.1  Texan1211  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago
Our biggest threat to democracy is this 'president'.
No way will over 50% of this country vote repubicant

That is not, and never has been, necessary.

Seems like some Democrats would have learned that by now.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
4.2  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago
No way will over 50% of this country vote repubicant

so what? who cares? the national majority does not mean shit in a presidential election. LOL

he wil win re-election regardless of the "national majority" just like the 2016 

 

cheers :)

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
4.2.1  Texan1211  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @4.2    5 years ago
so what? who cares? the national majority does not mean shit in a presidential election

Kind of makes one wonder if how elections are ran is understood by some.

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
4.2.2  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Texan1211 @4.2.1    5 years ago

they understand it just fine.  their goal is to subvert the process

but back in reality...

epic failure is the only outcome for today's lunatic left.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
4.3  Texan1211  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago


repubicant

R-E-P-U-B-L-I-C-A-N.
 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
4.4  Nerm_L  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago
Our biggest threat to democracy is this 'president'.

Good.  The United States was never intended to be a democracy.  When the United States becomes a democracy it will fail as has every other democracy.  And history suggests that what follows a failed democracy won't be pretty.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
4.4.1  Tessylo  replied to  Nerm_L @4.4    5 years ago

[DELETED]

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
4.4.2  Texan1211  replied to  Nerm_L @4.4    5 years ago

Those who don't know or care about history are doomed to repeat it.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
4.4.3  Nerm_L  replied to  Tessylo @4.4.1    5 years ago
You say nothing but complete unadulterated bullshit

And you say nothing of importance.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
4.4.4  Nerm_L  replied to  Texan1211 @4.4.2    5 years ago
Those who don't know or care about history are doomed to repeat it.

Napoleon Bonaparte.

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
4.4.5  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Nerm_L @4.4.4    5 years ago

Santanyana

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
4.4.6  Tessylo  replied to  Nerm_L @4.4.3    5 years ago
'And you say nothing of importance.'

Right back at you.  

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
4.5  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago
Our biggest threat to democracy is this 'president'.

It's such a threat that THOUSANDS by the day are trying to get into the US.  

 
 
 
Jasper2529
Professor Quiet
4.7  Jasper2529  replied to  Tessylo @4    5 years ago
Our biggest threat to democracy is this 'president'. No way will over 50% of this country vote repubicant

I don't know what a "repubicant" is, but ...

  1. The United States of America isn't a democracy. Our Founding Fathers had very good reasons for creating a constitutional republic rather than a democracy.
  2. Presidential elections in the USA aren't won by the popular vote. (Please see )
 
 
 
Dean Moriarty
Professor Quiet
5  Dean Moriarty    5 years ago

I think they need a tea party revival. 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
5.1  Tessylo  replied to  Dean Moriarty @5    5 years ago

You mean a teabagger astroturf revival?  jrSmiley_10_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
XXJefferson51
Senior Guide
5.1.1  XXJefferson51  replied to  Tessylo @5.1    5 years ago

That was the coffee party followed by occupy wall st. 

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
6  Jeremy Retired in NC    5 years ago

It's kind of laughable that the author is relying on exit polls.  The exit polls from the last Presidential campaign and election should serve as a reminder how unreliable exit polls are.

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
6.1  JBB  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @6    5 years ago

Polls showed Clinton leading by 2-3% in the popular vote which was spot on...

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
6.1.1  Texan1211  replied to  JBB @6.1    5 years ago
Polls showed Clinton leading by 2-3% in the popular vote which was spot on...

Well, you keep believing in all the polls. I'll wait for election day.

Seems to have worked out pretty good doing it that way.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
6.1.2  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JBB @6.1    5 years ago
the popular vote which was spot on.

And the popular vote is the equivalent to naming the Homecoming Queen.  It has no bearing on who will be in the white house.  Could that be why so many on the left want the EC abolished?  It worked as designed and she lost.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
7  author  Vic Eldred    5 years ago

On the other hand, should the GOP simply stand by it's Conservative values?

"Republicans need not abandon or compromise their principles to attract Hispanic support--to the contrary, their best electoral strategy is to emphasize common conservative values."

"Ronald Reagan once famously quipped that "Latinos are Republicans. They just don't know it yet." The Republican Party's overriding priority in the years ahead must be to expand and diversify its shrinking demographic base, embracing immigrants generally and Hispanics in particular."

 
 
 
XXJefferson51
Senior Guide
7.1  XXJefferson51  replied to  Vic Eldred @7    5 years ago

Reagan was right. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
7.1.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  XXJefferson51 @7.1    5 years ago

Wouldn't that be sweet!  The dems fought so hard to change the voters and the new voters swing to the GOP!

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
7.1.3  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Vic Eldred @7.1.1    5 years ago
Wouldn't that be sweet! 

todays marxist left attacks religion way to often to hold onto the hispanic vote.

as 75% of this country is christian they have a losing battle the whole way

just a fact :)

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
7.1.4  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @7.1.3    5 years ago

Absolutely right!

 
 

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