Channman 2 #1 August 22, 2006 WSJ OpinionJournal, Arthur C. Brooks Tuesday, August 22, 2006 On the political left, raising the youth vote is one of the most common goals. This implicitly plays to the tired old axiom that a person under 30 who is not a liberal has no heart (whereas one who is still a liberal after 30 has no head). The trouble is, while most "get out the vote" campaigns targeting young people are proxies for the Democratic Party, these efforts haven't apparently done much to win elections for the Democrats. The explanation we often hear from the left is that the new young Democrats are more than counterbalanced by voters scared up by the Republicans on "cultural issues" like abortion, gun rights and gay marriage. But the data on young Americans tell a different story. Simply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. According to the 2004 General Social Survey, if you picked 100 unrelated politically liberal adults at random, you would find that they had, between them, 147 children. If you picked 100 conservatives, you would find 208 kids. That's a "fertility gap" of 41%. Given that about 80% of people with an identifiable party preference grow up to vote the same way as their parents, this gap translates into lots more little Republicans than little Democrats to vote in future elections. Over the past 30 years this gap has not been below 20%--explaining, to a large extent, the current ineffectiveness of liberal youth voter campaigns today. In coming years, democratic politicians may have no more babies left to kiss. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #2 August 22, 2006 the gap is less real than these numbers would say. Voting still biases towards the more affluent and educated, both of which are inversely correlated with having children. Immigration will backfill for the Democrats, and minority segments, esp immigrant, still have much higher birth rates. Voting has alway biased towards age as well, which is the real problem with youth voting campaigns. Just count the number of losers here on SK who proclaim their non voting status. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #3 August 22, 2006 QuoteSimply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. You'll find no complaint from me on this one! Let the stay childless or, w/ just one kid or (GASP!) TWO kids (whatever will they do w/ THAT many!?!) while my wife and I -and our friends- "fill our quivers with arrows." Liberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, and this is partially why. It simply cannot sustain itself, ideologically or biologically. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #4 August 22, 2006 > Liberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, and this is partially why. It simply cannot sustain itself, ideologically or biologically. I would agree its doomed to failure, however Kelpdiver made a good point that their lack of having off spring, which by the way is a good thing if they are from Berkeley, is offset by immigration. Those individuals coming into the country by the 10's of thousands wanting a Government Hand out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #5 August 22, 2006 >is offset by immigration. Those individuals coming into the country >by the 10's of thousands wanting a Government Hand out. And the ones developing things like nuclear power, the atomic bomb, and our space program. Damn immigrants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #6 August 22, 2006 Quote> Liberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, and this is partially why. It simply cannot sustain itself, ideologically or biologically. I would agree its doomed to failure, however Kelpdiver made a good point that their lack of having off spring, which by the way is a good thing if they are from Berkeley, is offset by immigration. Those individuals coming into the country by the 10's of thousands wanting a Government Hand out. I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #7 August 22, 2006 > And the ones developing things like nuclear power, the atomic bomb, and our space program. Damn immigrants. Hey, we can keep those, until we start producing more from our schools. Reducing the numbers coming into the country south of the border would be a win / win. Not sure how many of them are developing atomic bombs, but it would be a good thing preventing some wacko from walking across with one on his back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #8 August 22, 2006 >Reducing the numbers coming into the country south of the border > would be a win / win. Would be a net loss for our economy and a net loss for the immigrants. It would be a lot better to INCREASE the numbers of immigrants and allow them all to enter via legal means. >Not sure how many of them are developing atomic bombs, but it > would be a good thing preventing some wacko from walking across > with one on his back. Wackos can't put together nuclear bombs. Smart terrorists can - and a fence isn't going to even slow them down, since they won't be walking in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #9 August 22, 2006 QuoteQuote> Liberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, and this is partially why. It simply cannot sustain itself, ideologically or biologically. I would agree its doomed to failure, however Kelpdiver made a good point that their lack of having off spring, which by the way is a good thing if they are from Berkeley, is offset by immigration. Those individuals coming into the country by the 10's of thousands wanting a Government Hand out. I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals Yeah, but you're really OLD and will be pushing up daisies before the next generation, the plethora, of new conservatives overwhelmes the paucity of liberals. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #10 August 22, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuote> Liberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, and this is partially why. It simply cannot sustain itself, ideologically or biologically. I would agree its doomed to failure, however Kelpdiver made a good point that their lack of having off spring, which by the way is a good thing if they are from Berkeley, is offset by immigration. Those individuals coming into the country by the 10's of thousands wanting a Government Hand out. I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals Yeah, but you're really OLD and will be pushing up daisies before the next generation, the plethora, of new conservatives overwhelmes the paucity of liberals. By that time China will completely own the USA.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #11 August 22, 2006 > and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals. Yep, but your children know how to read and write and from a previous thread a hell of alot smarter. I hope you and the Mrs. have consider not adding anymore young liberals to the pool, i.e. Grand Children, it's been very difficult competing with you up north and the north east. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #12 August 22, 2006 > Wackos can't put together nuclear bombs. Smart terrorists can - and a fence isn't going to even slow them down, since they won't be walking in. True / True I'm humbled by your wit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #13 August 22, 2006 QuoteLiberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, . Thomas Jefferson would disagree, I think. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #14 August 22, 2006 Quote Just count the number of losers here on SK who proclaim their non voting status. So if I start voting you'll think more of me? Perhaps I may have found a reason to actually vote for once. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #15 August 22, 2006 QuoteQuoteLiberalism is an ideology doomed to failure, . Thomas Jefferson would disagree, I think. so should I amend that to say today's modern idea of the liberal ideology? I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #16 August 22, 2006 QuoteQuote Just count the number of losers here on SK who proclaim their non voting status. So if I start voting you'll think more of me? Perhaps I may have found a reason to actually vote for once. no, if that was the reason you voted, my opinion wouldn't improve. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #17 August 22, 2006 Quote I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals You fathered 4 kids in one year? Clearly a Liberal in the spirit of Saint Clinton. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #18 August 23, 2006 QuoteQuote I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals You fathered 4 kids in one year? Clearly a Liberal in the spirit of Saint Clinton. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #19 August 23, 2006 QuoteQuote I spent a year in Berkeley, never asked for a government hand-out, pay plenty of taxes, and contributed 4 children to the pool of young liberals You fathered 4 kids in one year? Clearly a Liberal in the spirit of Saint Clinton. Jealous?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #20 August 23, 2006 Yeah, but wouldn't we expect the children of conservatives to rebel against their parents, if only on principle? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #21 August 23, 2006 QuoteYeah, but wouldn't we expect the children of conservatives to rebel against their parents, if only on principle? Oh of course, but they usually come to their senses. But what if liberal children rebel against their parents? Do they become conservatives? I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #22 August 23, 2006 QuoteQuoteYeah, but wouldn't we expect the children of conservatives to rebel against their parents, if only on principle? Oh of course, but they usually come to their senses. But what if liberal children rebel against their parents? Do they become conservatives? Apparently you never watched Family Ties."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #23 August 23, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuoteYeah, but wouldn't we expect the children of conservatives to rebel against their parents, if only on principle? Oh of course, but they usually come to their senses. But what if liberal children rebel against their parents? Do they become conservatives? Apparently you never watched Family Ties. ah, but I did... the connection never hit me until now... sheesh, girl, you're like a straight rosie o'donnell or something w/ the old tv references. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #24 August 23, 2006 QuoteQuote You fathered 4 kids in one year? Clearly a Liberal in the spirit of Saint Clinton. Jealous? I'd rather be an uncle than a dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
