Why do Majority of Jews vote Democratic?

[kcal09]

Despite the clear abuse of Constitutional powers
(such as using the IRS as a weapon against conservatives) and the trashing of Israel and ultimately allowing Iran to get the bomb), why would educated Jews continue to support Obama and his party?

[SK in CV]

Maybe because some of us are smart enough to know that because some morons have claimed that he used the IRS as a weapon against conservatives, doesn’t mean the evidence actually supports the claim. (It doesn’t. The actual evidence shows that the IRS correctly targeted both liberal and conservative groups equally for higher scrutiny, and neither were abused. And that there was no administration involvement.) Only morons and ideologues continue to believe garbage like this, and the whole Benghazi “scandal”, despite republican lead committee reports which debunk both.

Israel still exists. It hasn’t been trashed. And there is no evidence that Iran has nuclear weapon capabilities.

Next question?

[spdrun]

Because the party of Dubya Bush and backwoods fundie Christianity isn’t a viable alternative?

Also, the majority of Jews in the US are urban or semi-urban. Repubs tend to vote against things that are good for urban areas, like public education funding, transport/infrastructure, etc.

[njtosd]

Also, possibly, because people’s choice of political party is looking less and less like a choice and more like an inborn trait (such as introversion and extroversion). Recent studies show that people prefer the body odor of those who share their political leanings:

http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/09/16/study-we-are-attracted-to-body-odor-of-people-with-similar-political-beliefs/

Data also seem to show that you can guess a persons political affiliation with something close to 95% accuracy by looking at a brain scan conducted while the subject is viewing a disgusting image (conservatives respond more intensely):

http://research.vtc.vt.edu/news/2014/oct/29/liberal-or-conservative-brain-responses-disgusting/

So, it could be that like hair color and eye color, genetically related groups are more likely to share political opinions. It also suggests that no matter how much we think we’ve chosen our politics, we probably haven’t.

[NotCranky]

Choosing ones party seems to be something like choosing a church they both act like churches and the members act like the flock to the point you can guarantee their outlooks on almost anything. Each side has it’s PC and it goes to bizarre extremes of replication like reciting a rosary.

Most people are desperate to be affiliated with a clan.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=Blogstar]Choosing ones party seems to be something like choosing a church they both act like churches and the members act like the flock to the point you can guarantee their outlooks on almost anything. Each side has it’s PC and it goes to bizarre extremes of replication like reciting a rosary.

Most people are desperate to be affiliated with a clan.[/quote]

I’m a green jew. If they change the name to republocrats and give me a pony I’ll convert. Otherwise, vote for the peace and freedom partay.

[njtosd]

[quote=scaredyclassic] Otherwise, vote for the peace and freedom partay.[/quote]

Re: Peace – I guess that would be the Republicans . . Here’s some interesting data (haven’t looked at it very closely, but interesting):

.https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061003172851AAZgpzV

Freedom – do you mean freedom from the government or other citizens?

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=njtosd][quote=scaredyclassic] Otherwise, vote for the peace and freedom partay.[/quote]

Re: Peace – I guess that would be the Republicans . . Here’s some interesting data (haven’t looked at it very closely, but interesting):

.https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061003172851AAZgpzV

Freedom – do you mean freedom from the government or other citizens?[/quote]

i refuse to conceded that we have more than one political party.

[FlyerInHi]

I’m not Jewish but I consider myself an honorary Jew.

I think that key word here is “educated.” The same statement applies to academics, Asian Americans, tech employees in Silicon Valley, educated clusters such as RTP/Raleigh-Durham, university towns such as Austin, Bloomington, Ann Arbor, Princeton.., populations in coastal urban centers, etc…

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=njtosd]Also, possibly, because people’s choice of political party is looking less and less like a choice and more like an inborn trait (such as introversion and extroversion). Recent studies show that people prefer the body odor of those who share their political leanings:

http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/09/16/study-we-are-attracted-to-body-odor-of-people-with-similar-political-beliefs/

Data also seem to show that you can guess a persons political affiliation with something close to 95% accuracy by looking at a brain scan conducted while the subject is viewing a disgusting image (conservatives respond more intensely):

http://research.vtc.vt.edu/news/2014/oct/29/liberal-or-conservative-brain-responses-disgusting/

So, it could be that like hair color and eye color, genetically related groups are more likely to share political opinions. It also suggests that no matter how much we think we’ve chosen our politics, we probably haven’t.[/quote]

Conservatism means different things in different countries. In Russia, or Saudi Arabia, conservatism is different than here. But I think the experiment would show the same.

I think the “conservative brain” just supports the status quo as they know it. They are less amenable to change. But it doesn’t have much to do with pure political conservatism as we define it in this country.

[Coronita]

[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=njtosd]Also, possibly, because people’s choice of political party is looking less and less like a choice and more like an inborn trait (such as introversion and extroversion). Recent studies show that people prefer the body odor of those who share their political leanings:

http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/09/16/study-we-are-attracted-to-body-odor-of-people-with-similar-political-beliefs/

Data also seem to show that you can guess a persons political affiliation with something close to 95% accuracy by looking at a brain scan conducted while the subject is viewing a disgusting image (conservatives respond more intensely):

http://research.vtc.vt.edu/news/2014/oct/29/liberal-or-conservative-brain-responses-disgusting/

So, it could be that like hair color and eye color, genetically related groups are more likely to share political opinions. It also suggests that no matter how much we think we’ve chosen our politics, we probably haven’t.[/quote]

Conservatism means different things in different countries. In Russia, or Saudi Arabia, conservatism is different than here. But I think the experiment would show the same.

I think the “conservative brain” just supports the status quo as they know it. They are less amenable to change. But it doesn’t have much to do with pure political conservatism as we define it in this country.[/quote]

I hope you came to terms with your tolerance for “fat people”… I mean, being all open-minded and everything 🙂

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=flu]
I hope you came to terms with your tolerance for “fat people”… I mean, being all open-minded and everything :)[/quote]

I tolerate just fine… But I don’t have to have to acquiesce to the lifestyle that made people fat. Remember, energy comes from outside the body. Energy cannot be generated from within, otherwise we’d have free lunches and we all know there’re no such thing (I stole this line from scaredy)

IMO, a true conservative would demand extreme personal sacrifice and free-will to achieve a standard of fitness that was the norm at the founding of America.

[CA renter]

[quote=FlyerInHi]I’m not Jewish but I consider myself an honorary Jew.

I think that key word here is “educated.” The same statement applies to academics, Asian Americans, tech employees in Silicon Valley, educated clusters such as RTP/Raleigh-Durham, university towns such as Austin, Bloomington, Ann Arbor, Princeton.., populations in coastal urban centers, etc…[/quote]

I had started to post something about the Jewish intellectual tradition the other day, but decided against it because I thought it would be too controversial. But, since you’ve put it out there…I agree.

As far as political leanings being an inborn trait, I would agree, but think it’s more about empathy than it is about the desire to keep things as they are, though that’s part of the issue, as well. It requires a ton of empathy to have consideration for those beneath you on the power/wealth/status scale, and to want them to move up to where you are, or higher, on that scale. IMO, people who are more empathetic tend to be more liberal, and those who are more less empathetic/jealous of their status in life (true jealousy, as distinct from envy) tend to lean more conservative.

While jealousy and the desire to attain a dominant position and to remain on top are perfectly natural human emotions (and probably necessary for survival, especially in more primitive times), the extent of this empathy/lack of empathy for others is likely at the root of our political/sociological differences.

And I believe that it takes a certain intellectual perspective to be able to truly appreciate another person’s lot in life — especially if it’s very different from one’s own — and to have empathy for them…leading to a true desire to see them attain a higher socio-economic/power status that might feel more “threatening” to those already at the top.

[livinincali]

[quote=CA renter]
While jealousy and the desire to attain a dominant position and to remain on top are perfectly natural human emotions (and probably necessary for survival, especially in more primitive times), the extent of this empathy/lack of empathy for others is likely at the root of our political/sociological differences.

And I believe that it takes a certain intellectual perspective to be able to truly appreciate another person’s lot in life — especially if it’s very different from one’s own — and to have empathy for them…leading to a true desire to see them attain a higher socio-economic/power status that might feel more “threatening” to those already at the top.[/quote]

I don’t know that it’s a lack of empathy. It’s the fact that many people don’t behave as rational economic actors. If you give someone living paycheck to paycheck a $10/hr an hour raise are they going to use that addition money to save and behave rationally or are they going to blow it on junk from China.

No matter what people make there’s always going to be someone on the bottom and if your at the bottom you’re likely to be subject to some scarcity of some resource. The poorest of poor in this country live better than billions of other people on this planet.

I’ve come to realize I can’t put myself in some dumb persons shoes. I just can’t understand the decisions that they make or the things that they deem are important. I also can’t dictate how they should do things either. That’s where the Ivory tower types get it wrong. They can’t force people to behave in a logical economic manner.

I know the flaws with supply side economics but if you want everybody to have a higher standard of living you need to produce more quality goods and services.

[EconProf]

[quote=livinincali][quote=CA renter]
While jealousy and the desire to attain a dominant position and to remain on top are perfectly natural human emotions (and probably necessary for survival, especially in more primitive times), the extent of this empathy/lack of empathy for others is likely at the root of our political/sociological differences.

And I believe that it takes a certain intellectual perspective to be able to truly appreciate another person’s lot in life — especially if it’s very different from one’s own — and to have empathy for them…leading to a true desire to see them attain a higher socio-economic/power status that might feel more “threatening” to those already at the top.[/quote]

I don’t know that it’s a lack of empathy. It’s the fact that many people don’t behave as rational economic actors. If you give someone living paycheck to paycheck a $10/hr an hour raise are they going to use that addition money to save and behave rationally or are they going to blow it on junk from China.

No matter what people make there’s always going to be someone on the bottom and if your at the bottom you’re likely to be subject to some scarcity of some resource. The poorest of poor in this country live better than billions of other people on this planet.

I’ve come to realize I can’t put myself in some dumb persons shoes. I just can’t understand the decisions that they make or the things that they deem are important. I also can’t dictate how they should do things either. That’s where the Ivory tower types get it wrong. They can’t force people to behave in a logical economic manner.

I know the flaws with supply side economics but if you want everybody to have a higher standard of living you need to produce more quality goods and services.[/quote]
I think you nailed it Livinincali. A big difference between the poor and the middle class is their time horizon, their planning, and their ability to defer gratification. This is either taught by the parents or not, and it has a lifelong impact.
What is important that we inherit from our parents is not so much money but values which determine our lifetime spending, education, and work ethic.

[Author]

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