Poll: Majority of Republicans believe Obama is a 'socialist'

Started by jimmy olsen, February 02, 2010, 11:24:38 PM

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crazy canuck

Quote from: Valmy on February 03, 2010, 12:20:17 PM
Quote from: Grallon on February 03, 2010, 12:16:10 PM
How is it that a country like the US can maintain such a large contingent of... ignorant fucks?

What do you mean a 'country like the US'?  We have always been that way.  Besides all countries are full of ignorant fucks as most people are ignorant fucks.  Even most of the people who do not believe these things would if social pressure was applied.  Most people simply think what they are told to think.

I have the same reaction as Grallon.  When I think of the US I think of a population that is generally well educated with some of the best Universities in the world.  This kind of poll contradicts that view.

Grallon

Quote from: Valmy on February 03, 2010, 12:20:17 PM

Even most of the people who do not believe these things would if social pressure was applied.  Most people simply think what they are told to think.


There's a difference between not being coversant in electronics, russian history or structuralism - and beleiving the Earth is flat or no older than 6000 years...  But it's true religions are very effective social control tools.




G.
"Clearly, a civilization that feels guilty for everything it is and does will lack the energy and conviction to defend itself."

~Jean-François Revel

The Brain

Women want me. Men want to be with me.

Josephus

Quote from: Grallon on February 03, 2010, 12:16:10 PM
Many of these people also belive in the flat earth or creationist myths as well as other sorts of religious-inspired stupidities.

How is it that a country like the US can maintain such a large contingent of... ignorant fucks?  I mean some of this shit is 3rd World grade obscurantism.




G.

That's the American public education system.
Civis Romanus Sum<br /><br />"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." Jack Layton 1950-2011

Josephus

Quote from: crazy canuck on February 03, 2010, 12:29:36 PM
Quote from: Valmy on February 03, 2010, 12:20:17 PM
Quote from: Grallon on February 03, 2010, 12:16:10 PM
How is it that a country like the US can maintain such a large contingent of... ignorant fucks?

What do you mean a 'country like the US'?  We have always been that way.  Besides all countries are full of ignorant fucks as most people are ignorant fucks.  Even most of the people who do not believe these things would if social pressure was applied.  Most people simply think what they are told to think.

I have the same reaction as Grallon.  When I think of the US I think of a population that is generally well educated with some of the best Universities in the world.  This kind of poll contradicts that view.

The US does have some of the best universities in the world. But what percentage of Americans go there?   I am sure that more than half of Americans, (and I'm not just picking on them) do not have post-secondary education.
Civis Romanus Sum<br /><br />"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." Jack Layton 1950-2011

crazy canuck

Quote from: Josephus on February 03, 2010, 01:19:15 PM
The US does have some of the best universities in the world. But what percentage of Americans go there?   I am sure that more than half of Americans, (and I'm not just picking on them) do not have post-secondary education.

Yes, I am sure that less then half do.  As with other countries.  But the US is still a highly literate, educated nation.  That is why the poll surprises me.

Does anyone know the educational background of Republican supporters?  Just an impression but I would have guessed they would be more highly educated then Democrats given the socio-economic groups the two parties appeal to for their support.

grumbler

Quote from: Valmy on February 03, 2010, 12:04:50 PM
I do have a hard time imagining how people who think removing sex education while discouraging contraception, safe sex, and abortion is a great social policy are not rather stupid.
So you are arguing that you have a poor imagination?  Okay.  I think we can accept that as stipulated.
The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.   -G'Kar

Bayraktar!

ulmont

Quote from: Josephus on February 03, 2010, 01:19:15 PM
I am sure that more than half of Americans, (and I'm not just picking on them) do not have post-secondary education.

You're wrong.  As of 2008, 54.8% of the US population had some education post-high school.  19.7% had "some college," 8.3% an associate degree, 17.8% a bachelor's degree, and 9.0% a post-graduate degree.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/education/cps2008.html

ulmont

Quote from: crazy canuck on February 03, 2010, 01:27:46 PM
Does anyone know the educational background of Republican supporters?  Just an impression but I would have guessed they would be more highly educated then Democrats given the socio-economic groups the two parties appeal to for their support.

Generally speaking, the Democrats have more supporters without a high school diploma or with a post-graduate degree, and the Republicans have more supporters with a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree.

See:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29#College_education

grumbler

Quote from: crazy canuck on February 03, 2010, 12:29:36 PM
I have the same reaction as Grallon.  When I think of the US I think of a population that is generally well educated with some of the best Universities in the world.  This kind of poll contradicts that view.
Congrats!  You have been gullible enough to accept the conclusion that Daily Kos wanted you to reach!

I would draw no conclusions from this poll.  You already knew that there were some ignorant people in the world, and now you know that there are some ignorant people in the world.
The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.   -G'Kar

Bayraktar!

derspiess

Quote from: Martinus on February 03, 2010, 12:17:13 PM
Pretty much. It seems in the US someone with some moderate socialdemocratic ideas would be called a socialist, whereas any true socialist would consider a full-blown socialdemocrat to be a capitalistic sell-out.

Social Democracy is just a lighter form of socialism IMO, and many Social Democrats are just pragmatic Socialists who realize they're not likely to get full-blown Socialism in the short term.  I know you foreigners claim some separation between the two, and maybe that's the reality in your countries since you have mainstream or at least well-known Social Democrat/Socialist parties. 

But since the label "Socialist" means instant political death in US politics, our de facto socialists & social democrats simply join with the Democrats.  These folks are able to fly under the radar by using terms like 'progressive' amongst themselves.
"If you can play a guitar and harmonica at the same time, like Bob Dylan or Neil Young, you're a genius. But make that extra bit of effort and strap some cymbals to your knees, suddenly people want to get the hell away from you."  --Rich Hall

MadImmortalMan

Quote from: Martinus on February 03, 2010, 02:27:46 AM
QuoteIn addition, 73 percent said openly gay men and women should not be allowed to teach in public schools.

Wow. Just wow.


If that were remotely true, prop 6 would have been a landslide victory, don't you think?


I don't believe anything about this poll.
"Stability is destabilizing." --Hyman Minsky

"Complacency can be a self-denying prophecy."
"We have nothing to fear but lack of fear itself." --Larry Summers

ulmont

Quote from: MadImmortalMan on February 03, 2010, 01:42:23 PM
If that were remotely true, prop 6 would have been a landslide victory, don't you think?

Nah.  You have to figure turnout issues and how people self-report as well.

crazy canuck

Quote from: grumbler on February 03, 2010, 01:39:22 PM
Congrats!  You have been gullible enough to accept the conclusion that Daily Kos wanted you to reach!

I would draw no conclusions from this poll.  You already knew that there were some ignorant people in the world, and now you know that there are some ignorant people in the world.

There is nothing gullible in noting that the poll contradicts my view of Americans as being highly educated and that Republicans are more highly educated then Democrats.

You seem to be suggesting that the Daily Kos (whatever that is) has manufactured the polling numbers in some way so as to make them unreliable.  That confirms my view that the poll does not agree with my perception of Americans and so I will continue to hold the view that I do.

ulmont

Quote from: crazy canuck on February 03, 2010, 01:47:14 PM
There is nothing gullible in noting that the poll contradicts my view of Americans as being highly educated and that Republicans are more highly educated then Democrats.

Note that this is a bellshaped curve, with the Democrats ahead on the lowest and highest ends.