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

[crazy canuck]

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]

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.

[The Brain]

Americans are Socialists.

[Josephus]

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.

[Josephus]

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.

[crazy canuck]

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]

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.

[ulmont]

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]

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]

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.

[derspiess]

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.

[MadImmortalMan]

In 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.

[ulmont]

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]

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]

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.