The Great Lake states are "purple" states. In other words, there is close to an even mix of Republican and Democrat voters. The biggest impact on election results is to motivate base members of the party to go to the polls to vote. The political trends taking place nationally can be seen clearly in the campaigns of conservative candidates Illinois 2014.
Urban populations with their higher numbers of African Americans and other minorities vote for Democrats. Rural areas vote more Republican. There are deeply rooted cultural and social explanations for this. Minority populations need more of the type of social service programs that Republicans despise. Cities generally require more government spending for infrastructure.
A key idea is that government is too big. There is a belief that there are too many government regulations. These regulations make it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, thus, inhibiting job growth and economic expansion. The Republican view is that everybody benefits, rich and poor, when government steps out of the way and lets the free market system do its magic.
Election after election voters hear about the same core right wing issues: excessive government spending, the abuses of labor unions, the murder of unborn children through abortion, and massive voter fraud. This explains why in states controlled by both Republican governors and legislatures laws have been passed that restrict abortion, weaken labor unions, limit early voting, and put strict voter ID laws in place. Some states now require drug testing before someone can collect welfare or unemployment.
Many people are concerned about run away government spending. They believe that too much government spending and too much government debt is hurting the country. They believe that government is too big and out of touch. When government spends too much and has too much debt it makes it difficult for investors to create new businesses and jobs. Liberals believe that government spending can help get the economy going again. The conflict between these two opposing economic theories has created gridlock in congress. The success of the Tea Party along with the influence of Libertarian thinking has made it difficult for compromise to take place.
The key to winning elections is a party getting their base to vote. Voter ID laws in theory will suppress the Democrat vote. However, the strategy could backfire because it will anger voters and galvanize them to organize voter registration drives. Studies have shown that voter fraud is practically non-existent. Apathy is the best way to get people not to vote. Making them angry when they perceive their rights are being trampled on may have the exact opposite reaction.
2014 is a mid-term election. Historically, the party that does not hold the presidency fares well during mid term elections. However, this is not true 100% of the time. There are many important issues involved in this upcoming election. Global climate change and immigration reform are two issues that the two parties could find some compromise, if the more extreme wing of the parties would be willing to compromise.
All politicians face difficult contests. The key to victory will be rallying the base voters to go and vote. Voter turnout is the single key element in winning elections. The party that is better at motivating its base voters will be the party that wins in November.
Urban populations with their higher numbers of African Americans and other minorities vote for Democrats. Rural areas vote more Republican. There are deeply rooted cultural and social explanations for this. Minority populations need more of the type of social service programs that Republicans despise. Cities generally require more government spending for infrastructure.
A key idea is that government is too big. There is a belief that there are too many government regulations. These regulations make it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, thus, inhibiting job growth and economic expansion. The Republican view is that everybody benefits, rich and poor, when government steps out of the way and lets the free market system do its magic.
Election after election voters hear about the same core right wing issues: excessive government spending, the abuses of labor unions, the murder of unborn children through abortion, and massive voter fraud. This explains why in states controlled by both Republican governors and legislatures laws have been passed that restrict abortion, weaken labor unions, limit early voting, and put strict voter ID laws in place. Some states now require drug testing before someone can collect welfare or unemployment.
Many people are concerned about run away government spending. They believe that too much government spending and too much government debt is hurting the country. They believe that government is too big and out of touch. When government spends too much and has too much debt it makes it difficult for investors to create new businesses and jobs. Liberals believe that government spending can help get the economy going again. The conflict between these two opposing economic theories has created gridlock in congress. The success of the Tea Party along with the influence of Libertarian thinking has made it difficult for compromise to take place.
The key to winning elections is a party getting their base to vote. Voter ID laws in theory will suppress the Democrat vote. However, the strategy could backfire because it will anger voters and galvanize them to organize voter registration drives. Studies have shown that voter fraud is practically non-existent. Apathy is the best way to get people not to vote. Making them angry when they perceive their rights are being trampled on may have the exact opposite reaction.
2014 is a mid-term election. Historically, the party that does not hold the presidency fares well during mid term elections. However, this is not true 100% of the time. There are many important issues involved in this upcoming election. Global climate change and immigration reform are two issues that the two parties could find some compromise, if the more extreme wing of the parties would be willing to compromise.
All politicians face difficult contests. The key to victory will be rallying the base voters to go and vote. Voter turnout is the single key element in winning elections. The party that is better at motivating its base voters will be the party that wins in November.
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