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"In short, it is because many of the blacks and hispanics who voted for Mr Obama voted against the gay marriage proposals and many hunters who voted for Mr Obama are very much opposed to gun control, and, well, etc. If you consider the 46% who voted against Obama and add in those who voted for him but hold conservative views on gay marriage, abortion, gun control, the military, taxes, etc., you almost certainly arrive at a figure of well over 50% (a majority) who are basically conservative . . . Perhaps when liberals start identifying themselves in public as such (as we conservatives do) rather than hide behind the moderate or independent label, there will be evidence that that American people are not, basically, conservative."
Interesting analysis. But I think your drawing the wrong conclusion. Once you factor out the hearty lunatic fringe of 28%-33% that clings irrationally to the four pillars of conservative thought (guns, god, military and taxes . . . you forgot the fifth illegal immigration) what you have is a moderately liberal country that finally realized how idiotic a 5 issue political worldview is and wants to see America return to its liberal pragmatic senses.
And by the way not that there is anything wrong with being liberal but the more appropriate label would likely be progressive meaning those who support sane humane workable cost effective foreign, economic, environmental, social, drug, military, education, immigration, and taxation policies that deal in long term thinking, don't revolve around cultural arrogance and faux American exceptionalism, adhere to the Constitution, observes the separation of church and state, recognizes the value of real work as opposed to investment/speculative wealth, etc. etc. etc. . . .
I doubt you get the picture but labels are necessarily loaded with inapposit meaning though sometimes useful. And I've never not identified openly as a progressive liberal. It's conservatives who are starting to hide because your constricted worldview is patently wrong, has never worked, and people are starting to realize that fact.
BTW what is the conservative view on the military anyway? Stormtroopering all over the planet trying to solve every problem at the point of the barrel of a gun is good bidness, good morals, and good foreign policy. Genius. Really. The military has a role set out by the Constitution that is far removed from the role it is currently playing at the behest of conservatives. And just for the dimbulbs in the cheap seats, acts of terrorism should and could be combated as an international criminal justice problem quite cost effectively if there was the will on the part of America. And yeah certain elements of the military could play a role, but that role isn't to go around preemptively invading sovereign nations who aren't planning and capable of being an imminent threat to us, our citizens, or our allies. Catch a clue, put down the koolaid dixie cups, and pay attention. Assuming your conservative brethren/sisters in the pews in the House/Senate don't attempt to thwart everything we do, we just might be able to start cleaning up some of the messes made by conservatives over the last 35 years.
