American Politics IV: 1400 Reasons Why(A Stimulus Serial)

[Ayytaly]

Better idea: Why don't Democrats campaign on helping regular people via massively popular ideas such as a higher minimum wage and single payer healthcare? They way they'll win no matter what the Republican message is.

They do campaign on that. Why didn't;t the Democrat win in West Virginia or Maine with that message?

Maine is 95%... acceptable by GOP standards.

[Trollzyn the Infinite]

Pandering to drug users

Is it really "pandering" when there are thousands of innocent people currently spending several year prison sentences for committing the unforgivable crime of... *checks notes* ...smoking a plant to feel good? Idk, man, this doesn't sound like something we should arrest people for. Maybe we should do something to get those folks out of jail and ditch the silly "crime" they committed since making it a crime in the first place only gave the cartels more power.

[Umeria]

Better idea: Why don't Democrats campaign on helping regular people via massively popular ideas such as a higher minimum wage and single payer healthcare? They way they'll win no matter what the Republican message is.

They do campaign on that. Why didn't;t the Democrat win in West Virginia or Maine with that message?

The Democrat in Maine did not run on single payer healthcare. She supported a public option, which in today's political climate is equivalent to just saying "I'm against single payer healthcare."

The Democrat in West Virginia had much less resources and media coverage than the Republican.

[San Lumen]

They do campaign on that. Why didn't;t the Democrat win in West Virginia or Maine with that message?

The Democrat in Maine did not run on single payer healthcare. She supported a public option, which in today's political climate is equivalent to just saying "I'm against single payer healthcare."

The Democrat in West Virginia had much less resources and media coverage than the Republican.

she was never going to win. This fantasy of if we just run a progressive Democrats would always win needs to stop.

[Ayytaly]

Pandering to drug users

Is it really "pandering" when there are thousands of innocent people currently spending several year prison sentences for committing the unforgivable crime of... *checks notes* ...smoking a plant to feel good? Idk, man, this doesn't sound like something we should arrest people for. Maybe we should do something to get those folks out of jail and ditch the silly "crime" they committed since making it a crime in the first place only gave the cartels more power.

Cartels only exist because they were created and trained by the CIA in the first place. The US doesn't want Latin America to become competent.

[Umeria]

The Democrat in Maine did not run on single payer healthcare. She supported a public option, which in today's political climate is equivalent to just saying "I'm against single payer healthcare."

The Democrat in West Virginia had much less resources and media coverage than the Republican.

she was never going to win. This fantasy of if we just run a progressive Democrats would always win needs to stop.

FDR, Lyndon Johnson, JFK, Jimmy Carter, even Bill Clinton won West Virginia. Winning there is completely possible. Besides, if you don't think Democrats can't win in rural areas why'd you guys give tens of millions to Amy McGrath, a milquetoast moderate who was even less likely to win?

[San Lumen]

she was never going to win. This fantasy of if we just run a progressive Democrats would always win needs to stop.

FDR, Lyndon Johnson, JFK, Jimmy Carter, even Bill Clinton won West Virginia. Winning there is completely possible. Besides, if you don't think Democrats can't win in rural areas why'd you guys give tens of millions to Amy McGrath, a milquetoast moderate who was even less likely to win?

West Virginia was different state back then.

[Cannot think of a name]

Better idea: Why don't Democrats campaign on helping regular people via massively popular ideas such as a higher minimum wage and single payer healthcare? They way they'll win no matter what the Republican message is.

They're too busy pandering to selective demographs.

Pandering to BLM only alienated minorities that weren't paid any attention to, despite being victims of racial profiling and hate crimes themselves.

Pandering to LGBT issues, which is a no-no for many minorities with socially conssrvative views

Pandering to drug users

Led by out-of-touch suburban whites

Shall I go on?

Yes, but this time with polling evidence. Or any evidence. Or something grounded in something other than your own discomfort.

[Umeria]

FDR, Lyndon Johnson, JFK, Jimmy Carter, even Bill Clinton won West Virginia. Winning there is completely possible. Besides, if you don't think Democrats can't win in rural areas why'd you guys give tens of millions to Amy McGrath, a milquetoast moderate who was even less likely to win?

West Virginia was different state back then.

If it can change one way why can't we change it back?

And you didn't answer my question as to why you're willing to bankroll moderates in rural states but not progressives.

[Kowani]

US Church membership falls below 50% for the first time

Americans' membership in houses of worship continued to decline last year, dropping below 50% for the first time in Gallup's eight-decade trend. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999. he decline in church membership is primarily a function of the increasing number of Americans who express no religious preference. Over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from 8% in 1998-2000 to 13% in 2008-2010 and 21% over the past three years.

As would be expected, Americans without a religious preference are highly unlikely to belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, although a small proportion -- 4% in the 2018-2020 data -- say they do. That figure is down from 10% between 1998 and 2000.

Given the nearly perfect alignment between not having a religious preference and not belonging to a church, the 13-percentage-point increase in no religious affiliation since 1998-2000 appears to account for more than half of the 20-point decline in church membership over the same time.

Most of the rest of the drop can be attributed to a decline in formal church membership among Americans who do have a religious preference. Between 1998 and 2000, an average of 73% of religious Americans belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque. Over the past three years, the average has fallen to 60%. Church membership is strongly correlated with age, as 66% of traditionalists -- U.S. adults born before 1946 -- belong to a church, compared with 58% of baby boomers, 50% of those in Generation X and 36% of millennials. The limited data Gallup has on church membership among the portion of Generation Z that has reached adulthood are so far showing church membership rates similar to those for millennials.

The decline in church membership, then, appears largely tied to population change, with those in older generations who were likely to be church members being replaced in the U.S. adult population with people in younger generations who are less likely to belong. The change has become increasingly apparent in recent decades because millennials and Gen Z are further apart from traditionalists in their church membership rates (about 30 points lower) than baby boomers and Generation X are (eight and 16 points, respectively). Also, each year the younger generations are making up an increasingly larger part of the entire U.S. adult population.

Still, population replacement doesn't fully explain the decline in church membership, as adults in the older generations have shown roughly double-digit decreases from two decades ago. Church membership is down even more, 15 points, in the past decade among millennials. The two major trends driving the drop in church membership -- more adults with no religious preference and falling rates of church membership among people who do have a religion -- are apparent in each of the generations over time.

Since the turn of the century, there has been a near doubling in the percentage of traditionalists (from 4% to 7%), baby boomers (from 7% to 13%) and Gen Xers (11% to 20%) with no religious affiliation. Currently, 31% of millennials have no religious affiliation, which is up from 22% a decade ago. Similarly, 33% of the portion of Generation Z that has reached adulthood have no religious preference.

Also, each generation has seen a decline in church membership among those who do affiliate with a specific religion. These declines have ranged between six and eight points over the past two decades for traditionalists, baby boomers and Generation X who identify with a religious faith. In just the past 10 years, the share of religious millennials who are church members has declined from 63% to 50%. [...]The U.S. remains a religious nation, with more than seven in 10 affiliating with some type of organized religion. However, far fewer, now less than half, have a formal membership with a specific house of worship. While it is possible that part of the decline seen in 2020 was temporary and related to the coronavirus pandemic, continued decline in future decades seems inevitable, given the much lower levels of religiosity and church membership among younger versus older generations of adults.

Churches are only as strong as their membership and are dependent on their members for financial support and service to keep operating. Because it is unlikely that people who do not have a religious preference will become church members, the challenge for church leaders is to encourage those who do affiliate with a specific faith to become formal, and active, church members.

While precise numbers of church closures are elusive, a conservative estimate is that thousands of U.S. churches are closing each year.

A 2017 Gallup study found churchgoers citing sermons as the primary reason they attended church. Majorities also said spiritual programs geared toward children and teenagers, community outreach and volunteer opportunities, and dynamic leaders were also factors in their attendance. A focus on some of these factors may also help local church leaders encourage people who share their faith to join their church.

[San Lumen]

West Virginia was different state back then.

If it can change one way why can't we change it back?

And you didn't answer my question as to why you're willing to bankroll moderates in rural states but not progressives.

The state began trending away from Democrats 20 years ago. its going to take decades to reverse. Should there be a 50 state strategy? Yes

[Umeria]

If it can change one way why can't we change it back?

And you didn't answer my question as to why you're willing to bankroll moderates in rural states but not progressives.

The state began trending away from Democrats 20 years ago. its going to take decades to reverse. Should there be a 50 state strategy? Yes

Well we agree on that at least. Now don't you think the strategy should be to campaign on policies that are overwhelmingly popular among both Democrats and Republicans?

[San Lumen]

The state began trending away from Democrats 20 years ago. its going to take decades to reverse. Should there be a 50 state strategy? Yes

Well we agree on that at least. Now don't you think the strategy should be to campaign on policies that are overwhelmingly popular among both Democrats and Republicans?

They did and they lost. What magic do you think will happen that a Democrat will win in West Virginia or Wyoming?

[Umeria]

Well we agree on that at least. Now don't you think the strategy should be to campaign on policies that are overwhelmingly popular among both Democrats and Republicans?

They did and they lost. What magic do you think will happen that a Democrat will win in West Virginia or Wyoming?

Resources and media coverage. In 2020 you gave Amy McGrath those two things and she lost anyway because she's a milquetoast moderate who no one in Kentucky actually likes. Next election cycle, give the resources and media coverage to the people campaigning on things voters actually want, and you'll win.

[San Lumen]

They did and they lost. What magic do you think will happen that a Democrat will win in West Virginia or Wyoming?

Resources and media coverage. In 2020 you gave Amy McGrath those two things and she lost anyway because she's a milquetoast moderate who no one in Kentucky actually likes. Next election cycle, give the resources and media coverage to the people campaigning on things voters actually want, and you'll win.

Yes the Democrat will magically win in Wyoming if a progressive is nominated.

[Major-Tom]

They did and they lost. What magic do you think will happen that a Democrat will win in West Virginia or Wyoming?

Resources and media coverage. In 2020 you gave Amy McGrath those two things and she lost anyway because she's a milquetoast moderate who no one in Kentucky actually likes. Next election cycle, give the resources and media coverage to the people campaigning on things voters actually want, and you'll win.

I'll never understand why hundreds of millions of dollars were thrown at her when she barely eked out a primary win. It's not even a question of ideology, it's a question of her (and many similar candidates) not knowing how to remain consistent and engaged on local issues. It's the downside of being a Senate or Gubernatorial candidate and simultaneously becoming a national phenomenon, it breeds resentment within everyday, local voters who aren't tuned into the media circus like the rest of us weirdoes. Think of Sara Gideon, Beto O'Rourke, McGrath, Abrams etc etc.

[Kowani]

6th Circuit Court rules that ballot access laws for statewide offices in Michigan impose a heavy burden on independent candidates and are unconstitutional

[Umeria]

Resources and media coverage. In 2020 you gave Amy McGrath those two things and she lost anyway because she's a milquetoast moderate who no one in Kentucky actually likes. Next election cycle, give the resources and media coverage to the people campaigning on things voters actually want, and you'll win.

Yes the Democrat will magically win in Wyoming if a progressive is nominated.

Are you reading my posts? I'm not saying it will magically happen, I'm saying you need to give them resources and media coverage first.

I'll never understand why hundreds of millions of dollars were thrown at her when she barely eked out a primary win. It's not even a question of ideology, it's a question of her (and many similar candidates) not knowing how to remain consistent and engaged on local issues. It's the downside of being a Senate or Gubernatorial candidate and simultaneously becoming a national phenomenon, it breeds resentment within everyday, local voters who aren't tuned into the media circus like the rest of us weirdoes. Think of Sara Gideon, Beto O'Rourke, McGrath, Abrams etc etc.

Not only that, they bankrolled her in the primary in order to beat the grassroots candidate who had actual support. McGrath outspent Booker by a factor of ten, and probably still would have lost if they didn't close every polling location except one in Louisville. I don't know what to conclude from that except that Democrats would rather lose to Republicans than win with progressives.

[San Lumen]

Yes the Democrat will magically win in Wyoming if a progressive is nominated.

Are you reading my posts? I'm not saying it will magically happen, I'm saying you need to give them resources and media coverage first.

I'll never understand why hundreds of millions of dollars were thrown at her when she barely eked out a primary win. It's not even a question of ideology, it's a question of her (and many similar candidates) not knowing how to remain consistent and engaged on local issues. It's the downside of being a Senate or Gubernatorial candidate and simultaneously becoming a national phenomenon, it breeds resentment within everyday, local voters who aren't tuned into the media circus like the rest of us weirdoes. Think of Sara Gideon, Beto O'Rourke, McGrath, Abrams etc etc.

Not only that, they bankrolled her in the primary in order to beat the grassroots candidate who had actual support. McGrath outspent Booker by a factor of ten, and probably still would have lost if they didn't close every polling location except one in Louisville. I don't know what to conclude from that except that Democrats would rather lose to Republicans than win with progressives.

Im sure the local media in Wyoming covers the Democratic candidate.

What makes you think Booker would have beaten McConnell?

[Umeria]

Im sure the local media in Wyoming covers the Democratic candidate.

The Republican in the 2020 Wyoming senate race spent five times more than the Democrat. Shouldn't be necessary if Republicans automatically win there, no?

What makes you think Booker would have beaten McConnell?

He was much more in touch with voters, had much more grassroots support, and is a much better public speaker than McGrath. I'm not saying it would have been an easy victory, but he had a chance. McGrath did not.

[San Lumen]

Im sure the local media in Wyoming covers the Democratic candidate.

The Republican in the 2020 Wyoming senate race spent five times more than the Democrat. Shouldn't be necessary if Republicans automatically win there, no?

What makes you think Booker would have beaten McConnell?

He was much more in touch with voters, had much more grassroots support, and is a much better public speaker than McGrath. I'm not saying it would have been an easy victory, but he had a chance. McGrath did not.

No Democrat has won statewide office since 2006 in Wyoming. Its the reddest state in the country. Why shouldnt the Republican candidate raise money?

How do you know he had a better chance?

[Umeria]

No Democrat has won statewide office since 2006 in Wyoming. Its the reddest state in the country. Why shouldnt the Republican candidate raise money?

2006 is not that long ago. If your claim that it's impossible for a Democrat to win there is correct, then the Republican shouldn't have to spend five times as much.

How do you know he had a better chance?

I literally just told you. He was much more in touch with voters, had much more grassroots support, and is a much better public speaker than McGrath.

[San Lumen]

No Democrat has won statewide office since 2006 in Wyoming. Its the reddest state in the country. Why shouldnt the Republican candidate raise money?

2006 is not that long ago. If your claim that it's impossible for a Democrat to win there is correct, then the Republican shouldn't have to spend five times as much.

How do you know he had a better chance?

I literally just told you. He was much more in touch with voters, had much more grassroots support, and is a much better public speaker than McGrath.

Why do they raise any money at all then?

What is your evidence of this? The primary was very close. Booker nearly won it.

[Umeria]

Why do they raise any money at all then?

Well obviously they have to raise some money, but five times as much? That's quite a bit more money per voter than the Democrat spent. ($13.03 per voter vs $7.26 per voter) If Republicans just naturally win there, why do they need spend so much?

What is your evidence of this? The primary was very close. Booker nearly won it.

He nearly won it with a tenth of the resources. That's clear evidence he was more favored locally.

[San Lumen]

Why do they raise any money at all then?

Well obviously they have to raise some money, but five times as much? That's quite a bit more money per voter than the Democrat spent. ($13.03 per voter vs $7.26 per voter) If Republicans just naturally win there, why do they need spend so much?

What is your evidence of this? The primary was very close. Booker nearly won it.

He nearly won it with a tenth of the resources. That's clear evidence he was more favored locally.

I cannot answer that.

Yes but the primary voters preferred her.