“Everyone talks about the weather and nobody does anything about it.” If you are old enough, you remember this expression. No, we weren’t expecting some evil genius to change our weather. (Oh, wait, polluting companies have effected climate change. But, I digress…) However, that is exactly our issue now- everyone is talking about the fact that our Congress is not talking to one another. This side says “the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain”, while the other responds “It takes two to tango”. Sentient beings hit their foreheads in wonder how adults can behave in such fashion…
Republicans, who revel in their belief that they stand stalwart for small government and reducing its intrusion into people’s lives, immediately begin passing bills when they take over state legislatures to intrude into women’s lives by forcing them to undergo medical procedures (and, in my state, one that constitutes the legal definition of rape), or precluding the ability to obtain contraceptive therapies (which means there will be MORE abortions- talk about an abortion of logic). Democrats propose health care insurance reform that does not include the only way we can reduce costs (the “single payer option”) to entice Republicans to join in the endorsement (since this was their proposal a decade earlier). Republicans push for “No child left behind”, which brings the federal government further into local issues, and now both sides of the fence recognize its many failures.
What is going on? Well, the answer is simple, even if it’s solution is not. Let’s consider the Congress since 1879. (The Senate is similar, but a little more complex, because of the six year staggered voting cycle.) From 1879 to 1975, the Republicans and Democrats both had remarkably constant beliefs. VoteView.com analyzed these votes and split both parties into two groups- the 10% and the 90% (the rest). For both parties, the 10% describes the more moderate of both parties. From 1879 to 1921 they were separated by a fair margin (they used an arbitrary scale, which in this case meant 0.5). From 1921 to 1975, these moderate factions moved together (over the years) and were virtually indistinguishable from one another for the last 36 years of that period. In the meantime, the bulk of the parties kept their votes fairly constant as 0.5 on either the liberal or conservative portion of the scale.
But starting in 1975, the Republican party- both the 10% and the 90%- became extremely more conservative. The slope of their changes in viewpoint were 30%, as you can see below. And, the Democratic party members? The 90% grouping was constant from 1879 through 2011; the 10% became about 10% more liberal, but still within the moderate range (0.2 or less).
So, it’s not surprising the two parties have no means of communication. It also may explain why citizens who self-identify as Republicans have greatly dissipated. Because of the extreme conservative views, the Republicans have not only removed members from their ranks, but lost affiliation from citizens. And, while it is a truism that Americans have become more conservative in the last 25 years, the recoiling to actions in Wisconsin, Virginia, and other states is putting that hypothesis to the test.
If you look at the graph above, you can see that Republicans have always been far more unified than are Democrats. The Southern v. Northern Democratic Party split has been discussed for years. This diagram brings it totally into focus (if you can see all those colors 🙂 ).
We need to find common ground. Or, moderate senators like Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Ben Nelson (D-NB) will not be our only casualties- the common weal will suffer.
Great graphics to really put the issue in clear view!
Marie recently posted..Homesick
Thanks, Marie. A picture can really be worth a thousand words. (Could you imagine a blog that long? 🙂 )
Roy
Oh, for some common ground and reason. Incredible to see the data that shows the gulf between. Now, who will build the bridge across the great divide? The world of politics is in need of a major overhaul and I’m grateful for those with the mind, patience and vision who do what they can each day to move toward that goal. Definitely not my playground of choice!
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..It’s A Dr. Seuss Day!
And, Tambre, therein lies one of the big problems. Those that have the desire to reach a common bond won’t be involved in the process. No, I’m not blaming you. But, what really happens is those that enter this political circus (I no longer consider it a process) are divided into two camps. One that truly wants to make a difference. Where most simply give up and get along or leave. The few- the Bernie Sanders, the Jimmy Webbs (oops, he’s leaving, too), the Ron Wydens, the Sherrod Browns stand out because of that. I could add Steny Hoyer to that list- but he makes his difference by working to find common ground as a leader.
And, then there are those who know they will profit by the experience. And, that profit is substantial. Many a congressperson and senator have entered as middle class to become well ensconsed in the 1%. (Mrs. Santorum and Gingrich are two that immediately come to mind…)
We need to remove the big money (that means corporate, labor, and foreign government) influence from our elections. It’s the only way to keep our representatives and senators honest.
Roy
I was so disappointed these last few years and had such high hopes that the two parties could come together and get some solid work done, but we are in such a mess thanks to the great separation of ideals that it’s hard to imagine that it can be changed. I’ve always been an independent who leans a little to the left, but give me a moderate Republican with good ideas and can make things happen, then I’m willing to listen. But I haven’t seen that in the Republican party. Great post, Roy – love the graphs! ~ Suerae
Suerae Stein recently posted..Fab Foto Friday – My Favorite Dead Things
I know the feeling, Suerae. I miss folks like Chuck Percy, Mac Mathias, Ed Brooke, Jake Javits… they would clearly have been exiled from the Republican Party, as it now obtains…
The Republicans lost a good choice with the loss of John Huntsman, as well…
Oh, well. C’est la vie (or is that C’est la politique???)
Roy
I have always wanted to see a more congenial government. I just don’t remember so much divide as there is today. And can there be a real ‘change’ ever, or are we now getting use to the idea that our government is always now going to be this way? I sure hope not. But glad you are here Roy to give the facts to at least see why we are they way we are right now!
Lynn Brown recently posted..Are You Ignoring This Crucial Aspect to Your Online Business
There is a wonderful post by Joe Nocera, a Republican, that will be part of the New York Times on Saturday, Lynn. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/03/opinion/nocera-rooting-for-santorum.html?_r=1&ref=opinion In that post, he “roots” for Santorum, because if he is nominated, the Republicans will be trounced. And, only then will they recognize the folly of their ways- banishing centrists and moderates from their midst…
Roy
You are excactly on target as usual, sir. I heard a newscast last night that showed (with numbers, and not numbers manufactured, but from actual voting records) that the Republicans have been shifting extraordinarily right for quite some time, though at first it wasn’t noticeable.
Now they’re going way, way overboard (the reporter felt it was ON purpose…) so that when a compromise is eventually reached, it will be far to the right of what the progressives would have bargained for ten years ago.
Maybe it sounds crazy, but…I think she/he (?) was right. Maybe this whole extremist right-wing assault on women is to move the conversation to a better place for them on every issue, when the time comes to compromise. That, of course, is after Obama is OUT.
I wonder if they plan to stall the economic growth for four more years if he should happen to be re-elected. Surely they can’t be that selfish on behalf of their agenda. Could they? Another great post, Roy. Thank you.
Glad you liked the post, Paula.
It’s hard to know what lurks in the minds of men (and if there are minds in some of them). It is absolutely clear that Reagan desired to bankrupt the ability of the United States to provide for social programs. While this is clearly evident now, the reason why this took even longer was the hidden borrowing done by states and cities that were not funding their pensions- a bill that is now stupendously coming home to roost.
Roy