As we have noted before, the current GOP political situation has echoes of the late 19th century Indian Ghost Dance cult based, Wikipedia notes, on the claim that "proper practice of the dance would reunite the living with spirits of
the dead, bring the spirits of the dead to fight on their behalf, make
the white colonists leave, and bring peace, prosperity, and unity to
native peoples throughout the region." A futile last gasp of a traditional culture facing change. Not unlike, say, the Bundy occupation in Oregon.
This doesn't mean that the party is dead or not dangerous,only a sign of where things are going. Think of Donald Trump as the leader of the Republican ghost dance cult.
A 2014 Gallup survey that the percentage of Americans who were Republican didn't even reach 40% until in the over 40 age category.
Another Gallup study found that 2008 was when the gap between the two parties by age really changed. Since than the Democratic leaning of those under 65 has significantly outpaced those 65 and older.
Now a new Quinnipiac poll of the Iowa Democratic primary shows something strikingly similar. Likely caucus attenders 18 to 44 favor Sanders 78 to 21. Among those over 65 the pro-Clinton vote is almost exactly reversed: 71 to 21.
Since change is typically generationally driven - such as demonstrated in the 1960s - this phenomenon deserves far more attention that it has gotten so far.
1 comment:
The Ghost Dance is an useful analogy for the Republicans. And while I wish the Ghost Dancers of the northern plains had prevailed in the 19th century, it would not be a bad thing to see the Republicans slughtered at the polls.
of course if the Democrats win, they are likely to be just as bad about killing peole around the world.
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