Why Republicans should fear the changing face of America
1 of 1
PrairieDogPress writer Jean Williams and her two granddaughters. Hailey, 15, on the left is white and part Native American. MacKenzie, 18, is white and African American. They represent diversity in the next generation of voters. Copyright Jean Williams.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) set the tone for the Republican party after Barack Obama’s win over John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008, when he made the now infamous statement in 2010:
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”
But Republicans learned nothing from the fact that President Obama easily won re-election last November. Their brief moment of contrition and self-reflection were quickly overshadowed by tea party extremists. Tea party actions have caused GOP popularity to hit historic lows. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) have been the primary architects in agitating disrespect, contempt and outright racism toward the first black president of the United States.
Last week North Carolina Republican Don Yelton vocalized on national television the kind of bigotry that is usually only spoken behind closed doors when he explained his support for North Carolina’s new voter laws because "if it hurts the whites, so be it. If it hurts a bunch of lazy blacks that wants the government to give them everything, so be it." Yelton made the statement on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
Nevertheless, in choosing President Obama over Mitt Romney, the majority of Americans rejected conservative edicts that Republicans hold so dear on issues like abortion, gay marriage, immigration, social safety nets, climate change and legalized marijuana.
According to a report by Don Gonyea on NPR, the US population is steadily advancing to the day when whites will no longer be the majority, in particular ultra-conservative whites.
Paul Taylor, an analyst at the Pew Research Center, predicted that whites will dip below 50 percent of the population by 2050.
"Every year it ticks a little more. If you think about it in terms of the electorate, you know every year about 3 million new people age into the electorate and age into the workforce, and every year about 3 million people age out [which means] the people leaving are predominantly white. The people coming in are heavily nonwhite," explained Taylor.
The generation gap
In other words, older conservative voters are dying off every year and they are being replaced by the young and the diverse.
In his NPR piece, Gonyea pointed out that in the 2012 election, 23-year-old Joel Anderson from Iowa, whose family predominately voted for Republicans, said he voted for Democrats in legislative races because Republicans were too obsessed with demonizing social issues like gay marriage.
Younger voters of all races and genders are far less concerned about social issues and class warfare than older voters. Twenty and 30 somethings are more supportive of an active federal government. Whereas white ultra-conservatives want to limit government involvement for rights they deem worthy, like the Second Amendment, but they demand government intervention over rights they see as morally contemptible, like abortion and same-sex marriage.
Young voters, however, are more concerned about the economy, jobs and preserving Social Security and Medicare for future generations.
The minority electorate won’t override white voters for several more decades, but Republicans, who ignore the value of embracing diversity and social tolerance will likely pay for it at the ballot box sooner than later.
For example, Rob Paral writes in Politico about the dangers of Republicans feeling too safe in their gerrymandered districts:
“Demographic shifts carry political power. Together, the Asians, Latinos and immigrants eligible to vote for the first time in 2014 equal 3.2 million potential new voters — more than the entire population of the state of Iowa.”
The new generation voter may be in the words of comedian Bill Maher, “A young Latino lesbian who smokes a boatload of dope.” But in that scenario it’s doubtful she would vote for a Republican, who holds disdain for her very existence.
More reports from PrairieDogPress
Jean Williams, environmental and political journalist; PrairieDogPress writer; Artistic Director, Keystone Prairie Dogs.***PrairieDogPress is the media channel forkeystone-prairie-dogs.com, which is a fundraising website to support environmental groups for extraordinary efforts to protect Great Plains habitat and prairie dogs in the wild. PDP uses humorous images, social commentary and serious-minded political reports to challenge government on numerous levels, including accountability to the people, the protection of threatened species, the environment and Earth’s natural resources.
PrairieDogPress is based in Seattle, Washington, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.
Report Credibility
- SHARE:
READ MORE: Barack Obama, John McCain, young voters, Republican gerrymandering districts, Bill Maher, don yelton, new generation of voters, Republican Party
Advertisement
Sponsored From Around the Web
What's Your Shoe Personality?
Why Shampoos Are a Waste of Money
Health Drink Boosts Energy, Endurance Without Crash
What Happens When You Take a Testosterone Supplement
Find Out if Any of Your Ancestors Were Famous - or Infamous
Hit Up to 300 yards Using This Swing
These 5 Signs Warn You That Cancer Is Starting Inside Your Body
Tricks Car Insurance Agents Don't Want You to Know
How to Exercise Your Brain to Make It Strong
Rare Discovery Helps Lower Blood Pressure
?
More from Allvoices
More from the web
- How to Avoid Mutual Fund Fees (The Better Investor)
- Leading To Transform | Aligning CFO and CIO Priorities (Leading To Transform)
- Are Geeks Too Geeky? (The Enterprising CIO)
POST A COMMENTComments: 11
Thanks for this stimulating article Jean. The utter pointlessness of worrying about racial demographics is illustrated by an article i read sometime ago about how conservatives of a generation ago worried endlessly that Poles and other Europeans of "Slavic" extraction were forcing a demographic change. The fears now seem silly because now nobody considers a Russian-American or a Polish-American less "white" than an American of British or Swedish ancestry.
The fears of race xenophobes have now shifted to Hispanics who are supposedly not "white" enough to be really "white." But future generations will laugh at such fears as no one would be able to explain why Hispanics really aren't "white."
Future generations will also laugh at the xenophobic "one drop" rule that defines a man as Obama as "black" while ignoring the fact that he has as much claim to "whiteness" as he has to "blackness" rendering the entire concept of racial identity meaningless and the fears about changing racial demographics nonsensical...
The fears of race xenophobes have now shifted to Hispanics who are supposedly not "white" enough to be really "white." But future generations will laugh at such fears as no one would be able to explain why Hispanics really aren't "white."
Future generations will also laugh at the xenophobic "one drop" rule that defines a man as Obama as "black" while ignoring the fact that he has as much claim to "whiteness" as he has to "blackness" rendering the entire concept of racial identity meaningless and the fears about changing racial demographics nonsensical...
I agree, John T. When I look at my two beautiful granddaughters (pictured above)and think of anyone considering them somehow "lesser" than anyone else, because of their heritage it makes me sad and angry at the same time.
Thanks for your astute comment. The day may not come in my life time or yours when the issue of color and race is banished to the history of yesteryear narrow-mindedness, but hopefully it will come closer in the lives of my granddaughters, their children and grandchildren.
Thanks for your astute comment. The day may not come in my life time or yours when the issue of color and race is banished to the history of yesteryear narrow-mindedness, but hopefully it will come closer in the lives of my granddaughters, their children and grandchildren.
Interesting article, Jean.
My 13-year-old son who is African American and Nigerian (Yoruba) said things will change when the old racists "die out," and although he sometimes phrases his ideas in a less than diplomatic way, he is correct, although in the United States, there will never be a "race" conscious-less society. This country, unfortunately, was built on promoting the superiority of one ethnos over another--although there is only one race--the human race.
Another tan-complexioned African American male I spoke to, who is in his 50s, said the blending of ethnicities may create a society in which it's difficult to determine which "race" a person hails from, and may single out and choose to discriminate against those who are darker than the majority who are of a "tan hue." More food for thought.
Rated up and promo'd.
My 13-year-old son who is African American and Nigerian (Yoruba) said things will change when the old racists "die out," and although he sometimes phrases his ideas in a less than diplomatic way, he is correct, although in the United States, there will never be a "race" conscious-less society. This country, unfortunately, was built on promoting the superiority of one ethnos over another--although there is only one race--the human race.
Another tan-complexioned African American male I spoke to, who is in his 50s, said the blending of ethnicities may create a society in which it's difficult to determine which "race" a person hails from, and may single out and choose to discriminate against those who are darker than the majority who are of a "tan hue." More food for thought.
Rated up and promo'd.
Thanks, Phyllis. I agree with your son:)) Unfortunately, just because old racists die off doesn't stop young racists from taking their place. Ted Cruz is a perfect example, because his father recently made the news by saying President Obama should move back to Kenya. But hopefully in a few generations, the subject of race will become as unimportant as inter-racial marriage and other issues that used to be taboo.
Anyway, that's my hope. Thanks for the additional "food for thought".
Anyway, that's my hope. Thanks for the additional "food for thought".
Wonderful photograph, Jean. Let's hope that racists of all political persuasions continue to fade away with each passing day. As for Don Yelton, he's the perfect example of why the GOP should be afraid not only of the changing demographics of America but of their old party hacks who are too blinded by prejudice to understand they are part of the problem, not part of the solution. People like Yelton are only hastening the decline of the GOP.
Thanks so much, Darren. I'm very proud of them.
You said it best when you referred to bigots like Yelton as one of the "old party hacks" and I agree that he epitomizes the problem with the current GOP mob in Congress, certainly not the solution.
You said it best when you referred to bigots like Yelton as one of the "old party hacks" and I agree that he epitomizes the problem with the current GOP mob in Congress, certainly not the solution.
Very Well Written, Regard
Thanks for reading and commenting, Nasarhayat.
People don't want what the t-pubs are selling because it caters only to a small groups of fanatics. This country is changing and as a diverse working class grows, the govt needs to adapt.
T-pubs have spent the better part of the past 5 years trying to push the country back into the dark ages. They have stripped funding for the things America USED TO BE famous for, like research, innovation, education and fostering creativity. I'm not sure how bad things would be if the t-pubs got everything they wanted but I'm willing to bet that it would be much worse than our current list of problems.
T-pubs have spent the better part of the past 5 years trying to push the country back into the dark ages. They have stripped funding for the things America USED TO BE famous for, like research, innovation, education and fostering creativity. I'm not sure how bad things would be if the t-pubs got everything they wanted but I'm willing to bet that it would be much worse than our current list of problems.
Thanks, Maryann, for adding more excellent points to the conversation.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, kids, but nothing will change in the United States unless and until the citizenry informs itself and votes. Yes, Obama was elected (not once, but twice!) but the governmental and campaign rhetoric just gets more hyperbolic. Vote! Read! Find out what's happening!
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED ALLVOICES CONTRIBUTIONS
Obama stumps for McAuliffe, tapping into voter anger with tea party
President Barack Obama has keen political instincts, as he stumped in Virginia for Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for governor. Obama is tapping into voter anger about the 16-day, tea party-induced government shutdown. The upcoming statewide election being held Tuesday in Virginia, between Democrat McA5 Hours AgoSteve Schmidt on Ted Cruz: Republicans want him to go back to Canada
How bad is the rift in the Republican party when a former campaign advisor says on national television that a lot of Republicans wish Ted Cruz would “go back to Canada"? That’s what former John McCain campaign advisor Steve Schmidt said of the junior senator from Texas during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Last Word.&...3 Days AgoSen.Cruz says Shutdown successful because it sparked debate
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says this month's fractional government abeyance and his key function in it were a success They got humans conversing. One of things we adept in the activity over Obamacare is we animated the civic agitation over what a disaster what a alternation wreck how abundant Obamacare is affliction millions ...7 Days AgoSarah Palin mocks fainting lady, furthers Rose Garden conspiracy
Keeping it classy, former vice presidential candidate and gubernatorial quitter Sarah Palin mocked the pregnant woman who fainted during President Barack Obama’s Rose Garden speech last week. In a Facebook post on Oct. 24, Palin knew that what she was about to say was in bad taste, but she did it anyway. She wrote: “Whether ...8 Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
IMAGES
Got a similar story?Add it to the network!
Or add related content to this report
