Friday, July 01, 2011

I KNEW IT!!! THE 4TH OF JULY IS ALL PART OF THE VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY!!!

Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing
By Paul Bedard

Democratic political candidates can skip this weekend's July 4th parades. A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans, and help to boost the GOP turnout of adults on Election Day.

"Fourth of July celebrations in the United States shape the nation's political landscape by forming beliefs and increasing participation, primarily in favor of the Republican Party," said the report from Harvard. [See political cartoons about the 2012 GOP field.]

"The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century. Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats. According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party. Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans," write Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam. [Enjoy political cartoons about President Obama.]

Their findings also suggest that Democrats gain nothing from July 4th parades, likely a shocking result for all the Democratic politicians who march in them. [Check out editorial cartoons about the Democrats.]

"There is no evidence of an increased likelihood of identifying as a Democrat, indicating that Fourth of July shifts preferences to the right rather than increasing political polarization," the two wrote.

The three key findings of those attending July 4th celebrations:

  • When done before the age of 18, it increases the likelihood of a youth identifying as a Republican by at least 2 percent.
  • It raises the likelihood that parade watchers will vote for a Republican candidate by 4 percent.
  • It boosts the likelihood a reveler will vote by about 1 percent and increases the chances they'll make a political contribution by 3 percent.

What's more, the impact isn't fleeting. "Surprisingly, the estimates show that the impact on political preferences is permanent, with no evidence of the effects depreciating as individuals become older,"said the Harvard report.

Finally, the report suggests that if people are looking for a super-patriotic July 4th, though should head to Republican towns. "Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place."

6 comments:

Epaminondas said...

I already bought my fascii for the parade. I have 4 lictors to walk before me and clear the way to the curb where I can watch the masons on those tiny motorcycles go in circles, and try to look up the cheerleaders uniform skirts.

Actually this story unintentionally points out a very uncomfortable truth.... REPUBLICANS ARE PROUD OF THE USA, and the democrats?

At best AMBIVALENT TO THE POINT OF BEING EMBARRASSED BY THOSE WHO ARE PROUD, but for most part...

NOT
PROUD
OF
AMERICA

midnight rider said...

Agreed.

Truth hurts (them), don't it?

Always On Watch said...

What a load this study from Harvard is!

The founders of Harvard must be spinning in their graves.

Always On Watch said...

"Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place."

If so, this might mean that Republicans love America and our American heritage more than Democrats. What a sad commentary, huh?

cjk said...

Nice to hear Harvard confirm my own common sense which means I can believe them for a change.

I wonder what the demonrat/republican ratio was for the recent Pride Parades?

christian soldier said...

see why I no longer encourage the youth to go to our colleges and universities..they will only be indoctrinated by commie-progressive crap---
OK-Hillsdale and Patrick Henry are acceptable-
Carol-CS