Why is the economy *all* that matters to some voters?

[EnergizedLib]

I'm not trying to negate the importance of the economy, or that voters shouldn't take it into account.

My qualms are it seems many people in this country only vote based on the economy and nothing else.

- It doesn't matter if rights are taken away.

- It doesn't matter if we lose democracy.

- It doesn't matter if there's serious corruption and crime and within government.

- It doesn't matter if people are told who they can and can't marry.

- It doesn't matter if people are forbidden from using contraception.

- It doesn't matter if women are being damaged and even endangered due to ectopic pregnancies or they were impregnated against their will.

- It doesn't matter if people die.

I do want to see a good economy, but economic shape will not be my only voting criteria when rights and lives are at stake. If the only thing that matters is the economy, regardless if we're free, regardless if we're able to live, what does that say about our priorities? How much would you really care about a good economy if you can't simultaneously enjoy freedoms in your own personal life or if you're dead?

Then we can't as a nation (at least certain people in this nation) can't credibly cry freedom like the past 24+ months or claim the moral high ground if all that matters is the economy.

[al_liberal]

1. People are too lazy to become informed. N/t

[Kaleva]

20. People go to sources that support their world view

They want news that confirms their beliefs. They won't watch it read anything that challenges their beliefs. Like you won't get many atheists to read and study the New Testament, Torah or Koran .

[Genki Hikari]

31. As always with atheist-bashers, you are WRONG WRONG WRONG

Atheists are more likely to have read all three of those texts (and many of the other texts of other religions) than any of those monotheists have.

Atheists are also more likely to have read the flocker book than those who follow it. That's what made many of them atheists.

Stop being so insulting about people you clearly know nothing about.

[Conjuay]

33. Exactly!

Do you honestly think people go against centuries of western tradition and culture BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT TO THUMB THEIR NOSES AT EVERYONE?

I went through 12 years of this indoctrination.

It is nonsense.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. I agree 100%

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. This is called "ranked choice."

"I am going to show you a list of ten issues. I want to rank them from top to bottom on a scale of 'most important to me' to 'least important to me.'"

"The economy" always comes out on top. It is not the only issue of importance to voters, but, overall, it is the most important issue to voters.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. They don't think it will happen to them

Something I see from my side of the aisle? The wealthiest know that there but for the grace of the spirit go I. So I'm going to reach down and help others.

That side of the aisle? Thinks nothing will apply to them. There was an article in the Atlantic - first year of Trump's presidency and I remember this - or there about from one woman . . .

"He's not supposed to be doing this to me." She didn't think his words applied to her.

In my district - a group of women I belong to on FB in our rural county: Outraged after SCOTUS struck down Roe.

Many of those outraged?
Were snickering and outright laughing at us when Brett and the handmaid got confirmed.

Who is laughing now?

Regardless - I'm voting for the economy - because all I see are blue skies straight ahead. The economy never stays bad for long.

[EnergizedLib]

5. Frightening policy, isn't it?

‘ That side of the aisle? Thinks nothing will apply to them. There was an article in the Atlantic - first year of Trump's presidency and I remember this - or there about from one woman . . .

"He's not supposed to be doing this to me." She didn't think his words applied to her.’

Owning the Libs is a dangerous mindset and mentality and unpatriotic.

[blueinredohio]

13. Agreed.

They think since they vote republican it will not apply to them. Until it does.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

6. Because when you are struggling financially

And living paycheck to paycheck, all you have time for is to worry about whether your bills are paid, rent is covered, and you can afford the gas/transit fares to keep going to work. If that's your situation then most likely all you worry about is money. You don't have the time/energy/luxury to worry about anything else.

[hedda_foil]

7. Most people don't realize or believe that those things are on the line.

- It doesn't matter if rights are taken away.

"If a woman really wants an abortion, she can go to another state."

- It doesn't matter if we lose democracy.

"Don't be silly, we're not about to lose our democracy. Anyway, the United States is a republic."

- It doesn't matter if there's serious corruption and crime and within government.

"There's always corruption in the government. Both sides do it."

- It doesn't matter if people are told who they can and can't marry.

"Nobody is telling anybody who they can and can't marry. That's ridiculous."

- It doesn't matter if people are forbidden from using contraception.

"What are you smoking? Nobody is going to do that."

- It doesn't matter if women are being damaged and even endangered due to ectopic pregnancies or they were impregnated against their will.

"Stop exaggerating."

- It doesn't matter if people die.

"Of course it matters. Our government wouldn't just let people die."

As I said, most people have no idea. The dyed in the trump set never hear any of your points. Independents aren't likely to know what's happening unless it's drummed into their heads through commercials and social media. Both groups believe the R talking points that Republicans are best on the economy because Dems tend not to make the economic case strongly and people forget.

[EnergizedLib]

15. Then they're misguided

Here’s what I’d say to quotes responses.

"If a woman really wants an abortion, she can go to another state."

Not how this should go. For nearly 50 years, it didn’t go that way, and there are logistics involved. Why should she have to go to another state?

"Don't be silly, we're not about to lose our democracy. Anyway, the United States is a republic."

And a republic is a form of a democracy.

"There's always corruption in the government. Both sides do it."

Only one side has attempted insurrection and compromised national security documents.

"Nobody is telling anybody who they can and can't marry. That's ridiculous."

Except for people on the right who want to go after marriage equality.

"What are you smoking? Nobody is going to do that."

They also said that about Roe and abortions.

"Stop exaggerating."

Plenty of horror stories since June 24 are out there if they want to read them.

"Of course it matters. Our government wouldn't just let people die."

COVID and 2020 would like a word with these people, so would no exceptions forced birthers.

They think Rs are best on the economy, but are uninformed inflation is global and actually isn’t as bad here in America compared to other developed places.

The economy often goes in the gutter when they go in the White House, too.

[hedda_foil]

23. I completely agree with your points. Real independents are persuadable. The rest not so much.

[RockRaven]

8. Because all of our media, public discourse, and history education makes the economy the

focus of, as both cause and effect, all events. We're all so marinated in it from birth that most people don't question whether that's even the most appropriate frame of reference for viewing the world/events.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

32. Allow me to repeat that, only paraphrased: Because THE TV SCREAMS IT 24 HRS A DAY!

[Karadeniz]

9. That's what they hear about... Their condition couldn't be their fault, could it.... Our culture

transmits that materialism solves everything... They don't see supporting helpful govt programs reflects spiritual or ethical values...

[yankee87]

10. Right Wing MSM

Let’s face it, most media in this country is very right wing. Economy is doing fine, jobs everywhere, wages are up, but all you hear about is the constant drumbeat of how bad the economy is. Also, I believe the media wants Qpublicans in because they are more outrageous and generate headlines. Let’s face it, the economy will grow better under democrats, but Qpublicans seem to own this, because of the media.
I can’t believe women losing their bodily autonomy isn’t the number one reason.

[Mr.Bill]

11. Because having to choose

food for your family or gas to get to work kind of gets your attention.

[EnergizedLib]

18. I'm not saying

The economy shouldn’t matter, just that it shouldn’t be all that matters.

[kelly1mm]

19. Maslow's hierarchy of needs comes into play here. nt

[In It to Win It]

12. It's because they don't believe any of that would happen or it's a remote problem

It doesn't matter if rights are taken away because they don't believe anyone's rights are being taken away.

It doesn't matter if we lose democracy because they don't believe we are losing democracy.

It doesn't matter if people are forbidden from using contraception because it's not my problem.

It doesn't matter if there's serious corruption and crime and within government because EVERYONE'S corrupt. As long as my life is fine, I don't care and it won't be fixed anyway no matter who I vote for.

The economy is my problem. If the economy tanks and I lose my job, that's my problem. If inflation goes rampant and I have to pay more for gas, that's my problem. If I have to pay more for food or rent, that's my problem. If my spouse's business makes less money because of a bad economy, that's my problem.

[EnergizedLib]

17. What I would say to them

‘ It doesn't matter if people are forbidden from using contraception because it's not my problem.

It doesn't matter if there's serious corruption and crime and within government because EVERYONE'S corrupt. As long as my life is fine, I don't care and it won't be fixed anyway no matter who I vote for.

The economy is my problem. If the economy tanks and I lose my job, that's my problem. If inflation goes rampant and I have to pay more for gas, that's my problem. If I have to pay more for food or rent, that's my problem. If my spouse's business makes less money because of a bad economy, that's my problem.’

What I would say is maybe contraception is not their problem specifically, but it’s also about the slippery slope and what things they enjoy could be next to go.

If their life is fine, does it not matter to them a major political party is trying to suppress the right to vote or national security and safety?

It’s that selfishness I’ve railed against on this forum. It can’t just be only about them, but society and others, too. I vote selfishly or I could vote in standing with others. I choose the latter.

[Yavin4]

14. Most Americans don't follow politics.

They don't even watch the news at all. They live in ignorant bliss until gas prices go up or they lose their job, and when such things happen, they vote out whoever is in office because they think that it will fix things.

[XanaDUer2]

16. It doesn't matter your SS and Medicare are destroyed

NT

[Chainfire]

21. If you can't pay your rent or buy food, not much else matters.

I guess you had to live it to understand it.

[LymphocyteLover]

22. Yes, understandable, but people in those situations are also fairly unlikely to vote

[triron]

24. This may what contributed to the fall of Rome.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

25. The end of the world is easier to accept than the end of capitalism

[Funtatlaguy]

26. Narcissistic greedy tunnel vision combined with unempathic apathy.

[bottomofthehill]

27. Because hunger and no roof over your head are quite scary thoughts.

[FloridaBlues]

28. They think magically prices will go down under them are they in for a surprise

The crazies will be set free in congress is the only thing the country will experience.

[Trenzalore]

29. Any government is 3 days of hunger away from collapse

[walkingman]

30. If women are not concerned enough about Roe being overturned to vote

then don't whine about lack of access in the future.

[Hekate]

34. I have my doubts about how polls are constructed & conducted

They aren’t a conversation. Too often they are a bunch of knotty problems with the instruction “choose ONE.”

I don’t think my fellow citizens “don’t care” about the rest.