Because a Harvard study has determined these commemorations turn them into Republicans:
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
Loving your country is officially anathema for Democrats.
But we knew this.
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Comments (23)
Yeah, Rick can dump on Demo... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Chico | July 1, 2011 7:38 AM | Score: -22 (26 votes cast)
Yeah, Rick can dump on Democrats like Jim Webb, because he has so many combat medals himself.
Aside from that, when did any "study" from Harvard say anything worth listening to?
1. Posted by Chico | July 1, 2011 7:38 AM |
Score: -22 (26 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 07:38
2. Posted by Burt | July 1, 2011 7:58 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Aha!! Listening to the Boston Pops doing the 1812 Overture and watching the fireworks over Boston Harbor can make you vote for Scott Brown.
2. Posted by Burt | July 1, 2011 7:58 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 07:58
3. Posted by just bob | July 1, 2011 8:07 AM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
So dims are not patriotic?
3. Posted by just bob | July 1, 2011 8:07 AM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 08:07
4. Posted by MjM | July 1, 2011 8:32 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Well, of course. Now you understand why lefties have tried to kill The Pledge of Allegiance at school.
4. Posted by MjM | July 1, 2011 8:32 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 08:32
5. Posted by Caesar Augustus | July 1, 2011 8:38 AM | Score: 15 (15 votes cast)
If you feel compelled to include your left-wing friends in your Independence Day activities the easiest way to make them comfortable is to burn a few American flags. That warms their hearts.
5. Posted by Caesar Augustus | July 1, 2011 8:38 AM |
Score: 15 (15 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 08:38
6. Posted by PBunyan | July 1, 2011 9:25 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Apparently these Harvard Professors failed Statistics 101 where everyone learns that correlation does not prove causation.
It is not the act of celebrating Independence Day that causes people to become more Republican. It's just that those who celebrate our independence from despotic government are more likely to vote for those who oppose the party that is trying to exponentially increase government despotism and destroy everything that made America great, i.e. the Democrats.
6. Posted by PBunyan | July 1, 2011 9:25 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 09:25
7. Posted by James H | July 1, 2011 9:38 AM | Score: -10 (12 votes cast)
I plan to avoid the 4th of July celebrations. The weather is hot, the traffic is awful, the mass transit is clogged and, quite frankly, fireworks haven't impressed me since I was 12.
7. Posted by James H | July 1, 2011 9:38 AM |
Score: -10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 09:38
8. Posted by irongrampa | July 1, 2011 9:42 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Such bullshit.
If you are lucky enough to live in this exceptional country then you must embrace it.
If you can't do that, then leave.
8. Posted by irongrampa | July 1, 2011 9:42 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 09:42
9. Posted by Brad | July 1, 2011 10:02 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Aside from that, when did any "study" from Harvard say anything worth listening to?
For that matter, when did anything or anyone from Harvard say anything worth listening to?
9. Posted by Brad | July 1, 2011 10:02 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:02
10. Posted by Razorgirl | July 1, 2011 10:06 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
A study most likely paid for with our tax dollars.
10. Posted by Razorgirl | July 1, 2011 10:06 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:06
11. Posted by jim m | July 1, 2011 10:15 AM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
"The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century.
Amazing. The authors just can't bring themselves to face the obvious conclusion that the dems hate America and everything it stands for and are bent on tearing it down and erecting a socialist dystopia in its place. The Right has been more successful at "appropriating American patriotism" because the right actually believes in his country. The authors make it sound like some crass political calculation but it is decidedly not. One does not choose one's core beliefs on crass calculation (well, perhaps that is how the left does it).
The actual paper is interesting. It does make he rational connection that if you attend events that promote patriotism and love of American ideals at an early age that you will retain those ideals when you get older.
Perhaps the dems would do better if they started to actually love this country again and stop blaming it for all the ills in the world.
11. Posted by jim m | July 1, 2011 10:15 AM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:15
12. Posted by GarandFan | July 1, 2011 10:28 AM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Some of the worst traitors to this country came from the "Ivy League". Know-it-all's who knew what was 'better' for the country and snuggled right up to Uncle Joe Stalin.
Like the same Know-it-all's currently running the country. Or should I say 'ruining' the country.
12. Posted by GarandFan | July 1, 2011 10:28 AM |
Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:28
13. Posted by jim m | July 1, 2011 10:35 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
In the paper the authors theorize that the absence of rain on July 4th means that people are more likely to attend a parade or other July 4th celebration.
No wonder the left is so up in arms about global warming. Better weather means more parades. More parades mean more republicans. Global warming is part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy(TM) to make more conservatives.
I'm going to do my patriotic duty and let my car idle in the parking lot for an hour today.
13. Posted by jim m | July 1, 2011 10:35 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:35
14. Posted by SER | July 1, 2011 10:39 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
"Aside from that, when did any "study" from Harvard Chico say anything worth listening to?"
There, I fixed it for you.
14. Posted by SER | July 1, 2011 10:39 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:39
15. Posted by SER | July 1, 2011 10:40 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
sorry, the "stike" tags didn't work.
15. Posted by SER | July 1, 2011 10:40 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:40
16. Posted by Rovin | July 1, 2011 10:56 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Great catch Rick---who'da thunk Liberals would have a "patriotic problem" with something as mundane as a national independence day?
I've posted a link to your story in the Greenroom @ Hot Air
16. Posted by Rovin | July 1, 2011 10:56 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 10:56
17. Posted by Dwayne | July 1, 2011 11:02 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
I wonder if they will do a study regarding MLK parades? The ones I have attended have been full of Union & Dem floats
17. Posted by Dwayne | July 1, 2011 11:02 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 11:02
18. Posted by Sep14 | July 1, 2011 11:55 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
"So dims are not patriotic?"
Only if they can 'tax it!'
18. Posted by Sep14 | July 1, 2011 11:55 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 11:55
19. Posted by WildWillie | July 1, 2011 12:28 PM | Score: 0 (6 votes cast)
I agree with Jim H. I love my country, fly the flags but the heat and crowds bother me. I haven't ooohed or ahhhed in years at fireworks. Because as a society we wore them out. They are at concerts, sports events, etc. ww
19. Posted by WildWillie | July 1, 2011 12:28 PM |
Score: 0 (6 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 12:28
20. Posted by PBunyan | July 1, 2011 12:42 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Personally, I like setting off the fireworks even more than watching them--so that's what I do. Then again, I don't live in, or anywhere near, a city so I can.
20. Posted by PBunyan | July 1, 2011 12:42 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 12:42
21. Posted by Sep14 | July 1, 2011 1:36 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
What I thought I stated in 18-
Dims are patriotic if there is tax revenue to be collected from it. Otherwise ixnay on the upid stay.
Darned dyslexia.
21. Posted by Sep14 | July 1, 2011 1:36 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 13:36
22. Posted by A_Nonny_Mouse | July 1, 2011 2:48 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
#3 by just bob
July 1, 2011 8:07 AM
"So dims are not patriotic?"
========================================
That was my take-away,too.
I *think* that the Lib-Prog-Dems are saving their patriotic allegiance for the New America they're trying to create. Once they bloat government enough to control every facet of life (so they can "take care" of all us uncredentialed peons who obviously require the wisdom and foresight of Beneficent Elites to make our society function properly), then, finally, they can get down to the business of creating Utopia. Or something.
22. Posted by A_Nonny_Mouse | July 1, 2011 2:48 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 14:48
23. Posted by Al | July 1, 2011 9:46 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
@Chico:
I have combat medals. Jim Webb is a piece of crap. He tried to damn near get rid of the Marine Corps as SecNav. Screw that guy, he forgot where he came from (and where his son is now...)
Also giant pieces of crap: John Kerry and John Murtha. Both veterans. Both worthless. There. I said it for everyone.
23. Posted by Al | July 1, 2011 9:46 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on July 1, 2011 21:46