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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > September > 07 > Entry
In search of the “vanishing Republican”
In this week’s New York Times Sunday magazine, President Bush’s former speechwriter David Frum explains his theory of why polls are showing more people identifying themselves as Democrats and fewer as Republicans, even in what were once reliably Republican parts of the country.
His answer? As America has become more economically unequal it has trended more Democratic. Frum’s piece is a call to arms for action from Republicans to address the inequality crisis and especially the driving force, as he sees it, behind the crisis — skyrocketing health care costs.
Frum interestingly points out that places that are the most unequal — with populations of very wealthy and well educated tend to vote heavily Democratic. Where Republicans do best are in places that are relatively equal economically. And Frum warns that since 2000 income in the U.S. had trended toward more inequality, with the very rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and incomes in the middle not growing. This, he writes, hurts Republicans in elections.
The idea that Republicans should support efforts to equalize income is a tough one as conservative orthodoxy generally considers individual economic status to be beyond the scope of government’s charge. But Frum believes the party can’t cede this issue to the Democrats. He’s pushing health care reform as a first step.
I wonder what local Republicans think of this argument and it they have ideas for what sorts of policies their part could push on the issue of economic inequality that would make sense for them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Elections
Comments
By Rick
September 7, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
I believe that Republicans can address the skyrocketing costs of health care and post secondary education without advocating socialism. I don’t have all the questions, much less answers, but there a lot of things contributing to the costs of these. For instance, lawsuit abuse is a significant contributor to the cost of health care. That’s something the Democrats won’t touch so Republicans could take the lead on that. But that is only a start. I agree with Mr. Frum that Republicans cannot just ignore these enormous issues.By Jeff
September 8, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Are people tending to go more Democrat or less Republican is my question. In recent years, some in the Republican party have adopted Democrat approaches. As a Conservative, I don’t support those Republicans, but I surely haven’t become a Democrat.By Jim
September 8, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Could it be that McCain, with seven houses, and Cindy Wearing a 300k outfit at the RNC, are out of touch with the average working American? The Republicans seem more desperate then ever with their terribly deceptive, lie filled ads. McCain sells out to the right wing who smeared him 2000, and then claims to be a Maverick. Laughable really.By Jim
September 8, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
As America becomes more diversified, the republican base will continue to shrink. The election is as much a cultural was as it is about issues. I think people are tired of hearing the Republican arrogance with all their lies. Sarah Palin is a perfect example of someone who completely misrepresents the truth and seems to be fine with it all. I wonder if she thinks it’s ok with God to lie through your teeth.By Glus
September 9, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
dont bet on it.By mwm
September 10, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this
The republicans have used lies in order to go to war and continue the war with iraq. They have denied global warming, have denied unemployment rates, the lack of health insurance for many americans and, links to corporate crime. The republicans are not well suited to take on the issues that affect the middle class. Their so called solutions are payouts to the lobbyists, as happened with the Bush prescription drug bill. The republicans will continue their fear and lie based agenda. The republicans claim to have some warped sense of moral authority and yet, there appears to be quite a few sexual deviants in their upper circles. Foley, Haggard and Craig included. The republicans use their anti-abortion stand only for votes and, could care less about life and death… Reference, wars based upon lies and the death penalty. How is it that the republicans are agents of change when in fact, they are so embroiled in their own web of immorality?