• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing

Hicup

DP Veteran
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
2,709
Location
Rochester, NY
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Very Conservative
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.

Excerpt read the rest here: Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)


Dear Lord.. Now our Independance Day is just for Republican American's?? :)


Tim-
 
Excerpt read the rest here: Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)


Dear Lord.. Now our Independance Day is just for Republican American's?? :)


Tim-

That isn't what they were saying.
one Fourth of July without rain
before age 18 increases the likelihood of identifying as a Republican at age 40 by 2 percent,
the share of people voting for the Republican candidate at age 40 by 4 percent, and the share of
people turning out to vote at age 40 by 0.9 percent

It's a research study that found a correlation between increased voter turnout and identifying as Republican and attending 4th of July celebrations in conservative counties, but did not find a similar result in liberal counties.

It's a research study, not some liberal protest of Independence Day.
 
"A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans..."

So, free candy equals new republicans! I knew we were messing up when we started passing out celery! :lamo
 
"A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans..."

So, free candy equals new republicans! I knew we were messing up when we started passing out celery! :lamo

Hehe... Add some Cheese Whiz and you might have better luck! :)


Tim-
 
If celebrating the 4th of July causes Democrats to lose elections, they deserve to lose elections. They should try some patriotism some time; they might even like it.
 
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."
*SSAB

I like this. I think we'll head out to the 4th of July celebration this weekend.
 
Yeah, this was not the sort of thread I was expecting, but nevertheless surprising.

Democrats need to change that image, and have done some slow progress toward that goal of appearing more celebratory of the American heritage and its exceptionalism.
 
No fireworks here this year, from what I've been hearing. We're supposed to have our local Kaboom Town celebration on the 3rd...not sure what we'll see...otherwise, we're just BBQing and hanging at the pool. I don't have the patience for large, drunken crowds.
 
two points here

1) I greatly enjoy patriotic parades and took both my children to see many of them - sometimes they were even participants. Both vote straight Democratic and I am proud to say that.

2) One huge mistake progressives made in the Sixties was we ceded the American flag to the right. We should never ever do anything like that again. It is important that patriotic observations be from both sides of the aisle.
 
Excerpt read the rest here: Harvard: July 4th Parades Are Right-Wing - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)


Dear Lord.. Now our Independance Day is just for Republican American's?? :)


Tim-

this is just silly......as i was walking into work today, i looked at our sign that indicates we will be closed for Independence Day. i started thinking about the meaning of "Independence Day"........and i wish more people would think about it. waving a flag or watching a parade does not equal patriotism, so i don't participate. but it's equally stupid to believe that watching a parade makes one a republican.
 
No fireworks here this year, from what I've been hearing. We're supposed to have our local Kaboom Town celebration on the 3rd...not sure what we'll see...otherwise, we're just BBQing and hanging at the pool. I don't have the patience for large, drunken crowds.

Maybe it has to do with a dislike of crowds? Cause I'm with ya' on that one. Back in Indianapolis, we'd just have friends over for a cookout and then go to our office and watch the fireworks from our parking lot. Now that we're in Nashville, we go to a friend's house every year.
 
Maybe it has to do with a dislike of crowds? Cause I'm with ya' on that one. Back in Indianapolis, we'd just have friends over for a cookout and then go to our office and watch the fireworks from our parking lot. Now that we're in Nashville, we go to a friend's house every year.

I have an anxiety issue in tightly-packed areas. If there's only one way to enter/exit the area it's even worse. The two local celebrations get very, very crowded, so no amount of meditating or focus will halt the increase in blood pressure. I just don't think it's worth it when I can see the fireworks from my apartment.
 
I have an anxiety issue in tightly-packed areas. If there's only one way to enter/exit the area it's even worse.

I'm the opposite. The more exits there are that I can't watch, the less comfortable I am. I can't handle being outside at all.
 
I have an anxiety issue in tightly-packed areas. If there's only one way to enter/exit the area it's even worse. The two local celebrations get very, very crowded, so no amount of meditating or focus will halt the increase in blood pressure. I just don't think it's worth it when I can see the fireworks from my apartment.

i can see the fireworks from a secluded anchorage, lovely.
 
For me I just want to watch the fireworks with the symphony playing :)
 
Luckily most people completely dismiss studies like this. I'm sure that doesn't apply to those who will see a tuition bump at Harvard to pay for it though.
 
For me I just want to watch the fireworks with the symphony playing :)

They sometimes set up the fireworks show to correspond to either the classic station or the rock station here. Last year there was WAY too much Bruce Springsteen.
 
two points here

1) I greatly enjoy patriotic parades and took both my children to see many of them - sometimes they were even participants. Both vote straight Democratic and I am proud to say that.

2) One huge mistake progressives made in the Sixties was we ceded the American flag to the right. We should never ever do anything like that again. It is important that patriotic observations be from both sides of the aisle.



And from 2004-2008 they ceded it again, often burning it, flying it upside down, etc.... It was a real treat. :roll:
 
They sometimes set up the fireworks show to correspond to either the classic station or the rock station here. Last year there was WAY too much Bruce Springsteen.

In Indy, they would ALWAYS make sure to include Mellencamp's "Small Town". Got the point of ridiculousness. Especially when they would blend into it from John Philip Sousa.

Oh, no...now that's going to be stuck in my head the rest of the day...
 
And from 2004-2008 they ceded it again, often burning it, flying it upside down, etc.... It was a real treat. :roll:


Having lived through both periods of history, I recall very few incidents like you describe from 2004-08 and would hardly use the term OFTEN.
 
They sometimes set up the fireworks show to correspond to either the classic station or the rock station here. Last year there was WAY too much Bruce Springsteen.

Nah, you need *live* entertainment :p

I loved watching the conductor go nuts while the 1812 Overture was playing :p
 
two points here

1) I greatly enjoy patriotic parades and took both my children to see many of them - sometimes they were even participants. Both vote straight Democratic and I am proud to say that.

2) One huge mistake progressives made in the Sixties was we ceded the American flag to the right. We should never ever do anything like that again. It is important that patriotic observations be from both sides of the aisle.

I think it's bad to vote straight party on anything. Also, you can remove your undisclosed lean now. :)
 
Nah, you need *live* entertainment :p

I loved watching the conductor go nuts while the 1812 Overture was playing :p

Is that same conductor you were talking about who looked like he was climaxing?
 
Back
Top Bottom