Political Biology

There was a study recently completed that indicated there might be a biological difference between liberals and conservatives. It appears liberals might have an extra capacity to process complex thoughts and conservatives have an added capacity for fear and anxiety. My immediate response was to giggle a bit and think that this explained a lot. I have absolutely no idea if this study is truly scientific. Given my own leanings, it might be easier for me to accept these findings. Given their own biology, I would expect conservations might reject this, just as they reject the whole idea of “science.”

With a bit more reflection, I almost feel relieved by this finding, because I’ve told myself for years that as strong as I am in my convictions so too are those with the completely opposite views. It’s been hard to get even my complex thinking mind around that. It is so clear to me that supporting the poor and taxing the rich are good things. It is so clear to me that “health care” is not a dirty phrase as it is proclaimed not only in the right leaning media, but increasingly in all media. And it’s so clear to me that the travesty of tax dodging corporations must be stopped. Really GE, no taxes at all? How do you sleep at night? Well according to this study, quite fine probably.

With that, I wish the Republicans good luck with their primaries. To get their base on board, candidates are going to have to take extremism to a new level. The paralysis politics of the tea bag seems to be dominating the discussions, which at primary level, is hilarious and at general election would be a wonderful opportunity for the Dems. I love watching Newt Gingrich squirm. Dude, you cheated on your wife when she was in the hospital with cancer. Your base is NOT going to elect you. The tea bag slant gives way too much time to comical candidates like the Donald and Sarah. Thanks to 24 hour news, these guys think they have a chance. Hilarious. (Sorry Dems, but you will not have it that easy).

Of course there are a couple of reasonable sounding candidates in the mix. But Mitt, who might be the most qualified to compete and who anyway has the most Presidential hair, ain’t gonna get elected by a right wing Christian base. They at least try to make their objections sound like they’re about his progressive health care law, but it’s really about his Mormonism. There’s Michelle and Mike too and they could probably get votes from the extreme and the less extreme voting base, but either one would be devastated in a general election. Just because you can string a few sentences together without shouting or making people cringe because of your inability to command the English language doesn’t mean you could be elected. Your aims, while delivered in measured, complete sentences, are still too extreme for America.

It’ll be interesting to see if the media portrayal of the extreme right will be reflected in the actual primary voting. I hope not. I really hope that despite fundamental, perhaps even biological differences, most people, even when they disagree are not party to the extremism being given the floor at the moment. While an extreme primary would play well for the Dems looking to secure the middle, it's too ugly to imagine a majority that has these right wing views.

It seems that reasonable America will win out as usual. I hope that’s not wishful thinking.