Generational divide over words, "socialism" and "capitalism."

[Travis]

Interesting poll results. I did a search and it doesn't seem this has been discussed here yet.

“Socialism” is a negative for most Americans, but certainly not all Americans. “Capitalism” is regarded positively by a majority of the public, though it is a thin majority. There are certain segments of the public – notably, young people and Democrats – where both “isms” are rated about equally. And while most Americans have a negative reaction to the word “militia,” the term is viewed more positively by Republican men than most other groups.

...

A large majority of Republicans (77%) react negatively to “socialism,” while 62% have a positive reaction to “capitalism.” Democrats’ impressions are more divided: In fact, about as many Democrats react positively to “socialism” (44%) as to “capitalism” (47%).

Reaction to “capitalism” is lukewarm among many demographic groups. Fewer than half of young people, women, people with lower incomes and those with less education react positively to “capitalism.”

Full article (http://people-press.org/report/610/socialism-capitalism)

I particularly liked the overwhelming dislike for the word "militia." Goes to show how a term can be completely subverted by nutbags. I dislike the positives responses to "family values." Never has anything even close to a good idea been proposed in the name of "family values."

[MikeMangum]

Interesting poll results. I did a search and it doesn't seem this has been discussed here yet.

“Socialism” is a negative for most Americans, but certainly not all Americans. “Capitalism” is regarded positively by a majority of the public, though it is a thin majority. There are certain segments of the public – notably, young people and Democrats – where both “isms” are rated about equally. And while most Americans have a negative reaction to the word “militia,” the term is viewed more positively by Republican men than most other groups.

...

A large majority of Republicans (77%) react negatively to “socialism,” while 62% have a positive reaction to “capitalism.” Democrats’ impressions are more divided: In fact, about as many Democrats react positively to “socialism” (44%) as to “capitalism” (47%).

Reaction to “capitalism” is lukewarm among many demographic groups. Fewer than half of young people, women, people with lower incomes and those with less education react positively to “capitalism.”

Full article (http://people-press.org/report/610/socialism-capitalism)

I particularly liked the overwhelming dislike for the word "militia." Goes to show how a term can be completely subverted by nutbags. I dislike the positives responses to "family values." Never has anything even close to a good idea been proposed in the name of "family values."

Raising children in a family of their two biological parents isn't a good idea? There are many, many studies whose results argue otherwise.

[Mark6]

Raising children in a family of their two biological parents isn't a good idea? There are many, many studies whose results argue otherwise.
In my experience, people who are serious about raising children in a family of their two biological parents do not make a big deal about "family values". The louder someone talks about "family values", the worse his ideas are likely to be.

[Alferd_Packer]

What I consider to be "family values" is not what Focus on the Family preaches.

I have a positive self image of my family values, but I have a negative reaction when people like Dobson use the term.

[MikeMangum]

What I consider to be "family values" is not what Focus on the Family preaches.

I have a positive self image of my family values, but I have a negative reaction when people like Dobson use the term.

I rather doubt that most people involved in the study even know who Dobson is. I didn't until I just googled him. I looked at the Focus on the Family website, and frankly, it looks like an evangelical version of iVillage. I looked through some of their articles, and they didn't seem to be too out there. For example, this article (http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/affairs_and_adultery/avoiding_and_ending_an_affair.aspx) on infidelity didn't seem either too preachy or in any way "fire and brimstone", it looks like something you could read just about anywhere. this article (http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/affairs_and_adultery/dancing_on_the_edge.aspx) mentions God a couple of times, other than, could be something published anywhere.

I'm guessing whatever wackiness Dobson and/or Focus on Family have is in public statements that they've made, or else buried somewhere in the website I haven't seen. I'm certainly not going to read through the entire website; that would be like punishing me with an all day marathon of cheesy after school specials.

[Travis]

"Family values" is code words for "let's get rid of the homosexuals!"

[Howie Felterbush]

"Family values" is code words for "let's get rid of the homosexuals!"

:D

Also, as soon as you are viewed as a threat by the authorities your house and garage become a "compound".

[MikeMangum]

:D

Also, as soon as you are viewed as a threat by the authorities your house and garage become a "compound".

Ok, I can buy the anti-homosexual bigotry, but I'm not sure I understand the compound thing.

[DDWW]

:D

Also, as soon as you are viewed as a threat by the authorities your house and garage become a "compound".

And having more than 3 firearms is an "arsenal."

Having more than 3 firearms in your compound is an "Armed Fortress".

DDWW

[Howie Felterbush]

Ok, I can buy the anti-homosexual bigotry, but I'm not sure I understand the compound thing.

Let's say you're kindly old farmer MikeMagnum. Every year at Halloween you have a community hayride for all the kids. The local news people come out to cover it one year, and the smiling reporter looks into the camera and says, "We're live at the Magnum farm for the annual blah blah blah."

One day while plowing the rutabagas you snap out, go back to the house and drag all your guns, your canned food and your autographed picture of Larry Storch up to the guest bedroom. You barricade yourself in and call the local TV station and tell them you're going to start shooting at cars unless they put F-Troop back on the air.

You can bet your last nickel that the news reporter will begin his/her story with, "We're live at the Magnum compound where SWAT team members will attempt to blah blah blah."