Henry Olsen may have hit on the "key to the 2012 Presidential election." In his June 20th, National Review article, he profoundly lent insight on "Disaffecteds," what may be "overlooked America."
As Olsen determined "Disaffecteds" are primarily(77%) blue-color whites, and 89% do not hold a college degree." Two thirds of them are listed as "political independents." Most are opposed to free trade. Most make less than $30,000 per year. 44% are parents. Two thirds favor a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts. Only 28% give Obama a positive approval rating and only 22% would vote to re-elect him. As a whole, the white "Disaffecteds" "are opposed to today's left."
It might be concluded that these "Disaffecteds" are members of the Tea Party. Not necessarily! Per this study, "only 19%" support the Tea Party and "67% have no opinion." This is the highest of any Pew group.
What Olsen didn't reference in his close observation was "how many "Disaffecteds" would support the "E" Amendment?" Chances are, most if not all would! Here's why:
The "E" amendment is about returning control to the middle class. "Disaffecteds" would immediately pick up on the importance of I.D. cards. Whether real or imagined, they are quick to accuse illegals of taking employment from legal citizens. While evidence suggests that illegals accept jobs that legal citizens pass on, exceptions abound.
"English" only voting ballots and drivers license testing would draw support from "Disaffecteds." Striking Phyler versus Doe would be extremely popular with this group. The idea of someone, even a child, illegally receiving entitlements infuriates them!
So many Disaffecteds make up what is commonly referred to as "the working poor." They are extremely sensitive to any legislation that might change the entitlement structure. This may have been the reason behind Jane Corwin's defeat in the recent New York Congressional race. She was unable to connect with these voters while her opponent hammered her on Paul Ryan's proposed plan for Medicare and Medicaid.
Often the key is communication. Marco Rubio grabbed "Disaffected's" attention in the Florida Senate race when he proposed that "we buy our health insurance like we buy our car insurance." This is easy to understand. If you have only three or four companies allowed to compete for the health care business, you will pay more. Just imagine if only State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide were our auto options? Conversely, if all 1300 Health Insurance companies could compete, the premiums would drop. "Joe Six-pack" understands this.
Ryan's plan would benefit them more than most. Besides, any plan is better than no plan! At the present course, the entire program will be bankrupt if immediate attention is not given. Ryan's plan is sound. But he may well have presented it to the American people in Russian! Few understand it, "Disaffecteds" included. The Democrat was able to pick up on this and took the election as a result.
"Disaffecteds" would understand the "E" Amendment's ban on "outsourcing any job that required an Americans' social security number." True, the jobs would be mostly low paying. But "Disaffecteds" would see them as "easy service jobs with benefits." This translates to "an opportunity for one spouse to get the family on a group health insurance plan while the other pursued 1099 work." Many "Disaffecteds" work in a small business, often as a Sole Proprietor. This could be huge; a decisive factor that would win their vote. It has to do with "living on the edge." Establishment Republicans often can't relate to this mentality.
"Disaffecteds" typically distrust liberalism and do not have confidence that the government knows what to do. Yet, according to Olsen's study almost three-fourths of them want to focus on domestic affairs as opposed to world affairs. This reflects hardline Democrats and Tea Partiers to some extent. This very notion could be the "in" the Tea Party might seek if they choose to cultivate this group.
Most "Disaffecteds" could be attracted by legislation that addressed their immediate needs while simultaneously raising their standing in society. Everyone likes to feel that they are significant. The "E" Amendment does this when it invites these overlooked and often forgotten Americans to become "Eagles."
What really "rings their bell" is job creation. And, the "promise of a level playing field" where they are the prime benefactors. They do not have a problem with downsizing the government or "reducing constitutional costs." As long as it doesn't translate to eliminating their own entitlements.
Social Stratificationists might catagorize "Disaffecteds" as "lower middle class." Labels aside, they stand as the likely key to the 2012 Presidential election. Unlocking the gate may be as easy as asking the right questions. Or introducing the most strategically beneficial legislation.
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