Does loving the nation make one conservative?
Or does being conservative make one love the nation?
Well one thing is proven daily, hating the nation makes one a liberal.
Posted on 07/01/2011 9:11:23 PM PDT by NoLibZone
CBS/What's Trending) - Can celebrating the Fourth of July turn you into a Republican? A recent Harvard University study concludes holiday celebrations have a large impact into what shapes a child culturally, socially and politically. Case in point, the 4th of July.
According to the study, there is a direct link between a child's participation in the national holiday and that same child's subsequent voting, party identification and party contribution habits.
Here is the breakdown. According to the study, a successful Independence Day, more specifically one without rain, before the age of 18 raises the likelihood of identifying as a Republican by two percent. Mind you that is a single 4th of July. Not to belabor the point, but that means that assuming if, as a child there were ten fourth of July's that you participated in and the day was sunny, then feasibly you would have a 20 percent higher likelihood of joining the Republican Party.
That figure is just the beginning. By that same assumption, you are 40 percent more likely to vote Republican. You would have a nine percent boost in whether or not you'll vote at all, and you will be 30 percent more likely to contribute financially to a political campaign.
(I wonder if that takes into account the watching of "Independence Day." Will Watching Will Smith battle aliens has to make you more conservative?)
The study continues to indicate that the 4th of July celebrations is not a good thing at all for Democrats. The study claims, "There is no evidence of an increased likelihood of identifying as a Democrat, indicating that Fourth of July shifts preferences to the right rather than increasing political polarization."
The lack of rain on the 4th of July increasing participation in politics makes sense. There are politically charged events and speeches, and the holiday itself is based on the love of America. As children, and even as adults, it is pounded into our heads that civic duty is the way to love American back. You know the whole "Vote or Die", "Uncle Sam Wants You" bit. That is understandable and even logical.
The declaration that the celebration of the Declaration seeps conservatism into the minds of our youths is a little less on the side of logic. It's hard to tell which side of the aisle the study speaks worse of. In its suggestion that a successful 4th of July forces children and adults alike towards the right is an implication that Democrats don't stand for patriotism, or at least don't make enough of a showing. However, that isn't to say that the Republicans are shown in an entirely pretty light either. The study states, "To the extent that there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and Republican beliefs, celebrations in Republican dominated counties may be more politically biased occasions that socialize children into Republicans"
A boy rides a rocket bike during the Fourth of July parade. (Credit: Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
The study's words almost seem like the 4th of July results in a forced impartment of Republican ideals on early forming minds.
The study concludes "participating in the festivities during childhood shifts later-life preferences and behavior toward the Republicans and increases adult voter turnout."
And this is where things get dicey. This is all based off of several assumptions, whether or not generally regarded as true or not is beside the point. The point is, is that if repeated over time there is no way that the results would read the same or true. The study hails itself as the first of its kind to regard a national public celebration and its effect on those who participate or don't. That's all that needs to be said. This study is a preliminary investigation and while it has its merits in terms of logic and persuasion it lacks in cold hard irrefutable and repeatable data.
Algorithms and rain charts aside, allowing or participating in 4th of July events probably won't be too dangerous in socializing your children or yourself, than say what your child's best friends parents believe or what is taught in school. Just to be on the safe side though, if you're liberal and have children you would also like to grow up to be liberal, don't feed your child too many hotdogs and cap the fireworks to 15 minutes top.
What do you think? Do you agree with the study? Will the 4th of July make you a Republican?
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And the downside?
That said...what teaches children (not kids because those are young goats)) to be Democrats?
Does loving the nation make one conservative?
Or does being conservative make one love the nation?
Well one thing is proven daily, hating the nation makes one a liberal.
I want every kid in the custody of Children’s Services, the courts, law enforcement and foster homes marched out for Independence day celebrations.
I just KNEW that the Dems were always wanting to rain on someone’s parade. Now I know why.
How many 4th of July celebrations did Obama partake in as a child?
I rest my case.
Only proves.....it’s the Democrats AGAINST America....
Let’s see if we can’t have 3 or 4 more patriotic holidays every year if that’s all it takes.
And the other 364 days a year they are controlled by people that teach kids to be flaming, liberal Democrats.
Touchy, aren’t these Democrats. Even mention that they are a bunch of treasonous bastards and they get all bent out of shape.
We get one day out of the year. The Left gets an entire school year.
This is inherently obvious.
People vote liberal until they wise up when they are older.
The same statistical result holds for “kids who ever drank water.”
Celebrating july 4th will help you appreciate America. what you do with that it’s up to you...
Against...
Schools teach children to be liberals...
Colleges teach children to be liberals
MSM teach children to be liberals
Hollywood teaches children to be liberals
Earth day teaches children to be liberals
We’re way behind the eight ball when it comes to indoctrination.
very astute of you...for that point.
Since Republicans like to wave the flag, while Democrats like to burn it, the study may, indeed, have a point.
“That said...what teaches children (not kids because those are young goats)) to be Democrats?”
Pride parades
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