Why do people often vote against their own interests?

I found this article from the BBC that shows how political manipulation dupes people into voting against their own interest.

There are some very telling statistics and points.

Gore: "Under the governor's plan, if you kept the same fee for service that you have now under Medicare, your premiums would go up by between 18% and 47%, and that is the study of the Congressional plan that he's modelled his proposal on by the Medicare actuaries."

Bush: "Look, this is a man who has great numbers. He talks about numbers.
"I'm beginning to think not only did he invent the internet, but he invented the calculator. It's fuzzy math. It's trying to scare people in the voting booth."

Mr Gore was talking sense and Mr Bush nonsense - but Mr Bush won the debate. With statistics, the voters just hear a patronising policy wonk, and switch off.

But it is striking that the people who most dislike the whole idea of healthcare reform - the ones who think it is socialist, godless, a step on the road to a police state - are often the ones it seems designed to help.

In Texas, where barely two-thirds of the population have full health insurance and over a fifth of all children have no cover at all, opposition to the legislation is currently running at 87%.

BBC Article

reply to post by iamcamouflage


Because the pricey political strategists do their jobs extremely well.

People will vote for someone simply on morality issues, or some such.

"Well, I'm opposed to abortion, so I want to vote for the one who opposes abortion".

The other issues become moot to that person, and they wind up shooting themselves in the foot time after time.

Political strategists have these ideals down to an art-form by region, and demographics, and talk about the "issue" most in those regions....then on to the next tailor-made issue and region. It's called propaganda, mixed in with a complete lack of ethics, and a total disregard for what's best for the country as a whole.

In short: People are short-sighted, gullible, and don't take the time to critically evaluate the issues which actively effect their daily living.

Thanks for the opportunity to rant.

First, never trust stats. Second, never trust a politician. So a politician with stats is a lie by default. Third, nothing the US gov has done has ever cost what it initially claimed nor sucessfully created all the good it claimed.

Fourth, and finally, what's in 'my best interest'? Isn't that relative? If the gov wanted to act in 'my best interest' it would leave me the hell alone. Out of my wallet, out of my bedroom, out of my life.


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Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
First, never trust stats. Second, never trust a politician. So a politician with stats is a lie by default.

I never trust anyone telling me not to trust. If they so suspicious, I'm probably not exactly not included. They're most likely telling me not to trust myself and my judgement but to instead trust their advice not to trust. Before you know it, they're asking me to trust them instead.

People see what they want to see, and discount evidence to the contrary. Many people in the USA and the UK are brain-washed. Seemingly intelligent people supported Thatcher, Bush and Blair as they ran the countries into the ground. They still do. Go figure.

Originally posted by ladyinwaiting
reply to post by iamcamouflage

 

"Well, I'm opposed to abortion, so I want to vote for the one who opposes abortion".

The other issues become moot to that person, and they wind up shooting themselves in the foot time after time.

In short: People are short-sighted, gullible, and don't take the time to critically evaluate the issues which actively effect their daily living.

You said everything I wanted to say right there!
Completely agree!
Well done and thanks!

Democracy is directed towards desire and wants. People would like lower taxes or higher government spending beecause they can immediately see the 'benefits'. They have more money to spend, so this is good for them. They vote for those that satisfy them in this manner. Despite the differing political ideologies that we have, the distinct political culture that underlies all Western society (and increasingly in other countries) is one of individual freedom, satisfaction and happiness. We have the typical left and right parties, but they are simply two sides of the same card. All are orientated towards this notion of desire, which is fundamentally opposed to long term existence for both ourselves and the environment. Democracy does not allow individuals and parties to be elected who would undermine this system, people that would actually change it in a significant manner