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Do Your Genes Make You a Democrat?
New York Magazine ^ | July 11, 2014 | Jesse Singal

Posted on 07/11/2014 5:49:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Earlier this week in the New York Times, Thomas Edsall had an interesting column about new research on the connection between genes and political beliefs — particularly those connected to social conservatism. But he dives a bit too deep into the gene pool (sorry) in his attempts to explain why humans tend to be so politically close-minded.

Specifically, referencing the work of researchers Amanda Friesen at Indiana University and Aleksander Ksiazkiewicz at Rice, he writes: “If these [political] predispositions are, as Friesen and Ksiazkiewicz argue, to some degree genetically rooted, they may not lend themselves to rational debate and compromise."

But we already know that political debates don’t lend themselves to rational debate and controversy — and we don’t need genetic explanations to understand why. There are all sorts of well-known psychological factors, from social influences to confirmation bias to motivated reasoning, that can help explain why we get locked into our political views and tend not to be open to changing them.

Sure, maybe, genes underlie these explanations and are therefore a factor.

(Excerpt) Read more at nymag.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 07/11/2014 5:49:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

You know, like being born gay...


2 posted on 07/11/2014 5:53:00 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (Please Support Free Republic.)
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To: nickcarraway

Genes have nothing to do with it. Intelligence, or lack thereof, determines the way people vote. Now, the people they vote for are a whole different breed.


3 posted on 07/11/2014 5:53:14 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican (Liberals were raised by women or wimps. And they're all stupid.)
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To: nickcarraway

Yep, just blame genes for every perversion.


4 posted on 07/11/2014 5:54:40 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: nickcarraway
Most likely it is a diseased brain or other major malfunction...

rightdiagnosis.com

Results: Inability to think coherently AND constant deterioration of mental acuity.

Possible Causes:


1. Anoxia
2. Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic
3. Barbiturate abuse
4. Battaglia Neri syndrome
5. Brain abscess
6. Brain cancer
7. Encephalitis
8. Extradural hematoma
9. Fetal alcohol syndrome
10. HARD syndrome

5 posted on 07/11/2014 5:56:28 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: nickcarraway

>> those connected to social conservatism. But he dives a bit too deep...

Excerpt take away:

Stigmatizing social conservatives is okay, but everything else is off limits.


6 posted on 07/11/2014 5:56:46 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: nickcarraway

My money’s on the parasitic organism toxoplasmosis gondi coupled with copious amounts of communist propaganda 24/7.


7 posted on 07/11/2014 5:57:15 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: nickcarraway
Do Your Genes Make You a Democrat?

Sure...if you're genetically defective to begin with, although some people can overcome such handicaps and go on to lead productive lives.



































But not as Democrats, obviously.
8 posted on 07/11/2014 5:59:42 PM PDT by Milton Miteybad (I am Jim Thompson. {Really.})
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To: VerySadAmerican

it’s not genetics.

it’s a process.

generally people are liberal when young, b/c they are naive and idealistic and have less exposure to the real world and are not fully responsible for their actions and their needs.

they get stunted and stopped at this stage, and don’t take the last step to full independent adulthood.

it’s is a developmental disorder.


9 posted on 07/11/2014 6:00:33 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: nickcarraway

Your genes probably do not make you a Democrat, but if your jeans are filthy, you don’t use deodorant, your hair looks like rats live in it, you are probably a Democrat.

I base my statement on observations I have made in and around Austin, Texas and then noticing that the individuals I just described tend to get into cars (most often Priapussies) with Obama or Wendy Davis (or both) bumper stickers on them.


10 posted on 07/11/2014 6:04:04 PM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel (Have a wonderful day!)
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To: nickcarraway

If it’s genetic, then between abortions and the gay explosion they should make themselves extinct in a few generations.


11 posted on 07/11/2014 6:04:14 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: nickcarraway

My genes make me look fat...


12 posted on 07/11/2014 6:05:27 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: nickcarraway

I would say that a Y chromosome is a definite possibility.


13 posted on 07/11/2014 6:05:32 PM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

If you have the “gay gene” they you most definitely will be a RAT.


14 posted on 07/11/2014 6:06:18 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate "Republicans Freed the Slaves" Month.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Are you sure that 12 years of government schooling has nothing to do with being pro-statism aka liberal aka progressive aka socialist aka communist?


15 posted on 07/11/2014 6:14:52 PM PDT by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: nickcarraway
Of course liberals are interested tying everything they can to genetics. It removes responsibility from the individual.

I can hear them now, "They can't hep it. They's born that way."

They should be careful what they wish for. Suppose a 'gay' gene is found and a prenatal test for it is created.

Would the left suddenly turn pro-life? I doubt it.
Would the Gaystapo join the pro-life movement and fight it out with the NAGs? Possibly.

Either way my popcorn futures would skyrocket.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

16 posted on 07/11/2014 6:16:59 PM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: nickcarraway

It’s not the genes, It’s the sinful, fallen nature of man.


17 posted on 07/11/2014 6:17:57 PM PDT by Rodm
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To: 1010RD

sure does. but the real world has a way of breaking those stupid ideas. especially if people are honest with themselves.


18 posted on 07/11/2014 6:20:14 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

I think a massive welfare state allows people to maintain the fantasy well beyond its normal extinction rate.


19 posted on 07/11/2014 6:23:09 PM PDT by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: Secret Agent Man

I think the way they’re raised has a lot to do with it. My ex had the most influence on my kids. They’re liberal. My cousins are all liberal and all of their kids are liberal.


20 posted on 07/11/2014 6:26:38 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican (Liberals were raised by women or wimps. And they're all stupid.)
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