Most people can't stand politicians, so they turn away from politics. They have no idea what's happening in Washington, nor do they care. BUT.....when their money is gone or their family is in danger, they know it. That's what gets them to the polls (and they do not like liberalism).
Read the polls... most Americans believe that the economy is poor. With gas prices, the average American's wallet isn't doing better this year than last.
No way man. The economy is in the toilet and we're all going to become basket ladies and homeless. Just ask the Democrats.
Then they will come riding in on their white horses and save us all.
You need to get a better understanding of economics rather than just parrot Limbaugh. The truth is that DOW at 11K has very little impact on the lives of the average American, and as other posters have said, income growth has been very slow.
The truth about this economic recovery is it has been largely confined to the real estate, financial sectors, and retail that sells items related to housing. People used their homes as ATMs machines to drive retail. The entire non utility industrial sector still has not recovered, and high tech has largely not recovered.
What does the Republican party stand for, unwaveringly? Smaller government? Nope. Balanced budgets? Nope. Elimination of wasteful, useless programs and agencies? Hell nope - they created more of them.
I'm not seeing the upside here. Unless you want to invest in Baghdad Burger Kings, because we'll be there forever.
And don't give me the old "we don't suck as much as they suck!" line - that one wore out years ago.
I think you're going to get a lot of posts that say you're being a tad too "Pollyanna-ish."
I'm going to have to be one of them. The Republicans ARE in charge now, and derrnit, they're not showing nearly enough leadership or forethought for my tastes.
Of course, I'll NEVER vote for the Abortion Party, but way too many people ignore politics and really don't give a rat's rump about the stock market.
Sorry. In this case, I hope I'm wrong and that the GOP does sieze upon this issue, but they've let so many stunning successes go by the wayside these past five years that it appears that they are paying as much attention these days to "political strategy" as is your average Joe Sixpack. :(
I think the economy is booming but the average American still doesnt. Until Bush gets around to informing them of this fact or they trip over it themselves, we may have to wait a while the vast majority of Americans to discover how good the economy is. Last few polls I saw showed that some 30-40% of the population actually thought we were in a recession. Duh
Bad economic times win elections for the party that is out of power; arguably good economic times win the party that is in power the fur lined chamber mug.