Very cogent analysis. I used to work with a 50 something woman (my secretary) who was a lifetime Democrat. But she was anti-affirmative action, pro gun rights(her husband was a hunter), didn't really care about environmental issues, supported some abortion rights (but not late term or partial birth). And I could never figure out WHY she was a Dem other than the fact that her parents were Dems and that is how she was raised.
But after reading your theory, I think you have her nailed. She was always very jealous of "rich" people.
Your secretary sounds exactly like my Mom and Grandmother. If it was Hitler himself, but had a -D behind his name on the ballot, they'd vote for him. It's people like them that keep the RATS alive when they should have gone the way of the Whig party a decade ago. No amount of reasoning, common sense, or in your face proof will keep them from voting for a Bill Clinton, Algore, or Ketchup Boy.
My great uncle passed away in 2000. My grandparents not only had to pay for the funeral, but got socked by the IRS for $26,000. They freaked. My mom freaked. I told them Dubya wanted to get rid of the Death Tax. So, they all voted for Algore anyway. I had to stay away from family gatherings during the Battle of Florida I was so disgusted with them.
In 2003, one of the most intelligent politicians I've ever seen, who knows more about the in's and out's of healthcare, Bobby Jindal, ran against the brain-dead Kathleen Blanco for Governor here in Louisiana. My grandmother absolutely loved Jindal, because she's getting way up there in years. Until she found out he was a Republican.
I've met Blanco and know there's not a bit of intelligence in that arrogant brain of hers. Imagine a female Ted Kennedy, and you'll get Kathleen Blanco. So naturally, she and mom(gramps had passed) voted for Blanco, who ran one of the nastiest race-baiting campaigns I've ever seen.
Now, we have higher taxes, less services, and a governor who immediately brought all of Edwin Edwards old cronies back with her. Eddy may be in the pen, but his buddies are still just as corrupt as they've always been.