Is it so WEIRD to be a Brown Conservative?

SPC Eddie "Nemo" Aiumu — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 01:40:39 -0500

Im Samoan and Ive always leaned to the right. Why do folks give me this weird..."oh...but...i mean aren't you suppose to be a Democrat?" type stare. I had a couple of Democrat Canvass folks stop by my house. And the reaction on their face was priceless. They were white but were confused and kind of bewildered when they were told by Me and my wife (who is a first Gen Haitian American) that we were registered Republicans.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Mar 10 at 2016 2:18 AM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 02:18:48 -0500

Now you're talking my language SPC Eddie "Nemo" Aiumu., REPUBLICAN! While I dont know if you identify as black but as Im thinking the Samoan race is one that originates from Polynesia you indicated that your wife is. The Democrats have done more to set back the cause of blacks all over the country going back to the Civil War.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 2:37 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 02:37:53 -0500

Way to go, SPC! Continue to think for yourself. Hillsdale College has a good FREE course on the limits and original intent of the Constitution..
The BEST platoon sergeant in C Co., 1-27th INF Co, was Samoan.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 2:44 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 02:44:49 -0500

Ain't weird at all. But I am very grateful you are! Many of the Samoans I've known over the years have been solid conservatives.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 10 at 2016 2:52 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 02:52:34 -0500

I'm conservative in many areas but refuse to identify with either party, You are absolutely right about how Democrats assume that people of color will fall under their domain.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 10 at 2016 3:15 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 03:15:29 -0500

As much has not changed for many minority communities and with some even declining into bankruptcy why the blind vote? I get that Republicans from the South weren't pro civil rights but overall there were 80% vs 60%.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markhendrickson/2012/05/31/president-obamas-wealth-destroying-goal-taking-the-curley-effect-nationwide/#337ccf1b37a7

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markhendrickson/2012/05/31/president-obamas-wealth-destroying-goal-taking-the-curley-effect-nationwide/#337ccf1b37a7

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Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 5:19 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 05:19:23 -0500

While I don't think of myself as a conservative at all, I've never understood why people were surprised to find out a person of color could be conservative.

There was a pretty good discussion I happened to catch on the news a while back that was about how Republicans could better attract Hispanic and African American voters and the pundit pointed how those communities shared many values and traits with conservatives. And when you think about it, it makes sense. Both groups tend to have strong sense of faith, emphasize the importance of the family unit, and many hold traditional attitudes towards social issues. So really, when you think about it, it's hardly surprising at all.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Mar 10 at 2016 6:40 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 06:40:05 -0500

I don't think its weird. Actually from what I have heard and read the conservative platform actually aligns more with black America than do those of the Liberals. I just think the liberals are good at making minorities believe that its the other way around.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 10 at 2016 7:19 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 07:19:38 -0500

Should it matter what race defines your beliefs or religion? People used to give me weird stares for being Muslim.

Hell, people were surprised I was an Asian American serving in the US Military.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 10 at 2016 7:51 AM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 07:51:24 -0500

Some voters are party voters. Some voters are issue voters. Some issue voters are single issue voters. There are personally valid reasons for all three approaches. I am not African-American. What I'm saying is political theory, not political fact. I do not think this theory is widely known or accepted but I believe it can be logically inferred from history. That logic doesn't necessarily make it right.

The Democrats have successfully labeled themselves as the party of the common man and the party of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities. They have also succeeded in labeling the Republicans as the party of wealth, business and socially conservative white, Protestant men. The Republicans are not entirely blame free in that labeling.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA-64) stalled within the Democratic Party. LBJ had to rely on the Republicans to break a Democrat led filibuster. In both houses, the Republicans voted over 80% in favor of CRA-64. The Democrats, less than 65%. Now, the Civil Rights Movement covers a lot longer time than the push for CRA-64. But it illustrates that any party can surprise you.

On issue-by-issue polling the African American Community, viewed as a monolithic block, tends to line up more solidly behind the Republicans on socially conservative issues, crime, foreign policy, and education. Which are often key issue for single issue voters. But the current issue of voter ID plays to the perception of minority voters that their voting rights are being endangered. I've never felt like my voting rights were endangered. But if I had, it would be a long, long time before I trusted the party that I thought endangered them. Unless the Republican party shakes that perception, it will never be able to take advantage of the commonalities it has with the African American community.

This is political theory, not fact. It is also grossly oversimplified. It makes sense, and I kind of believe it but I ain't done yet. I would particularly be interested in the views of religious, ethnic, and minority voters on this theory.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Mar 10 at 2016 8:11 AM

SSG Gerhard S. — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 08:11:57 -0500

I think it's odd there aren't a lot more minorities that are Conservatives. Of course, I only say that with the understanding that Republicans aren't "Conservative" in the classical sense. The Conservative model calls for individual liberty and equality, not group identification. One would think that minorities would wish to be recognized and treated as equal individuals, instead of lumping themselves into one group or another. Conservativism/Libertarianism follows this model and it is often perplexing to find so many identifying with a group that often does not represent their personification and beliefs.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 10 at 2016 8:25 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 08:25:35 -0500

I don't think it's weird. I'm glad you are deciding your support based on issues.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Mar 10 at 2016 8:40 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 08:40:15 -0500

SPC Eddie "Nemo" Aiumu, the Democrats have divided up people by race for so long that they cannot understand it when they run across individual choice and our common shared humanity rather than the group identity that they expect.

The interesting thing to me is that they like to call conservatives racist while their entire world revolves around race and other identity divisions.

It is refreshing to see individuals like you and your wife that think for themselves from base principles rather than being led into division by group identity.

Thank you for posting this – it made my day.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 1:15 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:15:41 -0500

I agree with JP4...race shouldn't really be an issue. What you find important and who you think will best deliver on those needs should be the primary factor in politics. Labels are dangerous and outdated.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 1:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:31:13 -0500

Because they think Ethnicity has something to do with politics. It does not. They are just fooled into thinking one party cares more about them than the others. Uh, none of them care about any of us.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2016 10:39 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:39:11 -0400

You are voting against your own interest. Read the news!