But everyone loves a parade

Well, it’s the Fourth of July and here is a link to a story of a Harvard study which analyzes childhood participation in celebratory patriotic events. It finds a connection to this and future political belief patterns.  

Now I grew up in a small town, in a house on the parade route and watched a parade of parades go by in the course of my childhood but I remain fairly certain I am not Republican.  

The study focuses on the years 1920-2008 and notes: "The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century."

…the results indicate that Fourth of July celebrations in the United States shape the nation’s political landscape by forming beliefs and increasing participation, primarily in favor of the Republican Party.  

The pair researched previous studies, finding that July Fourth participation divides along political lines with  a) Republicans viewing the historic anniversary as more important than Democrats do,   and b) Republicans attending July Fourth celebrations more consistently than Democrats do.

3 thoughts on “But everyone loves a parade

  1. I watch the lake

    named for an imperial explorer

    the lovely lake

    a million shades of blue gray

    the waters rising

    the mountains sinking

    we are well into endgame

    fireworks on the 4th of July

    interdependence scorned

    and the land of the free is

    so expensive and

    and the brave are killing

    children in a

    video game war

    sitting in safety

    killing women and children

    and

    the occasional rich target

    (so say the official voices)

    watching the waters rise

    and the mountains sink

    taking in the 4th of july

    lie

    in the american empire

    with the world on fire

  2. Saw the Montpelier parade.  Bernie was the classiest part of it walking all by himself, no aides, no signs, as though he were a float unto himself.  If Obama had it in him, he’d dump Biden for Sanders in 2012.  Might get some real debate going about taxing the rich.

  3. If Obama had it in him, he’d dump Biden for Sanders in 2012.  Might get some real debate going about taxing the rich.

    Which, of course, is why he won’t.

    NanuqFC

    In a Time of Universal Deceit, TELLING the TRUTH Is a Revolutionary Act. ~ George Orwell

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