Doesn't political stereotyping people have a bit of truth to it?

Question

While stereotyping obviously doesn't apply to everyone, isn't there some truth in it?
For instance, isn't it true that the majority of Bush Supporters are Christians, watch wrestling and nascar, and drive Fords or Dodges, and are likely to own a gun and participate in Hunting.
Democrats are more likely to be agnostic or atheists, watch or read hollywood gossip and drive Toyotas or Nissans. Few are gun owners and few hunt.

Seriously, if you are Democrat or a republican, surely you can find the truth in at least one of my three stereotypes I've mentioned.

I'll be the first to admit that I love hollywood gossip, I drive a Toyota Prius, and yes I am agnostic. Although I do own a gun, I keep it in my house for protection only. I don't hunt, but I do take shooter safety

While I can't speak for republicans, I actually come from a republican family, and can personally vouch that at least 3 of the 4 so called stereotypes are true.

Answer 1

There is a lot of truth in political stereotypes. When is the last time you saw a Democrat evangelical? Or a Republican gay from San Franciso?

Answer 2

Well, there's some truth to Astrology. The planets do exert some force on the people on Earth. But, so what, other circumstances are far more significant.

The same is true with some of your examples:
-What % of Democrats in Montana own guns compared to % of Republicans in New Hampshire? I gotta believe it's the Montanans.
-What % of Democrats in Florida watch NASCAR compared to $ of Republicans in Minnesota? I gotta go with the Floridans.
-I think there may be more regionalism to Ford/Chevy/Toyota type ideas, too. Especially where there is a local plant owned by one of the companies.

As for Christians as Bush supporters, they were the target of very well funded very sophisticated marketing blitz in 2004.

Some of your points might make sense because they fall along party lines but I'm not sure they are true either. The Republican party platform kind of supports jobs over environment and it's the other way around for the Democrats. That might make sense that a Democrat would drive a hybrid for environment reasons more so than a Republican. But, there are other reasons to drive a hybrid (fuel economy) that might be indifferent to political party or even lean toward Republicans.

I'd say that if there is any truth to stereotypes, following them is more likely to get you into trouble than get you out. Of course, that's my opinion.

Answer 3

as politically incorrect as it may be, stereotypes happen for a reason. the danger is in a broad brush. Republicans are for gun rights more than democrats but there are some on both sides of the aisle that flip flop on that. Just like John Kerry went duck hunting during the election. I am sure he hasn't been back since. The safe way is to ask the individual and get their answer and not assume. Plus if you ask you may also get the why....that is what is never discussed we just group people

Answer 4

I am a Christian. I love Hollywood gossip, so I can laugh at them.
If I got any more Conservative, I would fall over the right hand side of the world. LOL ( I know there is no right hand side of world - I was making a funny). I do not fit the usual political stereotype as I volunteer more than any liberal I know.

Answer 5

i fairly dislike the way Dawkins argues hostile to faith as he does stereotype a lot. i have examine the G-d fantasy and in a lot of parts he would not recognize what he's speaking about. he's an expert biologist yet he's not any longer a theologian. besides, anybody generalises about anybody else because both its more suitable trouble-free to finish that, or because they recognize it is going to piss off the folk who're in the different team that the generalisation would not keep on with to. regrettably, in a variety of of circumstances its the latter.

Answer 6

Hmmm.. I'm Republican, I am Christian, own a gun and go hunting and drive a Ford and a Chrysler (in the Motor City, if you don't drive American, you're cutting your own economic throat), but I find NASCAR boring and wrestling stupid. In fact, most TV is too stupid to watch - I feel my brain cells dying by the millions when I do watch it!

Answer 7

Have some particular ideas of my own that don't exactly match yours but, I say outstanding to you! You have it figured out. All we have to do is convince 299,999.998 more people and we're done.

Except making term limits the law.

Answer 8

Ya we drive expensive imports or Quality made GM cars that's right!

Answer 9

None of those stereotypes apply to me (Republican). But yes, in general, they are true. Stereotypes are never baseless, otherwise they would be pointless, wouldn't they?

Answer 10

Birds of a feather flock together.

I would have to agree that there is a bit of truth to stereotypes.