Would feel a lot more confident about Pew's findings (link) if the general election were held in, say, early June instead of early November. Both puzzled and inspired by Pew, let's examine some demographics. Hillary supporters, as described in the general press, tend to be white women, those over 60, poor people, those with a high school education or less and Latinos. Barack supporters, as described in the general press, tend to be younger, better-salaried, well-educated and Black Americans. Yet, if we count Hillary's strong support among wealthy white women, doesn't that alter the perception created by the press that mostly poor and less-educated women back her? A new baseline is needed and one may be how the voter views federal government service provision. Poor people, less-educated people, those over 60 and bi-linguals (such as Latinos) - the Hillary supporters - tend to be more in need of direct human service provision than the rest of the general population. Add Hillary's strong support in the health care, social work and education sectors - most of whose members have advanced degrees - that provide those services. On the other hand, younger folks, those better-salaried and well-educated - the Barack supporters - tend to view government as an enabler - that is, one that can aid them in achieving and managing their own objectives. Student loans, federal grants, federal mortgage guarantees, money supply and interest rates would qualify as government programs that help make a good life possible for the program participant (not program recipient). If I may paraphrase the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one group of diverse members sees government as offering a hand-out and a hand-up (the Hillary demographic). The other group of diverse members sees the government as offering a helping hand but only as a feature for some other activity (the Barack demographic).
