I see things the way you do, but I know plenty of people who supported both Bernie and Trump and saw no contradiction there whatsoever. People listen for things that they like in a candidate's message, and they listen to see if they have a caring message. Does it seem like they actually care about people like me? Both Bernie and Trump pulled that off for many people. My hope is the Democrats learn that lesson.

Interesting statement, "Democrats are the thinking party. Academics by nature..." As an atheist who isn't a Democrat, Socialist, Communist, Libertarian, anarchist, or Trump supporter, here is how I see it.

You always source your insights. I admire your organizational skills!

@Bobbyzen

Thank you, Bobby. I learned the importance of crediting my source in graduate school.

The language in some of those polls leaves me cold. Saying people "favor" same-sex marriage and abortion, I think, is incorrect. I don't "favor" those things, I just think those things are none-of-my-business. So in that way I support people's rights.

@david75090

To favor means to support:

verb (used with object)

1. to regard with favor: to favor an enterprise.

2. to prefer; treat with partiality: the father favored his younger son.

3. to aid or support: he favored his party's cause with ample funds.

@LiterateHiker Number 2 on your list was the way I read it. A preference. Didn't read it any of the other ways. Like saying something is your favorite, which, to me, is the main usage of the term "favor".

@david75090

The use of language is interesting. Synonyms for "favor" as a verb:

Advocate
Back
Endorse
Support

As with abortion, I don't advocate it, back it, endorse it, support it or favor it. I do believe people have the right to make the decision for themselves.

@david75090

I'm glad you believe women have the right to control our own bodies.

Keep Your Theology
Off My Biology

Is a bumper sticker on my car.

Part of our freedom in America is the freedom to mind our own business. One reason I don't support the hypocrisy of the GOP is their stance on freedom reducing issues while pretending to be against government regulation.

I'm not sure if it is all gullibility. Many Trump supporters know many of the things he says are lies, but they are lies about things that either A) they don't personally care about, or B) they know liberals DO care about them and lying about it drives us crazy, which they amuses them to no end. My perception, and it could be wrong, is that they see Trump as a strong man who breaks rules to defend them (against Mexicans, liberals, blacks, terrorists, whatever). I think that's completely idiotic, but most of these people aren't thinking about issues in any complex way.

@greyeyed123 "they see Trump as a strong man who breaks rules to defend them "

In other words, they buy Trump's fantasy of himself as Dirty Harry?

@Paul4747 And now Dirty Harry's an 85 year old drug mule, lol. Times have changed.

@greyeyed123 I actually preferred him as a broken-down cowboy anyway...

The human mind's ability to compartmentalize is without equal. Religion is just one area in which people believe what they want to believe, regardless of the evidence.

Don't leave out Tony Blair, the sleeziest piece of political chicanery and sycophantic obsequious grovelizer ever to be a labour/labor PM anywhere in the western world, and I'm in Australia where we could mount our own candidates for the title with ease. I don't think any of our countries can be pointing fingers.

@David1955 Just my three personal favorites

@David1955 Blair. The man who gave his wealthy chums tax relief on second homes in a country with a housing and land shortage, gave religious sects the right to create indoctrination schools and deny children education because he was a closet catholic who dared not come out, and invaded two foreign countries on false information just for the ego trip of proving he was a world statesman. Is that the one you are talking about ?

@Fernapple His loveliness goes on and on. Last I heard Tony Blair and Associates (Blair and Cronies) were gorging out on the international trough, still linked up with his political wet nurse, one William Clinton. Yes, Bush Jr only pretended to be religious. Crooked Tony was the real faith weasel deal.

@David1955 Some people really pay money to hear him talk! I would pay money to be let out if he was in the same building.

@Fernapple I'd pay to hear him in the dock charged with war crimes, for starters.

Regarding religion in the UK, none of the parties are particularly religious, The odd politician here and there might confess to holding some creed, but they are a rarity. For decades the English church has been relegated to the status of minding births (increasingly less so), marriages (still very popular) and deaths (because there is no real substitute to offer a framework for grief). Religion in England died during the First World War. The only thing that keeps the church going is the Africans who have settled in the UK. Northern Ireland is a totally different scenario, there they wear religion as a badge.

As British too/two, I do tend to use American English on this site, because I hate the way the spell checker colors/ colours things pink. Gray/grey would be better. Although I am a sceptic/skeptic about whether/weather spelling is really at the centre/center of how you enjoy this site/sight. But now I have hit on a great way to bore/boar/bour people if I want to, which/ witch is really a great idea for the future. P. S. I don't/do not think that his "homour" is found in either.

I take it that you mean the spelling of "colorful". Probably because this is an American site and it was altered by the spell checker !

@Fernapple I don't see the spellchecker. I am expected to mark down students using American spelling, simply because in medicine it can be vital to use the correct language. It is not common for Brits to spell using US English and I believe the Canadians are half and half on this.

@Amisja Yes I prefer UK as well, but this is an American based site so really you should be marked down on it for the same reason if you use UK English. Actually I am happy with both, and sometimes do stick with UK. The spell checker is standard, if you are not seeing it you may be using an outdated programme/program to view the site.

@Fernapple My phone?

@Amisja Sorry, you may only get it if you use a pc then, though it does, appear on both my pc and my tablet.

@OwlInASack I believed either is correct in UK English too. Please be a pedant. Language is organic. I am happy about that, but the ability to converse is the only way forward for humans.

@OwlInASack I type fast too, and it does not come easily to me because I am on the autistic spectrum and dyslexic, but I have trained myself to go back and check everything because it is a kind thing to make it easy for others to read. Having said that I am totally forgiving of everyone else, so I will not point out the missing space and full stop in your reply.

@OwlInASack I'm like that...and I teach!

@Amisja Canadians use mostly British English. When I’m texting my family in Canada. I switch keyboards on my iPhone. Here on use American English..as I work, live and my kiddos are American.

@Green_eyes You are so kind

No we Brits don’t have a sense of humour. It’s a rye and stoical observation of the absurd. Once in a lifetime a top class comedy act comes into the world and totally wipes the floor with everything that went before. Slapstick, situation comedy, stand up and open mike. All there with D Trumpington. Can’t wait for the encore!