I'm Not Saying Democrats Aren't Patriotic . . . But Hahvahd Is

Via the always interesting Guy Benson, it seems Democrats have a patriotism problem after all. Of course, the Harvard social scientists couch it as Republicans having "appropriated" patriotic holidays, but if the Democrats were better than indifferent on the issue, I doubt that could have happened.

Democratic political candidates can skip this weekend's July 4th parades. A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans, and help to boost the GOP turnout of adults on Election Day.

[...]

"The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century. Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats. According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party. Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans," write Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam.

The key findings of the study are that July Fourth celebrations (1) increase the likelihood of a youth identifying as a Republican by at least 2 percent if attended before age 18, (2) raise the likelihood that attendees will vote for a Republican candidate by 4 percent; and (3) boost the likelihood an attendee will vote by about 1 percent; and (4) increase the chances an attendee will make a political contribution by 3 percent.

Those are slight differences, but every little bit counts.

LATER: Top Ten Ways Democrats Can Re-"Appropriate" July Fourth
(A couple of these blatantly stolen from commenters or Guy.)

10. Include a disclaimer on celebration notices warning that displays of patriotism might endanger children's welfare.

9. Have the EPA require that celebrations use only fireworks that are environmentally friendly and greenhouse gas neutral.

8. Include a ritual apology to Great Britain after all readings of the Declaration of Independence.

7. Have the National Endowment for the Arts fund naked interpretive dance troupes at July Fourth parades. Also, drum circles.

6. Burn slave-owning Founders in effigy.

5. Have the NLRB require that all parade volunteers be unionized.

4. Serve soy chai lattes at July Fourth parades.

3. A free bong hits booth at every parade.

2. Require that children have a permission slip to attend signed by . . . their school principal.

And the Number 1 way that Democrats could re-appropriate the Fourth of July is

1. Actually love their country and talk about it without always saying "I love America, but [issue probably having to do with their relationship with their fathers]."

Effin' 'tards.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 12:23 PM

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