The phrase “silent majority”, referring to those who do not make their views known other than through the imperfect prism of the their ballots, represents a concept that has been used by both parties but is most closely associated with the Republicans. The phrase goes back a lot farther than that, a couple of millennia in fact, as a euphemism for the dead. That’s similar to what G. K. Chesterton referred to as “the democracy of the dead” which is to say tradition.
In a piece at The Hill Douglas MacKinnon wonders if we are not about to see the “silent majority”, in a somewhat different usage determine the outcome of the midterm elections:
For decades, we have all heard of the “silent majority†in American politics. Today, for incredibly practical reasons, it may have morphed into the “secret majority.â€
And why wouldn’t it? Back when the “silent majority†was coined as a term, whatever political opinion you might choose to express — generally more Republican, conservative and common sense from that demographic — you were not going to be fired from a job; you wouldn’t have your business picketed and shut down; you were not going to have anarchists and protesters march into your neighborhood; your children wouldn’t be targeted because of your views; you were not going to get viciously harassed on social media; you were not going to have your grade in college altered or be expelled from an institution of higher learning; you were not going to have your life turned upside down for simply having a different political or faith-based opinion in that version of the United States of America. We were indeed a nation conceived to ensure “liberty and justice for all.â€
The America of 2022 is not the America of the past. The cancel-culture crowd has flipped that script.
Suddenly, the “secret majority†has come to the realization that, if they hope to live in peace and provide for themselves and their families, they must constantly remind themselves that they no longer have the liberty to speak their minds and the scales of justice have been hijacked by far-left politicians, district attorneys and advocates who push for open borders, the defunding of the police, identity politics and the rights of violent criminals over the victims.
Many from the “secret majority†believe that this woke, anti-liberty and anti-free speech movement has taken over the power centers of big business, Big Tech, the media, universities, hospitals, science centers, and the most influential unions in the country — in other words, institutions that either employ them or exert power over their quality of life decisions.
Knowing that, why would they ever speak out or voice a differing opinion? The fact is, many do not. They have shut down.
I don’t think his interpretation is 100% correct. I think that polling is broken because few enough people are willing to answer the pollsters’ questions honestly that they’re inherently biased. Those who respond are those willing to give the pollsters the answers they think the pollsters want, whether it’s because they align with their own, because they’re willing to lie, or because they’re mischievous.
However, we’ll know pretty soon—in just over a week. If the Republicans gain narrow majorities in the House and Senate, which is what I expect, I think we can reasonably speculate that if there is a “secret majority”, they’re still secret.
And where were they in 2016 and 2020?
While I do think there is a latent political force from the many people who do not have much interest or engagement with politics currently, I see very little evidence that they have become “activated” and will be a force in the mid-terms.
Yet another guy saying in a public forum what he claims you cant say in a public forum. What he complains about mostly happens on social media but it represents a small group of people and other than feelings being hurt doesnt mean much. Leave a few coastal universities and all of this is very rare. Also, lets not forget the death threats and picketing outside the homes of public health officials in the recent past and the long term at places like Planned Parenthood that do abortions, including the deaths, attacks with acid and bombings.
If Republicans win “its the economy stupid”. I think there is this constant argument put up by partisans on both sides that “this time we have a permanent majority” for whatever reason they make up. To date that argument has always been wrong and i expect it again.
Steve
Suddenly, the “secret majority†has come to the realization that, if they hope to live in peace and provide for themselves and their families, they must constantly remind themselves that they no longer have the liberty to speak their minds and the scales of justice have been hijacked by far-left politicians, district attorneys and advocates who push for open borders, the defunding of the police, identity politics and the rights of violent criminals over the victims.
This paragraph resonated with me….a lot. While I’m outspoken on this blog, I rarely “speak my piece†anywhere else. Living in CA is like being in the belly of the progressive beast, trying to disengage from the reality of living in a far left liberal paradise. To converse with anyone openly, without first knowing their political proclivities, is a potential pathway to unpleasantness. Putting out any conservative signage, on either one’s home or car, is seriously asking for trouble. No polling firm has ever called me for my candidate preference. However, if anyone did I would decline to participate in their polling stats. However, when asked by friendly like-minded people, I encourage them to vote straight republican, as I have already done.
When someone falls away from the democrat “group-think†– a group who readily either derides or shuns “other-think†– it is generally found to be less hazardous to hold political sentiments close, not openly sharing them with just anyone. However, I think shutting down discussions of opposing POVs probably only incubates partisanship more, increasing polarization and furthering submerged voting patterns.
How much this kind of voter intimidation plays in the midterms remains to be seen. Some pollsters are speculating R’s will gain 5 points from an undercount of their real vote. Then there is the highly activated grass roots organizing going on and entering the political fray- some for the first time. These new energized entrants into GOTV events, keeping watch over vulnerable drop boxes (being labeled “vigilantes†by Dems), and creating more equitable ratios of dem/republican poll watchers will hopefully have a positive impact of creating a more trustworthy election.
“I think there is this constant argument put up by partisans on both sides that “this time we have a permanent majority†for whatever reason they make up.”
Because they inevitably overplay their hand. They can’t help it. Its their nature.
https://theintercept.com/2022/10/31/social-media-disinformation-dhs/
The release/leak of DHS docs showing direct government collusion with social media entities, in governing information put out to the public, is more than alarming….and, yet quietly affirming as to how intertwined the Dems have been in censorship and suspension of truth. For those still sitting on the fence, about which party should take the lead in the midterms, this DHS story should make a difference in signaling the Dems deserve the heave-ho because of their years of controlling and policing free speech.