Recent studies by four major universities have shown that simply viewing an American Flag tends to produce Republican Party bias. It is important to note that it does NOT produce Democratic Party bias, only Republican Party bias. Read more about the specific findings below as reported in the US News and World Report:
"A single exposure to an American flag resulted in a significant increase in participants' Republican voting intentions, voting behavior, political beliefs, and implicit and explicit attitudes, with some effects lasting 8 months," the study found. "These results constitute the first evidence that nonconscious priming effects from exposure to a national flag can bias the citizenry toward one political party and can have considerable durability."
"In contrast to the beliefs of the participants in the pilot study, the results from the experiments reported here show that exposure to the American flag introduces a bias toward the Republican Party over the Democratic Party. In one experiment, we tested whether subtle exposure to the American flag shifted people's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors toward the Republican end of the political continuum. We found that a single exposure to a small American flag during deliberation about voting intentions prior to a general election led to significant and robust changes in participants' voting intentions, voting behavior, and political attitudes, all in the politically conservative direction."
"It is important to note that political ideology and party affiliation did not moderate these effects. That is, both liberal and conservative participants were influenced by the flag prime, and in the same (conservative) direction," said the study.
To prove the shocking results, the scholars in the spring of 2010 conducted another test, this time to see if exposure to an American flag produces a bias toward Republicanism, rather than the party that controls the White House. For this, they showed some pictures of buildings that included a flag, and others photos with the flag digitally erased.
That result: "Subtle exposure to the American flag significantly shifted both Democratic and Republican participants' beliefs, attitudes, and voting behavior toward Republicanism."
The three key findings of those attending July 4th celebrations:
- When done before the age of 18, it increases the likelihood of a youth identifying as a Republican by at least 2 percent.
- It raises the likelihood that parade watchers will vote for a Republican candidate by 4 percent.
- It boosts the likelihood a reveler will vote by about 1 percent and increases the chances they'll make a political contribution by 3 percent.
What's more, the impact isn't fleeting. "Surprisingly, the estimates show that the impact on political preferences is permanent, with no evidence of the effects depreciating as individuals become older,"said the Harvard report.
Finally, the report suggests that if people are looking for a super-patriotic July 4th, though should head to Republican towns. "Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place."
Now how will the findings of these studies impact our way of life in the United States? I may be a little paranoid, but I can easily see the following changes in the not to far distant future:
- American Flags will be banned within viewing distance of voting places.
- Visual images of the American Flag will not be allowed on government documents.
- Saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag will be forbidden by law in the United States.
and the worst of all....
- It will be unlawful to display the American Flag in the US Capital Building when the House or Senate is in session and especially when voting. It will also be unlawful to display the American Flag in the Supreme Court.
I suspect there will be no change with respect to what Democrats think of the American Flag, especially Mr. Obama, who has shown disdain for America and its flag even before he was elected President.
Now how will the findings of these studies impact our way of life in the United States? I may be a little paranoid, but I can easily see the following changes in the not to far distant future:
- American Flags will be banned within viewing distance of voting places.
- Visual images of the American Flag will not be allowed on government documents.
- Saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag will be forbidden by law in the United States.
and the worst of all....
- It will be unlawful to display the American Flag in the US Capital Building when the House or Senate is in session and especially when voting. It will also be unlawful to display the American Flag in the Supreme Court.
I suspect there will be no change with respect to what Democrats think of the American Flag, especially Mr. Obama, who has shown disdain for America and its flag even before he was elected President.
