After reading your book, I still felt at a loss for my ulitimate confusion. My wife, though conservative on almost every issue except for gun control, has almost always voted for the democrat despite all my attempts to illustrate the conflicts between her position and theirs. The republican, though never perfect, will almost always be more in line with her positions on the issues. Yet there continues to be a repulsion if not revulsion for anyone with this scarlet "R" after their name.
I have felt that there are two reasons for this, neither of which I remember seeing addressed in your book. First, I believe she feels that the democrats are more compassionate and republicans are more cold hearted. However, when we talk about good parenting, Biblical world views, or how many of these programs are actually more effective than their Christian charity counterparts, there is just not much evidence to support such a notion. Yet that illusion is the carrot that draws her in. The second is this repulsion from republicans, seeing them as starchy white rich guys dicsonnected from the plight of the common folk and an arrogance that only gets put in check when caught in their hypocrisy. Never mind that in order to be a hypocrite, you first have to stand for something. Yes there are many bad apples in the republican barrel, but just as many can be found in the democrat barrel. Pointing this out, she announces her disgust with all politicians and then promptly votes for the democrat anyway.
On a large scale, I appreciate your point about replacing God with government. However, for my wife specifically, your argument does not work. Her faith in God is solid and she epitomizes hard work, tenacity, and stubborn determination and grit. She is relentless. So on a large scale, I can see how the generalization can work. On an individual level, which I feel any real impact and hope for change must be addressed, I am still wanting more. Any insights you have would be greatly appreciated.