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.
"Fourth of July celebrations in the United States shape the nation's political landscape by forming beliefs and increasing participation, primarily in favor of the Republican Party," said the report from Harvard.
(Click on the title for a link to the entire report)
While this may be generally true the authors of the report have never been to the 4th of July Parade and celebration in Ashland, Oregon a bastion of liberalism in Southern Oregon. This conservative has been attending for the last 30 + years and has a great time over there celebrating our common love of the founding of this country with both conservatives and liberals.
My favorite events is the reading of the Declaration of Independence, by one of the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, actors at the Lithia Park Band shell after the Parade.
People are encouraged to cheer of jeer the various parts as it is read.
We always jeer VERY LOUDLY the following lines:
"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance....
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent"
