Answers on a postcard: What is yi,b,c,t = bRain f reeJuly4i,b,c,t + lc + tb + qt + ds t + gXi + #c,i?
According to a new paper jointly published by Harvard’s Kennedy School and Bocconi University, it is a proof that 4th July celebrations are a boon to the Republican party. More specifically, it concludes that rain is unpatriotic (sorry, Seattle) and breeds Democrats. The argument runs thus:
days without rain on Fourth of July in childhood have lifelong effects. In particular, they shift adult views and behavior in favor of the Republicans and increase later-life political participation. Our estimates are significant: one Fourth of July without rain before age 18 raises the likelihood of identifying as a Republican by 2 percent and voting for the Republican candidate by 4 percent. It also increases voter turnout by 0.9 percent and boosts political campaign contributions by 3 percent.
Thomas Jefferson may inexplicably have omitted to add the notorious British weather to his list of usurpations and grievances in the Declaration of Independence, but at least we now have a reasonable explanation for the Right’s opposition to the environmental alarmists’ agenda; it was those pesky campaign contributions all along. So obvious when you think about it..
John Hinderaker has more over at Powerline.