" the act of casting a vote is less and less about aspiration and more and more about self-identification"

I think if anything it should be more and more "just" about self-identification. For some time, who you voted for tried to sell the fact that they were like you. One of the common folk. etc.

"Self-identification" is not news. How about rich guy William Henry Harrison trying to sell his so called humble origins? In fact, in various respects, national politics focuses on the local in part to have people like you in power. Surely, in the House of Representatives.

Talking about e-Harmony, how about that video before Michelle Obama gave her speech ... now THAT looked like some dating video. Hey "it's okay to look!"

-j