The idea that social conservatism is the GOP's biggest problem is laughable, with the possible exception of immigration. By far the biggest issue is economics - broadening appeal on that league will garner far more votes than abandoning the party's most loyal voter base.
The Republican Party should regularly be winning the votes of affluent minorities and minorities with sympathy toward the business community/entrepreneurial spirit/efficient governance, but we get clobbered with those voters. Why do you think that is? Because my theory is we come across as a racist and xenophobic party. A lot.
It's not your theory - you do come across as a racist, xenophobic party.
But even if you strip away all that, I'm not sure where the appeal of being a Republican is.
I considered voting for John Kasich in the Republican primary in Wisconsin this year and ended up not doing so because (1) he was a lost cause, and (2) I did not want my name to appear on some voter list in the elections commission office of people who voted in the Republican primary - that would be a source of embarrassment for me - I have heard Republicans mocked by everyone from friends, neighbors and coworkers to the CEO of the company where I work.
I'm a 20-something white male in my 20s who has a college education and makes ~$60K a year. I grew up in one of the largest cities in the country and one that is being very adversely affected by climate change - the Republican Party is offering nothing to address that. Getting rid of the inheritance tax means nothing to me because I'm never going to need to pay it. Republican tax plans wouldn't yield any significant tax savings for me and Democratic tax plans wouldn't increase my taxes that much. I don't want children, in part because we as a society are so hostile to having children in terms of access to affordable childcare, maternity/paternity leave and affordable education. I don't feel like the government is "TAKING MY FREEDOMS" and have yet to be given a specific example of that happening.
The State of Wisconsin doesn't compile a list of who votes in which party. During the primary, you walk up and get your ballot and it has both party's candidates on it in separate boxes. You then vote in whichever one you want, put the ballot in the machine, and no one ever knows who you voted for.
