Why are Republicans such dicks? (part 2,479)

[Cyrano]

IMO, the Republican's only goal is to seize permanent and absolute power over us all. And the most certain method for doing that is to give voters someone/something to hate.

They've thrown away all of societies rules and slithered into an existence based on depravity, cruelty and indifference to reality. I guess what's most surprising is that they've gotten so many millions to follow them. Seems we've underestimated how many people are filled with a meanness of spirit.

It seems to me that being a Republican in today's world means being as horrible a human being as possible.

[pandr32]

1. I wonder...

If Republicans actually did seize "absolute power" what would happen to the Christians they lord over? What of the low income supporters? Others they use?

I wonder if they would turn on the people they've used along the way. Those people would have no further use.

[Caliman73]

5. The answer is YES.

In a pyramid structure of hierarchy, there is little room at the top. In right wing movements, when trying to obtain power, the coalition widens.

For example, Italians, Irish, and Poles were NOT considered White during the 19th century but were folded into the coalition during the rise of Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican immigration later in the 19th and in the 20th centuries. There is no reason to believe that they would remain in the coalition if a White ethno-state would ever develop. Similarly, Catholics were viewed with MUCH suspicion all the way to the 1960's when Kennedy was elected President. Now, they are part of the Conservative Christian coalition. There is no reason to suspect they would remain on the good list if Christian dominion was established.

In a hierarchical structure, there will ALWAYS be people who were in the coalition who will be thrown out.

[pandr32]

8. Thanks for a great reply

I agree with every point.

[Ocelot II]

2. Why were the Nazis such dicks?

I think the answer will be the same to both questions.

[Lunabell]

3. Malignant narcissistic sociopaths.

Devoid of empathy or integrity.

[CrackityJones75]

4. Oh yet only on part 2479?

what until you get to the current episode.

[Caliman73]

6. It is built into Conservative philosophy.

One of the primary differences between Liberal and Conservative philosophy is the idea of value and dignity.

Conservatives and Liberals both believe in meritocracy, however, what it means to their world view is very different. While Liberals understand that there are people who are better at math, faster, stronger, etc... those are things that are celebrated and utilized to make society better in general, and result in the holder of these attributes getting more compensation. In the Liberal world view however, people have a baseline, equal dignity. The faster runner or better mathematician is not "Better" than those who aren't as fast or as good at math, they are just better at those particular things. Liberals are egalitarian.

Conservatives tend to believe in a "natural" hierarchy akin to what fueled the ideas of monarchism, except their markers of "higher status" became wealth, after the fall of the absolute monarchs and the feudal system. The wealthy are naturally better and as such "deserve" a higher place in society. You can see this idea in the writings of Burke, De Maistre, and Hobbes before them. If you listen to modern conservatives like Jordan Peterson, you will hear this hierarchy bullshit too and focus on the "individual" and "bettering" yourself which is just a way to keep people stuck in a hierarchy rather than imagining a flattened distribution of power. Liberals want the best and brightest to be in positions of leadership, but we don't think that they are naturally just "better people". They serve the population, get their rewards, then when their time is up, they move on.

Being a Republican today, is being a farther and farther right wing Conservative and that means buying into the idea that some people are inherently more worthy than others. That leads to the attitude that the "betters" can treat the "lesser" poorly.

[Cyrano]

7. Good analysis

And when you add racism, misogyny and god to their belief system, you end up with a toxic, deadly mix. Today's ultraconservatives are playing with fire and it's conceivable that they can bring our entire civilization crashing down.

The damn thing is that they are a minority of the population and for some unidentifiable reason, we, the vast majority, are letting it happen.

[Caliman73]

10. This is an interesting TED Talk regarding "race"

The guy is a journalist and not an expert on the topic, but he seems to have done some good research.

[Jerry2144]

9. They are such big dicks

To make up for their tiny dicks and general male insecurity

[William769]

11. It's in their DNA.

[Irish_Dem]

12. The want permanent total power and acquisition of all US assets.

And will do anything to get this, including burning down the US and killing many of the citizens.

[walkingman]

13. It is in their DNA - they more than likely learned this at home.