Think you're smarter than Republicans?

[Phillyindy]

I think anyone paying attention over the last several years will notice a shift in Republican political focus from national to local.

In that time, they have successfully bought and/or gerrymandered a majority of local judiciaries, governorships and congressional seats, many of them secured near permanently.

At this point, taking into account the hard right anti-worker, anti-immigration, anti-women, anti-environmental, anti-voter, anti-gay, anti-poor, anti-education policies they now openly embrace and push for, it would be impossible for any reasonable person to conclude this party has any interest in ever winning a national election again.

In fact, one could easily conclude they clearly don't want to win the White House, and I would agree.

I would submit that the current Republican strategy is to use national elections only as a means to further mainstream and "normalize" their radical agenda and philosophy on the national stage, and nothing more.

In the end, Republicans both want and need a Democrat as president for two reasons.

First, to serve as the face and the scapegoat for all of the economic, social, and other problems the majority of Americans continue to endure as a result of Republican policies.

Second, to rile up and radicalize their base by making them patriotic "victims" of the pinko-commie anti-American liberal in the White House. Obama, the first black president, has been more then they could ever ask for in this respect.

Meanwhile, as liberals, democrats, the media and indeed most of the civilized world continues to pat themselves on the back and make jokes about their intellectual superiority to these mouth breeders on the right, Republicans (through those local and house majorities) have been able to accomplish 95% of their fascist agenda.

In just the last few years, this backward party of "misfits" have successfully blocked nearly all progressive legislation to create jobs and help working families. They've successfully forced massive cuts to education and other vital social programs. They've rolled back women's rights, ushered in new voter suppression laws, and created unregulated corporate havens in many states. They've made their billionaire handlers vastly more rich, while crushing the middle class and poor.

Most importantly, they've accomplished all this while motivating and radicalize their base to never before seen levels, and convincing half of America it's actually the Democrat in the White House's fault.

So maybe its time we all woke up and realized that Republicans, the party of Sarah Palin and Rick Perry, aren't a self-destructing party of morons. Maybe it's time we realized they know exactly what they are doing.

[valerief]

1. than

Think you're smarter then Republicans?

[HubertHeaver]

2. Then/Than confusion is an irritant.

[valerief]

3. When we use it incorrectly, we look like Republicans. nt

[PowerToThePeople]

4. =) I was about to post the exact same thing

[Phillyindy]

5. Ugggg

...this is why I don't like posting on these websites. Too many self-centered people with major inferiority complexes. Someone takes the time to write a thoughtful post, and others jump over each other to point out a grammatical errors. One more example of why this country is going down the tubes.

[shraby]

6. Standards have to start someplace.

[Phillyindy]

9. Lol, and an Internet chat site is where?

[oldhippie]

12. Where better?

The schools don't seem to be doing it well. Probably more people pay attention here.

[Phillyindy]

20. Not sone internet chat board....

I can see if a post had all kinds of spelling errors and so on. But a "then" instead of "than"? C'mon, get a life.

[SecularMotion]

41. some not sone

[Phillyindy]

50. Yes! Thank you for...

...pointing that out!!! Surely no one knew what word I meant otherwise, and the whole message would be lost! Thank you for taking the time, we're really lucky to have such an intelligent person maintaining order here.

[LanternWaste]

56. Anthony Weiner

"Where better?"

Anthony Weiner

[PowerToThePeople]

7. yes, lack of basic elementary education is a sign

of this country's failures.

FYI, there is an "edit" button. The issue is, if you want to put someone else down (even a scummy repuke) do not exhibit the same fault that you are placing on them. Kettle meet Pot.

I think of it this way- "then" has time associated with it, "than" is timeless or instantaneous.

I also tend to have bad grammatical skills, so it is something I am fairly observant of. Math is more my thing.

[Phillyindy]

11. Wasn't putting anyone down...

...just stating a fact of how things are on these boards. Pretty sure confusing then and than is probably top 5 grammatical issues. When writing for an important purpose, like business or what have you, I always double check these things. When writing in these types of situations, I generally don't bother, as anyone going out of their way to point out something so irrelevant to the purpose of the message is pretty much a doucher. Thanks for the trick with remembering the difference between then and than though, I'll try to remember that - always get them confused.

[oldhippie]

14. So now you are insulting us?

When writing for an important purpose, like business or what have you, I always double check these things. When writing in these types of situations, I generally don't bother, ...

So, let me get this straight. You're posting an OP to us, the readers, to express your opinion. But we are not as important as a "what have you", so you don't bother with double checking your work. OK, if that's how much you value us, I'll value your contributions accordingly.

[Phillyindy]

17. Pretty sure...

...this is the "general discussion" board. DISCUSSION. I am not submitting an op-Ed to the Times or a coorespondence to a business associate. I'm typing out a thought on my IPhone to a political chat room. Get a grip pal.

[PowerToThePeople]

25. lots of anger and personal attacks coming out here.

I agree that the "new american century"/Dick Cheney/whoever is the puppet master for the (R) team know how to get what they want. I would not say that all of the lemming followers have that much foresight or ability. There needs to be a left leaning team to balance this. A right-center DLC is not this balancing force. This is why we are where we are. NO left voices means the scale always tips right.

[Phillyindy]

33. Yep, Obama is center right 20 years ago

[oldhippie]

26. I see, we're not as important ....

... as the readers of the Times.

At least you corrected your error. I'll give you that.

[Phillyindy]

30. This is not the Times...

It's an Internet chat board, a free for all of public writing, opinions, rants and debate, mostly banged out on smart phones while people eat their lunch and sit on the toilet at work. If your offended by a grammatical error, this isn't the forum for you, you don't seem to understand its purpose.

[PowerToThePeople]

34. oh my

If your offended by a grammatical error, this isn't the forum for you, you don't seem to understand its purpose.

Ok Mr. 81 posts (not that post count should really count), I do not see where you are "the decider" in what the purpose of this board should be.

[Phillyindy]

38. It should be obvious.

[oldhippie]

44. I'm sorry, you're right.

I was just tickled by the irony of this thread given the title of your OP.

But really, aren't there standards for the English language? Are there places where those standards should be applied, and other where they aren't? Who decides?

And I had to chuckle about your comment about where people bang out their posts. So true!

But:

If your offended by a grammatical error, this isn't the forum for you, you don't seem to understand its purpose.

It's "you're".

It's all good, man. Carry on!

[Phillyindy]

48. Haha, good stuff.

[Xyzse]

10. It is easy enough to correct. Then carry on with the message

It is true that they have focused locally rather than nationally.

It is true that with most people they like their congress/senate representative yet hate the institution.

I do not dispute intelligence, since they are ruthless and lack empathy. The upper echelon of that party are sociopaths that are highly in bed with big business and the erosion of everyone else under.

I also know that quite a few are smarter than I am, though as mentioned fail at broadening their vision. They are very much concentrated on winning, and it is a concern.

[Phillyindy]

16. I don't think...

They "fail" in broadening their message. As I wrote in this post, I think its clear that's not their intention.

[Xyzse]

18. I didn't say broadening their message... I mentioned "vision"

Meaning, they only have one intention, and can't think beyond that. They are ruthless about it as well.

[Phillyindy]

21. Agreed, but I'm saying

I don't believe there is any failure on their part, they are executing a very well laid out plan.

[Xyzse]

28. Agreed

[Eleanors38]

37. Precisely. And at the state level the GOP runs the table when national Dems...

obsess on gun-control and who is racist or not.

Their strategy works perfectly. And predictably.

[SecularMotion]

42. it's not its

[Nay]

39. Please, Phillyindy. We all appreciate your post, and many of us have written similar

posts ourselves. However, as posters have noted, we do try to uphold basic English standards here, and most of us try to take correction in the spirit with which it was given. It IS important to write stuff correctly as well as write thoughtful stuff. This country will not "go down the tubes" because we on this site want standards upheld. In fact, we're going down the tubes because all sorts of standards AREN'T being upheld elsewhere, so we are touchy about it.

Since you are new, you should also be warned that new people who can't write correct English are immediately suspected of being RWers, who are infamous for their egregious English grammar and atrocious spelling. So, there's that.

I do like your post and will be commenting on that separately below.

[Phillyindy]

46. I see you're point but...

...the first 3 or 4 comments all simply pointed out a very COMMON grammatical error of using then instead of than. There's upholding basic writing standards, and there's acting like the pompous elitist that the right accuses the left of being.

[Nay]

54. That should be "your" in your header -- "you're" is a contraction of "you are." I'm sure you

didn't want to read that. It's just my opinion, but correction of your grammar/spelling in a kindly manner should be looked upon as a learning opportunity.

God knows I've gotten on this board and learned a shitload of stuff from experts in their fields, and I truly appreciate every experience. I can't think of a time when someone shared their knowledge or corrected me and I felt like he/she was being elitist. That word, in a political context, is bandied about by Republican leaders for only one reason -- to make their ignorant followers feel better about themselves. This is part of the problem; pandering to ignorance is now, somehow, a virtue. That never turns out well.

As they say, we should always be striving for continuous improvement.

[Phillyindy]

57. Lol, a learning opportunity...

...do you really think I don't know the difference between your and you're?

I appreciate what you are saying, really I do, I just don't agree that in the context of this original post, on this forum, pointing out small occasional grammar or spelling errors (especially ones we all commit via rushing or spellcheck) are helpful or necessary.

I find them to be a distraction, most often by those who are either losing an argument or who want to take an easy cheap shot to make themselves appear intelligent. I'm not saying this is you, it's just a general observation.

I consider myself to be very well read, very articulate, and a decent writer when I want to be, and yet in a forum like this I never feel the need to point out minor grammar or spelling errors. I judge people's intelligence in a forum like this by the content of their writing, not by whether it not they had the time or inclination to make sure the post is grammatically perfect. At lot of very smart people really just don't care, and they assume similar people feel the same.

[EOTE]

47. I appreciate your OP.

And agree with it for the most part. Republican voters are every bit as idiotic as we tend to think of them. Republican politicians only play idiots on television by and large.

[Gemini Cat]

8. Me personally, I'm more interested in the content of the post than the

spelling or grammar mistakes.

By the way, this post was spot on.

[Phillyindy]

15. Thanks, nothing worse...

Than grammar/spelling police on Internet boards. Reminds me of my loser gym teacher deducting points because my socks didnt match.

[Phillyindy]

13. Announcement!!!

I have corrected the grammar error. Continue on brave grammar warriors, I think I just saw a great piece on new data demonstrating the environmental damage of fracking where the author used "your" instead of "you're"!!!! Gods speed!!!

[uponit7771]

19. Democrats ALLOWED them to make the US a NON functional democracy in practice

[Phillyindy]

22. Some democrats, no question.

[Egalitarian Thug]

43. +1 The interesting times have only just begun. n/t

[stevenleser]

23. The folks who come up with Republican strategy and talking points are not dumb.

They know exactly what buttons to press.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

27. you can have brilliant coaches and not have the team to execute your plan. you still lose.

and that is what GOP has been facing. They are kicking into the wind. all the sports metaphors.

[Phillyindy]

31. You're in denial...

The GOP has done nothing but win for 30 years...including the last 6 under Obama.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

35. you sound like the Black Knight

[Phillyindy]

40. Lol, man you sure got that backwards

[Pretzel_Warrior]

24. that is really giving them too much credit. GOP doesn't want WH? Bahahahaha!!

that's what some Teapublican may tell you to make themselves feel better.

What they are doing in their state level terrorism of women and minorities is similar to what al queda was forced to do when their international aspirations were foreclosed upon by U.S. anti terror campaign which dismantled a lot of top leadership in al queda as well as closed off their access to easy international targets.

The GOP is making do with what they have got now that they are swiftly becoming a regional party.

[Phillyindy]

29. But as we've seen

They are accomplishing everything they want by securing local power. Did you see the nominees in their primary last year? Do you really think the party of billionaire rainmakers couldn't do better than that? They know things aren't getting better, they are getting worse thanks to their policies - why have a Republican in the White House as the scape goat? Let the dems be the face of the problem while you wield power under the radar.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

32. fuck. let's just get our guns and have a revolution! we are screwn!1!

[Phillyindy]

36. Lol, well truth is...

...we are. We're too far gone to fix the current system. Need a complete rebuild, a revolution indeed...but hopefully not a violent one.

[kalli007]

45. Damn, I was hoping for a quiz!

Nt

[Nay]

49. I mentioned to Mr Nay in the last 2 elections that if the Republican candidates hadn't

been absolutely horrible, that I wouldn't have minded if the Republicans had won. I predicted that the Democrat would be blamed for everything that happened, even if if happened before he took office (like the bank bailouts). Sure enough, no matter how shitty the Pubs act, it's all Obama's fault. I agree with you that the Pubs are perfectly happy with O in office; they're concentrating on their local game. That's what we should be doing, too, but are we? NO. They tossed Dean's 50-state strategy as soon as they could.

What's so sad is that Obama is farther to the right than Nixon or Goldwater. Five years in, a lot of it IS now Obama's fault. It's been 5 years and he has to own the shit he's done (I won't list everything here; I've gone over it before). I never thought I'd see the day that a Democratic president would do the things he's doing.

[Phillyindy]

51. While it doesn't appear so...

...I swore the Palin pick was an attempt to throw the race. What's most disturbing is all you say is true, and yet half the country thinks Obama has instituted liberal policies and that's what's hurt the country.

I'm telling you, someday they are going to study America and use it to teach the power of mass propaganda and brainwashing, even in an "information age".

[Nay]

55. When she got picked, I said, "They don't want to win!" I agree completely. To me, it

hasn't been an "information age" but a "propaganda age." And don't get me started on how the idiots think Obama is a 'commie muslin.' I just don't see a way out, so I'm glad I'm old.

[spin]

52. Never underestimate your opponent. (n/t)

[peace13]

53. They do know that they are intentionally bankrupting the middle class.

They do know that they don't want smart elected officials. They do know that they will not be held accountable for lies or crimes against the constitution. They are smug and know all of this. Why they aren't put in prison for treason, now that is the question.

And yes they have found the most effective way to destroy this country is from the inside out! This group of mentally ill people will go down in history that is no doubt.

[meow2u3]

58. This premise has little to do with intelligence

and a hell of a lot to do with the presence of a conscience--or, in the Republicans' case, the lack thereof.

It's not that Republcans outsmart Democrats; it's that they use borderline criminal, if not outright criminal, means to achieve their ends. Repukes also have deep-pocketed, propaganda-peddling psychopaths to push their destructive, oppressive ends.