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Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:11 PM Jun 2017

Why are Republicans always such dicks?

Virtually every elected Republican seems to lack sympathy, empathy, decency, and just plain humanity.

What's wrong with these people?

They're putting together a health care plan to fuck millions.

They want only vanilla, "Christian," Republicans to have the right to vote.

Their denial of global warming screws their own progeny.

They don't care about poverty and homelessness in America.

They don't care if children are not educated and/or hungry.

They consistently play to racism, bigotry and homophobia.

They really don't give a rat's ass about the unemployed.

They've closed ranks behind an unbalanced president.

Their vision of the future doesn't extend beyond the next election.

They've raised hypocrisy to an art form.

They've turned their backs on fairness and a level playing field.

Their attitude seems to be: "I'm okay. Fuck everyone else."

What's wrong with these people?

148 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why are Republicans always such dicks? (Original Post) Cyrano Jun 2017 OP
Cohn and Atwater. Promoting "Win at All Costs" morality. haele Jun 2017 #1
Greedy, selfish, racist, misogynist, etc. That's the GOP. SharonAnn Jun 2017 #25
They like to hurt people too, especially liberals. They would like the circus & the coliseum. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #120
they couldn't have done it without liberals looking the other way while they created certainot Jun 2017 #75
That lays it out pretty clearly. BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2017 #92
Agree Completely. zentrum Jun 2017 #96
unfortunately we're not getting their backs certainot Jun 2017 #114
We used to have this thing called The Fairness Doctrine.. whathehell Jun 2017 #129
and we've been getting our asses kicked by a few hundred liars on 1000 radio stations certainot Jun 2017 #130
I agree completely! whathehell Jun 2017 #132
it seems like any time aprominent dem even mentions the words fairness doctrine the certainot Jun 2017 #141
Few universities still have radio stations, so they're stuck with whatever AM station is around. haele Jun 2017 #145
if a few unis started looking for apolitical alts the cons would scream bloody murder certainot Jun 2017 #148
I agree happy feet Jun 2017 #111
Sad & true. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #121
absolutely! much of it was because the liberals were too effing nice. and I sure agree with you Akamai Jun 2017 #115
i think dems have to destroy the rw radio monopoly before there's any real reform possible certainot Jun 2017 #142
Yep! It does feel pretty hopeless when you look at those facts. Rome is nearing its end, rapidly. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #118
and Rove. lastlib Jun 2017 #109
Years of FOX news 24/7/365 usaf-vet Jun 2017 #143
'Cuz there is money to be made from being dicks. LakeArenal Jun 2017 #2
I just have to lodge my protest on the term repugs being "dicks". brush Jun 2017 #42
Yes- I much prefer the universal "asshole" to describe them! bettyellen Jun 2017 #45
yeah i fall back on asshole over and over. barbtries Jun 2017 #51
I've decided to avoid any of the gendered stuff in real life as well as online ... bettyellen Jun 2017 #59
yep. barbtries Jun 2017 #62
Good one. I'll go with asshole too. brush Jun 2017 #86
I use asshole, too. CrispyQ Jun 2017 #88
I hear you and will not use the word again. LakeArenal Jun 2017 #60
Appreciated. bettyellen Jun 2017 #90
Agree. I've raised zentrum Jun 2017 #98
how about just "sociopath"? spooky3 Jun 2017 #112
I prefer to think of them as foreskins, actually-- lastlib Jun 2017 #110
It's kind of like the difference whathehell Jun 2017 #131
You're right about the N word and the word "honkey but why is it ok to offend men and not women? brush Jun 2017 #133
For the same reason whathehell Jun 2017 #134
Okay, you just tipped us all to your hole card. Not cool. brush Jun 2017 #135
I honestly don't know what you're talking about.. whathehell Jun 2017 #137
A peeped "hole card" is a poker term. You're not fooling anyone. brush Jun 2017 #138
No, seriously, you misunderstand me -- I'm not trying to insult you at all whathehell Jun 2017 #147
That's how about half get it. Mean people. Many are sadistic. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #119
Little dicks. C_U_L8R Jun 2017 #3
Is that the definition of conservative? MiddleClass Jun 2017 #4
That's it MFM008 Jun 2017 #22
Oxymoron MiddleClass Jun 2017 #49
They have no good IDEAS for the American people...So they do dirty shit to win...n/t asuhornets Jun 2017 #5
They think... Mike Nelson Jun 2017 #6
That only accounts for the Christofascists Cyrano Jun 2017 #9
Agreed... Mike Nelson Jun 2017 #14
Here's the deal with people who should "know better.": Different Drummer Jun 2017 #21
Losing health care may change their world view Cyrano Jun 2017 #26
We can but hope. n/t Different Drummer Jun 2017 #29
Frankly, at this point, I don't give a damn if they die off. But the downside is the pain and RKP5637 Jun 2017 #57
Neither do I care if they die off. However, they are producing offspring who are little clones. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #122
You nailed them down perfectly, Cyrano. sheshe2 Jun 2017 #7
What's wrong with these people? Phoenix61 Jun 2017 #8
consumed by nihilism and greed 0rganism Jun 2017 #10
Why are Republicans such dicks? I'll tell you why: DFW Jun 2017 #11
I swear I'm starting to think it's all genetic. A "supreme asshole" gene. Vinca Jun 2017 #12
I did read a study once about people who tended to be Republiscum... Kleveland Jun 2017 #41
ROFL - it makes sense to me. Vinca Jun 2017 #61
George Lakoff who zentrum Jun 2017 #102
Makes perfect sense when you put it that way.. Permanut Jun 2017 #105
They know they are a party soon to be defeated by demographics so they are fighting to the death. LonePirate Jun 2017 #13
A drowning person will take anyone down with them Cyrano Jun 2017 #16
i think you're on to something there. barbtries Jun 2017 #53
Just like the Confederate States, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan... VOX Jun 2017 #108
No, they are absolutely NOT going to be "defeated by demographics" Cosmocat Jun 2017 #125
"I'm okay. Fuck everyone else." Iggo Jun 2017 #15
What would a dick do? Initech Jun 2017 #17
Difference between a Republican and a Democrat zipplewrath Jun 2017 #18
You have distilled it to... 3catwoman3 Jun 2017 #70
Well done. I think of zentrum Jun 2017 #103
It's a natural implosion. Dave Starsky Jun 2017 #19
"Virtually every ELECTED Republican" FiveGoodMen Jun 2017 #20
Guess we'll have to rely on evolution Cyrano Jun 2017 #23
Well, if we don't die first... FiveGoodMen Jun 2017 #24
At the very least, Mr.Bill Jun 2017 #31
Envy gordianot Jun 2017 #27
If they weren't hateful, worthless dicks they'd be Democrats Warpy Jun 2017 #28
For the male republicans, Mr.Bill Jun 2017 #30
that's actually their core competency. unblock Jun 2017 #32
When you're a Republican, you're a dick. Glaisne Jun 2017 #33
because they are the ultimate hypocrites and projectionists...totally self absorbed NRaleighLiberal Jun 2017 #34
Fear, afraid of the "other" getting equal rights, all comes down to that. Eliot Rosewater Jun 2017 #35
I wonder the same thing about southern slave owners. Why, when the rest of the western PaulRevere08 Jun 2017 #36
Cutting off their own nose to spite their face IronLionZion Jun 2017 #37
Birds of a feather stick together liberal N proud Jun 2017 #38
What is stunning are the millions that vote them into office so they can be dumped on and exploited RKP5637 Jun 2017 #56
Why Settle for the lesser evil, when you can vote Republican? Calculating Jun 2017 #39
You should start a thread with this. Nt. raccoon Jun 2017 #95
It's really a hardwired brain function. They are compelled to act that way, they have no choice. RKP5637 Jun 2017 #40
Could it possibly be a lack of critical thinking? Calculating Jun 2017 #43
Yes, I think that is part of it too. Many always skirt around the factors of innate brain functions, RKP5637 Jun 2017 #48
It's also that teaching critical thinking in schools upsets some parents... maddiemom Jun 2017 #124
They are very selfish, show little or no empathy elmac Jun 2017 #44
I've been asking that question for quite a long time MrScorpio Jun 2017 #46
Me too. All I know is that they ARE! smirkymonkey Jun 2017 #91
Because their sole reason for existence Mr. Evil Jun 2017 #47
as a nation we are sick. barbtries Jun 2017 #50
The US has become a sick nation. The US exploits other nations, bombs and kills people, RKP5637 Jun 2017 #54
i think the GOP just attracts people who are already dicks samnsara Jun 2017 #52
I believe you're right. n/t Different Drummer Jun 2017 #55
Because they can ONLY WIN if they cheat, steal and lie. vkkv Jun 2017 #58
I'm going with genetics. broadcaster90210 Jun 2017 #63
They Are Simply Evil All-In Jun 2017 #64
Its in their DNA. George II Jun 2017 #65
This is why Freddie Jun 2017 #66
Sociopaths, plain and simple maltzmax Jun 2017 #67
You don't post often, but when you do it's spot on. FailureToCommunicate Jun 2017 #123
They love money more than anything else. YOHABLO Jun 2017 #68
The foundation of their ideology is social darwinism, hyper-individualism and abject selfishness. Thomas Hurt Jun 2017 #69
There was a time when -- at least some -- churches would push back against that FiveGoodMen Jun 2017 #76
Fear. Eom Lyricalinklines Jun 2017 #71
Selfish and 'work' for corporations best interests, instead of the American people. Sunlei Jun 2017 #72
Seems to be a culture of greed on behalf of the super rich. Kablooie Jun 2017 #73
First, you are dealing with authoritarians, & two different groups of them at that. CrispyQ Jun 2017 #74
Think it's even somewhat worse than you listed. lark Jun 2017 #77
They feel entitled Hamlette Jun 2017 #78
In my family LittleGirl Jun 2017 #79
It's an inherited gene that all republicans have - the lack of empathy. demosincebirth Jun 2017 #80
It has always been thus... CCExile Jun 2017 #81
Their ideology begins and ends with louis-t Jun 2017 #82
Thats easy madokie Jun 2017 #83
I don't think all Rubs are dicks--myself I don't like to be labeled... bresue Jun 2017 #84
Term Limits Libertarian_4_life Jun 2017 #85
Not the answer. zentrum Jun 2017 #104
Completely agree! FiveGoodMen Jun 2017 #113
No Freddie Jun 2017 #127
Honestly, they weren't always this way Stinky The Clown Jun 2017 #87
Don't forget Ayn Rand's Libertarianism philly_bob Jun 2017 #89
The saddest part about all of this, and probably the most important part as well, is that world wide wally Jun 2017 #93
Do Republicans have a point about anything, that's on a higher level to what Democrats believe in ? OnDoutside Jun 2017 #94
OMG! You sexist, misogynistic bastid! trof Jun 2017 #97
I honestly don't know jimlup Jun 2017 #99
You are giving dicks a bad name...they do have their uses. Unlike those you are calling dicks. Amaryllis Jun 2017 #100
It's required to be a Republicon. WhiteTara Jun 2017 #101
Why are Republicans such dicks? gilligan Jun 2017 #106
FEAR that they're losing white privilege, and SELF-RIGHTEOUS ANGER about that same FEAR. VOX Jun 2017 #107
I think they find it fun to be dicks. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2017 #116
Cultists and Crooks. Mike Niendorff Jun 2017 #117
It has always been the conservative mindset. Nitram Jun 2017 #126
Yes, a mindset that accepts two conflicting beliefs simultaneously:I love everyone / screw them all Dorn Jun 2017 #128
on my more compassionate days (few and far between lately), I think there is some genetic niyad Jun 2017 #136
Money money money Wabbajack_ Jun 2017 #139
Imagine the uproar if someone said ... Rustyeye77 Jun 2017 #140
They want to stay on the good side of the schoolyard bully. alfredo Jun 2017 #144
They can't help it. Turbineguy Jun 2017 #146

haele

(12,649 posts)
1. Cohn and Atwater. Promoting "Win at All Costs" morality.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:14 PM
Jun 2017

As a party, they sold their soul to Mammon to be able to "win" without actually doing any work.

Haele

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
75. they couldn't have done it without liberals looking the other way while they created
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:50 PM
Jun 2017

and ran a talk radio psyops to take atwater to the national level.

there will always be flat earthers racists and assholes but with 1000 coordinated radio stations and liberals looking the other way they made it acceptable over the last 30 years, since reagan killed the fairness doctrine, because NO ONE COMPLAINED about it in real time. everything liberals do is analysis and reaction after the fact, as if it's 'popular' instead of coordinated propaganda that gets ignored, from an unchallenged free media monopoly dominating 40 states with 80 senators.

at a cheap $1000/hr x 15hrs/day x 5 = $75,000/wk x 1200 stations rw talk radio is worth $18MIL/day or 390MIL$ /month or 4.68 BIL$/ year FREE for coordinated global warming denial, pro republican free market deregulation and wall st think tank propaganda, swiftboating, and the hate and fear used to get people to vote republican.

yet dems get nutty about a few million here and there.

BlancheSplanchnik

(20,219 posts)
92. That lays it out pretty clearly.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:55 PM
Jun 2017

Pukes are always on the offense and they've sworn their loyalty oaths to the Party, like good fascists do.

On the other hand, liberals seem to generally believe that going on the offense is unbecoming, and we argue endlessly over who has the best, smartest, idea, and which rights group might be betrayed by any given attempt to develop an idea.

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
96. Agree Completely.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:07 PM
Jun 2017

Could say more about what I think happened as a result of the Democratic Leadership Council in the 90's. But suffice it to say---we may have some Democratic pushback at fighting levels in Adam Schiff, Warren, Kamela Harris, Sanders, Al Franken, Keith Ellison and a few others currently in office.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
114. unfortunately we're not getting their backs
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:27 AM
Jun 2017

those radio stations are trashing them whenever they stick their necks out. until dems actually start challenging talk radio with boycotts and protests at the universities that support them liberals cannot say collectively that we are getting their backs.

if we want them and more to do the right thing it has to happen.

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
129. We used to have this thing called The Fairness Doctrine..
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:50 AM
Jun 2017

As I recall, the Dems did not fight it's dissolve under Reagan.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
130. and we've been getting our asses kicked by a few hundred liars on 1000 radio stations
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:53 AM
Jun 2017

ever since.

in GA we just let Georgia 7, Georgia Tech 5, Georgia Southern 2 endorse 14 limbaugh stations while they beat up ossoff and praised handel and trump

at $1000/hr x 15 hrs/day x 14 that's about $1MIL/PER FUCKING WEEK that dem students and communities at those schools allowed without complaint. and handel will continue the republican idiocy of trying to defund them, deny global warming, etc.

how fucking stupid

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
132. I agree completely!
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 09:04 AM
Jun 2017

but when you suggest that it just MIGHT be a good idea to bring the Fairness Doctrine back, you will get arguments from quite a few on the Left as to why this is "impossible". I'm not convinced it is, and I think it deserves another look. Dems severely underestimate the power of Right Wing lies and propaganda.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
141. it seems like any time aprominent dem even mentions the words fairness doctrine the
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:40 PM
Jun 2017

right has been instructed to scream bloody murder. and many liberals who don't know shit anbout rw radio and many trolls join in.

dems would have to have supermajorities to do it so it's a catch 22. i think getting universities to stop broadcasting sports on rw radio stations is the best start - the mere discussion would freak out advertisers everywhere. rw radio could not survive, the country would go 15 pts left, dems would get supermajorities, etc.

haele

(12,649 posts)
145. Few universities still have radio stations, so they're stuck with whatever AM station is around.
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 02:29 PM
Jun 2017

Which means University - and High School - sports teams are typically stuck with the RW stations that are basically politically "subsidized" through political 501-c's that bolster ad revenue to broadcast on in the rural areas - those areas where Friday/Saturday sports are part of the local religious tradition. Traditional "music and local interests" AM radio just couldn't compete - or they got bought out.
This is basically the evolution on how RW talk radio becomes part of the rural culture.

Haele

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
148. if a few unis started looking for apolitical alts the cons would scream bloody murder
Thu Jun 22, 2017, 10:59 AM
Jun 2017

but most of it would be political.

some folks would lose their usual way of listening to games but they're all doing podcasts now. there are alternatives. some folks would be pissed but most of the outrage would be re the thought that liberals were trying to hurt their rw radio.

it needs to come down to whether a business wants to keep advertising on rw propaganda outlets, whether they think it's bad for business, or the decision maker likes rw radio politics/trump and welcomes the association. that works in some places but most not. at the moment it is monopoly power keeping it together and it needs to shake out to the 10-20% of communities that can justify supporting it. instead of, for instance, 3 overlapping limbaugh stations in blue areas, with liberal competition sabotaged.

the school communities/students/employees need to decide if it makes any sense at all to support those stations and the anti-science, hate, lies, and attacks on education.

getting that discussion started before the next elections would be very beneficial for democrats/progressives.



Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
121. Sad & true.
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 05:23 AM
Jun 2017

We have some new fighters coming forth, as those mentioned. However, we have been pretty wimpy for a long time. Trump is a wake up call.

 

Akamai

(1,779 posts)
115. absolutely! much of it was because the liberals were too effing nice. and I sure agree with you
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:49 AM
Jun 2017

about the need for a progressive media network -- not the corporatist msnbc station which has lots of Koch ads on it, does not talk abut net neutrality, raising taxes on the rich, climate change, etc., etc.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
142. i think dems have to destroy the rw radio monopoly before there's any real reform possible
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:44 PM
Jun 2017

boycotting all rw radio stations esp at the local level and getting all universities out of rw radio - they should reread their mission statements and stop broadcasting sports on them - that's about 1/3 of their stations - it would destroy the monopoly then could get real media reform. the planet can't wait for rich liberals to buy up media.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
118. Yep! It does feel pretty hopeless when you look at those facts. Rome is nearing its end, rapidly.
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 05:08 AM
Jun 2017

As Al Franken said, speed is one of their best tactics. Karl Rove and others put this together years ago. There are many rural areas where RW radio is all there is for those traveling.

brush

(53,773 posts)
42. I just have to lodge my protest on the term repugs being "dicks".
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:39 PM
Jun 2017

Last edited Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:32 PM - Edit history (2)

Last week there was an OP that used the term referring to some heartless things being a "bitch" and many people howled in protest over the use of that figure of speech.

Anti-woman and misogyny were the most used words protesting the OP.

Well, where are the protest now about this OP calling repugs dicks?

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
59. I've decided to avoid any of the gendered stuff in real life as well as online ...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:19 PM
Jun 2017

Life is enough of a pile on these days without me adding to the weight of it.

barbtries

(28,789 posts)
62. yep.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:25 PM
Jun 2017

ain't hardly worth it. sometimes when i am alone in my car...but we don't have to talk about that

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
98. Agree. I've raised
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:13 PM
Jun 2017

....this issue before over "dicks". Ageist comments also go un-protested.

"Asshole" doesn't quite do it--but what other shortcut word is there for a heartless sociopath?

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
131. It's kind of like the difference
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:58 AM
Jun 2017

between the N word and the word "honkey". The two groups, in this case, men and women, are NOT on an equal level socially and politically, and so

the level of offense to each is perceived differently.

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
137. I honestly don't know what you're talking about..
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:03 PM
Jun 2017

What is my "whole card" and why do you think it'not cool?

whathehell

(29,067 posts)
147. No, seriously, you misunderstand me -- I'm not trying to insult you at all
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 03:38 PM
Jun 2017

I'm just drawing a parallel, or comparison between the situation of blacks vs whites to the situation of men vs women..They are not the same, but the dynamics are very similar when it comes to the insult thing.

You understood what I meant when I talked about the difference between a white person calling a black person the N word and a black person calling a white "honkey", right?....Both are insults, but because of the POWER differential between the races, honkey is not as offensive as the N word.

What I'm saying, in answer to your question, is that a very similar thing is going on between men as a group and women as a group. Because of the power differential between men as a group and women as a group, insults toward each, from one to another are perceived differently.

Just as whites have more power than people of color in this country, so do men have more power than women, and so an insult from women to men is seen as less "threatening" or nasty than an insult from a male o a female. In the cases of both race and gender, it's a matter of "punching down".. A case of the powerful taking advantage of the LESS powerful.

I've hope I've explained it better so you know what I'm trying to say.

MiddleClass

(888 posts)
4. Is that the definition of conservative?
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:25 PM
Jun 2017

Mix in a huge amount of selfishness, no compassion outside immediate family, with conservative.

And you have this toxic stew you have before you

Mike Nelson

(9,953 posts)
6. They think...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:26 PM
Jun 2017

...people should homeschool and feed their own children.
...Christians are the only people who can succeed in their Christian nation.
...God controls the weather and global warming can end with prayer and good behavior.
...Whites are God's chosen people.
...poverty can end with prayer and asking Jesus to help.
...if people are unemployed, it's their fault.
...Trump is God's chosen President.
...Jesus is returning soon, so a long-term future as Earthlings is dumb.
...There is no hypocrisy because Obama, Hillary and others work for Satan.
...They've turned their backs on fairness and a level playing field.
...If you're not okay, vote Republican and praise the Lord.

Apparently, what's wrong with these people is their warped view of religion... seems like that is common in religions.



Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
9. That only accounts for the Christofascists
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:30 PM
Jun 2017

But they are not the majority of Christians. And they don't account for all the people who should "know better," yet who consistently vote for Republicans.

Mike Nelson

(9,953 posts)
14. Agreed...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:37 PM
Jun 2017

...without thinking of an answer, I tried to address the questions and it led there. However, you are correct and I don't believe a majority believes those things.

Different Drummer

(7,614 posts)
21. Here's the deal with people who should "know better.":
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:58 PM
Jun 2017

A long time ago, the GOP laid claim to the "moral high ground" by making the party about the triad of flag, Bible and, most importantly, guns. Those ideas played well--and continue to play well--with certain segments of the population and they identify themselves as Repubs, even if voting Republican goes against their own interest.

RKP5637

(67,107 posts)
57. Frankly, at this point, I don't give a damn if they die off. But the downside is the pain and
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:14 PM
Jun 2017

suffering they are inflicting on the millions who did not vote these gross assholes into office.

DFW

(54,369 posts)
11. Why are Republicans such dicks? I'll tell you why:
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:33 PM
Jun 2017

For the same reason the guy who collects your garbage does what he does.

BECAUSE THEY ARE PAID TO DO IT.

Don't think Republicans respect and worship the cross in private.
That's what they do in public. In private, they worship the dollar sign.

Kleveland

(1,257 posts)
41. I did read a study once about people who tended to be Republiscum...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:38 PM
Jun 2017

Apparently, they are in fact wired differently then people like us, who tend to be open minded, compassionate, intelligent, studious, generally "blessed" with the the behaviors and mental endowments that define an evolved society.

I am not sure, but I think that it basically means that Republiscums are wired such that their colons dump 75% of their contents directly into their brain pan, possibly more.

Which explains a lot, and gives concrete meaning to the term "shit for brains".

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
102. George Lakoff who
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:25 PM
Jun 2017

....studies "framing" for the Democrats, says it's because they come from authoritarian families. Liberals come from nurturing families or at least that model of family. I'm simplifying--but that's the summary.

I think of it as Yahweh (the punishing, cruel, vengeful, bullying, exclusionary, sex-hating god) vs. Jesus who preached love, inclusion, healing of the sick and basic socialism. (Not pushing Jesus, BTW, just the contrast of models)

LonePirate

(13,417 posts)
13. They know they are a party soon to be defeated by demographics so they are fighting to the death.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:36 PM
Jun 2017

They are fighting as hard as they can using any and every trick or dastardly deed they can to retain power and their way of life. All of the cruel things announced since November 8 are simply their efforts to stave off the inevitable.

Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
16. A drowning person will take anyone down with them
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:39 PM
Jun 2017

Last edited Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:32 PM - Edit history (2)

Let's hope they don't destroy us all in their effort to avoid their own distinction.

On edit: Please pardon my above brain-freeze. I hereby replace the word "distinction" with "extinction."

barbtries

(28,789 posts)
53. i think you're on to something there.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:04 PM
Jun 2017

there is an element of absolute desperation which has driven them to unspeakable acts.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
108. Just like the Confederate States, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 09:00 PM
Jun 2017

They were all defeated long before they actually ceased fighting. But the closer they got to the actual end, the more desperate and fanatical the fighting became-- futile frontal assaults, home-defense weapons issued to children and the elderly, suicide before capitulation, etc.

Cosmocat

(14,564 posts)
125. No, they are absolutely NOT going to be "defeated by demographics"
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:10 AM
Jun 2017

I have been battling this meme here for over a decade, during which time, they have SIGNIFICANTLY increased their grasp of power in this country.

This line of thinking complete ignores the reality of what drives "conservatism.'

They sell hatred, division, victimization, moral righteousness ...

This marketing has worked effectively throughout the course of time in human history.

This country may be getting more "diverse" in color and ethnicity, but they fight 100 times meaner and desperately than we do.

They come together as one, "we" don't.
They cheat, lie, steal, get bed with Russia, we don't.
There is no level to which they won't stoop to win, we don't.
They effectively splinter this country to their benefit while we try to build consensus.

History is replete with example of MUCH smaller numbers of white people having control of their country, and we are taking a VERY hard turn toward those models as this post is being typed, with a 1 in a million chance of stemming it IF Mueller successfully prosecutes 45 and the republican leadership AND the dumb asses in this country accept the reality of what might get exposed.

Iggo

(47,552 posts)
15. "I'm okay. Fuck everyone else."
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:38 PM
Jun 2017

That's what's wrong with 'em.

What's wrong with the people who can't see that they're dicks? That's the question.

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
18. Difference between a Republican and a Democrat
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:52 PM
Jun 2017

A republican wakes up every day desperately worried that someone, somewhere, is getting something they don't deserve.

A democrat wakes up everyday desperately worried that someone, somewhere, isn't getting something they need.

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
103. Well done. I think of
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:27 PM
Jun 2017

....it as the evolutionary struggle between the sociopaths and the "empaths".

Dave Starsky

(5,914 posts)
19. It's a natural implosion.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:53 PM
Jun 2017

Enough people have enough money and enough power that they can satisfy ALL of their immediate greedy needs. Unfortunately, it's going to destroy the entire framework that got them there in the first place.

It's like flushing a toilet.

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
20. "Virtually every ELECTED Republican"
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 03:54 PM
Jun 2017

So, I say it's the roughly half of US voters who keep putting them in officer who are such dicks.

Now, what do we do about them?

Cyrano

(15,035 posts)
23. Guess we'll have to rely on evolution
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:10 PM
Jun 2017

But right now, climate change is working a lot faster than evolution, so it may be that our species is screwed.

Perhaps whatever species replaces us in a million years or so will do better.

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
24. Well, if we don't die first...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:15 PM
Jun 2017

evolution might help your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandchildren.

So, that's a good answer.

Warpy

(111,254 posts)
28. If they weren't hateful, worthless dicks they'd be Democrats
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:20 PM
Jun 2017

Being a dick usually pays better, so they're Republicans.

unblock

(52,205 posts)
32. that's actually their core competency.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:23 PM
Jun 2017

in fact they generally set their agenda by looking to us and saying, "hey, liberals like it, therefore we must hate it."

PaulRevere08

(449 posts)
36. I wonder the same thing about southern slave owners. Why, when the rest of the western
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:28 PM
Jun 2017

world had more or less peacefully ended slavery did it take a civil war and 600,00+ deaths to end it in this country. I would not be surprised that the same percentage of citizens today that support trump would match the percentage that supported slavery.

IronLionZion

(45,433 posts)
37. Cutting off their own nose to spite their face
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:29 PM
Jun 2017

They will gladly screw themselves and their progeny in order to screw us and ours.

A lot of Republicans live by water and will experience flooding because of rising sea levels. Or Republican farmers will see droughts and other climate related problems.

The Republicans who are not wealthy will need Medicare and Social Security eventually, but they will gut these programs anyway.

They celebrate ignorance and hold deep disdain for education. Their progeny will be less equipped to handle the economy of the near future.

Diversity makes America great. They want to weaken our country just to screw over people who are different.

liberal N proud

(60,334 posts)
38. Birds of a feather stick together
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:30 PM
Jun 2017

The fact that anyone of them could get elected goes to a very deep problem in this country. We have a very rotten malignant cancer in our society.

RKP5637

(67,107 posts)
56. What is stunning are the millions that vote them into office so they can be dumped on and exploited
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:11 PM
Jun 2017

like they are seeking punishment from authoritarian figures. Much of the citizenry of the US is desperately in need of therapy to improve self-esteem IMO. Much of the citizenry of the US is sick!!!

Calculating

(2,955 posts)
39. Why Settle for the lesser evil, when you can vote Republican?
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:33 PM
Jun 2017

If Satan is real, the Republicans are definitely his party.

You want healthcare? Nah...Pay up or die.

Moral hypocrisy? No problem. They preach about gays being evil and the immorality of America while messing around with underage male hookers or having naked hot tub parties with teen girls.

You want good public education? Nah...We love stupid people. Without them we'd never be elected.

You want fair wages that people can live on? Nah...Get a skill losers

You want to raise minimum wages? Screw that, those poor losers will just spend it on more drugs(A notable republican actually said this)

You want help with tuition so you can learn a trade or get skills? Nah. Stupid commies need to get a damn job.

You want to stop locking people up over a plant which is less harmful than alcohol, and which actually has many known benefits? Nah... we only do what big pharma/LE/prison/alcohol want us to do. They pay better. Also we can use drug laws to lock up them minorities and take away their voting rights.

You want to take action on climate change so we don't leave our kids a hellish world? Nah...Takes too much money.

You address poverty and income/wealth inequality? Nah...The rich are our gods, and poor people deserve to have life suck because of their own poor choices.

You want to give gay people equal marriage rights? Nah...The bible says that's bad (Except for the parts of the bible we ignore, like those mentioning wealth and helping the poor/sick).

The repukes are truly vile loathsome creatures, and the ignorant people of this country keep voting them in because "Muh family values", "Gotta stop dem terrorizers", "Build dat wall" and stupid slogans like "bringing jobs back and making Murica great again DUR!" The saddest part is how they call themselves "Christians" while their actual actions are grounded in greed, bigotry, corruption and general ignorance.

The Republicans LITERALLY stole a SCOTUS seat and there's nothing that can be done about it. It's clear as day that Trump and his team colluded with Russia to cheat their way to victory and NOTHING gets done about it. They're appointing climate deniers to lead the EPA, racist old dinosaurs like Sessions to lead the Doj, and trying to roll back all the progressive progress of the past 40 years. Two elections have been stolen in the past 16 years alone, and nothing ever gets done about it.

RKP5637

(67,107 posts)
40. It's really a hardwired brain function. They are compelled to act that way, they have no choice.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:34 PM
Jun 2017

Some are predisposed for that behavior and hate media like Fox News sucks them in. And hate media profits greatly. Then, the GOP uses them as their hate media mouthpiece!

Calculating

(2,955 posts)
43. Could it possibly be a lack of critical thinking?
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:39 PM
Jun 2017

Perhaps people lacking in critical thinking skills are simply more likely to be Republicans. That would explain why they continually want to go back to the error ridden economic and social policies of the past. They simply lack the mental capacity to detect the erroneous thinking of such policies.

RKP5637

(67,107 posts)
48. Yes, I think that is part of it too. Many always skirt around the factors of innate brain functions,
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:46 PM
Jun 2017

but seriously, those factors are in play, as well as conditioning IMO.

maddiemom

(5,106 posts)
124. It's also that teaching critical thinking in schools upsets some parents...
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 07:59 AM
Jun 2017

who take it as a challenge to their closely held beliefs in various areas. Religion is a biggie.

 

elmac

(4,642 posts)
44. They are very selfish, show little or no empathy
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:40 PM
Jun 2017

they all watch GOPTV and suffer from a Fox News lobotomy, they think the richer you are the more God loves you. They are a very messed up group.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
91. Me too. All I know is that they ARE!
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:54 PM
Jun 2017

I think they are just wired differently. They require simplistic solutions for complicated situations and out of frustration they just want to destroy everything that they can't explain or deal with.

Mr. Evil

(2,841 posts)
47. Because their sole reason for existence
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:44 PM
Jun 2017

and the existence of government is to come up with scheme after scheme to scam Americans out of as much of their money as possible so they can give it to the rich. That's it.
Charter schools - scam. Health insurance corporations - scam. Climate change denial - scam. Tax reform - scam. (I could go on and on)

barbtries

(28,789 posts)
50. as a nation we are sick.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 04:59 PM
Jun 2017

republicans represent the worst of this illness. i do not know if there's a cure. i don't know how people grow up to be so bereft of decency and caring, at the same time they are ambitious, energetic, clever and boundlessly greedy. and yes breathtakingly hypocritical. and liars. omigawd do they lie.

i don't know any answers for this mess. i plan to continue being me though, and being as active as i can muster the energy for. and then, hope.

RKP5637

(67,107 posts)
54. The US has become a sick nation. The US exploits other nations, bombs and kills people,
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:06 PM
Jun 2017

politicians dump on their own people. The US standing in the world continues to fall, and the US elects someone like Trump and his regime. It's very very difficult to conclude the US is not a sick nation.

Freddie

(9,265 posts)
66. This is why
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:32 PM
Jun 2017
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/05/02/berkeley-author-george-lakoff-says-dont-underestimate-trump/

They have an "authoritarian" worldview. America better than all other countries. Men better than women. Whites better than minorities. Rich better than poor. Christians better than other religions/no religion. Etc.
I personally don't get it but this article explains it well.
 

maltzmax

(19 posts)
67. Sociopaths, plain and simple
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:33 PM
Jun 2017

Because they are literal sociopaths. At best, they truly do not have empathy, shame, or remorse. However, the real mark of a sociopath is actually taking pleasure in harming others or having power over others. Appealing to their sense of guilt and asking them to care doesn't work. The more they hear about how they are harming others, the more sick pleasure they feel. This pleasure is what ultimately motivates them. It is hard for people who have empathy and a conscience to understand the motivations of those that don't. They laugh and smile about taking healthcare away because they want people to die, and they revel in that kind of power over others.

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
69. The foundation of their ideology is social darwinism, hyper-individualism and abject selfishness.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:38 PM
Jun 2017

They aspire or are users and exploiters.....just most of them aren't all that good at it.

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
76. There was a time when -- at least some -- churches would push back against that
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:50 PM
Jun 2017

reminding the members about the words of their "lord and savior".

But too many of the churches have switched sides, thereby removing one of the social controls that held these awful people in check.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
72. Selfish and 'work' for corporations best interests, instead of the American people.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:48 PM
Jun 2017

IMO some of them are mean & vindictive especially to 'groups' or people they don't like.

Kablooie

(18,631 posts)
73. Seems to be a culture of greed on behalf of the super rich.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:49 PM
Jun 2017

Even many of the Republican politicians won't really benefit from these decisions other than to get tons of money donated for their next campaign.

It stems from the unlimited money that the super rich can now dump into campaigns.
It makes politicians slaves to them at the expense of everyone else.

Why normal people keep voting for them is the real mystery.

CrispyQ

(36,461 posts)
74. First, you are dealing with authoritarians, & two different groups of them at that.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:49 PM
Jun 2017

Bob Altemeyer's - The Authoritarians, here —

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

— discusses the difference between the authoritarian leaders vs followers. (Oops, I see the entire document isn't available for free anymore. But you can view Chapters 1 & 2.)

Also, a lot of them listen to hate radio. How they reconcile killing abortion doctors, Muslims, gays, & liberals with the Bible, I'm not sure. For all their love of Jesus, they really like selective parts of the old testament - the parts that validate their bigotries. You can almost tell the type of Christian, by their political affiliation.

lark

(23,097 posts)
77. Think it's even somewhat worse than you listed.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 05:52 PM
Jun 2017

"Their attitude seems to be: "I'm okay. Fuck everyone else."

I think what some of their attitudes are, "I'm not good but at least that brown guy/woman is worse off than me".

Hamlette

(15,411 posts)
78. They feel entitled
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:00 PM
Jun 2017

its the old born on 3rd base line. Republicans think anything good that happens to them is because they are great (best religion, politics etc) and when something bad happens to them, its the other guy's fault.

I've always said, liberals/progressives feel grateful for everything good that happens to us but Republicans feel like they are entitled to everything good (and the while house, assholes).

CCExile

(468 posts)
81. It has always been thus...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:09 PM
Jun 2017

Democracies/Republics were invented so we could try to get along with the dicks instead of killing them. They fight that protection at every opportunity, because they are stupid dicks. For the good of humankind, their genes should be removed from the gene pool, but we don't know how to do that without becoming dicks ourselves. Quite the conundrum.

louis-t

(23,292 posts)
82. Their ideology begins and ends with
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:12 PM
Jun 2017

"I don't want to pay for your...."
I actually had a lady (from a very rich suburb) use that exact phrase and stopped when she forgot the rest of her talking point.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
83. Thats easy
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:13 PM
Jun 2017

because they are such dicks.

Most all the 'CONs' I know or have known are dicks. It comes with the territory.

My apologies if any one is offended
I didn't mean this to be personal

bresue

(1,007 posts)
84. I don't think all Rubs are dicks--myself I don't like to be labeled...
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:15 PM
Jun 2017

just mislead by big corporations. Big corporations prey on them with propaganda which belies their true directives.

That is why we have to pester them to keep them honest. Too much power, too much money can bring out the greed and evil in many paople.

zentrum

(9,865 posts)
104. Not the answer.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:36 PM
Jun 2017

Term limits is what the lobbyists, and K Street really, really, really want: A weak, newbie set of congresspeople always looking for funding---so corporations can write all our legislation with no oversight at all from an opposing, informed, established, power base--such as the Senate Dems.

The real answer is get money out of politics---get rid of Citizen's United. Money like this is not allowed in European elections. Legal bribery is banned.

Freddie

(9,265 posts)
127. No
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:38 AM
Jun 2017

That's an easy "bipartisan" meme but with term limits we would have no real leaders from within like Ted Kennedy.
Read an interesting insight that both sides are unhappy with income inequality but we (rightly) blame greedy corporations that only care about shareholders not employees and they blame "greedy corrupt politicians".

Stinky The Clown

(67,796 posts)
87. Honestly, they weren't always this way
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:31 PM
Jun 2017

Who remembers when Chris Shays was defeated in Connecticut? He was about the last decent republican in the northeast. There used to be a lot like him. Not conservative/mean like they are today. I could name many who were different than any of today's crop of pricks.

philly_bob

(2,419 posts)
89. Don't forget Ayn Rand's Libertarianism
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 06:49 PM
Jun 2017

that convinced so many clueless college kids that callous indifference was philosophically sophisticated.

world wide wally

(21,742 posts)
93. The saddest part about all of this, and probably the most important part as well, is that
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:03 PM
Jun 2017

whatever derogatory thing we can think of saying about Republicans (and every word of it is accurate and true), also applies to about 50% of the asshole American people as well.

OnDoutside

(19,956 posts)
94. Do Republicans have a point about anything, that's on a higher level to what Democrats believe in ?
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:06 PM
Jun 2017

Ok, I'm an outsider to US politics, and I try to force myself to watch/listen stuff from RW media from time to time, but coming from a country that is open to news from everywhere, I haven't come across anything from the Republicans that seems remotely truthful or makes sense for the vast majority of people voting for them. What do they stand for, that really makes America a better place ?

I just heard Matt Schlapp bullshit about Free market healthcare, while the theoretical notion of it is a good idea, that is NOT what he means. We know him and his lowlife friends intend to gut the current healthcare system, not make it better. How can you do that to your fellow citizens ? There's an evil about people like him and the Trump cronies, where all they want is to satisfy donors rather than the people.

trof

(54,256 posts)
97. OMG! You sexist, misogynistic bastid!
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 07:10 PM
Jun 2017

So you can say 'dicks' and we can't say the 'c' word.
I claim double standard on DU.
Bother.

gilligan

(194 posts)
106. Why are Republicans such dicks?
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 08:15 PM
Jun 2017

They are dicks. Because they are totally beholding to bigger DICKS. The billionaires and banksters. A tax cut them is more important than health care or food or roads
Or education. I could go on and on
But excuse me I have to go throw up.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
107. FEAR that they're losing white privilege, and SELF-RIGHTEOUS ANGER about that same FEAR.
Tue Jun 20, 2017, 08:46 PM
Jun 2017

They tend to be hyper-reactive, and are stressed more easily than the average person in the face of a long-term challenge or issue. Their chosen media has drilled them with anger and fear for 50 years at least -- fear of communism, fear of socialism, fear of POC, fear of any religion other than hardcore Christianity, fear of women, fear of strangers, fear of other cultures, fear of education, fear of science, fear of change. Which is interesting, in that, with all that fear they habitually carry around inside, they fancy themselves the "tough, realistic guys." Tough, but they want to open-carry a firearm, which makes them fearful, in my book. All that 2nd Amendment-chatter is a load of horse-flop; if you can't go to the local Quick-Mart without strapping on a shooting iron, you've entered pathological territory. Same with the "deep state" absurdity.

And they're enraged about...most everything. It's like they're pissed off by having to exist. Non-issues like flag-burning or the "war on Christmas" rile them up into a frenzy. Has anyone ever known a right-winger happy about much of anything? They're always on to the next "insult" they've painfully endured, like eight years under a Kenyan president. Yet they refer to their nemeses as "snowflakes." They've got projection down to an art, and they go there every time. They cry "fraud!," when it was they who enabled the tampering. All of it has overtones of closed-off, insulated cult behavior.

As to what is actually wrong, that's for sociologists and behavioral health officials to determine. However, it does appear that most of these people are beyond salvaging. There will be no epiphany, no sudden insight. Only more fear and anger.

SleeplessinSoCal

(9,112 posts)
116. I think they find it fun to be dicks.
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 02:16 AM
Jun 2017

It suits them to a T. They found out early on they could go far by being a dick. And they are greatly rewarded for being a dick. They get book deals, radio and TV shows.

Nitram

(22,794 posts)
126. It has always been the conservative mindset.
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:13 AM
Jun 2017

Conservatives have been dicks since time immemorial.

Dorn

(523 posts)
128. Yes, a mindset that accepts two conflicting beliefs simultaneously:I love everyone / screw them all
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 08:47 AM
Jun 2017

This is the mindset that says:
* Babies should never die / blowing up Yemenese is fine
* Using poison gas is wrong / shooting children who are in the way is good
* All lives are special / police are specialer
* We must be good stewards / pollution is OK if it doesn't affect me
* Cheating is wrong / corporations can't cheat because they create jobs
* Everyone is equal / wealthy people are more equal
* Turn the other cheek / don't limit my ability to kill you


niyad

(113,279 posts)
136. on my more compassionate days (few and far between lately), I think there is some genetic
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 12:48 PM
Jun 2017

defect in them.

the rest of the time, I just think they are hateful, ignorant, angry assholes.

 

Rustyeye77

(2,736 posts)
140. Imagine the uproar if someone said ...
Wed Jun 21, 2017, 01:37 PM
Jun 2017

"Why are women such ____s ?

Using misandrist words is no excuse.

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