You know how Obama hung back in the debate and let Romney rant, lie and hang himself?

[freshwest]

34. It has ALWAYS been the plan. But it's assailed as being not masculine enough by those who have

subconsciously bought into the conserative 'tough guy' routine and want the Democrats to do the same. It is not what a person who believes in democracy does, but demagogues have ruled the airwaves so long, it's been normalized.

They call Obama and Democrats spineless for not getting up and yelling and cursing and throwing a fit. Obama won that debate in substance, but the media kept encouraging the bully routine because that's who owns the networks. A lot of cranky, wealthy, authoritarian bullies who make the reporters dance to the tune they order. Or else. In that respect, I've given up getting mad at those lower on the totem pole at the networks. It's like whipping the help, going up to the fast food clerk who doesn't agree with their boss, but it's a cheap thrill.

But the overpaid shills of this same group of bullies, such as the O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck and Limbaugh lackeys, are in tight with the media owners (Mittens = Bain = Clear Channel + Murdoch = Newscorp) and know they are doing the bidding of fascists and revel in their Orwellian jobs to distort American politics and bring the government to its knees so that it can no longer protect the citizenry from corporate theft and religious bigotry.

They are arrogant and proud of the numbers of people whose minds they have owned by lying to them. Beck even mocks his followers, saying anyone who takes his opinions seriously is an idiot because he's just an entertainer, a rodeo clown. For this he gets around $10M annually, sometimes more. The others get similiar salaries and help forge GOP talking points.

That's not how democracy is played, it's about ideals, learning and working things out. Because if your believe in equality, you have to respect at least by process, those who are misled.

Purity = Zealotry does not allow for the free exchange of ideals and working things out. There is no respect for the other point of view. It is the first step for totalitarianism and shouting people down, and bitter accusations without truth or logic, are the tools of demagogues, as we've been treated to for over twenty years on radio and television.

Very good OP, Don, thanks.