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calimary

(80,694 posts)
102. You're not ranting anything that I myself haven't ranted, too.
Wed Jul 3, 2013, 08:55 PM
Jul 2013

Or that thousands of us here posting a lot on DU have ranted, also.

I've had this conversation with two people I know and see fairly often, who are just stuck in republi-CON-ism. One brought up that way, and one probably just rebelling against a liberal-leaning parent who - um - really wasn't all that great at parenting.

"Okay, you hate the Democrats and liberals and you believe in the GOP way of doing things...

...but you're a union member and you need those benefits because that's the only insurance coverage you can afford." (Silence.)

"...Um, you don't like government intrusion into your doctor's office - AND you have a daughter of childbearing age and you don't want the government up inside HER vagina either..." (Silence. Followed by a little half-hearted stammering about baby-killers that kinda fades off.)

"...Um, you're actually concerned about climate change and the party you embrace doth not know science, logic, climatology, or other assorted nuisance facts..." (Silence.)

"...Um, you hate racism..." (Silence.)

"...Um... you were bothered seeing all those lines around the block for hours, waiting to vote, and you thought it looked like we're a Third World country..." (Silence.)

"... Yeah, um, you disapprove of the efforts to curtail the right to vote, you actually think that's kinda not fair..." (Silence.)

"...Um, you're actually OKAY with the idea of restricting the right to vote - when it should really be open to as many people as possible?" (Silence.)

"... And you hated the war..." Them: "...but, but, but, Democrats voted for it TOO..." Me: "And who led the way? Who told the lies? WHO was out there on the front lines, and sold that bullshit to America?" (Silence.)

"...Um... you want your pot holes fixed - you know we all pay taxes to cover stuff like that. (Silence.)

"...Um... you'd have a shit-fit if there were no more food-safety inspectors and you wound up buying bad meat to feed the kids that night." (Silence.)

"...Um - you fly a lot. Don't really need all those air traffic controllers anymore, right? They cost too much. And that airline doesn't need maintenance - let 'em go ahead and cut corners to save a buck! Stupid regulators..." (Silence.)

"...Um - you didn't have ANY insurance at all were it not for the Affordable Care Act." (Silence.)

"...Um - those disability benefits you DEPEND ON, because you're unable to work and you live alone and that's the only regular income you have - DAMN those stupid liberals who fought to get that for you, correct? Let's just get rid of that!" (Silence.)

"...Um... all those meds you have to take, at least you know they're safe. But hey, we don't need all those stupid federal drug inspectors and testing then, how 'bout it? Costs too much. Heaven forbid we have to pay taxes to cover that stuff." (Silence.)

"...Um - because you depend on state aid and welfare, that means you're nothing but a lazy moocher, then, doesn't it?" (Silence.)

"...Um - those stupid fire fighters and first responders that gave their lives recently in that awful fire. But that just costs too much and we have to cut taxes even more, correct? I mean, who needs 'em?" (Silence.)

"...You believe in Jesus Christ and what He taught - like in the Beatitudes and elsewhere, in which He talked about the needs of the poor, homeless, and hungry. You say you're a Christian, but those people are just lazy moochers." (Silence.)

Then I go back to...

"...Um, you hate the idea of government intrusion into your private life or ANYBODY'S private life..." (Silence.)

Then one of them might say ... "but, but, but... right to life... baby killers... it's a baby from that moment ... my daughter, ... but God if she got raped... " Me: "... and WHOSE decision should that be - that affects HER body? Hers? Or yours, even though she'll be 26 in a few weeks? Or some politician's - who's probably a man?" (Silence.

They just don't have answers. They just don't. They can't really respond. They do anyway, of course - they've got lots of talking points and Pox Noise indoctrination and other crap to spew, but it doesn't hold water against these annoying little nuisance things that keep popping up, called FACTS. The truth, reality, facts - just don't fit the picture that's been painted for these poor folks, the way they've been indoctrinated.

At that point you'll probably start getting such retorts as "... well, I dunno..." or "meh, whatever." That's when you usually hit a brick wall. And they do too. Because they don't have good comebacks for any of this when it punches them in their own noses. The standard pull-the-string-and-the-dolly-talks talking points don't fit here. It has the unfortunate effect of forcing them to think, HERE in the real world. And that's uncomfortable. Besides, it doesn't fit with the Pox Noise propaganda they're dutifully swallowing every day. The best you can do is rattle their cages. With one of my friends - all she watches is Pox Noise. I can tell, because stuff she says comes straight out of the mouth of that-guy-whose-name-rhymes-with-Vanity. The only time she hears any other side is when she's over here at our house. And it's very confusing to her.

I guess that's where it starts. Rattling their cages and making them uncomfortable. I think you probably have to do that repeatedly before any of it cuts through and leads them to start questioning, seriously, the propaganda they're being fed. Or maybe even switching the channel from time to time to something OTHER THAN Pox Noise. But some of this is deeply ingrained.

Sometimes all you CAN do is rattle their cages. Make it just a wee bit more uncomfortable and difficult to continue mindlessly embracing these totally UN-Christian "ideals." They don't change easily because nobody wants to admit they were wrong, or worse - that they were gullible and allowed themselves to be fooled and led down the garden path. But that's where it has to start. It has to be brought down home, and the point made intimately and personally - to apply directly to THEM. Part of the problem we have to fight against is the whole notion that it's "those OTHER people" out there somewhere in Teabagger Fantasy Land who are to blame. It has to be brought home - that THEY are directly and personally affected.

People do, just that we have a lot of news today nadinbrzezinski Jul 2013 #1
Well, I suspect the people who live there do. ananda Jul 2013 #2
Really makes you wonder Peacetrain Jul 2013 #3
Yes. NaturalHigh Jul 2013 #4
I do. WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #5
Those of us who do not live in NC, but rather far away in California cannot do anything about NC JDPriestly Jul 2013 #66
Oh, I understand. Like I commiserated for WI... WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #76
I do. Buzz Clik Jul 2013 #6
Yup. KamaAina Jul 2013 #7
The rush WovenGems Jul 2013 #8
I've thought about the same thing myself... ms liberty Jul 2013 #12
It's revenge AlbertCat Jul 2013 #20
You got that right G_j Jul 2013 #82
I've wondered that myself. It just seems like they're on a frickin' RAMPAGE!!! calimary Jul 2013 #25
I too take it very personally AAO Jul 2013 #46
You're not ranting anything that I myself haven't ranted, too. calimary Jul 2013 #102
Now that's what I call a rant! All of it completely true to my experiences. AAO Jul 2013 #130
OMG!!! Now where'd you find that sweet little photo? }:D calimary Jul 2013 #131
You actually seem quite restrained for a mama bear. AAO Jul 2013 #136
Thanks! };D calimary Jul 2013 #137
a bit harsh, I know G_j Jul 2013 #9
Well, it all depends... ms liberty Jul 2013 #10
Yes, South Bashing is rampant.... AlbertCat Jul 2013 #21
I've wondered if that was part of it. KoKo Jul 2013 #26
Sadly Liberals and Progressives are a minority in the South and have to live under GOP rule but that YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #62
What do you want the rest of us who don't live there to do? AlbertCat Jul 2013 #71
I have always known my entire life the South was a miserable place to exist and yes I did live YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #79
Of course, I live here. octoberlib Jul 2013 #11
NC has an interesting history. And, it's not South Carolina, Texas or Mississippi... KoKo Jul 2013 #34
Is there still a lot of infighting in the state party? octoberlib Jul 2013 #49
Yes. Note that strong Democrats are destroyed by the right in the South. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #68
Everyone read post 34!! Yes KoKo is exactly right!!! bluemarkers Jul 2013 #75
kr HiPointDem Jul 2013 #13
Time to bring back the Regulators KamaAina Jul 2013 #14
wow G_j Jul 2013 #16
I'm not, either KamaAina Jul 2013 #17
I suppose I have then G_j Jul 2013 #29
Also... AlbertCat Jul 2013 #27
Thank you for this bit of NC History. It's an interesting state... KoKo Jul 2013 #39
Kicked and Recommending! n/t sheshe2 Jul 2013 #15
Thanks to the TEArrany Party! Coyotl Jul 2013 #18
I do. Even if good people live on the "wrong" side of a line on the map is no reason not to care pampango Jul 2013 #19
Many do plus me Iliyah Jul 2013 #22
I think we all should whether we live there or not. rl6214 Jul 2013 #23
Oh yes....big time! NRaleighLiberal Jul 2013 #24
I do! MynameisBlarney Jul 2013 #28
Everyone should care if they are following the GOP tactics in 2013 SleeplessinSoCal Jul 2013 #30
About as much as they do about Kansas. MuseRider Jul 2013 #31
Agree they focus on the Tool..Art Pope...but he's connected to ALEC & Koch... KoKo Jul 2013 #53
You are there? MuseRider Jul 2013 #94
Thanks for your perspective "Muse Rider." Yes...they swooped in when KoKo Jul 2013 #107
I bet our lovely Sec of State has been visiting with regularity. MuseRider Jul 2013 #109
It's hard going back and working with them for me...but, there are so KoKo Jul 2013 #112
NC tried to ban the Tesla sales from the state...so far that bill hasn't passed... Tikki Jul 2013 #32
You've got that backwards jeff47 Jul 2013 #110
How is that fair...you can't tell me there isn't some rich guy in NC who ordered a Maserati or... Tikki Jul 2013 #114
Well, the law is from a very long time ago, so it's not targeting Tesla jeff47 Jul 2013 #115
So someone can go to California and buy a Tesla and then register it in NC and all. Tikki Jul 2013 #117
What is NC? HipChick Jul 2013 #33
North Carolina KamaAina Jul 2013 #41
I try not to go south of the Potomac HipChick Jul 2013 #48
Y'all ought to go some time KamaAina Jul 2013 #52
I try not to go south of the Potomac AlbertCat Jul 2013 #73
And there is a large part of the problem MuseRider Jul 2013 #96
I do. I chose to live here. Not in Alabama or Mississippi or South Carolina mnhtnbb Jul 2013 #35
We all should, Heathen57 Jul 2013 #36
Does NC? After The Special Election Gay Marriage otohara Jul 2013 #37
That was a disgusting vote. WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #127
OMG He's Sick otohara Jul 2013 #129
Sing away, young-uns, but VOTE! WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #132
Moral Monday rules! And solidarity to Occupy Raleigh! n/t Fire Walk With Me Jul 2013 #38
It's a Good Crowd down there...Very Diversified. KoKo Jul 2013 #43
I love hearing this! Keep kicking ass and WIN! Fire Walk With Me Jul 2013 #51
Yes, and please keep posting about it. roody Jul 2013 #40
me :( stuntcat Jul 2013 #42
Not yet. AtheistCrusader Jul 2013 #44
I think you will see lots of posts about gay issues, abortion, etc. merrily Jul 2013 #45
I've been following the Moral Mondays protests, but Ilsa Jul 2013 #47
NICE...thanks..and question WHY NC is not in the headlines... KoKo Jul 2013 #60
NO Because it is a state issue and belongs in the state group YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #50
Was Wisconsin a state issue? KamaAina Jul 2013 #54
and it belongs in the WI group too YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #57
Because it is a state issue and belongs in the state group AlbertCat Jul 2013 #74
well that was rude of you YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #81
And #50 wasn't? WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #86
No my post did not include a personal attack. YeahSureRight Jul 2013 #124
It was still rude, personal attack or not. WorseBeforeBetter Jul 2013 #126
PLUS ONE! nt Enthusiast Jul 2013 #134
Speak for yourself demwing Jul 2013 #90
This seems to be what they want. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #55
This seems to be what they want. AlbertCat Jul 2013 #78
No. If people don't want this, then why did they vote for these people? MrSlayer Jul 2013 #85
So then what? Don't discuss it? Lex Jul 2013 #92
So it IS bragging and face rubbing then? No surprise. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #99
"but don't act like this isn't exactly what the majority want or voted for" Lex Jul 2013 #103
I don't know. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #106
"No one expects better from the state." Lex Jul 2013 #111
Reality is reality. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #122
The field is empty because Lex Jul 2013 #123
Actually, the majority of the people didn't vote for these assholes octoberlib Jul 2013 #116
This rush to pass radical right wing laws tiredtoo Jul 2013 #56
We should all care about NC. formercia Jul 2013 #58
Y'know...they did it to themselves. aquart Jul 2013 #59
You know NOTHING ABOUT THIS.... KoKo Jul 2013 #61
Mayhap. I've been wrong before. aquart Jul 2013 #65
Does the name Art Pope ring a bell????? AlbertCat Jul 2013 #83
A billionaire has only one vote unless you give him yours. aquart Jul 2013 #89
It just not that simple. AlbertCat Jul 2013 #104
Plus one! Democrats do not have an entire TV network dedicated to right wing lies. Enthusiast Jul 2013 #135
North Carolina Democrats need to get out and educate people. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #63
We've always been here...but circumstances and "stuff" from our own Dems KoKo Jul 2013 #70
I can't believe we survived Jesse Helms' G_j Jul 2013 #98
Heh. How exactly does that happen while the airwaves and newspapers are saturated Doctor_J Jul 2013 #80
North Carolina Democrats need to get out and educate people. AlbertCat Jul 2013 #84
Democrats were in control of the state for a century octoberlib Jul 2013 #118
I Love the Mountains & Waterfalls of North Carolina Martin Eden Jul 2013 #64
Kasich Khomeini is putting it to Ohio. bearssoapbox Jul 2013 #67
Yes. Solly Mack Jul 2013 #69
Yes. kentuck Jul 2013 #72
What would you suggest we do about it? Doctor_J Jul 2013 #77
stop voting in republicans for a start n/t lordsummerisle Jul 2013 #93
Umm...no one on this board votes for Republicans Doctor_J Jul 2013 #95
It wasn't meant as an accusation lordsummerisle Jul 2013 #97
This is a NC Post those here didn't vote for Repugs..unless there are KoKo Jul 2013 #105
Well, OK lordsummerisle Jul 2013 #108
I suggest we are all in this together G_j Jul 2013 #101
that doesn't answer my question Doctor_J Jul 2013 #113
I moved there yesterday for a job tabbycat31 Jul 2013 #87
Glad you're here! nt octoberlib Jul 2013 #119
Thansk tabbycat31 Jul 2013 #133
Perhaps Carolinians of the Northern persuasion... KansDem Jul 2013 #88
Just got on, G - this is all about GOP gerrymandering their way into ruling NC blm Jul 2013 #91
Here is another link about something good going on in N.Carolina tiredtoo Jul 2013 #100
A message to the NC General Assembly octoberlib Jul 2013 #120
She sums up my angst quite nicely. Bravo. NC_Nurse Jul 2013 #128
Anybody out there ? SamKnause Jul 2013 #121
I haven't been on DU much lately but yes I am watching this TBF Jul 2013 #125
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