Divide and conquer

[MadHound]

Over the history of our country, the power elite have used one very successful tactic to keep themselves in power, divide and conquer. White against black, white against brown, brown against black, Catholic vs. Protestant, immigrant vs. native, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs Republican, poor vs. middle class, gay vs. straight, on and on the list goes. We are a very divided country, one that was deliberately set up that way.

And yet the fact of the matter is that when you get down to brass tacks, there really isn't that much that truly separates the vast majority of people. The concerns that most people have, making rent, raising good kids, planning for old age, having a modicum of fun, all these and more we share in common.

But these artificial divisions that have been set up over the centuries come between us, and prevent any real change from occurring in this country. Partisan politics, racial politics, gender politics, all of these serve to keep the people divided against themselves and allows for the power elite to more efficiently control the population at large. Jay Gould's comment about being able to hire one half of the working class to kill the other half seems to be more true today than at any other time.

It is time to stop this divisive madness, and the only way to do that is to reach out to the dreaded "other". We all know somebody who is an "other", a Teabagger, a radical fundy, a homophobe, a bigot. Put aside your own fears and prejudices and sit down, talk with them. Get to know them, find out their concerns, find your common ground with them. And then start educating them.

First of all, I know, there are people who simply so far gone that they can't be reached. But we can find lots of common ground with people, after all, many of our basic concerns, needs and wants are the same as those.

Don't believe that this can be successful, I'm walking proof that it can be. I live in a very red county in a red state. I am surrounded by radical conservatives, bigots, fundies, you name it. But I can also talk to these people, find common ground with them, educate them, and in the end, successfully change their mindset, how they think, how they vote. I don't come on strong, but rather begin with common ground. You would be surprised at how many conservatives want us out of the wars were in, how many want to further tax the rich, how many hate what corporations are doing to our government, our country, and if you approach them calmly, with an open mind and heart, they will listen.

Uniting with the people that we have been conditioned to fear and despise is our only hope of regaining our country from the corporate elite. If we don't make this kind of outreach to them, if we don't unite with them, then the fact of the matter is that we will fail, and our country will simply become a corporate feudal society. Divided, expending all our energy fighting each other, will accomplish nothing but wasting our energy. Joining as one group, we can reclaim this country from the wealthy and power elite, and truly make it a paradise for all of us.

It is up to us, reach out across the divide, and let's stop playing these divisive games.

[leftstreet]

1. K&R

Howard Zinn's 'A People's History of the United States' speaks to this.

K&R

[BrendaBrick]

31. I'll have to check out Zinn's book. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Better yet, and yes I have done it

go to a tea bagger rally...

Bring signs that read "BRING JOBS BACK TO THE US."

TAX CORPORATIONS.

TAX THE RICH...

Yep, some will peg you for what you are... but a few others will go... hmmm maybe I got some in common with you.

Hell been thinking of a bumber TAX THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANS. Or simply TAX THE RICH.

[leftstreet]

10. People forget, the first rallies were populist

..before the M$M Tea Loonz took over

[polichick]

12. Yes, they were brilliantly preempted by the Koch brothers.

[The Doctor.]

13. You do so rock.

I love doing similar stuff... but haven't done signs yet.

Hell, you'd Loooove the project I have in mind for the next rally.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Combine it with street theater and it works great

[The Blue Flower]

3. You've nailed it

Fear and division are the enemy. There's only one response that will neutralize them. Yelling across the divide only widens it.

[slipslidingaway]

4. knr ...

friends and family members that I know who are registered Republicans voted for the Dems to investigate Bush for war crimes and that led to nothing but impeachment is off the table and we need to look forward.

"...let's stop playing these divisive games."

:applause:

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. "reach out across the divide, and let's stop playing these divisive games. "

Guess it depends on who you are, but in today's progressive circles it might be considered "caving" or "compromise", and those seem to be dirty words with the rise of the blogosphere.

[polichick]

7. "Caving" happens during negotiations when you give up way more than you need to...

...and especially when you compromise with yourself before negotiations begin.

[slipslidingaway]

9. No reason to say I agree with everything, but we should be able to come to common...

ground on some things, and that should be encouraged, not discouraged.

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. I don't disagree. I guess it just depends on who's doing the compromising.

Let's be honest, some progressives already joined the teabaggers. Ms. Cravens(??), who is the founder of one of the TX Teabagger units used to brag on NPR about her coordination with Jane Hamsher, especially when they were trying to kill HCR. And of course, Ralph Nader has always "reached across" to Repubs for various reasons. ;)

In the case of Jane & Ralph it's considered "reaching across", but in the president's case, it's labeled "caving". I suppose it's just a matter of perspective? :shrug:

[polichick]

18. Good grief, it's "caving" when you're negotiating - not when you're just talking.

[slipslidingaway]

19. True it does depend on one's perspective ...

HCR was exactly what the for profits wanted, a mandate to buy insurance, what they did not want was any discussion of a national HC system funded by taxes ... and the president complied.

Private insurance companies push for 'individual mandate'
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/slipslidingaway/11

How do you win a fight if you silence the harshest critics of those who hold power...
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/slipslidingaway/86

Senator Carper Publicly Defends Secret PhRMA Deal In Exchange For Support Ads
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/slipslidingaway/112

They did not want Medicare to negotiate drug prices, now that idea is being floated again. Even though it was part of the Obama HC plan in 2008 and he gave a great speech about being tired of politicians who offer up detailed plans only to cut deals with lobbyists once they were in the WH ... then a deal was cut with Billy Tauzin, the subject of a campaign ad entitled "Billy"

So who was in a position to cave and change course once in the WH, not Jane or Ralph.

Jane and Ralph are not in a position to sway legislation, but the president is, people can blame them for talking, but the president holds more power.

[polichick]

6. Well said. Until the people unite, we will continue to have gov't of, by and for...

...the corporations.

k&r

[Zax2me]

8. K&R

[sasha031]

11. you are so correct, thank you

this divide and conquer will be the end of us all.

their are few in the Beltway that represent Americans wishes, just look at the polls.

[The Doctor.]

15. Unfortunately, it's more complicated.

There is a very real division between people. That divide is hard-wired. The 'conservative' brain is literally wired to be afraid. That makes them band up and ignore 'outside' information.

We're in deep shit because millions of people have been programmed to hate blacks, latinos, and liberals without empirical reason.

[MadHound]

17. Oh bull,

People aren't hardwired to be conservatives, racists, or any other such persuasion. Yes, I saw that "study", but look around you, hell, take a good look at yourself. I come from a family of die-hard conservatives, with a liberal sprinkling of religious fundies thrown in to boot. Yet I'm one of the most liberal people you will meet, as is my sister. My wife comes from the same sort of background, with the same results.

If our genetics were so hard-wired, then there wouldn't be progressively more and more liberal, tolerant people over the years and decades. Yet here we are, in a country where the rate of biracial marriages is going up, where there is more tolerance for the LGBT community, where the rights of all minorities are becoming more pervasive. Yes, all this progress is coming in fits and starts, but it is happening.

Besides, if you actually talk to your conservative neighbor, while you might not agree with them on some issues, you can work with them on others. I have a member of my anti-war group who is a vile racist, but he is thoroughly and completely against these wars. Should I shun him because we don't agree on the issue of race? Should I refuse his help when we need all the help we can get stopping these wars(especially now, since most of the "politically pure" Democrats refuse to get out in the streets)? But guess what, this vile racist went out and voted for Obama in '08 because he thought that he was the best chance for bringing these wars to an end. So hey, he is making progress.

You keep arguing your limitations, and sure enough, they will be all yours.

[Gravel Democrat]

21. *fantastic* OP and reply

I think this "study" is a bunch of hokum too.

If you replace the word "conservative" (whatever that is these days) in that "study" with the name for a Race, any Race, this "study" would be ridiculed, and rightly (no pun intended) so. It doesn't even begin to take into account those like Big Head Ed who have supposedly "converted" (in Ed's case I don't believe he even did). Hard wired my rear end.

Divide and Conquer. You nailed it.

A Real Leader will work to unite us and return us to our roots of Liberty. And will STOP BOMBING THE THIRD WORLD!!!

We are waiting.




A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit.
Thomas Jefferson

[The Doctor.]

24. Wow... you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Tell me... what was the methodology of the 'study' you mentioned?

I'll wait.

But I won't hold my breath.

[The Doctor.]

23. Of course... because the immediate cottilion in your life defines the attitudes of the nation.

:eyes:

This is bigger than your 'personal experience' and well outside of it as you've demonstrated.

I agree that 'common ground' can be found with virtually anyone. Doing so is part of my profession. That doesn't mean that everyone's brains work exactly the same way... because they don't, and THAT is the BIG issue here.

No matter how much 'common ground' you find with someone, if they are predisposed to fear and insecurity they will put you into a gas chamber without hesitation after being told you are 'the enemy'.

This might suck to ponder, but it is a fact that people in divided nations gave up their neighbors, people whose children played together, who'd hosted parties for one-another, who'd stood up at their friend's weddings... turned their 'neighbors' over to the fascists.

I'm not 'arguing "my" limitations', I'm pointing out a simple fact of human cognitive psychology. They are weak when they have low-functioning anterior-cingulate-cortexes and hypertrophied amygdala. Go over those 'studies' again until you understand.

I'd LOVE to believe that we can 'all just get along', but I'm actually fucking educated and tragically aware of exactly HOW the American populace is being manipulated against itself.

I'm not going to argue this point any more, as it will be easier for you to believe what you want to.

I love what you've said. I wish it were that simple... but it's not.

[slipslidingaway]

20. They might think the same of you, that your beliefs are hard-wired...

but people can discuss and agree on some items, that is why we need to continue to talk and form lines about issues, not just the left-right divide.

[The Doctor.]

25. Another poster with absolutely no clue what I was talking about.

Same question to you; "What was the methodology used in the study I was referring to?"

That, and this is not about 'beliefs' being 'hardwired'. You really need to actually read the posts you wish to respond to. Also; I'll venture that you'd do well to research the material first as well.

Do you even know what you are talking about here?

Do your best to think it over before responding.

[slipslidingaway]

32. This was your post that I responded to ...

"Unfortunately, it's more complicated.

There is a very real division between people. That divide is hard-wired. The 'conservative' brain is literally wired to be afraid. That makes them band up and ignore 'outside' information.

We're in deep shit because millions of people have been programmed to hate blacks, latinos, and liberals without empirical reason."

Since you never linked to a study people might think you were referring to the study below, did you read your own post before replying to me.

:shrug:

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/04/does-your-brain-bleed-red-white-.html

"...Cognitive neuroscientist Ryota Kanai and colleagues at University College London recruited 90 student volunteers and had them rate their political philosophy on a five-point scale ranging from very liberal to very conservative. Then the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to get a look inside their brains. In a paper published online today in Current Biology, the team reports two main findings: political conservatives tend to have a larger right amygdala, a region involved in detecting threats and responding to fearful stimuli, whereas liberals tend to have a larger anterior cingulate cortex, an area that becomes active in situations involving conflict or uncertainty.

There was considerable overlap though...

...Kanai is at pains to make clear that the findings don't mean political views are "hard-wired" into the brain.

...It's an appealing story and a topic worth investigating, says cognitive neuroscientist Martha Farah of the University of Pennsylvania. But there's plenty of reason to be cautious, she says. For one, it's not clear what a bigger amygdala—or a bigger anything in the brain—actually means in terms of brain function and behavior. The research, she says, is unclear and often contradictory on this point.

Another problem is that most brain regions have multiple functions, Farah says: "Who says fear is the only function of the amygdala?" She notes that this brain region also responds to sexually arousing images and pictures of happy faces, and one recent study found a correlation between amygdala volume and the size of people's social networks. Likewise, the anterior cingulate cortex has been implicated in a long list of cognitive functions. By picking and choosing from the previous studies, "they're indulging in a bit of just-so storytelling," Farah says."

[The Doctor.]

36. And where in my post did I say that 'belief' is 'hard-wired'? That you changed the context

is what made me think you had no idea what you were talking about.

It's not the size of the organ, it's the utilization. The comments you linked to seem to be out of ignorance. Like when someone sets up a global warming denial by misrepresenting what climatologists have said. Dr. Farah is missing a few points;

1) As I said, it's about utilization, not 'size'. The studies were done while monitoring regions for 'grey matter'. That literally translates into 'greater activity' as 'grey matter' has greater firing rates and overall neurochemical activity. Farah misconstrued the study in that respect even though her comments are technically correct.

2) No one says 'Fear is the only function of the amygdala'. That's Farah creating an assertion that does not exist as no respectable cog-psyche or neurologist would make such a claim.

This looks to me like a case of a psychologist wanting to be more relevant to an issue, otherwise she would have chosen her words more carefully. That doesn't mean she's wrong, necessarily, but a strong correlation is demonstrated to exist and that's the point of the studies... not to pass judgment, but to show a correlation. From that, one can draw their own conclusions.

And I have.

What I said is absolutely correct; these studies demonstrate a functionality that lends itself to fear in some form or another.

If you look at 'conservative' groups, you'll see a very clear pattern of rejecting 'differences'. That's why they tend to band together with people of the same color, religion, and bigotry.

Two words;

"Tea Party"

At no point did I say that 'beliefs' are hard-wired. Nor does my point lend itself to someone claiming that my 'beliefs' are 'equally hard wired' because I am far less likely to have the type of functionality that allows fear to dictate my views. That's the one-way street we're on, that's the 'hard-wiring' I was referring to. 'Conservatives' tend to have exactly the type of functionality that lends them to fear-based responses.

If it weren't so damned obvious, if Fox News wasn't so damned effective, if the Tea Party weren't so blatantly white, 'Christian' and racist, if conservatives didn't speak in terms of 'us vs them' or 'get them before they get us, if every damned indication didn't somehow point directly to my conclusions being dead on the money, then maybe you'd have a point.

Unfortunately, you don't, because it simply doesn't work that way. Conservatives are literally more hard-wired to fear and hate. Those aren't 'beliefs', those are compulsions. 'Beliefs' are what come afterwards... and those beliefs are inevitably fear and hate-based.

Thanks for at least clarifying though.

[slipslidingaway]

22. ... n/t

[Martin Eden]

26. Divided We Fall

"We" being We The People.

I've been saying for years the Powers-That-Be have intentionally fostered the divisions in this country to prevent We The People from standing together for our own common interests. But you said it better, and I'm glad it's getting such a positive response here at DU.

It is so easy to laugh and point fingers and denigrate and be appalled at the political beliefs of the people who -- aside from politics -- are our neighbors, workplace associates, and relatives who are in the same economic boat with us. Granted, their political beliefs ARE appalling -- but those beliefs will never change if all they get from us is derision and hostility.

And the plain simple fact of the matter is that we will never achieve desperately needed change without enlisting the support of a good chunk of people we currently perceive to be our political enemies.

[kentuck]

27. We need to frame it as the "people" against the politicians.

Then we become united in a cause.

[bvar22]

28. When the Working Class & The Poor....

When The Working Class & The Poor realize we have more in common with each other
than we have in common with the RICH Ruling Elites of BOTH Political parties,
we can demand "CHANGE".

I share some economic issues with the TeaBaggers,
and I'm not afraid to talk to them about it.

[MadHound]

30. Exactly,

Sadly, far too many people want to put party above class, and thus we are kept divided and disorganized, fighting each other rather than against those who are the real enemies.

[BrendaBrick]

29. Thanks for posting this! Spot On!!!!!! nt

[BrendaBrick]

33. Kick

MadHound,

I just can't shake what you have posted.
I think this is one of the best posts I have ever read here and hits upon a universal truth! Kicking up!

[R. P. McMurphy]

34. Too Late to Recommend.

I'll just kick instead.

[cali]

35. We all have more in common than that which separates us.

Having said that, that which separates us can and does rip us to shreds.

your post is panglossian. Sorry, but there are a shitload of people who have no interest in being educated. many tea party members are strongly opposed to any discourse with liberals at all. Your claim that they'll listen rings hollow. A few might, but I doubt most will.

And uniting with bigots is a risky bet. you want to ignore the ugliness and hate and find common ground with people who would be happy to literally lynch GLBT folks and minorities; I find that very troubling. It says to me that you don't really care very much about these folks.

Unrec.