I know how to really get under a Republican's skin.

[Toucano]

Describe their actions and positions as radical. Especially "radical Republicanism".

Substitute it for "conservative" at every opportunity.

They are always saying how proud they are to be called conservatives, and that we run from the liberal label.

But they aren't conservative. They're radical. When you call them on it, they get really testy!

Radical constitutional amendments.
Radical tax cuts for the rich.
Radical gutting of the treasury.
Radical cuts to vital services.
Radical unwanted nation building.
Radical changes to medicare and social security.
Radical restrictions on personal liberties.


The only replies to my piece via the letters to the editor have been very upset at being characterized as radical. They didn't bother to address the issues or dispute the facts. They object so strongly, I know I must have struck a nerve.

I think they take enormous psychological comfort in think they represent the "mainstream" and the norm. When faced with the fact that their views aren't the norm or mainstream views, they face a meltdown. It's beautiful.

Some may already be aware of this, but need to be reminded. Some may have never experienced it, and are encouraged to try it.

[Bluebear]

1. Bravo. I always use the word "extreme"

The republicans are too 'extreme' for the mainstream.

[w4rma]

12. radical is more cutting tho. (nt)

[fugue]

2. This reminds me of a discussion in my high school English class

Early eighties it would've been. My teacher insisted that "radical" meant "far left" when used in a political context. I insisted that it meant "far from the center." Finally she agreed that we'd accept the honors history teacher's definition of the word. He assured her that right-wingers could be radical, too.

But radical is what they are. There's nothing conservative about them. Conservatives are not inclined to change things much or quickly.

[LiberalEsto]

3. 'Reactionary" is another good one. n/t

[baldguy]

9. No, "reactionary" implies a desire to return to a previous condition.

The radical neo-cons want to "return" to policies that never were.

[LiberalEsto]

22. But they DO want to return to the past...

Hitler's Third Reich

The days of industrial robber barons and sweatshops and child labor

Serfdom in the Middle Ages

[Infomaniac]

4. Dead from the Neck Up Conservative is one of my favorites

That usually gets 'em started.

[Czolgosz]

5. I completely agree!

Every time one of those guys starts spouting about Bush's "conservatism", I remind them that true conservatives defend the established institutions so I'm the conservative, not Bush, when:

1. I am standing up for fully funding our public school system instead of gambling with our children's future by adopting some untested voucher program,
2. I am standing up for a strong VA bureau against Bush's proposed cuts,
3. I am standing up for keeping our 250 year old civil justice system intact instead of adopting a cap on patient's rights,
4. I am standing up for states' rights to decide how marriage should be defined instead of writing a discriminatory federal definition of marriage into our beloved Constitution,
5. I am standing up for our progressive taxation system which Bush would undermine by radically restructuring the system to favor the ultra-rich,
6. I am standing up for social security which Bush would bankrupt and privatize,
7. I am standing up for Medicare which Bush has distorted from a program to benefit our most vulnerable citizens into a program to benefit drug companies,
8. I am standing for judges who will apply the laws and Constitution as written and not the far right-wing activists that Bush has nominated,
9. I am standing with John Kerry in favor of responsible balanced budgets and against Bush-Cheney and their credit-card mentality generating the biggest deficits in history which our children will have to pay off, and
10. I am standing up for internationalism and global cooperation instead of a new preemptive war doctrine that has always been antithetical to what America has stands for.

[Toucano]

20. You've got it!

That's a brilliant list!

Every institution they want to destroy and undermine is evidence of the radical Republican vision.

Radical and risky schemes to privitize social security.
Unprecedented and radical exporting of US jobs.
Radical restrictions on our right to access the courts and our freedom to associate.
Their radical view that some Americans are more equal than others and corporations are equal to citizens.

Everything they want that can be characterized as a turn away from the way things have TRADITIONALLY been is RADICAL.

Prepare for the mouth foam!

[AmerDem]

6. Radical it is!

Let's get the ball rolling. It will work!

[glitch]

7. You are absolutely correct and they know it, which is why they freak nt

[wildeyed]

8. Works great.

I always start my conversations with fiscally conservative, socially moderate repubs and indys with, 'now there are allot of things about conservatives that I admire, but BushCo is not conservative, why just look at our deficit and this reckless war he has gotten us into. Would a true conservative have done that? They are really right-wing radicals, not conservatives.'

Seems to work well. Then I talk about how John Kerry is really the more conservative candidate on many important issues.

[AntiFascist]

10. he he....

Buchanen is promoting his book again "Where the Right Went Wrong" and making some very strong statements against the administration. When asked who he would be voting for, he wouldn't answer. He thought a moment then said "I live in a red state so it doesn't matter." One thing that rubs me the wrong about him, though, is that he tends to blame PNAC on all Israelis.

[leesa]

18. All sorts of groups are in on PNAC. Think Gary Bauer and the "religious"

right. They are fully behind PNAC as a jumpstart for their Rapture fantasy. He is a signatory of PNAC.

[Lefty48197]

11. The term "right wing" has traditionally gotten under their skin

because they don't want people reminded of their McCarthyite heritage.

[Eye and Monkey]

13. You're so right, it made me chuckle in appreciation of all the fun -

all the fun I'll have when I use it. heh heh heh

[Jade Fox]

14. Check out this article....

The liberal bashing is annoying, but this is some of the best "Neoconservative
bashing by a True Conservative" I have ever read. The author really nails the
Neos on their consumate failure, even to their own supposed conservative
ideals.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/190575_focus19.html

[Toucano]

17. Thank you. n/t

[brava]

15. I call them fanatical

That drives them crazy, because it puts them on a par with the "Islamic fanatics."

[Cat Atomic]

16. I think you've really hit on something here.

Now that I think of it, I can remember hearing Republicans put down liberals as "radical" or "extremist" many times- on telelvision, radio, and even face-to-face. I never paid much attention to it, because I don't mind if an extremist calls me an extremist. I mean, to him, I am an extremist.

But I'll bet you're right. I'll bet it doesn't work in the other direction. Telling Republicans that they are the wacko extremists would cut them alot deeper than it cuts us.

Thanks- I will definitely keep this thought in an easy-to-reach section of my brain. :D

[Tsiyu]

19. dralston, you are so COOOOOOL!!!!

It's all about WORD ASSOCIATION.

I've been searching for just the right one, and then you had it all along.
:headbang:

[Toucano]

21. I'm so glad I could help!

Thank you! :toast: