How dangerous is the American right-wing?

[Onlooker]

Poll question: How dangerous is the American right-wing?

(1) It's too late. They already control our government, are able to steal elections, have passed anti-civil rights legislation like the Patriot Act, have taken control of the media, and can start wars without facing consequences.
(2) It's very frightening. They have started corrupting the courts and the electoral process, and have begun a direct assault on civil rights and international law.
(3) It's worrying. They have too much influence in the courts and the electoral process, are testing the ability of the Constitution to protect our civil rights, and are harming our alliances around the world.
(4) It's of some concern. They have had a lot of power since Reagan, but overall our system of checks and balances has impeded their growth. Despite their power, we have scored a few victories in gay rights, abortion rights, and affirmative action.
(5) I'm not worried at all. It's simply a matter of the pendulum swinging back to the left. Their time is due to pass, and there's nothing they can do about it.
(6) They have never really had that much power. It's just an illusion fostered by their loud-mouthed talk show hosts and leaders.
(7) Other

[cthrumatrix]

1. THEY are afraid --- it's time to vote ....register as many voters possible

I can't imgagine Gore voters going bush...and I see a ton of repugs fed up with awol.

those numbers are hard to change

[choicevoice]

2. Be Very Afraid

especially of the religious right wing. When they realized that killing doctors and bombing clinics wasn't working they changed focus. They started a nationwide campaign to run and get elected to offices, everything from school boards on up. They have an built-in support system from the religious right that gives votes and money. They started this big push about 5 or 6 years ago and its working.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Welcome to DU choicevoice.

You're right. To be effective, the right wing has to do it through the system and then make sure they don't ever have to share power again. Kind of like a gradual descent into fascism.

[Onlooker]

3. These results are kind of depressing

I was hoping my thoughts (I chose #2) were just a reflection of my state of mind, but sadly I think they reflect reality.

[MsTryska]

5. it's NEVER too late.

and if it got even clsoe to being too late, this country would be in pure civil war, with armed pockets of resistance. fuck fallujah, deal with fairfield, bitch!


*lol8 that being said, it sure as hell is frightening.

[kwolf68]

6. Pretty worried

I chose the more conservative route, because they only gain power if they can supplant the flow of information.

As Will Pitt pointed out, the West Va flap with that Republican plant at the Edwards rally was investigated by bloggers, “small time” (but big service) journalists. While I expect the right to continue to take over big media, the game is now being played elsewhere. Liberals are resourceful. We will have our perspective heard…the truth about the truth will get out. The right will be exposed, because the “new Liberal muckrakers” now stand at the vanguard against a monolithic media.

We will soon become the most well-informed people in the United States…We will then take that truth to the streets and to quote Dr. King…we will overcome.

The right is sick, demented, scary and yes powerful…but also corrupt and wrong. In this case, freedom will set us free. So to that end, the right isn’t a real threat…they will be a source of pain and entertainment, but they are dying…the present incarnation of Conservatism is dying…its nothing but hatred, lies, hypocrisy.

The next version of the right will either be a full-scaled Nazi movement or a more pragmatic movement.

Mr. Kerry can put this pig to pasture Nov 2. That’s when the real fun will begin as the right begins to tear itself apart between the Moderate Republicans, the Jesus Republicans, The Imperialistic Republicans, and the Libertarian Republians. If Kerry wins, I’m grabbing some popcorn and am going to watch the fray.