Anyone else think that "out of touch liberal" is code for "not a racist like us" ?

[howard112211]

I have to wonder in what ways librals can seem "out of touch" with "working Americans". I mean, there are inarguably strong ties between liberalism and the labor movement (even if that often does not apply to the Democratic party). I suspect that what "out of touch" means to the average working class Republican is "they want welfare for black people".

[LiberalLoner]

1. K&R you might very well be right. n/t

[magdalena]

2. I definitely think that could be part of it,

but I feel its more of a general "not selfish and greedy like us".

[ItNerd4life]

3. So now all Republicans are racist? That is out of touch.

I know many Republicans and they are not racist. To lump them all together is disingenuous.

[bluedave]

5. no

Just most of them

[Rabblevox]

6. not all racists are Republicans, true, but misses the point...

That MOST racists are Republicans, (or tea-baggers) and racists find a much more welcoming environment in the Republican party.

There used to be (at least from the 50's through the 80's) a solid "moderate" wing of the Republican party. No more.

The Repubs are now the party of tools and fools and people who were unfortunately home-schooled.

I'm not all that fond of the Democrats, these days, but anyone who self-identifies as a Republican in 2011 gets nothing but my contempt and scorn.

[TheKentuckian]

7. Not all Republicans are racist but willingly belonging to a racist, terrorist organization

dedicated to the destruction of civil liberties, promoting economic royalty, disabling government to act for the general welfare of the majority of citizens, and systemic funneling of all resource control to a hand full of people with avarice as a prime directive makes it an issue of splitting hairs.

They lump themselves together, membership is self selective. If they don't want to be lumped then they should reconsider who they ally with.

[Xenotime]

8. Then you must not know your rethug friends that well

[HereSince1628]

4. Yes, most of that seems true

But liberal is also code for SOCIALIST as in SOVIET SOCIALIST as in COLD WAR MORTAL ENEMY.

And of course socialists, are the only class of people in our society that hold on to that out of touch notion of caring for the needy.

Those who are in touch (meaning the traditionally greedy business oriented GOPer and the jealous person of meager to average means) have moved on to the modern notion that it's "everyman for himself" because that is the true meaning of freedom and liberty for all and being unfettered from such things as social responsibility.

In the 70's the Libertarians were laughed at because they were stuck on promoting decriminalization of drug use. Now that they broadened they horizons to tap into a comprehensive human trait like jealousy no one is laughing anymore.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. Some DUers use it; perhaps they'll shed some light as to why.

Not many, though, just a vocal minority.

Liberals ARE working Americans, but many Republicans are so brainwashed by the venom spewed by Corporate Media, politicians, mega-church leaders, etc., they've turned against those in their own socio-economic class (and to those Republicans I offer a hearty "fuck you").

I'm sure you're familiar with the 14 Points of Fascism; 4 are listed below:

"3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause

The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.

5. Rampant sexism

Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.

9. Power of corporations protected

Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated

Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice."

http://ellensplace.net/fascism.html

Liberals/labor have been attacked long before Obama took office, but with him in office, wingnut racism is clearly on display. Racism is not the only element to their attacks; they go at us any way they can (e.g., education, religion, gender and orientation). Divide and conquer.

TPTB want to protect their wealth, and they successfully manipulate the low-information voters among us to do it. We're seeing it right now with the Koch brothers. "Adulterer" Richard Mellon Scaife funded a moral Crusade against Bill Clinton not because he gave a flying fuck about the blue dress, but because he wanted to preserve the wealth of his class. To this day I hear wingnuts spout "but he lied!," and they have NO CLUE about NAFTA, the Telecommunications Act, Glass-Steagall, etc. To those voters I offer a hearty "fuck you" as well...pay attention, people!

We need an FDR who welcomes their hate, not Captain Bipartisanship.