The terrifying ignorance of the Palin-bots

[Cyrano]

I do volunteer work twice a week for Obama's campaign. Mostly, it's knocking on doors, handing out pamphlets and trying to win over the undecided. (Don't do this kind of work if you're sensitive about having doors slammed in your face.)

Although I am covering a blue-collar area, about half the people I speak with are Democrats. Others really are undecided, but they're open to a reasonable conversation.

The Palin-bots (some men, mostly women) I run into are really scary people. Some will take the time to talk with me in an attempt to convert me. (And there are a few who actually want to punch me out, but, so far, my nose is still intact.)

These are people who are thrilled that McCain picked Palin. When I ask them why, the answers range from her dedication to family, to her personality, to her broad range of knowledge (???), to how we really need a new face in Washington. If I respond that Obama is a fresh face in Washington, I can instantly sense the subtle racism in their replies.

I usually end up cutting these conversations short as I know that I'm wasting my time. But, especially with the women, I always feel like I've just been speaking with a "Stepford Wife." They are totally ignorant on the issues, and none of them blame their financial situations on the Republicans. Even in homes in which the people are unemployed, they blame it on the Democrat's "welfare state" and love of taxes. They are clueless as to who it is that's screwing them.

I know I'm running into just a small sampling of people. But I wonder how many Palin-bots exist in this country who will turn out to vote and make it close enough for the Republicans to steal it again. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. But when those opinions threaten our jobs, our health care, our financial well-being and the very viability of our democracy, my tolerance tends to wear very thin.

I'm glad there's only a month left until the election because I really don't want to abuse my mind anymore by trying to convince the mindless.

[villager]

1. I grow less and less convinced people have a "right" to opinions constructed for them

by elite financial interests destroying this country, the biosphere, etc...

If you have to have basic skills to drive, shouldn't you at least have some basic knowledge before voting?

On edit: Trying to decide how "sarcastic" I'm being! ;-)

[Cyrano]

7. I believe that every citizen has the right to vote with no restrictions

One of my basic beliefs is that we are where we are because, as Randi Rhodes often says, "The news has been canceled."

For people who are not online, about the only way they can get informed is by watching Keith Olbermann, or Rachael Maddow. All the rest of TV "news" is nothing more than propaganda, verbal food fights, and the dissemination of misinformation raised to an art form.

If/When Obama wins, one of his first acts in office must be to reinstate the fairness doctrine. Signing it away was perhaps the single biggest mistake that Bill Clinton made during his presidency.

[juno jones]

11. I think Reagan was the one who shitcanned fairness

But Clinton's deregulation of telcoms, which has reduced our news sources to a nearly negative number, is a huge part of the problem.

[villager]

12. yours is doubtless a calmer, more well-reasoned response than mine

on the other hand, we've managed to destroy the planet through our willed ignorance, so perhaps any dialectic is moot... ;-)

[monktonman]

2. Too lazy to look at the issues

Too lazy to vote.
Trust me, these Palin-bots will not turn out to
vote in droves.

Oh, and thanks for working with the campaign.
Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

[Historic NY]

3. Tell them if its the Democrats fault for everything then why....

didn't the Repukes fix things when they had the chance in the last 10yrs they were in charge. Tell them that of the last 28yrs, 20 of them have been controlled by Republican administrations.
Ask them why the Republicans Presidents did nothing to fix the problems. Then ask them are they better off today than they were in 1995.

[Carolina]

5. Good retort

[Cyrano]

9. Those are all standard talking points that I use. But have you

ever tried having a conversation with someone who long ago lost the ability to reason for themselves and turned over their ability to think to the Rush Limbaughs and Bill O'Reillys of the world?

These people are as programmed as any cult member we've ever heard or read about. It's virtually impossible to break through to whatever individuality they may retain.

[sandnsea]

17. Of the last 40 years...

Only 12 have been under Democrats, so why is it that we all know everything turned to shit in 1968... but we never blame the Party that was mostly in control all this time.

[ravencalling]

4. There is no hope for the Palin-bots

the Step-Palin-Fords.. But because of your efforts there is hope for the rest of us!

Thank you!!!

[mtnsnake]

6. Maybe you shouldn't be doing this?

No offense, but if you're getting doors slammed in your face often, then maybe you need to change your approach. Instead of asking people why they're thrilled that McCain picked Palin, which is kind of confrontational, maybe you could just point out the good qualities about our candidates that they might not be aware of. People don't usually like to have strangers question their judgment.

[Cyrano]

10. You don't really get a chance to say anything in many cases.

Lots of people don't want to be bothered regardless of their political beliefs. This includes Dems, Rethugs and Independents.

[Duke Newcombe]

8. If they thought critically, they'd see they were wrong...

...and that'd cause them to question a whole lotta things. Many don't want to go down that road.

Duke

[holiday]

13. I was just having a discussion with some people about her

they aren't even trying to pretend she is as smart as say Obama/Biden.. but they are trying to defend that by saying it's nice to have someone like us in there representing "us" lol. And of course I hear "She fought her own party and took down the ole boys club" (which I loved the joke Obama said about that "sounds like a McCain staff meeting lol")

They are falling for the marketing.. and I really do think Palin tries hard in everything she does to market herself. Everything is political with her. She has aspirations and that is scary

[Hellataz]

14. It's still surprises me today how many women are not evolved.

I'm beyond shocked at how many women out there are very "Stepford", like they don't have the self esteem and respect for themselves to make a life that doesn't just revolved around their husbands.

[Cyrano]

15. Sorry, Hellataz, but I must disagree.

Many of the non-Palin-bots I've met while door-knocking have been intelligent, thinking people. Many expressed their opinions more coherently than did their husbands.

Added to that, I spent years in corporate America working with many incredibly intelligent women. The biggest difference I found is that far more men than women would be willing to stab you in the back for their own advancement. I don't consider that "more evolved."

My reference to "Stepford Wives" was purely a personal observation concerning Palin-bots. On the other hand, many of these women's husbands could easily have been characters straight out of "Deliverance."

[Ozma]

16. I celebrate your patience and ability to talkl to these folks....

I could NEVER keep sane if I had to talk to them.

I have come to the sound conclusion that anyone who supports the Republican Presidential ticket this year, after 8 years of Bush, after McCain named the stupidest person in the world, (who is just a pretty face), my CONCUSION is that all Republican voters this year are either idiots, racists, or just plain rich and fearful of losing their money in new taxes.