The Politics of Self-Destruction

[Jackpine Radical]

I have a neighbor, an accountant, who was diagnosed with Parkinsonism a few years ago. He has been struggling with the disease. He used to ride a motorcycle, an now has a 3-wheel Harley. He got rid of his old Ford tractor and bought a new Kubota that is easier to use for trail mowing and suchlike. I met him near the edge of our properties talked to him a couple of weeks ago, admired his new tractor, and asked how things were going. He mentioned how expensive his medical-care situation is. He owns a small business and is self-insured. I know he and his wife have always been strong Republicans, and I wanted to see if his current plight had changed his mind on anything. I said I thought it was a sham he was having such difficulty maintaining coverage, and gently suggested that a single-payer plan might be a better alternative. This set him off on a rant abut socialism and welfare queens and whatnot, so--God forgive me--I had to point out that Clinton had left us with a balanced budget and Bush had run us well over 10 trillion into debt (counting future obligations) with his tax breaks for the rich and incredibly expensive, immoral war. He grumped at me and went driving off on his tractor.

There are some things, and some people, I will never understand. I accept that this guy, like many Republicans, is pretty self-centered, but his reaction doesn't even make sense from a pure self-interest vantage point. Small businesses always do better under Democrats.

And then there are the ones who drive around in old rattletraps, with the bumpers held on with baling wire and Republican political stickers. I saw one such wreck touting the $200 tax break he (incorrectly) thinks he got from Bush.

This is not a slam against people who drive old cars. Hell, you oughtta see my pickups. But it's just sad to see all these people deceived into holding self-destructive political opinions.

I swear the biggest collection of wingnut car decorations (camo ribbons, Wastikas, fish thingies, etc.) in my region is on the old wrecks parked in the lot at the local Mall Wart.

[MadMaddie]

1. This belief that your neighbor has and with other Republicans

is the only thing they have left to cling to. For them to admit that since the Nixon resignation they have supported a cause so foul and so anti-American would utterly destroy them.

I would like to feel sorry for them but I can't forgive them for the sneers at the victims of 9/11, for how our soldiars have not been taken care of, Katrina, or attacking the Dixie Chicks for being outspoken, for advocating torture (Abu Gharab), for making excuses why this administration has not taken out OBL....(the list goes on)

They have no one to blame but themselves.....they stood by while everyone else was suffering and now that it's them there is hardly anyone in a position to help them.

Now that I have said that, sigh...As Democratic Party members we will help them no matter what because that's what the right thing is to do. That my friend is the fundamental difference between us and them.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. In my career I have done psych evals of maybe 2,000 criminals.

In virtually every case, the "habitual" criminals come from totally fucked-up childhoods. The same seems to be true of Republicans as well. It's all harsh, patriarchal strict-father YOYO stuff, or the parents are just too self-absorbed to transmit decent humane values like and emotions like empathy to their kids.

[MadMaddie]

4. I honestly think that this period in US history

will be studied on how the country veered so dangerously close to collapse. The nightmare iss not over yet but we are so very close to getting rid of the toxic administration and their cronies.

I can also see how in history events played out the way they did Italy, Germany, Rome and other civilizations that seemed to implode upon themselves.

The Remaining 23% of these people should never be taken for granted they are angry and they can be violent. Add on top of that the childhoods that they probably experienced (that you descrived) and you have a recipe for chaos.

I am just glad people are really talking about them now.

[CrispyQ]

3. So he supports socialism for the corporate welfare queens,

Bear, Freddie, Fannie & AIG?

Socialism for the rich;
Capitalism for the rest of us.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. He drove off rather huffily before he got around to giving me his

opinion on that part of the picture. A tyupical response might be to change the subject to illegal immigration.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. I know this sounds mean

but the neighbor down the street has his yard festooned with McCain/Palin signs and car with bumper stickers. His house is need of paint, his yard has uncut grass, weeds and there are all sorts of items dumped in the yard and front porch.

[CrispyQ]

7. "festooned"

:rofl:

I about died when McCain used that word. I don't think I've heard it since my granddad died.

They will never change. They are the backwash. I used to ask my mother why she voted against her own economic interests & she would change the subject. :eyes:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. Backwash is a good description!

[CrispyQ]

9. I must give credit to Colbert for that nugget!

:hi:

[hatrack]

10. I hate to say this, but I am fresh out of sympathy for people like this

Anyone who is that blind, that blinkered, that hobbled by ideology such that the idea of change can't even be entertained - in spite of everything - deserves whatever's next.

Let me be plain - I'm not talking about the Parkinson's, because no one deserves that. But if he wants to pay more and more and more and more for his health coverage until he and his wife go broke - hey, Big Bold Republican, have at it.