Republicans have only two things to sell. Hate and greed.

[Cyrano]

But they package their two products well and put Democrats on the defensive. (Why Dems never fight back is beyond my comprehension.)

It’s really easy to play to people’s worst instincts. All you have to do is rant about illegal “THEMS,” divide and conquer by race, religion, nationality, beliefs, and you’ve roped in every non-thinking, know nothing in America. And then you tell them that “Big Government” is to blame for it all.

Preach that “entitlements” and taxes are evil, and that "you’re entitled to keep your own money,” and you’ve kicked greed into gear. Of course, they never mention that your taxes pay for police, fire departments and the military, repairing roads and bridges, and responding to disasters. Or that Social Security is an “entitlement” which you’ve spent your entire working life paying for.

So here’s my bottom line. I’ve really come to hate these bottom feeders. And hate is an extremely unhealthy emotion. I’m sick of hating and I’m sick of feeling sick with hatred. So perhaps I’ll throw out my TV and computer and try to figure out a way to live out my life in a more tranquil, sane way.

Anyhow, what's your personal mental health plan in a hate filled environment?

[Happyhippychick]

1. Your forgot fear and paranoia.

[NJmaverick]

2. The GOP only cares about power

The Country be damned they want to be in charge.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. the same thing throughout history

the only way is to shut down all the TV and radio stations, newspapers and then we put our own propaganda out. Been donw before?
:shrug:

[Cyrano]

7. I don't want to shut down anything but my own TV and computer

I have no desire to shut down anyone else's access to "news" such as it is. My whole post was an indication that I'm sick of being a part of the game.

The media/politicians/corporations are the "house" and we are the idiots at the roulette wheels who lose every time. I just want out.

Unfortunately, there's no way out except to move to another country. And then I guess I'd have to wait for the next Republican administration to invade it, whether it's Canada, Denmark, or Antarctica.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. Utopia (where is it please?)

you get most of this everywhere else UK, Australia but not quite as bad. Their media is a little more balanced.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Stupidity comes free with the first two.

[NNN0LHI]

5. War is their game

They know even stupid Democrats and Independents will get in line and support any piece of shit Republican President as soon as he declares war on some country. Works like a charm every time.

People are stupid.

I still say if President Bush had declared war on Canada right after 9/11 most Americans would have went right along with him.

Don

[Cyrano]

6. Maybe it's past time for we Dems to declare (idealogical) war on Republicans

I truly believe that many, if not most within the Republican Party are a clear and present danger to any definition of what America is about.

They really are our enemies. And have no doubt about it -- they view us as a threat to their view of a theocratic or ignorant, well-controlled, herd of sheep.

Is there any way to stop them? Beats me. But after 30 years of political warfare since the day that Saint Ronnie took office, I'm tired. (And I also know that there are one or two generations out there that have no idea of what I'm talking about.)

[Xenotime]

8. They are the party of anti-choice and anti-peace

[Cyrano]

10. They are also the party of anti-sane

[undeterred]

11. You forgot lies.

[wiggs]

12. Good post that should be part of national discussion. Easy case to make. GOP and

fellow corporatists have made enemies out of almost everyone in order to control 30% of the electorate. They have systematically, deliberately, and cold-heartedly marginalized, dehumanized, or demonized:

liberals

people with dark skin

atheists

gay and lesbian Americans

French

Germans

Canadians

Everyone else in the world except outside the US

Legal immigrants IN the US

Iraqiis

Iranians

People who need government assistance

People who believe in progressive taxation (socialists!)

Palestinians

Attorneys who represent people (attorneys who represent corporations are OK)

Anyone from San Francisco, Hollywood (except Jon Voight), or New York.

Hippies and Peace Corp volunteers.

People (especially women) who believe in abortion choice

New one: people from Chicago

They NEED...must have....an enemy to stand up to in order to manipulate opinion. The tools they use are fear, lies, misinformation, polarization, hyperbole, and hate but the establishment of someone to lie about, hate, and demonize is key. They label. They smear, twist the truth. They say things that should shock us but we have fatigue now, after 9 years of new lows every week. Sad that it works so well.

[Cyrano]

13. Yep. The thing is that if we stop fighting them, America is finished.