A PBI* -- Thinking about what drives Willard

[Jackpine Radical]

We judge things in relative terms. Above a certain level (i.e. a level where you have enough to satisfy your needs and reasonable desires), you assess your wealth in terms of the difference between what you have and what the masses have. There are two ways to increase your perceived wealth--by acquiring more, and by pushing the downtrodden further down the scale.

As I write this, I realize I could substitute the word "power" for "wealth," and it would perhaps be even more true. Romney likes being able to fire people; he trips people to get ahead; he smashes little companies and leaves others holding the bag as he makes off with the loot; he assaults someone who is different; he puts his dog through an ordeal; he points out to NASCAR fans how cheaply they are dressed. In each case, he enhances his feeling of power by belittling, demeaning or tormenting others.

All thoughts are welcome.

*PBI=Partially Baked Idea

[Scuba]

1. Good observations. Perhaps Mitt is very insecure, knowing that he never really earned anything....

... whether it was due to his powerful father or his own underhanded ways.

[cali]

2. It's for sure about power with Mitt, and his father and his sense of entitlement

and something a little odder- his sense that he's destined to be prez. I think bush2 had that same unsettling belief.

[WooWooWoo]

3. I don't know. I can't understand the thought process of a guy like Romney

or anyone super wealthy, because I've never been. Just like he can't understand the thought process of someone who makes $7.50 an hour.