Is this hyperbole? Rebublican control would take us back to a new Dark Ages

[cali]

Because I'm not fond of hyperbole, and I'm actually pretty careful about it, but I don't think this is hyperbole. I think it's sober sided stone cold analysis. Republicans are scornful of science, don't believe a woman should control her own body, believe religion should play an active role in the decisions made by top office holders, believe that religion should be intertwined with government and on and on.

You know that saying, "it not your father's republican party"? It's actually not your 8 year old nephew's republican party either. The repub party has suffered a sea change over the past 4 years of tea baggery. It's never been more radical. It's never been more dangerous.

And anyone who advocates not voting or voting 3rd party- even in safe districts and states- is fucking brain dead, clueless or some sort of idiot agent provocateur.

[elleng]

1. I don't think its hyperbole,

especially if they have House and Senate. VERY serious.

[a geek named Bob]

2. Say it, Brother, say it!

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Plimoth Plantation, Old Sturbridge Village, or Colonial Williamsburg, at the very least.

n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. I believe it to be literally true.

[randome]

5. No, it's not. And no, they won't.

[Agnosticsherbet]

6. I wouldn't say dark ages, I'd say 1880.

Back before there were any regulations or laws controlling corporations or wealth.
Back to the age of Social Darwinism and the belief that the rich were genetically better than the rest of us.
Back before five day week, six day week, forty hour week, eight hour day.
Back when it was honestly taught that paying working people more than the most minuscule wage would just lead to them getting drunk.
Back when white people decided who voted and Jim Crow was King.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Are we talking about the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire? Like 476 A.D.?

Or are we talking more the time loosely considered to be the Middle Ages... you know; 400-1000 A.D.?

I cannot for the life of me get my head around the notion that in four short years, given the worst case scenario (the election of Romney/Ryan), the US Government could degenerate so badly that there would be horse-mounted marauders beheading unbelievers willy-nilly.

Someone posting in this thread already admitted to believing this is literally a likely outcome. As in wholeheartedly believing it's possible that in less than four years we could be in the grip of such terror and barbarism as were the norm during times like The Inquisition. I can't make that leap.

So, yeah, I think it's hyperbolic. That is unless someone has some new definition of The Dark Ages that I'm not aware of.

[yawnmaster]

9. A president alone can't do it. In two years we could change congress if the will...

was there.

[yawnmaster]

8. as written it probably is hype...

"new Dark Ages" lower case n.
There is no way we will go back to the previous Dark Ages.
now if it is a New Dark Ages, then it depends on how you define "New Dark Ages".
I'm skeptical and I usually think that extreme statements like this are hyperbole.
Take us in a direction towards a new Dark Age, maybe...to a new Dark Age? doubtful.
Even a republican controlled senate can be filibustered.
And after 2 years of a dark age, the populace would revolt and vote them out.
Unless the majority wants a Dark Age...in that case, well, I guess the rest of us will have to wait for the new Renaissance.

[Autumn]

10. I think it's the truth

and this part can not be stressed enough: And anyone who advocates not voting or voting 3rd party- even in safe districts and states- is fucking brain dead, clueless or some sort of idiot agent provocateur. K/R

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

11. It depends.

Would Repug control of this country cause movements similar to theirs to gain sway in other nations? Would corporations and the wealthy be given more power to topple economies? Would science denial and suppression of education become more widespread elsewhere?

We've been Top Nation for some time now, but that doesn't mean we're the only place where civilization exists. Collapse of the US doesn't necessarily mean the end of civilization. But expansion of our style of corporate capitalism would, IMO, bring us closer to such a risk. Running everything for short-term gains and controlling populations through hate and fear doesn't seem like it leads anywhere constructive.

If civilization were to collapse, what then? Could future generations rebuild? When we've used up all of the readily available fuel sources, mined the accessible metals?

Thinking I must be in a bleak mood tonight. Sigh.

[Proles]

12. Dark Ages defined as: An era of ignorance, superstition, or social chaos or repression.

Sounds a LOT like what would happen if the GOP gets significant power in November.

[bemildred]

13. Corporate Feudalism. We're already half-way there. nt

[totodeinhere]

14. If they could get total control it would not be hyperbole. But they will not have a filibuster proof

majority in the Senate. In fact it is looking increasingly likely that they won't even have nominal control of the Senate. Plus the courts probably wouldn't let them run roughshod over the Constitution and they can't make abortion illegal because that is up to the courts. So yes while I understand why people would say that I do think it's a bit of hyperbole.

But having said that hyperbole is always a part of political campaigns and the other side is using it all the time. So why shouldn't we?

[vanlassie]

20. Abortion is up to the courts? Yeah, and that right there

there is enough for many of us to fear the Romney Ryan Dark Ages.

[Marr]

15. Of course it's hyperbole.

Unless you really think that, should the *other* corporate party gain control, we will see the destruction of our entire economic/political system, and that local warlords will fill the void. If you can really say you think we'll be living in the world of Road Warrior if Mitt Romney is elected, then I suppose it's not hyperbole, but just lunatic paranoia.

[Grave Grumbler]

16. You bet it is.

[Generic Brad]

17. It's only hyperbole if we claim it will lead to it will lead to 1000 years of darkness

Let it be known that Chuck Norris has proven that to me.

[WillyT]

18. I Don't Know About That... But Did You See THIS ???

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021261973

[arely staircase]

19. yes, we must all get out and vote even in the non swing states

and yes, the fundamentalists are anti-science and they are egged on (and funded) by polluting corporations that benefit from their anti-global warming beliefs. their anti-evolution beliefs certainly can't corporations, escpiallythe medical industrial complex - so yeah there is where your dark ages come in. now i mean that metaphorically. they aren't Luddites so science will continue, just hamstrung and kept from achieving what it can. but other countries will, have to take that into consideration.

so i guess if you are saying they have a anti-modern worldview and agenda i agree.

[firehorse]

21. they want to go back to slave days... 99% owned and slaving for the man

[AndyTiedye]

22. They Want to Turn the USA into a Theocracy

The Teabaggers want a theocracy that will impose their brand of pseudo-Christianity on everyone.

The robber barons want a theocracy because no theocracy has ever fallen to a popular uprising,
which means there is no limit to how repressive and exploitive it may become.