Wednesday, October 27, 2004
From the Desk of Midgie Cramblin, Professional Skeptic:
Note: Midgie is a good friend of Elephant who lives in the Bluest of the Blue States - California. She submits postings from time to time for your enjoyment. Here's her thoughts on the election.
I think a lot of Republicans’ support of GWB is similar to that of an abused spouse/partner and their abuser. Bush and his administration continually tell people two things 1) We are not safe and 2) We are the only ones who can keep you safe, you better vote for us.
Isn’t that the tried and true method abusers use to keep their victims with them? Telling them 1) You are not good looking/smart/worthwhile and then 2) I am the only one who thinks you are good looking/smart/worthwhile, so you better never leave me.
Create a deep fear, and then portray yourself as the only person who can assuage that fear.
Just like the abuser, GWB wants to isolate the American people (oh, the rest of the world? Who fucking cares what they think!), can never admit he’s wrong (GWB in the debates: I’m sure if I thought a while, I could think of a mistake, but nothing’s springing to mind) and lies his ass off (do I really need to list them? How would I pick which ones?).
The Bush voters refuse to face facts (loss of jobs, enormous deficits, healthcare costs out of control, whole Iraq situation mis-managed), staunchly standing by their man. He’s a “good man�- they proclaim. But when pressed, there is little they can say about their president. “He will keep us safe� is the one I hear over and over. Just like “but he loves me!� But when backed to the wall, people who are voting for Bush can offer nothing that he has done for them. Nothing positive. Our domestic situation is in shambles. Our foreign policy situation is worse. The only thing Bush voters can offer is that they have to vote for him, there’s no one else (No one else will love me and take care of me!).
There are some exceptions to what I described above. One is that the person voting for Bush is rich, and knows that GWB is his best shot at lower taxes. Two is that some people just vote a straight ticket. My grandparents are on the opposite ends of the political spectrum, but they are both in their 80’s and in every.single.election they vote a straight up Dem ticket. So, I have to imagine there are Repubs doing the same. These people probably won’t be swayed.
But for people who aren’t in either of those two categories, they are voting on fear. GWB is charming and clever in the way that abusive partners are often that way too. He has made them fear so many things. He has made people fear that if he is not elected the terrorists will attack again (and yes, they will, we all know that. GWB’s attempts at securing our ports and our airports have been spectacular in their failure). He has made them fear that homosexuals are crazy perverts who threaten the very foundation of marriage. He has made them fear that the US will have to run everything we do foreign policy-wise by some UN/World Court institution (did every single Republican forget that Kerry voted in favor of this war so many Republicans love?).
In short, I wish, this week, that everyone who knows someone who is voting for GWB would compassionately talk to them about their fears. Explain to them that the worst is over. They have suffered enough. This figure, looming so large in their life, so strong in his promises of protection, is a liar. He has done so much damage to their country and their civil liberties.
John Kerry may not be their dreamboat, but he can be that kind of geeky, yet totally nice, transition man. He’ll fix the door the surly ex (GWB) broke down and won’t try to tap your phone or intercept your e-mail (Patriot Act). Their ex’s friends will stop harassing them (Ashcroft). They won’t have to cringe from embarrassment when his friends pick fights they can’t finish (Rumsfeld).
Breaking up is hard to do. But this week, let’s each find a friend, or a colleague, or a family member, and support them as they walk away from lies, and abuse of trust, and complete disrespect. It’s hard and it’s personal and it’s uncomfortable. But every single person in this country deserves better than GWB.
Hmm..some good points Midgie- like - I mean if we're supposed to be safer because of Bush's leadership, then why should I have to be scared too? Very Orwellian on BC04's part.
I think a lot of Republicans’ support of GWB is similar to that of an abused spouse/partner and their abuser. Bush and his administration continually tell people two things 1) We are not safe and 2) We are the only ones who can keep you safe, you better vote for us.
Isn’t that the tried and true method abusers use to keep their victims with them? Telling them 1) You are not good looking/smart/worthwhile and then 2) I am the only one who thinks you are good looking/smart/worthwhile, so you better never leave me.
Create a deep fear, and then portray yourself as the only person who can assuage that fear.
Just like the abuser, GWB wants to isolate the American people (oh, the rest of the world? Who fucking cares what they think!), can never admit he’s wrong (GWB in the debates: I’m sure if I thought a while, I could think of a mistake, but nothing’s springing to mind) and lies his ass off (do I really need to list them? How would I pick which ones?).
The Bush voters refuse to face facts (loss of jobs, enormous deficits, healthcare costs out of control, whole Iraq situation mis-managed), staunchly standing by their man. He’s a “good man�- they proclaim. But when pressed, there is little they can say about their president. “He will keep us safe� is the one I hear over and over. Just like “but he loves me!� But when backed to the wall, people who are voting for Bush can offer nothing that he has done for them. Nothing positive. Our domestic situation is in shambles. Our foreign policy situation is worse. The only thing Bush voters can offer is that they have to vote for him, there’s no one else (No one else will love me and take care of me!).
There are some exceptions to what I described above. One is that the person voting for Bush is rich, and knows that GWB is his best shot at lower taxes. Two is that some people just vote a straight ticket. My grandparents are on the opposite ends of the political spectrum, but they are both in their 80’s and in every.single.election they vote a straight up Dem ticket. So, I have to imagine there are Repubs doing the same. These people probably won’t be swayed.
But for people who aren’t in either of those two categories, they are voting on fear. GWB is charming and clever in the way that abusive partners are often that way too. He has made them fear so many things. He has made people fear that if he is not elected the terrorists will attack again (and yes, they will, we all know that. GWB’s attempts at securing our ports and our airports have been spectacular in their failure). He has made them fear that homosexuals are crazy perverts who threaten the very foundation of marriage. He has made them fear that the US will have to run everything we do foreign policy-wise by some UN/World Court institution (did every single Republican forget that Kerry voted in favor of this war so many Republicans love?).
In short, I wish, this week, that everyone who knows someone who is voting for GWB would compassionately talk to them about their fears. Explain to them that the worst is over. They have suffered enough. This figure, looming so large in their life, so strong in his promises of protection, is a liar. He has done so much damage to their country and their civil liberties.
John Kerry may not be their dreamboat, but he can be that kind of geeky, yet totally nice, transition man. He’ll fix the door the surly ex (GWB) broke down and won’t try to tap your phone or intercept your e-mail (Patriot Act). Their ex’s friends will stop harassing them (Ashcroft). They won’t have to cringe from embarrassment when his friends pick fights they can’t finish (Rumsfeld).
Breaking up is hard to do. But this week, let’s each find a friend, or a colleague, or a family member, and support them as they walk away from lies, and abuse of trust, and complete disrespect. It’s hard and it’s personal and it’s uncomfortable. But every single person in this country deserves better than GWB.
Hmm..some good points Midgie- like - I mean if we're supposed to be safer because of Bush's leadership, then why should I have to be scared too? Very Orwellian on BC04's part.
