A "conservative" weakness to be exploited
This is something I have never gotten my arms around totally. I put it out here, as I often do with things I mull over, to pick your brains. Those of you who always find ways to try to change the subject to your perception of me, personally, are invited as always to start your own Cary sucks thread.
The topic du jure is "conservative" hatred of "liberal." I refer to the great BBC series "The Power of Nightmares" as I have done many times. The series' authors stated that the neocons were actually a diverse group glued together by their hatred of "liberal." The series is a little dated now but I believe that particular premise survives intact. I find the hatred of "liberal" to be an emotional reaction and not grounded in any fact or reality and therfore a purveyor of this hatred is impervious to facts or reason. The hatred plays well with other hatreds like racism, homophobia, and misogyny. The hatred is also old. The idea that liberalism is degenerate was a central tenet of National Socialism and other right wing stupidity.
#fakepresident and Steve Bannon tapped into this hatred and exploited it by legitimizing neo Nazis and the KKK and energizing their white constituency. We far out number them yet we decided to do other things rather than turn out to VOTE DEMOCRATIC. Hence we find ourselves in our current predicament and I am, I confess, stunned that even "conservatives" can support #fakepresident.
I am encountering a "I love it that #fakepresident has 'liberals' so furious."
I am amazed at such a blatant and utterly irrational re-affirmation of my theory that hatred of "liberal" is their only common denominator. They literally would go to nuclear war rather than have a "liberal." And of course as.Geobels said "We decide who is Jewish" these 21st Century fascists decide who is "liberal."
That is about as well as I can define this given my limited time here. For those who wish to be obtuse either as Russian trolls or whatever if you don't understand me that is your problem not mine. My point is that if Bannon can find a way to.exploit this emotion then we can too. I surmise that using logic and reason is a dead end. I have been pushing unity and overwhelming victories at the ballot box and we have had success with this. I have further been advocating against attacking Democrats for imperfections since it plays into a primary tactic of."conservatives" to sow discord and discontent and discourage Democratic votes.
I can't help but thinking there is another way to exploit irrational loathing of "liberal." That irrational loathing is a.weakness, not a strength.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I mean, their hatred is fundamentally anti-American. Why don't they all pack up and move to Russia, which they admire and follow so submissively?
For me, I started noticing the demonization of "liberal/Democrat/progressive" (nowadays I see all three lumped together frequently on social media) back in the late 80's, due to the influence of Limbaugh and right-wing radio. That's also when the anti-PC messaging came to fruition and has only gotten louder. (While it may have morphed over time, it began with certain citizens resisting the trend that using racial slurs was no longer acceptable and I contend that remains true for many. Being "PC" is simply being respectful, but they see it as oppression of their racism and bigotry and free speech...lol.)
But, YES, it has greatly increased and has become much, much more overt than ever since Trump came onto the scene. He has amplified many issues already entrenched, and this hatred of liberals is a huge issue.
I also believe that's the common denominator and that this hatred greatly outweighs anything they may dislike about Trump. As childish as it seems to us, many vocal Trump supporters want a Trump dictatorship if for no other reason than it "drives liberals crazy."
Like you, I contemplate this A LOT, in the same vein you do...how to flip this neurosis of theirs.
I got nuthin' yet, but I'm still contemplating.
