World view dictates perception

[lunatica]

I’ve come to an answer that is so simple that I wonder why we don’t see the obviousness of it.

It’s how Democracy is perceived to be and what it’s ultimate ideals are.

Democrats believe that Democracy means equality for everyone on all levels, from personal rights to the social benefits of education, freedom from want and pursuing happiness.

Republicans believe that Democracy is Capitalism where wealth as well as the means of acquiring it Is guaranteed as freedom. That works best when wealth can be amassed at the expense of those who don’t deserve it because they’re a drag on Democracy. And any funds spent on the lazy needy are wasted on them and should be directed towards those people who deserve them. The poor should just live in the squaller of their poverty like third world countries. If you’re rich then you deserve Democracy (Capitalism). If you’re poor you don’t deserve Democracy (wealth) because god does not favor you. The fact that you’re rich is how god shows he favors you. It is a closed circle.

[KPN]

1. In a nutshell, that's it exactly. Well put.

[alwaysinasnit]

2. Good point. I have simplified it to those with empathy, and those with little or none.

[lunatica]

5. Yes, the ability to empathize is one of the determining factors.

The human condition worldwide is directly linked to the use of money. Unfortunately the people with the power to use that money are the determining factor in how it is used.

[Newest Reality]

3. Good points!

It seems that the GOP in general, supports views that are both oligarchical and religiously fundamentalist, (as opposed to generically religious).

In my opinion, both are not only in contrast to Democracy, they espouse views that are contrary and destructive regarding it. If we agree that our country was founded on the ideals of the common will for the common good, as per the debates and thinking during the Enlightenment, (and there were arguments for and against that) then to stand for the ideals and continuity of Democracy in general is more aligned with the original intentions of the Founders.

We could think of Democracy as also being an inclusive umbrella under which the citizens live and thrive. In that case, any ideology that opposes that directly or indirectly, political or religious, frames itself as not only an opponent to it, but even as an antagonistic enemy.

Now, since that all-inclusive umbrella also includes people who think that way and have contrary beliefs, it is essential to grasp this problem and consider the ramifications because knowledge, reason and logic are important tools that need to be utilized to counter that impending threat on all fronts. As always, a knowledgeable and vigilant citizenry is the most important defense and that means all of us.

We should never assume that Democracy will continue and thrive on its own. In a way, it is a fragile experiment and there are many countervailing forces which could either cripple or end this bold attempt at equality, justice and liberty in their deepest and truest sense.

[lunatica]

4. You're right.

We need to stop thinking that Democracy will take care of itself. It can’t and won’t because it can be misconstrued depending on what each group believes their particular definition of freedom is.

The emphasis on capitalism for the 1% and those who are wealthy supersedes any other aspect of Democracy. If money they believe should be up for grabs for those who can acquire it is squandered on those who don’t work for it the Republicans, or as we should probably refer to them as the Capitalists, think it’s literally a handout to the lazy and undeserving. They view the Democrats as truly undeserving because they aren’t rich.

They also have the worldview that there is only a finite amount of wealth which makes them believe that when the poor and needy get some of it then the rich are not getting the amount they are entitled too. This very attitude is what brings out their incredible inability to sympathize, even with the children of the brown people, because the brown people want the wealth that is rightfully the Capitalists’.