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The Republican De-Evolution: From Political Party to Cult
Posted by Allen Clifton
For a while now, Ive called the Republican Party a cult more often than I have a political party or ideology. The emergence of the Tea Party only solidified this belief.
Scientific research (not that science means much of anything to many Republicans) distinguishes 5 characteristics of a cult:
Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized
They receive what seems to be unconditional love, acceptance and attention from a charismatic leader or group
They get a new identity based on the group
They are subject to entrapment and their access to information is severely controlled
Ill tackle these one by one.
1) Any rational person whos subjected themselves to a decent amount of right-wing media (I have, it comes with the job) would find it hard to deny that these individuals often thrive on fear, paranoia and anger. Anyone who has ever objectively watched Fox News, listened to Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, has probably lost count of the references to apocalyptic destruction of our country even in just one broadcast. Even after the death of Osama Bin Ladin, something that should have been celebrated by every American, Fox News perpetuated the idea that President Obama was someone who proved that he has no issues going into a country without authorization, to kill whoever he wantswhenever he wants. Really? You take what should be an apolitical event and turn it into a means at which to paint Obama as some kind of tyrant who will stop at nothing to kill whoever he wants. It was simply ridiculous.
Even long after the death panel myth has been soundly debunked, many Republican still fear death panels in the Affordable Care Act. Theyve been conditioned to believe Obama is some kind of gay rights supporting, foreign-born, radical Muslim socialist set on destroying traditional American values, yet cant pinpoint a time when we had thosefor everyone. Hell, they cant even comprehend that for someone to be a socialist, a radical Muslim and support homosexuality is nearly an endless line of contradictions that no one person could ever singularly encompass.
Theyre told by most of their media sources to be afraid. These bad men are out to bankrupt your grandchildren, create panels deciding who lives and dies, and turn this country into some socialistic style of governing. You cant constantly be bombarded with this kind of intensely negative and hate filled information and not come out emotionally compromised.
2) Ive always said Republicans are all about simple thoughts and vanilla ideas, I call it bumper sticker politics. They create catch phrases like Obamacare or job creators because its easier to peddle to their followers. Their party is essentially based on 3 main ideas: God, taxes and guns. Its simple and easy to repeat.
more...
http://www.forwardprogressives.com/republicancult/
dimbear
(6,271 posts)babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Maybe the Koch bros. providing money is their charisma.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)That would not be good for America.
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)dimbear
(6,271 posts)They just show up and draw a crowd of followers and trouble.
msongs
(67,193 posts)babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)All they've been running on in recent times is resentment towards Obama, liberals, Democrats, minorities, gays, foreigners, non-Christians...you name it. Their modern agenda is built around divisiveness. Even as a Democrat, I think it's a shame to see, considering that they used to be a party that touted civil rights and a party that used to be willing to tax millionaires, and do whatever possible to preserve the environment. We need both major parties working in the interest of the country, but unfortunately one of them is not.
The Reagan era, combined with Obama's election in 2009, just completely drove the GOP off the wall...
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)I have no answer. I never thought these problems after the dim one would be the problem.