Do all the attacks and negative stories make you feel "apathetic"?

[kentuck]

Just curious. I have felt that this is the secret strategy of the Republicans. Make everyone so sick of the political process that they give up, except for the hardcore right wing, and then they win when only 37% of the people show up at the polls? I sense that the human spirit can only take so much negativity before it shuts down. This is the beginning of apathy. We need something positive and inspiring, not negative and spiteful. People need hope, vision, and inspiration.

[deutsey]

1. Lee Atwater admitted that's what he did in '88

Make the race so negative that people would just say "Why bother?".

I remain active in my activism, but I must say every negative attack here on DU against a Democrat makes me wonder what real chance do we have in '04. Fortunately, I also realize DU is but a very small fraction of the larger political universe.

At least I hope so, anyway.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Better believe it man, those Pubs will do it jus to prove they on the

winning side, nevermind whats best for America

[dobak]

2. no - this is the way politics should be

Active, energetic, passionate!

[bryant69]

4. Yep.

POlitics was never a peacerful drawing room kind of thing except in the movies. It's always been about shouting at the bottom.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Scott Lee]

5. Negativity has a numbing effect in general

It's like chloroform to thought and analysis. And it definitely sways very few to change their minds.

I'd point out some particular offenders, but that would earn me one of them new administrative warnings so I'll leave it to your experience and imagination to fill in the blanks.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

6. People have been apathetic for decades.

But yes, its just a strategy Karl Rove has masterminded this year. :eyes:

[caledesi]

7. No, it makes me more determined. I look around and see what

my beloved country has turned into and look at my life and what damage these thugs have done and I feel angry, but determined to toss these thugs/liars out. My resolve has never been stronger!

[fishguy]

8. Don't know, don't care

I am going to Wal Mart and buy some cheap product that I really don't need because some smiley face cut the price.

[DoctorMyEyes]

10. LOL!

Welcome to DU!

[impeach the gop]

9. Nah

It just put hair on yer chest :-)

[Melodybe]

12. Nope, it makes me worker harder

To all those that just want to give up, we have a year! We can do so much and we already know their biggest weaknesw, their check book. If they try to steal another election hell, have a national stay home day, to protest, like they are doing in California. All is not lost, since we mae wuch a fuss over Russia's last election, the world community can definitely step in and demand a recount. The rest of the world has our back.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. I find the only way to keep my sanity

is to simply ignore the flamers on this and other boards. I try and find something positive to say about all the candidates, because I think Dems should stick together. It saddens me when I see supporters of candidates battering each other because I don't see it as being helpful at all, and, as you said, it could turn off some visitors to DU so that they don't vote.

[LizW]

13. Yes, exactly as intended

and not by the Republicans. The negativity that is killing my spirit right now is being spread by Democrats.

I'm sick of it. But not sick enough to stop sending money to my candidate, and never, ever sick enough to stay home and not vote.

[cliss]

14. I'm far from apathetic, K.

I have been riled up for about 3 years. No amount of fighting here at the DU over the candidates is going to make me lethargic. I typically skip over them because they're a) very long and b) plenty of animosity there!

Also, I'm keeping my options open because I really don't care who floats to the top, as long as he's a Democrat. I'm going to support whoever they choose (except Lieberman) next year.

I just think that we need to let the "shoppers" get it out of their system and finally settle on one candidate. At some point, most Democrats are going to come together in uniting with one man, because the alternatives are too horrible to think of.

This shows that we've got some passionate, opinionated people here!

[dsc]

15. Depends on the day.

I must say it will be hard to the point of impossible for me to work with either Kerry or Clark supporters if Dean loses. I have to assume that some number of them are the insufferable people who populate this forum and I won't have the patience to abide them. I will vote for, put a sign up for, and work alone for whomever wins but I have to say I won't phone bank for Kerry or Clark due to the fact that I can't stand the supporters of them as they have been repreented here.

[BertrandL]

16. Isn't our negativity about Bush intended to

dampen the fervor of the radical right. I try to point out one or two egregious acts of teh Bush administration every day at work so that my far-right workmates will lose some fervor.