What do you think of when you think "Republican"?

[EstimatedProphet]

OK, here's a thought piece that I have been kicking around in my head for a while. Let's see what everyone thinks...
One of the reasons I hate the Republican Party is because there is a specific character in my head that I think of as representing them. (Let me say at the outset that I am well aware that this is indeed bigotry; I would like for there not to be a pre-fab image of what a Republican is in my head, and I'm trying to be fair and not always act on it, but the image is still there and quite often gets reinforced when I hear Bush* supporters apologizing for him.)
When I was in grade school through high school, I lived in central Missouri. College town, but a lot of farmers too. The image of Republicans I have comes from some of the kids I went to school with, and I can sum them up this way: hunters, but little to no respect for outdoor ethics (more interested in the macho aspect and bragging than anything else, and it took me a long time to get past that about hunting); loud and obnoxious; overly concerned with being "big men". Think stereotypical rednecks-all their public attitude seemed to be about showing off how tough and macho they were. Mean. Bullying. The kind of kids that got their kicks out of pulling the legs of mice, or sticking firecrackers into kitten's anuses. The kind of adults that look back at childhoods like that with pride...
OK, now the reason I bring this up is that I know that the average Republican isn't like this. The problem is, I still see them that way, and it makes it difficult for me to see them as real people sometimes; and of course, along with that, it makes it difficult for me to discuss politics with them. After all, it's not a good idea to dehumanize your opponents, because that sets you up to underestimate them (and that is one of the big problems the followers of Rush and Coulter and the others have when they argue such extreme points), besides the fact that it isn't fair to them. Problem is, whenever I hear the verbal poison that comes out of RW mouthpieces, or whenever I surf messages at the Fray and see the fanatics that hang out there, it is so easy to place my image of Joe Redneck over the speaker that it's almost impossible not to do so. Who knows? Maybe it's an accurate description of them after all...
Maybe I'm doing them a justice they would never do for me; maybe they have an idea of a Democrat (I think a lot of them do) that is the first thing that comes up, but they never bother to question it.
So, what do you see? When you picture a Republican, is this what comes to mind? Or is it something else?

[DS1]

1. Rich white energy/chemical company exec

dot

[name not needed]

2. violence, oppression, greed, hatred

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. Something to keep in mind

I have known quite a few people like you described, and yes their politics always seem to be heavy weapons-grade neo-con Republican BS. On the other hand, I have also know Republicans who very good people. Sociopaths vote Republican, but not all Republicans are sociopaths.

[EstimatedProphet]

8. Totally agree

My boss right now is what I think of as a pre-Nixon Republican. He hates what is going on right now, and feels like his party has sold him down the river.
I don't at all see him as being like how I typically see Republicans. However, when I see posts or sayings outstanding in brutality and cruelty ("invade their country and convert them to Christianity", etc.), he is not typically the person I picture.

[Pobeka]

14. I also totally agree

I know lots of people who are basically good people, who are Republican.

They stay Republican because they are 2 things:

1) Most importantly, ill-informed by the right-wing media. They have little reason to suspect the party has gone hugely awry since the pre-Nixon era.

2) In a form of societal denial (is that a valid term?) -- they have a deep, deep seated image of the GOP as the party that stands for the America they believe in. And it would shock them almost senseless to find out how betrayed they really are by the GOP. (I think in some regards, this is why the GOP is so strong versus the Democratic party -- because we (Dems) tend to think a whole lot more about this stuff and get angry at our own party when it starts to betray us.)

I will also say I believe many, many of these type people are on the edge of waking up. We need to find ways to gently lead them out of their denial so they can stop being royally screwed by the govt officials they have elected.

[cliss]

4. I hate using generalities, but here goes:

Republicans appear to:

1) think in terms of black & white. Black = evil white = good

2) They think quickly. Why make brain cells work when they don't have to? Those darn liberals agonize over fairness issues, wring their hands over discrimination, the environment, health programs, education, etc.

3) They must all have California closets because they love to think in compartments. Money = good. Lots of it. Religion = The Christian church. Oil = need it. All of it.

4) The are loyal. Loyal to their party. The funny thing is, though, their party changed before their eyes. They didn't see it because they do #1 & #2. Their beloved party became radical. The Republicans in charge don't believe in the basic foundation of the conservatives: 1) personal freedom. This administration has curtailed them. 2) less government spending. This administration has taken it to the stratosphere. 3) less taxation. Only selective; the lower and middle classes are unchanged, but the wealthy got a break.

[moof]

5. White collar criminals

n/t

[mhr]

6. Hypocrisy, Greed, Intolerance, Bigotry, Discrimination, Selfishness

eom

[AnnabelLee]

7. A cruel, selfish, avaricious, sanctimonious, falsely pious,

duplicitous, superficial, ends-justifies-the-means thinker.

[coloradodem2005]

9. Mostly bad politicians, misguided voters.

[Cat Atomic]

10. Indocrinated.

[camero]

11. What do I see?

The kind of person that would unload a truck full of flowers in -40F weather.

[Wapsie B]

12. Fear.

Fear of an evil empire somewhere in the world justifying obscene defense spending. Fear that welfare queens will siphon off all the money from the upper class. Fear that all those evil regulations will shut down their business. Fear that the lawless will overrun the streets.

[edzontar]

13. The Party of Evil..of Greed, War, Poverty, Ignorance, Racism...

Sexism, Homophbia, Raping the Envoronment, Spying on Citizens, Tearing Up the Bill of Rigths, Hatred of Women, Fanaticism, Fascism, Fundamentalism....

Did I mention Evil?

Look, there are/were a few Republicans that I sort of respect--McCain, Dole, Goldwater, etc...

But most of them these days are pure unadulterated scum.

By the way, Mr. Prophet--love your graphic!

[necso]

15. Hijacked.....

By multinational corporations and pseudo-religious money-changers, none of whom really give a damn about the American people.

[dawn]

16. Boring, hypocritical, xenophobic, greedy, bland, selfish.

[rppper]

17. a picture is worth a thousand words.......

[salinen]

18. People who never grew up.

[mykpart]

19. People who think,

I'll get mine and f**k anyone who can't get theirs! They remind me of the men on the Titanic who tried to get in lifeboats ahead of children!

[aquaman]

20. A full ashtray........

Two days after the party ended.

[BigDaddyLove]

21. A political party.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[Ronnie]

22. I think of my family.

Sigh. It's so sad.

[Impeach_Bush]

23. They are losers...

...politically, but man they are just as fun to drink and party with as anyone (if we don't bring up politics). Sorry but I have several good friends who are repukes (god help them).

[hellhathnofury]

24. Death.

[pippin]

25. Here's what Comes to Mind

A Rogue's Gallery of Republicans

[twistedliberal]

40. Gotta love that Ann Coulter pic...

I saw it a while back and couldn't believe it wasn't a joke.

Somebody (I can't remember who) once likened her to a PEZ dispenser. I can no longer eat PEZ candy without thinking of her.

[hellhathnofury]

44. That should go on the front of DU.

[ldoolin]

26. Rich, white preppies...

Snotty, rich, white preppies. Parents sent them to a private school, not so they could get a good education but because said private school is known as a "prestige" school. They come from an old-money family. Parents taught them from an early age to turn up their noses at the "riff-raff", which means everybody who isn't from an old-money family. They live in a rich neighborhood and wouldn't think of living anywhere else - again because living in that neighborhood carries a certain prestige to it. Everything is all about "prestige". Parents also taught them from an early age to pretend to be friends with others, then stab them in the back, that's how you get ahead in the world. They are into such things as polo, golf, and yachting, but turn up their noses at baseball, basketball, and football. They go out of their way to try and organize the "riff-raff" into conservative politics, but they see those who are not old-money people (Free Republic types for example) as "rednecks" and useful idiots, and turn up their noses at them even as they are tricking them into believing that the right, rather than the left, represents working class interests. William F. Buckley and the Bush family are their role models.

[arwalden]

27. Sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot.

Doralee: "So that's why everyone around here treats me like some dime-store floozy. They all think I'm screwing the boss! And you just love it, don't you? It gives you some kind of cheap thrill like knocking over pencils and picking up papers. I've put up with all of your pinching, poking, staring and chasing me around the desk because I need this job. But this is the last straw! I've got a gun out there in my purse. Up until now I've been forgiving and forgetting because of the way I was brought up, but I'll tell you one thing. If you say another word about me or make another indecent proposal, I'm gonna get that gun of mine and I'm gonna change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot! And don't think I can't do it!"

[terrya]

30. Homophobes.

It takes me a little while to think of a Republican who fully supports gay rights.

[arwalden]

32. Sometimes I Think "Vomitous Bag Of Bloody Diarrhea And Bile"

but that's just too gross to type out loud.

-- Allen

[slackdude]

28. Four words:

Enemy of the People

[citizen snips]

29. Narrow minded.

When I think of Bush I think of a criminal.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. festering feces...

the vile stench of raw sewage as it's indiscriminantly dumped in OUR schoolyards, OUR national parks, OUR streets and sidewalks...and not THEIRS.

[Bush loves Jiang]

33. I wish I could say Bill Wyatt...

Because then I would be a GOP supporter...lol

[mvd]

34. Depends on the Republican

A Republican could be a bad person, or just ignorant.

[durutti]

35. "An elephant and a fat white guy who's threatened by change."

:-)

Seriously, though, when I think of the GOP, I think of death, oppression, and deceit.

[corporatewhore]

36. Rich Old White Man who looks like a beetle and consumed with

power greed and fear all at the same time

[TXlib]

37. GOP is the party of family values

If Greed, Oppression and Prejudice are your family values.

[11 Bravo]

38. Orders the most expensive thing on the menu ...

then stiffs the waitress.

[Selwynn]

39. Mmm... tastes like chicken!

[SiobhanClancy]

41. When I hear the word republican..

I think "Irish republican",and I'm sorry that the Repuke party doesn't have a different name.

[Piperay]

42. Greedy, stupid, lying

and crooked. :puke:

[ikojo]

43. When I hear Republican I think

Sense of entitlement
Wealthy
Arrogant
Narrow Minded
Religiously intolerant
Hate filled
Superficial

Of course I realize that not ALL pugs are like this but too many are and that is why I shudder at the mere mention of the word. There IS a difference between the pugs of today and even those of the Nixon era (even though many of those who served in the Nixon administration are in the current administration). Remember Nixon signed OSHA and Food Stamps into law..the current inhabitant of the White House is doing all he can to do away with OSHA.

[Skittles]

45. F***ING A**HOLE

THAT'S WHAT I THINK OF

[monobrau]

46. Bitter white guy

Longing for a fictional utopian past.