The Core Defect of Right Wing Thought Process

[NicFed]

Not Hate.
Not Stupidity.
The Incapability of Empathy.
A large segment of us lacks this ability.
It's not their fault. Be firm and patient.

[duhneece]

1. I agree totally

I've often thought it must be horribly limiting to be incapable of seeing anything from another's point of view...but the right-wing (neo-conservatives?) seem unable to do that.

[Name removed]

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[Castilleja]

2. Yes, I think that's it

I was discussing this with my husband, the reason I dislike Republicans is that so often they are flat-out mean. Mean, either in thought, deed, or both. The way you put it is better, they cannot imagine themselves in anyone elses shoes.

[Name removed]

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[SweetheartLikeYou]

3. I agree and I've argued this point for years.

The one thing I would add, being the empathetic soul that I am, is I believe their lack of empathy is directly linked to their fear. I empathize with their fear, but I wish they would rise above it and 'fight the power'.

[oscarmitre]

6. Or is it a case of extreme individualism?

I have been trying to put my finger on this for some time. Your point about incapability of empathy I think is very accurate.

I have had discussions with political "conservatives" here in my own country (Australia) and they have a very similar attitude. They are now beginning to repeat mantras such as "personal responsibility" to explain the dire situation of some individuals. It's almost as if they are so wrapped up in the idea of pure individualism that there is no empathy for others.

I know I am not hitting the point here but it's the best I can think of at the moment. Puts me in mind of Thatcher's idea that there is no society, only individuals.

[jdunn]

7. Empathetically Challenged

I agree - they are empathetically challenged. And this disability is rooted in fear; fear of the unknown, fear of ambiguity, fear of displaying "soft" emotions, fear of opening themselves to ridicule. But it could also be argued (as hinted at in the recent psychological study of the conservate mind, ironically funded under the Bush administration) that there are genuine issues of brain chemistry involved.
I have had conversations with conservatives in which it is obvious that certain liberal axioms, like the social contract, simply "do not compute". On the other hand, liberals are perfectly capable of comprehending the self-serving axioms of conservatism, but they know that to adopt them would be a step back, both morally and evolutionarily.
Conservatism, whether in America, Israel, the Islamic world or anywhere else, is jeopardizing the future of the human race.
It is ironic, though not necessarily surprising, that in a time when such a rapid and radical change in our thinking is required, there should be such an upsurge in conservatism.
I would like to believe that this anti-evolutionary mental deficiency could to be embraced with the same unconditional compassion one would feel toward, say, a small child with Downs Syndrome...
BUT TIME IS GETTING SHORT!!

[monster618]

8. The Theory of Conservatism

It can be summed up in with the old phrase "Do as I say, not as I do." I would like to see some prominent Republicans prove me wrong by stepping up and proudly declaring how they abstained from sex until marriage. You know, lead by example.

Also, I feel so secure that Bush is stepping up and defending my marriage from the evils of gay marriage. I tell ya, me and wife could sleep at night knowing that gays where hooking up, or at least thinking of getting hooked up. If these conservatives feel threatened by gay marriage, then they should question whether THEY should be married in the first place.

Conservatives have ideals, yes, but they are very narrow and non-inclusive. If you don't agree with them, you are a heathen, a sinner, non-patriotic, etc. To them, freedom of speech is great as long as you are saying what they want you to say.