Why are Republicans turning Bush into a Father figure?

[ck4829]

Before the election, Card said that Bush is sort of a Father figure to the American People, and that's why we need him, because we need a father.

Recently, the chairman of the RNC also said that it is Bush's Constitutional duty to protect the American people, not only is this incorrect, but this seems to be some sort of Father figure thing.

Has anyone else noticed it?

Is anyone else concerned?

[samhsarah]

1. Daddy Bush

will protect Amurka from the turrists.

[hopeisaplace]

oh my gawd that's funny!

:rofl: :rofl:

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Because Big Daddy is better than Big Brother? n/t

[mikelewis]

3. If the father is raping and killing the kids...

maybe it's time for a step-dad.

[MADem]

4. If he's a father figure, he's a deadbeat dad, IMO n/t

[JAbuchan08]

5. They couldn't come up with a better "father figure" than Bush?

The whole "father figure" archetype is based on strength and wisdom, but Bush is not strong and he doesn't even APPEAR to be wise.

[Gman]

6. They were abused as children by someone with a Texas accent?

[IndianaGreen]

7. It is called "Cult of Personality"

Papa Doc Duvalier would every so often spread the rumor that he was dead. His secret police would then arrest all those that celebrated his "death."

Cult of personality is a trait of dictatorships.

[undergroundpanther]

8. Because they are scared

Scared of social change that is not under thier control, freedom risks and responsibility.

http://www.unknownnews.net/041022a-upits.html
Likewise Bush sees America as a ten year old child.

[terryg11]

9. putting all their eggs in one basket

they have been trying with all their might to make Bush seem like a legitimate president, so anyting they can do to help his image. I think the republicans understand that the way they have been supporting Bush so fervently (even when it goes against their own beliefs) has hamstrung them. IF Bush goes down in any kind of scandal or voters reallly turning against them they know it's probably their own politcal death too.

[tocqueville]

10. because like Al Bundy they are fans of "Psycho Dad"...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Lakoff has a good theory about this...

Explains it in "Don't think of an Elephant"

This is my version...

There are the republicans, that seem to need a Daddy figure, discipline and punishment. They either prefer being the Father,(and what I say goes!) or they need a Father figure to protect them because they are scardy cats.

Then there are the Dems, who prefer nurturing, teaching leadership and prefer our Independence.

[gumby]

18. Beat me to it.

After George passed through his Cowboy image, then his codpiece Top Gun image he is now onto the Strict Father model that so many conservafascists relate to.

Sometimes, I am convinced that there are at least two species of humans.

http://www.wwcd.org/issues/Lakoff.html#STRICT

[Ally McLesbian]

21. That also leads to

the religious models we believe in too.

Republicans love the brim-and-firestone strict Christian model, where God is extremely unforgiving and can send you to Hell for just about anything.

I refuse to believe that model. I believe in a Mother Goddess, not a stern Father God.

Even the Christians among us seem to believe in a more nurturing Father God.

[doublethink]

37. The religious father figure I think sheeple Repubs really follow ....

"44": Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. -snip- John ch 8:44 Peace. :) ...

[Skidmore]

11. They are a freaking cult. He's Moonie Jr., James Jones,

the Hale-Bopp comet guy, Charles Manson, all rolled into one. And he can walk on water and his crap don't stink either.

[donheld]

12. * ain't my father

I'd rather be an orphan.

[Warpy]

13. Conservatives all want to be led, apparently

and pointing to a big daddy figure in Washington makes them feel all safe and comfy as they snuggle into their Dr. Denton's for the night.

They're terrified of change and of responsibility and of ever having to think for themselves. Following the crowd behind a strong and decisive leader is fully in their comfort zone.

None of them got upset at all when Stupid said he thought of the American people as a bunch of ten year olds, all needing his guidance and protection. I dunno what your reaction to that, but I was wishing I was close enough that when I vomited over that statement, it would all get on him.

[quiet.american]

14. The book "Don't Think of An Elephant" goes into great detail on this. n/t

[Fridays Child]

29. Lakoff? I've been wanting to read that.

I'll bet it's very enlightening.

[quiet.american]

34. You're right -- Lakoff. Worth keeping a copy nearby at all times. :) n/t

[sarge43]

15. It worked with Ronnie Raygun n/t

[kayice]

16. My 3 teenagers got more sense, morals, and values in their

little pinkies than this man ever could.......father figure, indeed! :puke:

[Efilroft Sul]

17. Father figure? He's a motherfooker, that's for sure. n/t

[CrispyQ]

19. Because they are looking for a 'strict father model'

to lead them & tell them what to do.

Read George Lakoff's "Don't Think of an Elephant." It gives great insight into the different family models of conservatives vs liberals. Conservatives look for a strict father figure to tell the family what to do, to keep the family in line with his values, his rules. Thinking for yourself is not encouraged. Liberals, recognizing the value of both parents, are into the nurturing parent model. Both parents work together to define the family values & rules. Questioning the status quo is encouraged.

Here's the Book Club discussion from January 2005.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=209&topic_id=806

The book is very good & is still a timely read.

===
on edit: It is the difference between "you are with us or against us" vs "we're all in this together."

[Ally McLesbian]

20. Replacement for...

... that "other" father figure, Ronnie Reagan.

[DinahMoeHum]

22. Bush a "father figure"?? LMAO!! I defer to a "Higher Father". . .

than him (tee hee hee)

:evilgrin:

[hopeisaplace]

23. Spewing regurgitated talking points is a lot easier than educating yourself

..* man of God
..* have a beer with
..* father figure

[hatrack]

24. Because they're the Party of Daddy Problems

Simple as that - things didn't work out in their own lives, so they prop a puppet in a pulpit and pretend they all had happy childhoods.

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. Because they are fascists

And the Law of the Father is supreme to the fascists. There are quite a few Democrats who are fascists as well. Fascism is nothing other than the desire for one's own repression, the idol of power, Clinton or Bush, whatever.

[Dancindays]

26. For Pete's sake

that's silly

[newyawker99]

41. Hi dancindays!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[leftofthedial]

27. it's part of their large plan

they want the "legacy" of repuke presidential figureheads to be traditionally paternal. Hence the mythologizing of Ronny Raygun.

plus there's the whole Big Brother thing

[Fridays Child]

28. Repukes are the ultimate subs in search of the ultimate dom.

"Hurt me, Baby. Make me write bad checks."

--Rick Dees, DJ and Bush supporter

[lectrobyte]

30. Because the Fatherland, oops, Homeland, needs a Father Figure?

[FrankBooth]

31. Daddy Complex

Please daddy, give me all the answers and protect me, even from myself.

[Solly Mack]

32. It's the Father figure/Patriarchy indoctrination

rooted in men are superior, men are heads of household,a man's home is his castle, women are weak, women are like children....and other such patriarchal bullshit.

the need for an authority figure (but not just any authority figure - must be male) to maintain order, to give you a safe feeling, to direct what's right and what's wrong. In a world where someone dictates behavior, they must also dictate the rewards for good behavior (and punishment for bad) - which absolves you of responsibility. If you just behave, then your actions will be rewarded - and if bad happens, it was YOU that caused it - not the father figure. So all good comes from the father figure and all bad comes from you not obeying the father figure.

That actions have consequences doesn't play into it - since what actions are acceptable are dictated by the father figure...so an act you might see as wrong could be considered good by the father figure...so it's not actions have consequences - but instead it's actions the father figure doesn't approve of have consequences. And for that safe secure feeling and potential future rewards, you'll buy into the whole malarkey.

[Bridget Burke]

33. Bush is the ne'er do well Uncle.....

He's always asking to borrow money, because he can't keep a job. Rely on him to wreck any family gathering by getting drunk & starting a fight. And don't let any of the little kids alone with him.

[Sadie5]

35. If my father was like Bush

I would run away from home. Ugh!

[Sadie5]

36. If my father was like Bush

I would run away from home. Ugh!

[The Backlash Cometh]

38. Because they're all bastards.

[seabeyond]

39. that is the structure of the baptist religion. gives man power

woman behind, all perishners are children, that listen and follow and dare not oppose or rebel, or.............dobsons punishment to kids shall stirke you down

[peekaloo]

40. My momma never used a turkey baster to conceive!

weak, cowardly men and sexually frustrated women adore Boo$h.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

42. Yeah, An Abusive Alcoholic Father.

[Jim Warren]

43. Because it works, silly.

Because there are so many american so-called "adults" who are really precocious little snots, easily frightened and respond well to der fatherland thing, don't you know.



"be kind to us Mr. President, be good to us"
Babara Walter, 1980, concluding an interview with recently elected Ronald Reagan

[jazzjunkysue]

44. He's the closest most of them will ever come.

[katty]

45. AIN'T MY DADDY!! Father?! ha! he can't even ride a bike