The people who scream for the blood of Barack Obama aren't really Americans

[MrScorpio]

We've always had that strain of anti-Americanism in this country... That form of anti-humanity that lurks in the dark recesses of all societies, the evil fueled by the Power of the Mob.

From the mobs that ran the Reign of Terror in France, The Jewish Holocaust, the Cambodian Killing Fields, or the Rwandan Genocide, they are the carte blanche for despots.

It was seen when the Conquistadors slew the indigenous people of Central and South America or the Japanese Rape of Nanking.

Countless screams for blood when people, drunk on power, gave in to the corrupting influence of absolute power and allowsed the masses that they gathered push them on in a hate fueled submission to our basest desires.

The Constitution was designed to prevent the tyranny of the majority from trampling over the rights of the few and, of course, it was initially incomplete. Many struggles in America have been fought over ensuring that the basic goal of guaranteeing the right of basic human existence, from the issues of religion and slavery to suffrage, from civil rights for minorities to the LGBT community today. Yet, each struggle has a very basic premise that the rule of the mob is an anathema to the American ideal.

That ideal took lumps via the lynchings in the South and violations of treaties with American Indians. It was cracked when American citizens of Japanese decent were locked away in interment camps. It was challenged when brother fought against brother in the Civil War.

Sarah Palin and John McCain have forgotten that they are Americans. They've forgotten about the rule of law which is the cornerstone of American life. They, like many despots in history, have fallen for the lure of mob power. They've forgotten that they have an obligation to stand up for the rule of law by way of the high offices they hold. They have forgotten the oaths they've sworn to uphold the Constitution.

For them, the mob is clearly more attractive. They feel that the mob trumps the rule of law.

Hence the feeding frenzy, without regard for the very ideals that America was founded, with fear and hate the fodder.

Given that this is a test of how they would regard their responsibilities if they are allowed to hold the highest offices in the land, it's quite clear that they have failed.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

1. Exactly!

Although many right-wingers equate democracy with majority (read mob) rule, the founding documents point to something better...a nation of laws derived from the people...a constitutional republic of democratic premises ruled by laws.

I would even argue that the herd mentality itself is inherently unAmerican. Authoritarianism is unAmerican. NeoCon'ism is unAmerican. But, just MHO.

[leveymg]

2. Eloquently said. Perhaps, it's good McPain are showing their true colors before they bow out

And, those colors aren't the U.S. flag. They're wrapping themselves in another flag:

[jpertello]

3. ALL VERY VALID POINTS BUT...

In this case the mob is in the minority. This makes them much more dangerous. In a US in which Obama (a representation of the oft feared "black man") is the man with the power they will become even more dangerous. I predict a few nuts trying to become "heroes" by taking out the "enemy" as they see him. His security needs to be beefed up, as well as the security surrounding his wife and children. This is no joke. These RW nuts are desperate to keep their White Power and will become a lynch mob if they lose White Supremacy to a black man. They have completely forgotten that he's half white. This is irrelevant to them. He has a scary name and looks black.

Back in the '70's I knew a southern family who, in protest to the "Black Power" movement got a poster which said "White Power" with a picture of 2 very blond blue eyed people dressed all in white. They hung this next to their Confederate flag in their living room.

This is the mentality we are dealing with, from Ohio to Pennsylvania, from Upstate NY to Tennessee and Louisiana. This vocal violent RW faction of our society will become the hate-fueled militia of tomorrow.

[Generic Other]

4. They are racist neo-nazis who bait their base to feed their own ambitions

This is not only irresponsible it is reprehensible and proves they are evil. They do not love their country one stinking bit.

[brazos121200]

5. "These people" have put the repubs in power in the White House

for the last eight years and repubs in the majority in Congress for the last 14 years, except for the last two. Almost of our current financial troubles are the result of policies put in place by this repub majority, but the 'true believers' who put them there don't or won't recognize this. They will again vote for the candidates of their party, who , if elected, will lead the country over the cliff to massive economic collapse and depression.