OT: US Pres election

[Agema]

It's not quite that. It's not that Republicans are idiots or that their leaders don't enact a nuanced view of the world and embrace intellectual endeavour.

Politics can thrive on black and white. Present a simple picture of the world, and it can be very comforting as it's both easy to understand and can readily tie in with people's belief systems. On the other hand, if you present things as grey area, that there are many conflicting views, nuances and complexities it starts being much harder for people to grasp what is being advocated, and furthermore by accepting both sides it challenges belief systems.

I'd suggest many Republican voters like the world expressed in black in white, whereas intellectuals pretty much must be thinkers who dwell in grey areas. Consequently, there's a clash of attitudes, and it is worth Republican politicians playing up to their electorate.

All political groups tend to demonise certain sectors of the population when they perceive it will win them more support, the Democrats do it too.

[Edratman]

Agema, the process of demonizing a sector gets personal sometimes.

[Agema]

Agreed. I'm an academic, anti-intellectualism infuriates me.

I would guess intellectuals tend to vote Democrat and can count as political enemies. But whilst my (our?) sector usually just gets offhand, crowd-pleasing abuse, many other sectors really get it in the neck: serious abuse and prejudicial policies.

[Azselendor]

It's easier to convince the simple minded than the educated of a lie.

[Aapeli]

But it is harder for the simple minded to create a lie that is in any means convincing, wich I think is a good quality and in all means humane (I hope no one says its humane to lie).

[JimMorrison]

Originally Posted by Aapeli

But it is harder for the simple minded to create a lie that is in any means convincing, wich I think is a good quality and in all means humane (I hope no one says its humane to lie).

However a number of our presidents have proven that the simple minded can adequately deliver a convincing lie - at least, a lie that is convincing enough for enough of the population to matter.

[Atrocities]

I am not voting for Obama because I do not like his political ideology, nor do I trust a man who can go to a church for 20 years where hateful racial speech was conducted regularly and then say that he never heard it. Right. I do love Joe Biden despite his anti-gun stance. In fact I believe that Joe Biden is the best person for the top job on the democratic side. This year I will be supporting McCain and Palin. While I certainly do not like everything that McCain stands for or has done, I feel that he is a better choice for America than the Obama alternative. Despite McCains many flaws, he is at least, less dishonest than Obama and that gives him a slight advantage. I also like Palin very much. I think she is exactly what we need in Washington, and its about time we get it too.

Obama can stay in the senate where he can continue to do his duty in that special way that he does. And We get to keep Biden and McCain and gain Palin if John can win the election.

But given the vile voter fraud that is taking place in Ohio right now, I doubt McCain will win and in four years, we will have no choice but to fire Jimmy Cart #2 and find us a new Ronald Reagen.

[Atrocities]

Originally Posted by quantum_mechani

It's old hat to say this, but with Palin on the ticket that argument holds a lot less water. I am personally terrified of the idea of of Mcain winning and a heart attack later having Palin in command.

Not to offend any one, but I find this opinion, which is shared by many, to be odd. I fail to see how any one could be so frightened of Palin taking office when they support Obama.

Compare the two, Obama a three year senator who has spent the last year running for office compared to Palin, a women who has managed a large family, her own business, was a mayor and is now Governor of one of our largest energy producing states; Alaska. I think Palin is far more qualified to run our nation than Obama. Sure she isn't up to speed on all aspects of foreign policy and what not, but lets face it, she was and is up to speed on her job as Governor of Alaska and I am sure given the potential for a job change, will get up to speed on national and international issues within an acceptable amount of time.

This argument that Palin is somehow stupid because she is a down to earth friendly and likable women, who just so happens to be Governor of Alaska, is rubbish. She is not Tina Fey, nor is she Dan Quayle. And those who have been trying to say that she is are little more than paid hit men assigned to damage her reputation and convince Americans of a lie. A lie that none of us should be swallowing at any level. You don't get to become a governor unless you have the skills to lead and govern and do them well.

There is absolutely no doubt that Sarah Palin is far more qualified to run our nation than Senator Obama. Sure she's less qualified when compared to Biden or McCain but certainly more qualified that Obama.

In fact Obama shouldn't even be in consideration for this job, a VP position sure, but not the top Job in the land. That honor should have gone to Joe Biden.

[Atrocities]

Read my blog for even more right wing anti-left wing rhetoric. Link is in my signature.

[JimMorrison]

Originally Posted by Atrocities

You don't get to become a governor unless you have the skills to lead and govern and do them well.

Are you serious....? What fairy tale world do you live in where we are assured that our public servants are capable, just because they landed in office?

If you can listen to her speak for 5 minutes, and not see the glaring problem, then I am not sure you will be able to overcome your bias while talking to a third party. Of course, I have felt the same way about our good ol' GW for a long time now, but somehow a whopping 18% of us actually still think he's doing a fine job.