I Do Not Care That The Media Manipulates. People Are Responsible For Their

[DistressedAmerican]

own beliefs, regardless where they formed them!

I cut no one any slack on this point. I see a lot of posts that say that people were lied to and manipulated by Bushco and the media and that they are not responsible for their support of Bush.

I wholeheartedly reject that kind of apologist explanation for Bush supporters. They have access to all of the same information that the rest of us do. If they choose to accept what Fox and others' claims as fact without checking the info out, they are simply intellectually lazy and irresponsible. There is no excuse for that.

A fully functioning democracy depends on an educated electorate. Most Bush voters do not educate themselves about the man or his policies. They merely bow down and accept the word of whatever government mouthpiece they see on the tube.

America needs to wake up. The corporate media is part and parcel of the machine that Bushco uses to control us. Anyone that does not see that and reject their lies is a danger to themselves and others. What's more, they have NO EXCUSE.

Of course, there are plenty of Democrats that suffer the same brand of intellectual laziness about their leaders. I met a guy at Camp Casey in Crawford who insisted that the majority of Dems had voted against the Iraq War Resolution and the USA Patriot Act. He was shocked when I recited the actual vote counts that showed most of them have consistently backed Bush's plan to screw America for the personal benefit of their corporate buddies.

Ignorance is the greatest enemy that our nation faces!

People say they are too busy to stay informed. Turn off the freaking American Idol for an hour and educate yourselves!

Worse yet, they say, I don't pay attention to the news, etc. because it depresses them. Well people, what depresses me is watching our country eaten away from the inside, while most Americans just pretend it is not happening.

Maybe we (collectively) deserve to get screwed?

I just do not know.

[DemocracyInaction]

1. We are watching the inevitable

Just thinking on the same thing the other night. This country is rapidly descending into mass ignorance because the people are lazy and stupid and overly entertained. And when a nation does that, it is prime for the picking. Any animal can control it's mind and sell it a bill of goods. That's what's happening now. Life is only going to get harder for these people. And when they can't afford the cable or dish any longer, they will have plenty of time to reflect on the reality that their life is descending into an unimaginable misery.

[thefloyd]

2. I totally agree

People will argue about sports for hours but politics "well I don't want people to get angry" or "never talk about politics". Politics should always be talked about especially when people are not educated

[DistressedAmerican]

3. I'll Agree To Leave Religion Alone, If I Can Talk Politics In All Venues!

My father once told me that I should not worry so much about politics because they exists largely separate from your day to day existence. I was appauled. My father was once very interested in becomming a politician. He did more to make me aware of politics than anyone and even he seems to think that politics is some sort of ephemeral other that does not effect out lives. WTF?

Tell that to the dead in NOLA or Iraq!

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Post-Katrina more people DO see how politics...........

affects day-to-day existence. BushCo has played on fear long enough that people see we are NO SAFER with this crowd. That alone may wake them up and make them pay attention. Sadly.

I'll say it again: Apathy is America's #1 enemy.

[thefloyd]

11. Talking politics...always on the table

Very entertaining. Couple examples of apathy:

Republican told me Kerry stabbed himself in the thigh to get out of vietnam

A friend claiming to be a "big time republican" thought Truman was a Republican

[DistressedAmerican]

12. Man Are Those Some Doosies! Here's My Question...

Any chance that stabbing myself in the leg would get me out of this repug hell?

I would you know! Gladly.

[thefloyd]

13. Well

Stab yourself in the eye and just don't watch

[DistressedAmerican]

14. No Self Inflicted Harm Unless It Brings Bush DOWN!

Not watching could be accomplished without the stabbing in the eye. Just ask the majority of America. They have been ignoring it for years!

[OnionPatch]

5. I understand your frustration but

I don't see what berating them when they come to our board is going to accomplish. I was one of the ones who offered that explanation of why so many voted for Bush but I didn't say it was a GOOD reason. I just said it was a reason. I also get angry that people don't pay enough attention. My reason for offering this explanation was because some ex-Republicans were asking if there was room for them on our side. I think we need to welcome these people with open arms! What good will it do our side to criticize and belittle these people? If we are to start winning more elections, we are going to have to have some people come over from the other side. I'm all for forgiving and giving them a warm welcome. Believe me, once they are at the point of switching sides, the information will start avalanching and I'm certain most of these people will never allow themselves to be manipulated by the media again.

[DistressedAmerican]

6. When They Hit The Streets In Opposition, I'll Take Them Seriously.

I have heard from a lot of Bush voters that are not happy with him. Sadly, I have not met many that have actively begun working against him. Those that do, will be my friends. Those that express their dissatisfaction and do little or nothing beyond bitching are just part of the problem.

In short, I will respect them when they actually do something to stop the problems that they voted for.

Anything short of actively working against this administration is just consigning us to more of the same...

BTW - I have not berated any reformed repugs that I have seen here. Not sure who is. But, it is not me.

[OnionPatch]

8. Sorry if I implied that you did

I haven't read your posts and don't know, but I did read a thread yesterday where people were coming down hard on ex-Repubs. It didn't seem like a very warm welcome. I guess I'm just more forgiving. (Hey, I AM a bleeding-heart liberal, you know.) I tend to just want to forgive and hug them. :pals: I figure even if they don't get real active, at least they won't be voting Republican again for some time, anyway.

[DistressedAmerican]

9. You Really Didn't. Just Wanted To Be Clear.

I Love The Bleeding Hearted!:hug:

[all.of.me]

7. it's true!

you are so right, DA! on a personal level, things happen to people, because they let it. this was a rude awakening for me - oh my god, taking responsibility for my life! so the same is true on a political or global scale, and ignorance and laziness are at the core of it.

i'm guilty. i am not educated enough. but as i get educated, i educate others. you should the faces of people when i tell them what i read here on du and other progressive news sources! they can't believe it! that's because they watch msm, if anything at all.

[Brewman_Jax]

10. So true

it makes me wonder about the Bush* supporters, freepers, and other republicans who were raised that way. The level of ignorance required is incredible! They don't read. If they watch news, it's Faux News, MSGOP, or RW squawk radio. They still blame the Clenis, black people, immigrants (brown people) and everything else, except the people who caused all of this. They don't even vote in their selfish best interest, and cry when they get screwed over...again.

Welcome awakened freepers and ex-republicans with open arms? Welcome, yes. Throw a party? I don't think so. They're the ones who helped cause all of this and should be watched.

[Greyhound]

15. Recommended and here's a kick to boot :-)

I think you have hit the bulls eye. This is the biggest issue our nation faces and it is generally ignored by both sides. I made a response to a thread about the "incompetent" repugs that might interest you.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4755862&mesg_id=4756170
it is a partial list of the accomplishments they have made (with the help of many dem conspirators) Chief among them is the dumbing down of amerikan citizens, both the subtle and overt (i.e. citizens have been replaced by consumers), and the dismantling of our democratic institutions and rights.
For myself I believe amerika will get the society it deserves and am trying my best to get myself and my loved ones out while there is still time.
:kick:

[StopTheMorans]

16. America, America, God shed his grace on thee