Bottom Line: Americans are ignorant and fearful

[Countdown_3_2_1]

All they know is capitalism. To Americans, Socialism is the same as Communism. And the commies are the bad guys right?

Tonight is Fear. Not intelligence. Not rebellion. Not a referendum. FEAR.
Progressives need to do a better job of explaining and educating WHY we are doing what we are doing.
The Auto Bailout is NOT a govt takeover of the auto industry, but try telling that to a Tea Bagger.

Americans are AFRAID of govt control of Health Care. Pallin did not help one bit when she used the Words "Death Panels." The Town Hall fiasco was a direct result of runaway fear. The Tea Party is 100% fear. Fear of change. Fear of color. Fear of Muslims.

Win or Loose, we need to spend the next two years reaching out to the masses and gently bringing them up to out level of understanding. Education, not sound bites. We need a campaign--not for an office, but for an idea. The media, TV sitcoms, commercials, everything has to be brought to bear to educate the masses. We need vigorous defenders to stand against inevitable attacks.

If we loose the House tonight (as is being projected at 8 PM central time), Then we will see the true enemy. Its not a party or a movement: its ignorance and fear.

Disagree with me if you like. But does this make sense?

[Skittles]

1. yes

couldn't have anything to do with the fact that not much has changed for them in the past couple of years, and by the way, it is LOSE, not LOOSE

[Countdown_3_2_1]

12. Yes, I should know that.

Lose/loose. I remember reminding someone else of that a while ago.
Must be Karma coming back for me...

[Arugula Latte]

2. And religion makes the ground fertile for ignorance.

Irrational thought is held up as something to strive for -- you must have "Faith" in myths and other things that make no sense and have no evidence. That makes Republicanism much more palatable to millions.

[mrs_p]

3. it shows a real lack of education - of critical thinking

republicans have won in that regards...

[xiamiam]

13. bingo..that is the plan..media and entertainment control..telling people

what they like, who they like..and how much they like them..very little critical thinking as you say.

my opinion, until the tv is turned off, it will only get worse..

[Atlatl]

4. Winning of hearts and minds...

Insulting the voters will do nothing to win them over.

My own thoughts are that "comprehensive" bills are to blame for most of this. They tried to do too many things all at once and it made it made it way too easy for the Republicans to pick and choose things to attack to turn people against bills that may have helped them. Just like Bush screwed up with the immigration bill, we screwed up by making the health care and stimulus bills too big.

[jimlup]

5. Inorant, frightened and also spoiled...

just ask someone who is an oppressed worker in the 3rd world.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. It goes back a LONG TIME

well before 1776 to be exact... or the rise of communism...

We are a product of our history... and it is a history of slavery and the US is a caste society. If the rich say jump, the people ask how high?

And it is not due to Capitalism... nobody in this country can define it, just as they cannot define communism or socialism. Look at Calvin for that... and the Master Servant relationship of Tudor England. And you need to add religion to this.

[MadMaddie]

7. If Republicans who voted for these candiates think it is bad now

just wait....those remaining American jobs are shipped overseas....more Corporate money basically nullifies the individual vote....

Get Ready Republicans...we won't be surprised.

[ProgressIn2008]

8. "Gently bringing them up to our level of understanding" - part of the problem right there

You know, just a thought. "The masses" aren't hordes of lower beings out there. They're "we the people." If our fellow Americans are our enemy, then what are we?

[GoCubsGo]

9. Makes perfect sense.

I'm getting really sick of this idiotic "government run health care" meme, too. I can't wait until all of these stupid fucks realize that they're still beholden to those thieving health insurance companies.

[Naturyl]

10. Yes, it's basically correct.

Add greed and selfishness to the equation and that's pretty much the whole right-wing movement.

[SlipperySlope]

11. What does that say about democracy?

If Americans are ignorant and fearful, and if a democratic government represents the will and thoughts of the people, then what sort of government do ignorant and fearful Americans deserve?

[K8-EEE]

14. Some Americans in some places

Not everywhere! I guarantee you Rand Paul would not get elected in CA