The right wing is doing anything and everything to promote rugged individualism

[applegrove]

in Americans. But not through leadership at the top, which is lacking and was the traditional way of doing politics, so much as by using their noise machine to create an environment all about 'government don't tell us what to do'. You see it in anti tax ads on the tv. In the things Sarah Palin says. In what the GOP will not say (Obama was born in the Hawaii).By promoting that they will garner a generation of Americans who reject any "direction" given to them (which means they'll totally reject government at every turn,and thus Democrats, well into the future). It is about a change of thinking and character at the brain level.

How do we counter this current environment: stuffed full of those messages?

[RandomThoughts]

1. Its a long argument.

You have to track back to what they are basically saying.

It allows them to rationalize how they got what they got.

The only real way to handle that is rules applied back, and punch them in the face and take what they got.


Although I personally don't like that approach.


It shortens the argument and shows why there position is not the best one to take.

It is true hardship can toughen someone up, and people should have some assertiveness, but not at the cost of many suffering. So rugged individualism, unless you are the strongest thing in existence is really dumb (and why some are deluded to thinking they are gods)

Basically there should be reward for innovative individuals and hard workers, but not with the unbalancing the introduction of tech and communications added into the equation.


Side note, the worst of those do that every day to many people, and that is infuriating. Also I did not live that way in life, nor think that way. So that does not invalidate my claim for beer and travel money that could be argued that way.

[handmade34]

2. impossible

there is no such thing as rugged individualism in an overpopulated, environmentally ill community

it is a fantasy from the days of the open west

the republicans are ignorant and delusional

[JaneQPublic]

3. How about some "rugged individualism" for Wall Street Bankers and oil companies?

GWBush and Hank Paulson didn't worry about the bankers' rugged individualism when bailing them out. And you can bet the GOPers will squeal like pigs at Obama's plans to cut tax breaks for the big oil companies.

As far as "Government, don't tell us what to do," they certainly don't practice what they preach when it comes to abortion rights, school prayer, gay marriage, and the list goes on.

[DJ13]

4. "I'm running for office because I hate government"

"And I know how much you hate it too, so I need your vote"

..... and it works.

The stupidity of the GOP base is astounding.

[woo me with science]

5. They have made it impossible to be a rugged individualist anymore.

We are owned in virtually every area of our lives now.

They don't even want you to be able to fix your own car anymore: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=411141

[AC_Mem]

6. I find it interesting

that the very ones who say government is too big and needs to shrink, government should not take your money, government should not tell you what to do - they are the ones who want to be elected into government to make all these rules about your life, your health, your money and your body.

It's like magic!

Only Evil.

:)

[nevergiveup]

7. The first thing we have to do is find unity among ourselves.

I suspect that 95% of those of us who call ourselves progressives agree on most progressive principles but we still find ourselves in continual conflict. Hate them or not the right wing knows how to come together, organize, control the media and deliver on election day. We progressives are in such disarray we can't even throw up a front against the dummies who organize the Tea Party. I am not giving up but it is very discouraging.

[HuskiesHowls]

8. The way they're going about it, cutting everything except military spending,

We'll all soon be living in log cabins, with a garden in the back yard, and hunting rabbits and squirrels for food.

Well, all except the Wall St Bankers, and, of course...the clowns in government.

[Mojeoux]

9. Tell them Communist China Called and they want you to GO Shopping!!!

Happy VD

[applegrove]

10. But how can we create a buzz as strong as their buzz. I mean we could buy ads. But how do you hit

critical mass the right wing have hit?

[applegrove]

11. I find it so strange when a thread that is about basic democratic stuff gets unrec'd. Does anyone

else?