Posted on 12/05/2003 8:26:01 AM PST by Scenic Sounds
Hating President Bush has become a national pastime. It seems almost funny, how one man can stir up the ire of so many people. There are all sorts of reasons to hate the President. When BestandWorst.com asked their readers why they hate Bush, there were all sorts of reasons, which ranged from “because he fits way too many anti-Christ proficiencies, seriously”, to. “No, the question is - who would let an ugly monkey rule a nation?” Now, these are funny – somewhat because of the ignorance (a President doesn’t rule a nation), and somewhat because of the wording (ugly monkey?).
But, seriously, Democrats – especially those who are running for President in 2004 - love this outpouring of rage, and they’re quick to do their best to channel it. There are “I hate Bush” bumper stickers, t-shirts, underwear. There are myriad websites devoted to the subject. There was even a recent Bush-hating conference held in Hollywood. The Democrats want as many people as possible to think it’s cool to hate Bush, and they’re pushing it as hard as possible.
However, is their policy of hate actually going to win them any votes in 2004? Sure, there are the die-hard, “yellow dog” Democrats, (as we call them in the South). But these guys don’t just hate Bush – they hate Republicans in general. Actually, they hate Independents and Greens and Libertarians, too – everyone but Democrats. A hate-Bush policy isn’t likely to affect them one way or another. They’re going to vote the same way they always do.
Then there is that elusive group of middle-ground voters. This is an eclectic group. Contained here are the so-called soccer moms, the white Southern guys with the Confederate flags hanging in their trucks, the college students who are trying to figure out who is who and what ideology fits them best. These are the people that are truly struggling (for the most part) to make the right decision. Most have already formed opinions about which political party they agree with, and most tend to vote one way or another on a regular basis. However, these are the people that the Democrats are struggling to plug into the electricity of their rage and ire against the President.
Democrats, however, don’t seem to understand how silly, futile and powerless this attitude makes them look. Most people do not respond well to purely reactionary policies, but that’s what the Democrats are using. There doesn’t seem to be a unified plan among them; there’s just a lot of smoke and hot air and rage and screaming. It makes one wonder if the Democrats would exist were Bush not in office. They have become the party of the anti-Bush – the party that isn’t the Republicans.
I have to admit – I’m not one of those people that want the Democrats to just vanish from sight, though I sympathize with those who do. As in economics, a little competition usually improves the quality of the end result. However, Democrats are marketing themselves so badly lately that it’s not even a competition anymore – it’s like watching a big man finally kick the crap out of the dog that’s been nipping its heels. You feel a bit sorry for the dog, but you thoroughly enjoy watching. And so it is now. Politics is about practicality. If the Democrats think that hating Bush is going to win those votes, they’re going to continue to push that policy as hard as they can, even when it means getting kicked. It didn’t work in 2000, it backfired horribly in 2002, but they simply can’t learn their lesson. Maybe they need another kick.
Cathryn Crawford is a student at the University of Texas. She can be reached with questions or comments at CathrynCrawford@WashingtonDispatch.com.
(snicker)
And thats why the 2000 election was so close eh? Millions woke up?...obviously it wasn't enough. Their sham continues...but their too dense to realize they're shooting themselves in the foot with Dean. However...there were plenty of dumba**es who showed up to vote for Gore...and they'll be plenty of sheeple/fifth column socialists/queers/welfare sugardaddys/soccer moms/Ithicans/DU posters/enviroweenies/run-of-the-mill liberals/Pro-Union/Pro-NEA/Pro-more governemt/Islamic sympathizers/anti-American maggots that will show up to vote for one of the 9(?) dwarfs.
Never take ANYTHING for granted.
And, indeed, it usually doesn't help a party, movement, or candidacy to become too closely identified with negative emotions, rather than with positive aspirations. Under ordinary circumstances the public is generally saner and more grounded than true partisans are, so there's usually a backlash. The condecension of liberal gentry and academics towards those they dislike strikes a jarring note and arouses sympathy in the general public. For many who aren't particularly enthusiastic about President Bush, his war and his policies, the old lines about Grover Cleveland apply: "they love him ... for the enemies he has made."
It looks to me like there are three aspects of Bush hatred: 1) the haters disagree with Bush on the issues, 2) they think he doesn't belong in the Presidency, that he didn't earn it, that he's a lightweight, a dunce, or the illegitimate beneficiary of a bloodless coup d'état and 3) they think he really may have the power and ability to change things in the country. The public comes at things from a different angle than the thoroughgoing partisans. What matters to them is how Bush is doing as President, and whether he benefits the country.
It's those younger folks. What can we do with them? ;-)
If I were you, I'd be more worried about what all these Gen-X folks w/BDS do to you once you reach retirement age and are no longer "a productive citizen".
I might also say that you don't have a clue. Its mostly the Gen-Xers (I hate that term) that are having kids, are deciding to homeschool them, having the mom stay home with the kids, taking a stand for traditional family values,etc, etc, and generally moving the country more conservative IMHO.
Thanks, Cathryn
Americans want and desire big government. This is not a slim majority, but a massive majority who feel this way.
The way to reduce government is not to elect people today who want to make draconian cuts, but to educate those around you of the benefits of smaller government. This takes time and a lot of work, but it is the only way to a smaller government.
Look at it this way, Kerry accused Dean of cutting Medicaid in Vermont while he was Governor in a recent debate. Dean responded that he slowed the growth, he didn't cut Medicaid. Kerry said, "If it was budgeted for a 15% increase and you reduced it to a 10% increase, that's a cut!"
Like it or not, that is how the vast majority of Americans view things as it applies to governmental spending.
I recently explained to a neighbor that was what they thought a cut was. He said they are right, that is a cut. So, I offered to buy him lunch to continue talking about it. We had a burger and fries at a local Braums and I said I would spring for an icecream too. But a second later, I said, "O that's right, I left my other money at home, sorry." He said, "Don't worry about it, you paid for lunch already." I then said, "You don't mind that I cost you money by cutting the budget?" It took him a second and then he smiled and dropped his head. He got it. An increase of 10% is still an increase, even if it had been budgeted for more at a previous point. But that's a hard concept for many people out there.
That is what we are up against.
Generation X people feel like they never had it as good as the previous generation and that their turn at bat never came...
I don't know about that...me personally...I think "I have it" better than my parent and grandparents financially; if that's what you mean. But no solver spoon here...I worked for everything I have.
They also feel like they inherited a lot meaner world and they do what they must to protect their own interests....
I have to agree here. Can you blame me (us)?
If and when they get the power, you should not feel that you can appeal to their better nature to help you if you are in need...
You're damn tootin there. I'll take care of my own wife, kids, parents, and help out a personal friend/neighbor who is in dire need. I'll voluntarily contribute to the charities of my choosing. But I'll be damed to be expected to forego more and more of my money to more and more government handouts/hardluck cases. Get your stuff together if you have not.
I have.
They will look more to their own interests than to the interests of the past or future generations...
And I will...except for my own family and personal friends. I will also ALWAYS be conservative...and am raising conservative-minded pro-American children...and in America's best interest.
And perhaps the most effective way to do that is to field candidates who'll make the case for smaller government, even if it means supporting a 3rd party. Let's face it: people are not going to come around to a particular idea if it appears that the entire mainstream is against it. So with Democrats being Democrats, and Republicans like Bush saying that conservatism by itself is uncompassionate, people are going to have nowhere to go, regardless of how cogent your arguments might be. You might convince a handful here and there, but you're not going to really make a whole lot of headway under these circumstances. We hear alot that the leaders follow the views of the people, but just as often, if not more often, it's the other way around.
I think the "Hate Bush" industry is more a media invention than reality. I don't think it has near the steam the "hate Clinton's" movement had, but I am a bit prejudiced and could be wrong. I don't think so.
Personally I like Mr. Bush. I don't like much of his domestic agenda and that bothers me as it brings to question issues that go to just how much integrity does he really have. I want to like him. I need to like him as I do have great loathing for the Democrat party and the vast majority of their elected representatives at the national level.
As I age I become more and more frustrated at the "politics as usual" practiced by both major political parties.
But also, as I age, I get to the point of accepting there isn't much I can do about it from way out here in the bleacher seats. So I, often, just hold my nose and vote for the best viable candidate. Unfortunately these days I find voting for negative reasons out weigh voting for the positive reasons. It is not so much that I vote and support someone or something as I oppose much more the antagonist in the equation.
Long rant, but feel better getting off my chest.
Thanks again for alerting me to your missives. I enjoy them.
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