Posted on 08/04/2009 5:21:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In eight years of writing about politics, nothing gets people angrier than when I try to make the case that most activists and most journalists practice politics differently, have different worldviews, and are both forces for good in the democracy. 3....2....
It is easy and comfortable to assume that because you've discovered the presence of Astroturf activism, there is no there there, or there is nothing that sustains or nourishes the Astroturfing. The point is not to question whether conservatives are artificially magnifying their voices -- yes of course they are, predictably and not in secret -- it's that real anxiety and real enthusiasm provide a catalyst for the Astroturfing to work -- and the Astroturfing provides a catalyst for the anxiety and enthusiasm to manifest.
Peter Daou makes some provocative arguments here -- the liberal base is a bit disillusioned with Obama, Republicans sense opportunity, etc, and I think he is right. And I think that other liberals who assume that somehow because they associate THEIR side with reasoned argument and the OTHER side with blatant demagoguery, the argument ought to be closed -- well, they're replicating the mistake that disillusioned partisans tend to make: if it ain't going right, it MUST be because some outside factor -- usually the media -- is screwing up. Sometimes the media does screw it up. Sometimes, it's just screwed up.
Democrats were able to defeat President Bush on Social Security because they found a way to capitalize on inherent skepticism about forcing that cherished institution to change.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at politics.theatlantic.com ...
The implication of astroturfing is that it is financed by some organization, that the people protesting are being paid to take that position.
While that might be prevalent on the Left, with rent-a-mobs being bussed in with promises of food or entertainment, our side drives over in our own cars and at our own expense.
I think the psychiatric term is "projection": ascribing to others the faults and motivations that you yourself have.
Profit is the difference between costs and revenue. And I say the bigger profit is better because you kept costs down and revenue up. If you are overcharging, people will stop paying unless you are a monopoly.
In any non monopoly situation, BIG PROFITS ARE GOOD FOR SOCIETY. Big profits mean big taxes paid. Big profits mean you are providing a great service at a low cost.
If you want to look at what happens when profits are low, look at General Motors.
Very good points. Thank you.
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