Politics The Elephant in the room...The GOP today

I can only assume these other nations and cultures you are referring to rogue are not part of the Western world. Certainly citizens of the UK for instance, are not encumbered by a lack of free thinking or confusion over their inalienable right to free expression. In fact, it's been my experience that the atmosphere here in the UK is more conducive to speaking one's mind and offering a dissenting opinion than in the US. Especially in the work place where British employees would scratch their heads over the idea that their right to speak and express themselves freely ends when they get to the shop or office.

I think you've made a lot of generalizations both about Americans and those of other nations and cultures in an effort to back into that safe and familiar place of fantasy where America enjoys a level of freedom all others do not.

America's belief in its own exceptionalism is not a myth. The myth lies with the certainty held by so many Americans that its ideals never fail to manifest themselves and its motivations and behaviors are above reproach.

Why? Because they truly believe that all the hype is somehow not all hype.
They wholeheartedly believe that everyone in the world covets what America and Americans have.
If they don't covet it, they are either enemies or ignorami.

 

That's an interesting perspective, Rogue. However, it doesn't match with my experience (which, I will accept, is limited).

When I have worked with US organisations, I have found them to be considerably more hierarchical than their counterparts elsewhere and there appears to be a much stronger imperative to toe the line, conform and not speak out.

As an outsider, I was surprised at first by the pressure to conform in society too. It appears to me that being "different" isn't something most Americans find desirable. It's kind of better to have homogeneity. As a result, it doesn't feel particularly "free" to me when I am there. Of course, there are exceptions and the culture does vary in different parts of the USA but I often find Americans inflexible rather than flexible. Of course, this may be because I am from the UK. According to Hofstede, we score lower on Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance in terms of our national culture (and about the same on Individualism).

However, I see "exceptionalism" as something else. It is not about being "exceptional" as individuals. It is more about a political ideology that sees the USA as having a special mission to bring the American Way to other nations, akin to religious evangelism.

 

Turning up the heat on past glory days is not uncommon for a nation anxious about its waning influence. The danger in doing so is in sparking a level of nationalism that overshoots the mark. American exceptionalism is no new idea but those who toted it out for political reasons in this last election blew a whole lot of hot air into it. It's off and running on it's own steam now, loud in its denial of reality and possibly intent on showing 'em who's boss.

America needs to begin viewing itself as one of many free and democratic nations with the resources and will to compete and cooperate with other countries. Period.

 

From the king and queen of gun totin' conservative mania:

Ted Nugent;

Sarah Palin:​

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The entertainment value of wingnut rhetoric never ceases to amaze....if only there werent so many true believers in the ignorance of both of the above.​

 

meanwhile, out there in the world, even the imf is beginning to see neo-liberalism as lunacy. here's a new position paper, linked via krugman's nyt edito this morning, that argues for controls on trans-national capital flows. because, you know, unregulated capitalist activity is bad for stuff like social stability and coherent policy. which should never have been a surprise, actually. but i digress:

http://www.imf.org/external/np/pp/eng/2012/111412.pdf

 

And here I thought he'd merely advocate for bringing back the poll tax.

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What Sarah thinks is about as relevant as what Ted thinks. The Right are beginning to set off my compassion trigger. Yeah, I'm starting to feel sorry for them. If I had the money I'd be putting up billboards. ​

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"Do you have a problem with Obama?"​

"Is your problem with Obama interfering with your employment and family life?"​

"Do you neglect your responsibilities so you can indulge in your problem with Obama?"​

"Do you spend more than 5 hours a day on anti-Obama websites?"​

"Do you drink alcohol to enhance the Obama hating experience?"​

"Did you forget to take your meds today? Again?​

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If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be Obamaphobic. We can help. Call 800-get-real for more information on how we can help you control your obsession through our proven 12 step program of recovery. (Minimum wage operators who voted for Obama are standing by. )​

Edit: Ace Ventura! You are our 1 millionth caller. Please stand by for details on how you can receive free information on deprogramming solutions for victims like you who have been buffaloed into believing that lower taxes for the wealthy spur economic growth.

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The entertainment value of wingnut rhetoric never ceases to amaze....if only there werent so many true believers in the ignorance of both of the above.​

 

Coming back to life to steal again after having been put to death at the stakes in the post-2008 Republican witch hunt.

More true believers

 

How are we still operating as a 1st world country?

 

God and guns?

 

another republican triumph:

US Senate rejects UN treaty on disability rights amid GOP opposition | World news | guardian.co.uk

the tea party folk objected that a un treaty "infringes on us sovereignty"
bob dole was there in a wheelchair to support the treaty. they say he wanted these people to have to look at him as they voted.
john kerry summarized the treaty as saying "you can't discriminate against the disabled."
it's been signed by 155 countries and ratified by 128.
but not the united states.
thanks, republicans.

 

Rick Santorum claims it is the UN wanting to allow his daughter and other children with disabilities to die.
--- merged: Dec 4, 2012 at 7:29 PM ---
UN treaties cannot override the Constitution, but wingnuts certainly can, if given the opportunity.

 

I'm appalled but not surprised. The Republicans would repeal the US Disabilities Act if they thought they could get away with it.

 

USA! USA! USA!

 

No applause necessary...just send money!

 

The GOP three- step solution to domestic violence

1) Continue to block the re-authorization of the popular, bi-partisan Violence Against Women Act

2) Blame the victim - Women should "make better decisions" (former Bush press secretary Dana Perino on Fox News)

3) More women should own guns (Wayne LaPierre, NRA)