[M]odern-day conservatives share the same agenda as radical Jihadists in the Islamic world. But I found myself making certain claims about Republicans that I didn't know if they could be backed up. So I thought, "why don't we ask them directly?" And so, this massive poll, by non-partisan independent pollster Research 2000 of over 2,000 self-identified Republicans, was born. The results are nothing short of startling.
American politics has never been renowned for harboring anything resembling a latent intellectual streak (latest example: this attack ad by Carly Fiorina's campaign). No, our political landscape has always been dotted by emotionally overwrought peaks and valleys, and the road map is all too often littered with anger, self-interest, and reaction. As a concept, democracy functions most efficiently when those who partake in it THINK. Unfortunately, if there's one thing that the American Sheeple seem constitutionally incapable of, it's thinking. Rational, reasoned contemplation requires time, energy, and the willingness to weigh opposing viewpoints prior to making a considered decision...something most Americans simply can't be bothered with.
The rise of the "Tea Party" phenomenon is merely the last iteration of the race to the intellectual bottom...and it turns out that this barrel has no bottom. Americans, generally speaking, are far more comfortable reacting. It's quicker, the sense of certainty and rectitude is compelling, and it leaves one feeling as if they KNOW. This is why attack ads too often carry the day during every election cycle. People want to feel as if they can know something with a high degree of certainty. Most folks simply can't be bothered to take the time to soberly reflect upon issues and personalities. Why should they have to, when someone is willing to tell them in 30 seconds what an evil, perverted SOB their opponent is? Ah, instant intellectual certainty; isn't it great when you can divide your world into Good and Evil?
This lack of intellectual rigor only really serves to leave us with a system in which people actively and repeatedly vote against their own interests. Why? Because when you stand for nothing, you all too often will believe ANYTHING if the production values and the message seems convincing. Ominous music, depressing imagery, apocalyptic messaging...before you know it, Candidate X is widely believed to be an agent of Satan who wants to sodomize our precious, underage daughters. That nothing could be further from the truth is beside the point. The truth is not what it objectively is; it's whatever you can convince people to believe that it is.
The 2010 Comprehensive Daily Kos/Research 2000 Poll of Self-Identified Republicans is a truly frightening thing to behold. This may sound horribly arrogant, but what I find so disturbing about this poll is how completely, irredeemably, and aggressive stupid so many Americans are. And these people vote....
Just when you could be forgiven for thinking that the American body politic has gone off the deep end...the poll demonstrates that it truly has...at least on the right side of the spectrum. To wit:
Should Barack Obama be impeached, or not?
Yes 39
No 32
Not Sure 29
For what? Who the Hell knows? OFF WITH HIS FREAKIN' HEAD!! THE MAN'S A SOCIALIST, AMERICA-HATING TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER!!
Do you think Barack Obama is a socialist?
Yes 63
No 21
Based on what evidence? 'Course, that's the beautiful thing. When Fox News Channel is "the most trusted name in news", you have to know that objectivity is passe, and that indoctrination is what passes for journalistic impartiality these days. When your "news" source is Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and/or combinations of the above...well, sober, dispassionate reflection is truly DOA.
Do you believe Sarah Palin is more qualified to be President than Barack Obama?
Yes 53
No 14
Not Sure 33
So, a corrupt, ignorant hockey mom who couldn't even be bothered to finish her first term as Alaska's governor is more qualified than a former US Senator, lawyer, and constitutional law professor? Yeah, edumication is WAY overrated, idn't it?? At least you can see Russia from her house....
Do you believe your state should secede from the United States?
Yes 23
No 58
Not Sure 19
What does is say about Republicans when one out of four truly believe that their state should secede? Well, how about that they have NO IDEA what the unintended consequences of that action would be. Of course, if you're intent on creating a Tea Party Paradise for right-thinking, God-fearing White Folks...this probably seems like a helluva great idea.
At the risk of sounding horribly arrogant, we're a nation of sheep waiting to be led by those skilled and ruthless enough to do so. When a solid portion of the electorate could only charitably be described as empty vessels waiting to be filled with hatred, bile, and reaction, what else could you reasonably expect?
These folks see terrorists as swarthy Islamofascists...and yet completely ignore White Americans (Timothy McVeigh, Eric Rudolph, Scott Roeder) within our midst who have also committed acts of terrorism. They ignore facts that don't fit their pre-conceived notions, and they hold onto those notions with a death grip that only fanatics can understand. Truth is not absolute; it can be molded and massaged to fit the required message of the moment. Barack Obama is not a Kenyan-born, terrorist-loving, America-hating Socialist. This is an undisputed, documented fact...which matters not a whit to those inclined to believe whatever resonates in their fevered lizard brains.
How can we possibly have a reasoned, rational discussion about what we want this country to be when such a large portion of the body politic are morons whose minds are locked, shuttered, and impervious to anything resembling reality?
I'm not about to hold forth about the superiority of my beliefs, but when I can look at the other side and see a complete and utter ignorance of reality, what am I supposed to think? No, I don't expect you to believe as I do. Debate and dissension are hallmarks of a healthy democracy. Unfortunately, it's simply not possible to have a reasoned discussion with those whose idea of debate involves shouting and ridicule.
Welcome to government of, by, and for the lowest common denominator.
WE DESERVE BETTER.
