There are certain intangibles about Republicans that cause one to hate them, and this image I came across tonight brings them all into perspective. Republicans aren't hated because they propose positions contrary to those which make sense, everyone tends to do that from time to time. Nor are Republicans hated because of their belief in God, and their demanding that Christianity be made a part of every Americans life, though this brings us closer to the answer. Republicans are hated because they see everything in black and white.
To them, there is no middle ground where parties can meet and agree on solutions, even though such a solution doesn't include everything they wanted. This is what rational people do, but to the Republicans, it's just not acceptable. There refuse to be reasonable all while fooling themselves into thinking they are such. And there's certainly no arguing with them; it's like trying to talk sense to a child, and likewise, they will act like children while proping themselves up as the mature adult who knows better, therefore a defense of their stances need not be applied. Just like an annoying parent who constantly tells their children, "Because I said so!," the Republicans treat those who question them like some insolent little brats who need to be punished, rather then intellectual equals who also have viable solutions to the world's problems.
They are smug, snobby, ruthless, unforgiving, and unwilling to see anyone elses point of view. And yet they wonder why we hate their guts.
I know some Republicans reading this, whom I have had good debates with, will protest simply because of the fact that they've listened to me, I've listened to them, and we've had open and honest debate. Unfortunately, it seems like they are becoming a minority under the Republican tent. In NYC, I was able to have an honest conversation with a Republican for over an hour, but many people couldn't hold such an exchange for 10 seconds. The Republican would keep interrupting, placing words in the other party's mouth, call them names... You just couldn't talk with these people. For a good example of this behavior, read this exchange between me and a member of the Protest Warriors. Compare his warped version of reality...
We were not there to provoke, only to debate... and I did meet plenty of people who were up for an honest debate as we infiltrated their march. Unfortunately, for every nice anti-Bush protester, there were about 50 completely crass, disrespectful, lemmings.
...to me telling him what actually happened.
As for you guys not being there to provoke, only debate, bullshit. The stance that Protest Warriors take is very aggressive, waving signs that blatantly make fun of protesters while shouting at us. That's no way to open an honest debate.
I know what went down, and the smug manner in which his group acted. But, to him and the rest of the Protest Warriors, they acted in a manner which invited open and honest debate. This is a great example of what today's Republican actually thinks.
The picture I found typifies the attitude of today's Republican. "Deep down you know he's wrong." Why? Because I told you so, that's why! Don't you dare provide a counterargument, because you're just wrong. Period. End of discussion. God Bless America!
How do you deal with people like this? Or, maybe a more important question to ask is can we deal with people like this?
