It is not a coincidence that...

[guillaumeb]

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, workers generally make less money.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, women's rights to make health choices are severely restricted.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, injured or disabled people are treated as 2nd class citizens.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, it is much harder for minorities to vote.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, businesses are easily able to exploit their workers.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, taxpayer subsidies for the rich are called smart politics.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, taxpayer help for the poor and needy are called welfare.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, union member ship is lower.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, statues commemorating slavery and slave owners exist.

It is not a coincidence that in states that are led by the GOP, the non-rich suffer from lack of access to health care.

No, these things are not coincidences. They are the obvious result of a Party that serves the needs of the 1% exclusively

[walkingman]

1. Now to get those white folks (GOP is a white party) to understand they are voting

against their own interests. This has been an issue for decades.

[guillaumeb]

2. Racism is the foundation.

And racism allows the average GOP voter to feel superior.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Yikes. While race *might* be a factor...

please don't call out any group by race. Or gender. Or sexuality.

[guillaumeb]

4. But racism is a factor.

Not all GOP voters are racist. But there is a reason that, since 1968, the GOP has run on race based hate and fear.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. I was responding to the "white folks" comment...

...which is as offensive as "wipepo" broadbrush racial slur.

I'm white and I have actual fucking scars from battling white supremacists.

[guillaumeb]

8. I understand.

In the past two years, our group has confronted declared Nazis and Act for America racists. Generally the confrontations have been verbal.

[Dennis Donovan]

11. I've seen it. But I've been seeing it all my life.

...and it's pissed me off to the point I've got off my white ass ( ) and confronted it. At every turn.

[Dennis Donovan]

14. Things are WAY more fucked up than 1991...

...when I confronted Matt Hale on the streets of Pekin IL*. All the while, I thought of him as an anomaly. But he's become a "feature", not a bug.

*backstory - he was a local racist nincompoop and I was a mulleted (it was '91!! ), mid 20's guy, a raging Dem for 20 yrs by that point, and this CLOWN was across the street from my apt bldg with a bullhorn, spouting nonsense.

I went across the street, and counter-protested. He had a large friend who charged me and shoved me backwards, and my left knee still has the scar. Before I could clock the fat racist punk, the police swarmed in and broke it up.

I wasn't charged with anything, but neither were Matt and his pal. (?!?!)

After the event, my wife came home from her job at the Pekin Daily Times (city/police reporter) and railed about how I dared to "be a story she couldn't report about" because one of the subjects was her husband.

Matt went on to infamy, trying to murder judges, etc. : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_F._Hale

I still look at that scar... with pride because I did *the right thing*.

[guillaumeb]

16. I can accept the mullet.

If memory is correct, I remember Pekin as the center of meth production in Illinois.

We have visited Pekin in the past. Peoria was the site of many training events for me.

[Dennis Donovan]

17. Pekin was a hotbed for KKK in the past

The Pekin Daily Times (my ex-wife's newspaper) used to be run by the Dey family (i.e. Susan Dey, daughter of the publisher and Laurie on The Partridge Family) for yrs and was frowned upon for their conservative bias.

I never saw meth when I lived there, but, thankfully, there was weed. And my dog would poop on Everett Dirksen's lawn around the corner from my apt bldg. But I'd admonish her, because he was a *good* republican. (true story - his house was this modest 2 story "Sears House" and I would tell her "no! not this lawn!" ).

[guillaumeb]

25. A hotbed for the KKK.

I had no idea.

Yes, we can be thankful for weed.

[walkingman]

10. Didn't mean to offend - I am also white but when 85-90% of the GOP is non-hispanic white

that is just a fact. What else would you call it?

[malaise]

5. Great post

Rec

[guillaumeb]

7. Thank you, malaise.

We understand how racism is the foundation of US conservatism, but my view is that few voters understand how much conservative leaders hate workers.

[world wide wally]

9. You left out how wages and educational achievement are lower as well.

Life expectancy is shorter and the infant mortality rate is higher.

[guillaumeb]

13. Excellent additions to the list.

All part of serving the rich.

[Billy Ray Joe Bob.]

12. Why?

Because 30 years of fox news and right wing hate radio have done their job. The hate is instilled and the brainwash is complete. You can't REASON with a fox bot or RUSH LIMBAUGH and SEAN HANNITY listener. They think it's just fine because Jesus you know.

[guillaumeb]

15. Welcome to DU.

And the US corporate media deserves a share of the blame. Considering that 6 large corporations own 90% of the US media, what you wrote is not surprising.

[Billy Ray Joe Bob.]

31. Thanks

It's a sad media on all fronts. All media is owned by OLIGARCHS whose goal is to keep the middle class and poor at each other's throats so as to not come for them.

[guillaumeb]

41. And racism is one of the methods used to divide workers. eom

[Dennis Donovan]

18. You're proposing we...

[pnwmom]

20. This has been going on much longer than Fox news or even hate radio.

It's been going on since the slavery era, really.

[warmfeet]

19. It is not a coincidence that most of Europe, particularly northern Europe, is doing better

than every state in this country. And, oh my gosh, they pay higher taxes than we do. Not - a - coincidence. Push left for a better life. I am pretty damn sick of the right.

[guillaumeb]

26. Taxes are an investment.

The social benefits are the return.

[pazzyanne]

34. Well said!

This has been my opinion since I first started paying taxes (which was in 1966). That first paycheck was a real eye opener and upset me, until I realized that those taxes helped pay for the Social Security and Medicare that all 4 of my grandparents were getting to support them. Since then I have come to realize over the years that I prefer living in "high tax" Minnesota over many of the states that I have visited. You get what you pay for, as my Mom use to say.

[guillaumeb]

42. Thank you.

The Libertarian fantasy philosophy sees all taxes, all government action, as unjust taking from the people.

Canada, like much of Europe, has higher taxes than the US, but the return is better social services and a better quality of life.

[sop]

21. And it's not a coincidence that most states led by the GOP

receive more in federal aid than they pay in federal taxes.

[Kind of Blue]

22. K&R! Excellent post.

[appalachiablue]

23. That needs to be a billboard in Red State America, where

free FOX TV, Hate Radio & Media, Murdoch & Co., the Kochs & other Extreme Billionaires rule.

Hate, ignorance, intolerance and violence have always been around, but there's been an institutionalization of it through megaphone RW media propaganda in the last 35 years. Hate Radio started in 1986, Fox TV in 1996.

These two venues are the Fast News, convenient Drive Thru toxic menus of bigotry and hate, available for free, 24/7 across America.

[guillaumeb]

27. A really excellent response.

Fox, as you noted, is one of the prime causes for the magnification of a toxic, racist viewpoint.

[saidsimplesimon]

24. Another affirmation of

my reasons to elect Democrats. If Republican leadership wanted to take down the monster, they could, if only they had not eaten at the Russian pig trough.

[guillaumeb]

28. I have never voted for one GOP candidate.

The monster is THEIR monster, and he is delivering on his promise to appoint right wing judges.

[H2O Man]

29. Really well done!

Best thing I've read in some time! Thank you for this!

Recommended.

[guillaumeb]

30. Thank you.

A synthesis of my thoughts on the true nature of the GOP.

[H2O Man]

32. I've read it

five times now. Outstanding. It reminds me of one of my favorite RFK speeches.

[JudyM]

33. Really clear and well articulated, cogent argument against GOP leadership.

[guillaumeb]

45. Feel free to share the argument. eom

[Bernardo de La Paz]

35. This is the kind of litany that voters need to hear, and you have a good formulation. . . . nt

[mwb970]

36. The republican voters in these "s**thole states" seem to LIKE it that way.

[guillaumeb]

44. Or, they have been socialized/indoctrinated to see this as the best system. eom

[MasonDreams]

37. I just wish they would quit blaming others.

When it don't work, try something different.

[guillaumeb]

46. An excellent point.

Like Trump, the conservative voter looks for "the other" to blame.

Generally, that other is non-white.

[smirkymonkey]

38. K&R

This needs to go viral. Post on social media everywhere.

[guillaumeb]

43. Please, feel free. eom

[smirkymonkey]

49. I don't have social media accounts.

Sorry.

[guillaumeb]

51. Nor do I.

But if anyone here wants to do so, feel free.

[kimbutgar]

39. What's appalling they keep voting for these cretins and things never get better in their states

Or when they get upset at repukes all it takes some 30 second commercial telling them that the Democratic Party is bad and they fall in line again. So much brainwashing and they can’t disconnect.

Stupid is as stupid does.

[guillaumeb]

47. One definition of insanity, of course,

is repeating the same failed action in hope of a better outcome.

[tiptonic]

40. I think

'Comrade Benedict donald' is a Democratic 'mole'. His job is to destroy the republican party. Funny how things work out.

[guillaumeb]

48. I think Trump is a sociopathic idiot.

And he is a successful con man, but he cons only those who want to believe his foolish slogans.

[ck4829]

50. K&R