Bill Mahar comment

[Playinghardball]

"Every election, roughly half the population votes Democrat, the other half votes Republican. I understand why Republicans get 1% of the vote . . . the richest 1%. That other 49% (of Americans) someone will just have to explain to me. The facts about what the Republicans have done to the Middle Class are beyond reasonable doubt. And yet their base refuses to see it. The moneyed elite of America are dragging a bag filled with your future down the steps and your reaction is, "Hold on there, that looks heavy, let me give you a hand getting that into your trunk." Bill Maher

[arely staircase]

1. spot on

[Initech]

4. It's definitely a scam. A disease even.

If you put four pies on the table, the CEO will take all but one slice and we're supposed to fight over what's left of the scraps. Deregulated capitalism has created a whole new level of greed and it's going to kill us all.

[pangaia]

34. Disaster Capitalism

[MindPilot]

49. Yet somehow most people remain convinced...

that the pie was stolen by the poor, unemployed and disabled.

[Initech]

52. I always say our "let them eat cake" moment happened in 2004.

Remember when Tyco CEO Dennis Koczwalski threw a huge birthday party for his wife in the Greek Islands? The party cost like $6 million. They had a private concert from Jimmy Buffet and they were drinking vodka dispensed from an anatomically correct ice statue of Michelangelo's David. If that doesn't scream "let them eat cake" then I don't know what does!

[Moostache]

54. He made the list of people I wish ill for...

Along side:

Anyone named Bush
Dick Cheney
Donald Rumsfeld
Condi Rice
Dick Fuld
Jamie Dimon
Lloyd Blankfein
John Mack
David Koch
Charles Koch

There's a much longer list of people who I would watch burn in a car fire rather than drag them out, but for the people listed above, I think I would consider obstructing anyone from trying to drag them out of the hypothetical burning vehicle.

[SylviaD]

59. I try to live as Jesus asked of us, and not wish ill on anyone. Not judging you, but... n/t

[pansypoo53219]

58. they use divide + conquer. welfare queens + IGNORE crapitalist welfare KINGS.

we stopped hating the 'man'. we have to hate the kings again.

[Cha]

2. Priceless Perfection that will unfortunately

fail to enlighten those in need.

[SummerSnow]

3. bravo mr maher

[mercymechap]

5. It's hard to believe that

middle-class Republicans don't see it - I guess that "trickle-down economics" still rings true with them, even if nothing has trickled down for years!

[The Wizard]

45. Trickle down

The elites get golden parachutes and the working class gets golden showers.

[rurallib]

6. It is like they keep getting kicked in the nuts

and they look at the rich man kicking them and say "should I pull my pants down so you can get a better angle at them?"

[Jamaal510]

40. Or like Mr. Buzzcut from the Beavis and Butthead episode "Buff 'N Stuff",

where he repeatedly tells Butthead to kick him in the nuts:

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[blackspade]

7. Exactly.

[antigop]

8. Bill, it's not just the Republicans...it's the corporate Dems as well. nt

[erpowers]

9. Misdirection

I think what keeps some middle class people voting for the Republican Party is misdirection. The Republicans have convinced some middle class people that the real problem is poor black and brown people and the government. These members of the middle class have been convinced that if they could just get all those poor black and brown people off welfare and food stamps things would be better for those in the middle class. In addition, they have been convinced that if government would just get off everybody's back and get out of everybody's life the lives of people in this country would be better.

[tavalon]

11. Bingo

What's the Matter With Kansas could be retitled, What's the Matter With Poor and Middle Class Republicans.

[Puzzledtraveller]

25. They get the middle class on the tax angle

[disndat]

33. The 43% see the blacks and poor

as gnawing into their quality of life, rather than the 1% trying to shoot down Social Security, Medicare, and other so-called entitlements.

[florida08]

57. you have it

Dichotomy. Bigotry and taxes. Keep them emotionally angry and racially motivated while the 1% grow fat and powerful.

[uponit7771]

60. +1

[world wide wally]

10. For the past 10 or 12 years, I have been challenging Republicans to name one good thing Republicans

have done for the country in the last 50 years.
This pretty much shuts them up.

One idiot actually had the balls or stupidity to say "The Iraq War"... duuuuh
A couple have said cut taxes of course, but they don't say for who.
Try it... it works!

[obxhead]

12. They can name them

but they don't dare....

It points out their bigotry and stupidity.

[klyon]

30. I asked a repub the other day that I just meet

why he was a repub and he said they are the party of Lincoln
then he went on to say he would vote for Hillary if she ran because she was a "ball buster"
whatever that means
I changed the subject to sports after that

[Jamaal510]

41. The only good thing I can think of from a Republican

in the past half-century is Nixon starting the EPA. But nowadays, most of them don't appear to even like the EPA anymore.

[Zax2me]

13. Yet he also said if Dems in Cali with taxes don't cool it...

They are going to 'lose' me.
I guess he meant it in the sense he will flee to a lower tax state.
I don't trust this guy.

[Puzzledtraveller]

26. Spot on

This tax angle is what the republicans do well.

[mountain grammy]

55. I heard that too.. He said something about 50% and raised his eyebrows

Really, Bill? How many millions do you make a year? So you can't live on 50% of it?
I like Bill Maher, he's got a lot of good things to say and he's funny. When he says something stupid, I send him a note. People with piles of money just don't get it. They work hard, for sure, and give a lot away, but if they think the working poor aren't working hard too, well, they just don't live where I do.

[Dustlawyer]

14. Our government is OWNED by the top 5%! While we play D's & R's, they are walking away

with our money and our rights! The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been electing Judges in every county in the country. They have started fake courthouse newspapers for jurors to read for free while they wait during breaks etc. They have 3 papers so far located in what they term, "judicial hell holes!" Check out the Southeasttexasrecord.com to see what I am talking about. They are above the law as useless Eric Holder admitted under oath the other day. Wake the F up? Everything Senator Bernie Sanders says is true, so why aren't there other Dems out there with him? Because it is all for show, that's why! We lost our country to big Multi-National corporations many years ago. We can expect the downward spiral to continue until things get very bad, then a flash point will happen and look out! I would much rather everyone push for complete campaign finance reform and not vote for anyone who will not publicly support it. There would be so much resistance to any real reform, you would see police going nuts to earn the big "donation" to their retirement fund like we saw in OWS, only worse!

[The Wizard]

43. The flashpoint is unknown

but some crooked bankers hanging from Wall Street lamp posts will change their thinking.

Let's hope we don't get to guillotines and head baskets like the French in 1789.

[dreamnightwind]

15. Nice quote but

I don't think those people see the Democrats as representing the 99% either, so they're left hating both sides and their 3 Gs (guns, god, and gays) plus racism and love of patriarchy tip the scales towards the Republicans. edited to add the unborn to that list.

If the Democrats were going all out to represent the 99%, they would win over many of those people. Of course then they'd be up against the corporations. As it is, the corporations prefer Republicans, but see "centrist" Dems as an acceptable alternative. So it's a tough situation.

I'd greatly prefer to have a party that fully supports the 99%, even if it's an underdog. I think the corporations are ruthless enough that their greed would make them unelectable if only one side supported them. But what do I know.

[YoungDemCA]

48. I don't see the Democrats as representing the 99% either...

At least, not lately.

[pokerfan]

16. Steinbeck

[liberal N proud]

22. Everyone has this fantasy that they will be rich someday

And they want to make sure it is easy street when they "never" get there.

[Puzzledtraveller]

28. I don't buy that all

Outside of seeing desperate people squander what little paycheck they get on lottery tickets. What keeps the middle class largely locked in the republican grip is taxes. The image is made that they are working hard, they are paying their taxes and a swath of american are not doing anything and taking from them. That's what keeps them voting republican. Not a dream of being a millionaire, I don't know anyone who thinks they will be a One percenter one day.

[klyon]

32. it's the propaganda that bombards them day after day

telling them dems are bad, destroying the country, bringing you down....

[MADem]

23. That's precisely how poor Republican voters see themselves!

They also resent people who receive "services" or "assistance" from the government, be they disability benefits, a government retirement, unemployment compensation, or welfare, or anything along those lines...unless, of course, THEY are receiving the benefits, in which case, they've "earned" them.

Great image, that!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

17. My friend complains about how much the rich pay in taxes

Of course, she also complains that her husband was required to join a union (telephone company), even though it provided them with enough money to buy a house with a pool, new cars every year, pay for three children to go to college, provide for a steady retirement with full medical benefits, etc.

Whenever she and her husband start reciting Republican talking points, I just smile and say, "You are watching way too much Fox News."

[toddwv]

31. Most of my friends are like that.

They work cushy, well-paying jobs funded by the government but are solidly "Republican."


I have yet to bring it up because we rarely discuss politics but I kind of feel like their paychecks should be required by law to have a big "This salary is being paid for by 100% US federal tax dollars" or something.

[daybranch]

18. While I agree with the statement, sometimes

People like Maher who are so brilliant forget that antagonizing every one who has a different opinion on any issue is not going to win a lot of converts, But then he is a brilliant comedian, I just wish he would lay off all Christians once in a while. I support Maher's rights to be an aetheist but obviously he does not support mine to be a real Christian- taking care of the sick, the needy,etc.
If Maher would just quit attacking those who he perceives as evil because they are Christians, he could be a great force for good in this country. But then, he can make a lot more money in comedy and just sort of try to help the country. Wake up Bill. Even us Christians say, hate the sin love the sinner. Should you do less?
In any case I will keep watching him as a great comedian.

[MADem]

24. Like the wingnuts tune in to his show...and like he CARES what they think of him....?

As for his views on religion (and not just Christians--he's not a fan of any religion), well, that's his thing--it's not a new view at all. Christians get most of his attention because when there's religious corruption and crime in the USA, it's most often a Christian behind it, because that's the majority faith group in this country.

Plenty of Christians attacks atheists, too, so there's enough of that carping to go around--it's not like that battle is a one-way thing. It's not "comedy" with him, it's his sincerely held beliefs--to the point where he took the time to make a movie about it that wasn't really a laugh a minute. And if you see the movie, he wasn't rude to the religious people in it, he just doesn't buy what's being sold and he said so.

I don't think he--or anyone--should modulate their POV to "please" a target audience. That comes off as insincere to me.

It's possible to enjoy a performer and not agree with everything they say.

[raouldukelives]

35. Sometimes comedy is the only way to portray a hard truth in the media these days.

You have to laugh to keep from crying and I'm glad Bill is out there. As far as his attacks on religion, even though they do make me wince sometimes, it is good that others who share his mindset have a voice. Myself, I think Maher has more of a problem with the people practicing the religion than the religion itself. A problem I have as well. Or as Ghandi said "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ."
Any "Christian" who thinks unprovoked attacks on third world countries are good and passing bills to assist the least among us is bad, hardly seems to qualify as a Christian at all.
Heck, it almost seems like they go out of their way to make themselves really look horrible in the public eye and in so doing, drag down the very religion they claim to adore. If anyone in America is giving Christianity a bad name it is its most outspoken adherents and the insidious crimes they commit in the name of corporate profits and political power.

[The Wizard]

39. "In God We Trust" is on all of the money

and none of the churches.

[colorado_ufo]

19. Bill nailed it!

[tavernier]

20. Simply put, it's sports team mentality

All of the lower and middle class republicans I know personally vote that way because it is the party either their parents chose long ago, or it is the party of their peers and/ or geographic location. It has nothing to do with intelligent research of the facts. If maw and paw and billy Jim bob cheer for the Hickston Hucksters to win, by golly, that's my team too! And unless there is a major personal epiphany, they will stay true to the "team".

[liberal N proud]

21. Exact description of the American electorate

[xchrom]

27. du rec. nt

[tridim]

29. I look at life-long republicans like my parents...

And the fact of the matter is, they are socially liberal and centrist on just about every other issue. Voting Republican is just what everyone does where they live (Kansas City - Kansas Side), it's the 'conservative' thing to do. It's been the same way for 50 years.

My Mom has expressed frustration with the state Republicans she has voted for for the past 8 years. Unfortunately it's always after the election. There are LOTS of non-fundy Republican voters in Kansas City, but very few non-fundy republican candidates.

I'm working on both of my parents, maybe it's time to start working on all of these wishy-washy republicans? Seems like a good time for it as their party spirals down the drain.

[samsingh]

36. bill mahar nails it!

who are the stupid 49% that vote repug to have the repugs kick them around

[The Wizard]

37. Republican appeal to

the worst fears and lowest instincts. Those who watch Pox and listen to Rash are essentially the ignorant and fearful.
They've capitalized on the great dumbing down and exploited its victims and in the process have made themselves rich beyond their wildest dreams.
By abusing the ignorant and fearful to gain and maintain power and abuse that power, they have also made the rest of the working class their victims who pay for Republican abuse and excesses.
Bigotry is a difficult barrier to breach. The only solution I can think of is attrition and resurrecting The Enlightenment.

[Myrina]

38. Except that it's not "half and half" ...

... it's more like 30% and 30%, and 40% of eligible voters stay home entirely.

But I agree with the gist of his message.

[DallasNE]

42. Wedge Issues Trump

Economic self-interest every time. And throw in MSM that does everything in its power to promote the horserace, right up to allowing lies to be part of the everyday reporting. MSM, after all, is part of the 1%. What Maher is saying here is the predictable outcome in that environment. It is universal too -- just look at Europe.

[watoos]

53. You hit the big nail on the head

The MSM is run by 6 multinational corporations, all are conservative, they control the narrative.
Even saying that MSNBC is liberal isn't exactly true.
In 2003 when Phil Donahue was putting out anti-war broadcasts, he got canned. NBC was run by GE and Microsoft at that time and they stood to profit from the war.
More recently when MSNBC newscasters start telling the truth and stray from the narrative look what happened; Keith Olbermann, Dylan Ratigan, Cenk Uygar.
No, the biggest lie out there is that the MSM is liberal, it enables the lies.

[guardian]

44. Bill Maher is great

I love his show.

[ZombieHorde]

46. Abortion, marriage equality, and immigration. nt

[MineralMan]

47. Just a note for you to consider.

I just did a search for "Bill Mahar" on Google. Your post comes up as third result in the list. Other results were for people whose names actually are Bill Mahar. However, if I search for "Bill Maher" your thread is nowhere to be found.

Google watches DU closely and is constantly spidering it and indexing post titles. When new posts are made, the titles of those posts get immediate high rankings in search results. Google thinks that DU is important enough to rank original post title highly. Any new DU post with a distinctive title shows up within minutes near the top of search results. SEO really works with DU posts.

Despite the correct spelling of Bill Maher's name in the body of your post, the misspelling in the title prevents your post from appearing when people Google the man's name.

Proofreading titles is very important on DU. Get them right, and many more people will find your post and read it. Spell something wrong, and nobody except other current DUers will know that you posted anything.

Just something to think about.

[DirtyDawg]

50. Reminds me...

...of the 'joke'...A CEO, a Tea-Partier and a union guy are sitting at a table with a plate with a dozen cookies on it. The CEO takes eleven of the cookies, turns to the Tea-Partier and says, 'Watch out for the union guy...he's gonna try to get part of your cookie'.

[YoungDemCA]

51. I don't think calling lower and middle income Republicans "stupid" helps...

Especially when Democrats haven't been offering a very good alternative to the GOP, as of late.

There are many reasons why some people of modest means might vote Republican, but the biggest reason is that people are really not purely "rational" when they make their choices (and this is true regardless of economic or social status). And the amount of misinformation and disinformation that is propagated by large media corporations, owned by very wealthy individuals, plays into that.

Don't blame, mock, or ridicule lower and middle class Americans for their views, especially if you want to win their votes. Seems like a losing strategy to me.

[mountain grammy]

56. Here's the thing, my nephew sees people (mostly black) in the stores with food stamps

and they are buying all kinds of great food that my nephew can't afford, and getting wads of cash back. He's seen it with his own eyes, and by golly, that's where our hard earned tax dollars go. And my niece applied for assistance and couldn't get it because "she's not the right color" (not because she gets survivor benefits and is named on a large trust fund for her daughter, and lives rent free in the trust fund's house.) They all vote Republican and miss W. They all live in Texas. Their my family.

[TrollBuster9090]

61. I like the Pizza analogy better.

Since Reagan re-structured the tax burden in 1981 (shifting the burden onto salaries and off of capital gains), 80% of the income gains have gone to the wealthiest 5% of the population.


That's like 20 guys ordering a 20 slice pizza, and when it arrives ONE GUY takes 16 slices and then points to one of the other guys and says "watch that UNION asshole, he's going to try and get a bigger share of what's left than the REST of you." And the Republican Base are the nine guys who actually BELIEVE that con.