Narcissists are ruining America

[n2doc]

We're on the verge of bombing another country -- because a few conceited people want to feel good about themselves
BY DAVID SIROTA



One telltale trait of narcissists is their ability only to see how their actions affect them, and not others. In the narcissist’s mind, if doing something makes him feel good, then the act is inherently good — even if it is terrible for lots of other people and makes an overall situation a whole lot worse.

This is a good way to understand the current proposal to bomb Syria.

From President Obama to British military leaders to the U.S. military planner who sculpted the attack plan, almost everyone acknowledges that sending cruise missiles into Syria will most likely not make anything better, will not stop the civil war and probably will not reduce human suffering. As the UK admits, the best (though certainly not guaranteed) chance of actually accomplishing any of those objectives is to mount a full-scale invasion.

Of course, that course of action could result in, among other things, thousands of U.S. casualties and roughly $300 billion a year in expenses. Understandably, those are costs America does not want to incur. And that’s where the narcissism comes in.

Many Americans supporting a new war in the Middle East want to feel good about themselves. Many want to feel like we did “the right thing” and didn’t stand by while chemical weapons were used (even though we stand by — or use them ourselves — when we’re told that’s good for America). But, then, many war supporters desperately want these heartwarming feelings without the worry that they may be face any inconvenient costs like higher taxes or body bags at Dover Air Force Base.

more

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/08/war_mongers_are_appalling_narcissists/

[adirondacker]

1. Yes They Are, and it's not divided by party anymore.

Moyers: 'Narcissistic' government has created 'United States of Inequality'

[laundry_queen]

2. Some narcissists are specifically drawn to 'helping people'

in order to get their narcissistic supply. That would mean there's a certain percentage that choose the Democratic party under the guise of caring in order to bolster their own image. But I'd say generally, narcissists cross all party lines for sure. Heck, there are even some here at DU

[adirondacker]

5. I read somewhere that narcissists are attracted to "codependants". It seems to fit some of my former

relationship issues. (both personal and professional) :/

My grandmother (from socialist Slovakia) use to say "There are givers and takers. Hold out two apples and watch to see who takes the bigger and better one". Greed can be easy to spot.

[snagglepuss]

6. to view later

[avaistheone1]

3. I believe they are Narcissists.

If you have ever read about narcissists their behavior can well border on sociopathic.

K&R

[Jackpine Radical]

4. There is most assuredly a strong intersection of traits.

[avaistheone1]

7. And often malignantly so as we may soon witness

as we start throwing bombs at Syria.

[KG]

8. I am not!

[tavalon]

9. I really don't get how John Kerry can do this

He knew the lies of the war he was in. Now he's perpetuating lies to keep the war machine going. I don't understand him at all. Not that I understand any of this, frankly. It's disgusting. This civil war has been going on for over two years and just now we need to get our war hard on?

[Bluenorthwest]

10. He was a huge supporter of the Iraq invasion, voted for it, spent lots of words on WMDs being

a big threat to our security, he said in 2004 he still would have voted for war. The other day on Chris Hayes show Kerry claimed he and Hagel both opposed the Iraq war, which they both voted for. 23 Senators voted NO. They voted Yes. Kerry is a liar and warmonger, the only war he ever opposed was the one he was in, which he opposed for daring to include him.

[DirkGently]

11. Gigantic arrogance, anyway.

Cheney's little marketing phrase "American exceptionalism" encapsulates it pretty well. The conceit is that America is entitled to do things no one else can because ... it's America.

The implication is that America is, and moreover *must believe* that it is better, smarter, more ethical, etc. than any other nation, and that further, people like Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al., know what is best, and should be left alone to carry out their respective visions.

It's an appeal to arrogance, to self-centeredness, to magical thinking by which whatever "we" do is right, nevermind it's not actually right, nor even actually "we."

Meanwhile, we eventually discover that a million interests not at all related to what was claimed were the motivators. Contracts for Halliburton. Kisses from the Saudi Royal family. Pipelines, airbases, mutual ass-covering and favors.

It has always been thus. But here and there, people refuse to go along. Occasionally, the carefully crafted script goes awry.

It's actually surprising how few people are buying the rationale that we have suddenly noticed that Assad is ruthless; suddenly realized only WE can "help." By doing, of course, what the same people always want to do, and for which we continue to pay and pay and pay to their benefit and our detriment.

[HardTimes99]

12. I misread your headline as "Narcissists

are running America"

Oh wait . . .

[forestpath]

14. K&R

[gopiscrap]

15. Good article