Confession of a former Rush Limbaugh fan

[gerogie2]

I'm 52 yrs old. 25 years ago I was fully employed and living the American dream. I listened to Rush everyday and thought Rush was right. I hated unions and poor people because they were leeches off my tax dollars. I voted GOP in every election.
A couple of years ago after a long life of working and living fit I had a massive heart attack caused by a genetic defect.
My non-union job fired me for not showing up for work while I was in the hospital. I lost my health insurance thirty days later while I recuperated in a skilled nursing home. The bills ran close to $100,000 dollars. I finally recovered six months later, but no one would hire me for a job after submitting over a hundred resumes and getting only two interviews that ended as soon as the interviewer say that I was older.
My house went into foreclosure and the wife split for a more stable man. I finally was able to get a job with about 35 hours a week with no benefits and barely above minimum wage. After 3 months on the job I had another heart attack that left me severely disabled. I ended up on Social Security Disability and food stamps. I finally filed for bankruptcy admitting that the 'I did it all by myself' is just not true.

I don't listen to Rush or other right wing talk show host any longer. After all Rush is a member of the 1% and his solution for people like me is to end all assistance and let us die in the gutter.

A large majority of Rush's listeners are just like me. One paycheck or health crisis away from living in the gutter. Today I'm glad that democrats have provided a safety net for people like me. If the republicans were in charge all people like me would be dead due to lack of care and no place to live.

God Bless America and it's safety net.

[OKNancy]

1. I'm sorry it took such horrible experiences to turn you

I wish you good health in the future.

[TexasProgresive]

2. I'm sorry that you had to go through all that pain

[edhopper]

3. Welcome to DU.

It would be good to hear how you think we can reach the people that were like you 25 years ago.
What arguments would they listen to to understand how terrible the GOP is for them and this country?

[Historic NY]

4. Rush's interests, aren't your interests, they are his gravy train.

[peabody]

5. Welcome aboard!

I'm glad the safety nets caught you. I hope your health continues to improve and you can bounce back from the all the hard times you've had.

[eggplant]

6. Welcome!

[SomethingFishy]

7. I'm sorry you went through all that...

You were like many other Republicans. Not that I'm looking to insult you but what you had was a total lack of empathy. No understanding of what other people were going through. It's a staple of Republicanism. The idea that "well if I'm able to do it everyone else should be able to do it too". No comprehension of what it's like to grow up poor, or to be disabled, or to be born gay. No idea what it's like to be discriminated against, or to have problems that are beyond your control.

The perfect current example is Rand Paul. Here's a guy who wants to cut off unemployment because he thinks people are lazy. Yes the man who makes $164,000 a year for working 129 days and accomplishing exactly NOTHING, is calling everyone else lazy.



Welcome to the big tent You are in a unique position to help change minds and make this country a better place for all.

And BTW it's not just Rush listeners, most of us are one paycheck or one small disaster away from being homeless..

[Jackpine Radical]

14. I'd love to sit down & talk to this guy.

My major question would relate to the breadth of his new-found compassion. Many conservative who have "seen the light" have seen it only in relatively narrow and compartmentalized ways. Like the cancer survivor who goes on to endow a cancer charity but is oblivious to the needs of the poor and underprivileged, or even survivors of other diseases. How about concern for future generations, whose lives stand a fair chance of being devastated by climate change? In other words, It seems to me that many on the right have blinders which prevent them from seeing and responding to the conditions of people unlike themselves; they seem to lack the imagination to identify with the fortunes and misfortunes of people with whom they have little obvious situational affinity.

On the other hand, there are many who, for whatever reason, seem to have simply suppressed their broad-gauge compassion for whatever reason-peer influence, overexposure to Rush and Rand (either one, Ayn or Paul) and acceptance of a harsh libertarian philosophy because they don't think it through in terms of its real (rather than simplistically theorized) consequences in the real world. These latter conservatives, once they wake up, fairly quickly reject the whole wingnut ethic, and their suppressed compassion spreads its wings in short order when released to do so.

Edited to add that these comments relate to 2 poles of a spectrum, with many or most people falling somewhere between them.

[SomethingFishy]

20. Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it right wing radio/internet and Fox news

really do have massive influence. The truth is, if that was all I listened to and I had no curiosity about the truth I'd probably be like the rest of the sheep. It's a form of brainwashing. You keep repeating the message over and over till it becomes part of peoples psyche.
The Republicans took what people learned about advertising and applied it to Politics.

Where's the beef?
Plop Plop Fizz Fizz..
Liberals are destroying America.

Jackson Browne from Lives In The Balance:

They sell us the president the same way
They sell us our clothes and our cars
They sell us every thing from youth to religion
The same time they sell us our wars
I want to know who the men in the shadows are
I want to hear somebody asking them why
They can be counted on to tell us who our enemies are
But they're never the ones to fight or to die
And there are lives in the balance
There are people under fire
There are children at the cannons
And there is blood on the wire

[nikto]

77. Great quote

You are a rockin' DUer, SomethingFishy.

Hip, you are.

[Enthusiast]

99. Hell yes!

[Enthusiast]

96. +1 a whole bunch.

The RIGHT WING NOISE AND MISINFORMATION MACHINE® have carefully constructed these blinders you speak of. Listeners to right wing radio and Fox "News" actually cannot see the truth. But you knew that.

[gussmith]

64. Gravy Train

You identified just some of the compensation for senators. And that is part of the problem - our representatives are removed from common everyday experiences.

[Enthusiast]

95. +1 a whole bunch.......nt

[lamp_shade]

8. You will feel welcome here.

[shenmue]

9. Thank you

I'm glad you changed your mind.

[bluestate10]

36. The problem is that he had to go through so much pain to get to the point of having

empathy for unfortunate people outside of those within his former tight circle. What I hope now is that the OP lives a good life going forward, AND help with the fight for the items that society need, affordable, quality health care for every American, reasonable job security, education of the young and retraining older citizens for new jobs, a good safety net for people that run into tough headwinds.

[ybbor]

42. Agreed

Unfortunately I am of the belief that if none of this bad stuff had happened he would still be a ditto head disparaging all of us over here fighting for everyone's betterment. I hope I am wrong in this belief, but far too many people who think the way he had never have the experience he had to make them converts.

As said in other responses, go tell it to the folks on the other side. We already feel this way. Congrats on seeing the light, regardless of your path, but spread it to those who maybe won't experience the situation you have to get here.

[Plucketeer]

44. +1

SPOT on!

[Lamonte]

120. Ditto

I agree. These people only become compassionate when they need help. I hope everyone of the Rush fans experience the same or worse. I can hate these people because they are the enemy. They want to destroy working people, minorities, females, unions, senior citizens and anyone that dares ask them to help our needy. To varying degrees they have Narcissistic Personality Disorders. I also believe the neo conservatives do not understand why we have societies. I always thought we had societies for the mutual benefit of all.

[olegramps]

128. I absolutely agree with these posts. Where is these people's empathy when they were riding high.

[Enoki33]

147. Priorities

In my business I often meet folks who work hard at what they do, have a mortgage, family and food on the table yet are one pay check away from disaster who consistently vote the Republican ticket. When I point out they are voting against their own best self interest and that of their kids they invariably thoughtlessly respond with talking points taken directly from Fox and right wing radio. In a few shocking cases it is their pastor who reinforces those talking points. I fear that the innate selfishness of their message will not change until something disastrous occurs in a personal way.
I regret the unfortunate circumstances and welcome the change of priorities.

[AlbertCat]

153. go through so much pain to get to the point of having empathy for unfortunate people

Yep.... fell for it all, until it happened to HIM.

But it's almost "natural" to be selfish if your selfishness is being supported and praised from everywhere.

Reagan's "greed is good" meme was snatched up by everyone.... because of it's false promise.

[TeamPooka]

10. Life has a liberal bias if you live long enough. nt

[nikto]

78. Beautiful!!

Life has a liberal bias if you live long enough.

















(worth repeating)

[SCVDem]

11. About those safety nets

Do you mean unemployment?

I'm broke in California and get no response from UI.

Divorce and living under the bridge is next.

When do we organize and riot?

[abelenkpe]

19. There is only one way to get a real person on the phone at EDD in CA

You need to go into your local office and they will give you a special number and private cubicle to help you get through. They change the number every so often so going in is the only way. They are seriously understaffed right now. But don't put off going in! The people in the office are very helpful and understanding.

Lost my job last year when company I worked for went bankrupt so recently had to go through all that stuff so hope this helps...

[SCVDem]

26. Went in to the Glenoaks edd

I was told they could not access my records and to use a computer to send an e mail. That was number three.
A letter to our state sen got no response. Neither did letter five to edd

[Sirveri]

86. That sucks, I've been there a decade ago myself.

I desperately needed to contact them, it seems the only way to do that is to get them to contact YOU. Call the phone, you can't even get into the line to wait to speak to someone, it's totally full and dumps you straight off. I was hoping that they would have fixed it in a decade... maybe once we regain our fiscal footing we can look at renovating their system to handle the demand. I wish we had done that sooner.

[SCVDem]

92. This IS the new system.

Things wer going smoothly until just before Labor Day when the EDD brought their new computer system on line.. This makes the ACA rollout look like a success. It has messed up payments, overpaying some and not paying others. We got a letter stating the prooblem and how they were working on it,

Meanwhile the ACA got the press and is working and I still can't get a basic response. Of course my letter to our State Sen also went without response. Screw You Sen. Knight!

It's another 0300 and I am stress awake, Time for more Xanax and Ambien while a small pot hit would work better.

Of course then I fail the piss test. Idiotic, isn't it?

Phone calls go round and round always ending with a disconnect.

[Sirveri]

97. The phone issues sound the same, payroll not so much

When I got discharged from the military they started sending me checks for 0$. I finally managed to get an email response and was told they needed my DD-214. Faxed it out and they managed to fix it. Barely made it those tense four weeks, and somehow the wife managed to get a job during that time. But that was about... 5 years ago now... About 5 years before that I kept bouncing on and off the employment rolls so ended up getting a lot of experience with the EDD, decided it was easier to just take a tour in the Navy. Still not sure if that was a good idea, but it ended up working out for me. Wish I could help out more with the current system, I think I'm too far out to offer useful advice. But good luck, I'm rooting for you for what that's worth. Maybe less letters, more phone calls and emails (I always had good luck with emails to the EDD, but that was 5 years ago). I guess that's typical of CA bureaucracy, we're stripped to the bone for staffing, per capita we have the least civil service employees of any state. Then people wonder why everything takes so long to process. And yeah, the drug testing is out of control, one more way for the employer to let you know who is in charge.

[abelenkpe]

12. There but for the grace of God, go I

I'm so sorry you went through all of that. I wish more people would realize how important it is to care and support those less fortunate. I hope you see nothing but healthier more prosperous days ahead.

[Laelth]

13. Utterly gut-wrenching but far too typical.

You rightly note that most "of Rush's listeners are just like me. One paycheck or health crisis away from living in the gutter." I know that, and you now know it too, but what I need to know is this:

What could have helped you to see this reality before you ended up where you are now? What can Democrats, liberals, and other well-meaning people do to convince those "I did it all by myself" people to support sane government policy and a strong social safety net? How do we get through to those people? What would have convinced you?



-Laelth

[yuiyoshida]

15. As Jim Rome would say "Welcome to the Jungle"

I don't know why I am quoting Jim Rome, he's a massive Jerk, Like Limbaugh.

[DeSwiss]

28. You're quoting GnR!

[center]

[/center]

[yuiyoshida]

31. Oh I know....

I just had to mention Jim Rome, cause I hate his stupid attitude.

[Locrian]

127. not GnR - "The Jungle" by Sinclair Lewis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle

The main character in the book is Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant trying to make ends meet in Chicago. The book begins with his wedding feast after his marriage to the 15-year-old Ona Lukoszaite, also Lithuanian. The second chapter describes their lives and extended families in Lithuania.

Rudkus and his wife settle in Chicago's Packingtown district, where many immigrants who don't know much English work. He takes a job at Brown's slaughterhouse. Rudkus had thought the US would offer more freedom, but he finds working conditions harsh. He and his young wife struggle to survive. They fall deeply into debt and are prey to con men. Hoping to buy a house, they exhaust their savings on the down-payment for a sub-standard slum house, which they cannot afford. The family is evicted after their money is taken.

Rudkus had expected to support his wife and other relatives, but eventually all – the women, children, and his sick father – seek work to survive. As the novel progresses, the jobs and means the family uses to stay alive slowly lead to their physical and moral decay. Accidents at work, and other events lead the family closer to catastrophe. One injury results in Jurgis being fired; he later takes a job at Durham's fertilizer plant. The family's tragedies accumulate as Ona confesses that her boss had raped her, and made her job dependent on her giving him sexual favors. In revenge, Rudkus attacks Connor, resulting in arrest and imprisonment.

After being released from jail, Rudkus finds that his family has been evicted. He finds them staying with relatives, where Ona is in labor with her second child. She dies in childbirth from blood loss at eighteen. Rudkus had lacked the money for a doctor. Soon after, his first child drowns in a muddy street. Rudkus leaves the city and takes up drinking. His brief sojourn as a hobo in rural United States shows him that there is really no escape – farmers turn their workers away when the harvest is finished.

[democrank]

16. Welcome to DU.

Sorry you`ve had such a tough time of it. Hope things improve for you.

I`m pleased to say I haven`t listened to Rush for a long, long time...years...and I`m better off for it. He`s a pig with absolutely nothing of value to say.

I`m convinced empathy is the key and I hope with all my heart that the good people of this earth continue to lift one another up and fight onward for social and economic justice.

[world wide wally]

17. Personally, I wish you all the luck in the world and your future is much better than your recent

past. At the same time, I can't help but point out that you are a poster child for Republican selfishness that has gotten us to the point where something like this can even happen to someone in this "land of opportunity" we call America.

You would be doing a greater service to all of us if you posted this on right wing websites like Free Republic.

In any case, welcome to reality and good luck.

[Maynar]

23. You would be doing a greater service to all of us if you posted this on right wing websites

like Free Republic.

This^^

You're preaching to the choir here. Nothing wrong with that, but your message needs to be heard in the Halls of the Freepers etc.

I wish you the best and hope your health improves in future. Good luck!

[Ahpook]

34. Those parasites would simply ban him

and delete the thread.

[treestar]

135. After they blamed him for not having insurance

And not saving up for this type of problem. (Which none of them have done most likely).

Referring him to charity - the church, etc. That he should have prayed more.

[Enthusiast]

100. The poster would be attacked unmercifully if he posted that on Free Republic.

But you knew that.

[BlueToTheBone]

18. Actually that should read...Liberals Bless America

because that's how this happened. God had NOTHING to do with the politics. Welcome to DU. You will get a true education on many subjects as long as you keep that "beginner's mind" attitude that allows new information to come in. Sorry you had to be beaten down so badly, but you have a whole new life ahead of you. I hope you remember to change your voter's registration form to proudly say "Democratic Party"

[catbyte]

21. Welcome to DU!

[Thinkingabout]

22. You are one of many who has voted against their best interest. Sorry for your

Problems. After many years of explaining unions to one Republican he finally realized unions work for
more than union members, for better working conditions, decent wages to maintain our homes perhaps without using social nets to help and trying to make better employees. Unions fought for pensions and health care also.

[Cha]

24. Yep, it's easy for so many to get sucked in by limbaugh, fox, and

their ilk.. and then life happens.

I'm so sorry, georgie, that you had to go through hell to see they're so full of shit.

[LittleGirl]

25. Listen

You have to shout this out to your conservatives friends even if they are former friends. We need more of you out there to right the wrong that is going on in this country. Your story is perfect for those that are going through it and you need to shout them down and shut them down too.

Good luck and welcome to the right side of history. You've just proven your still human and humane.

Big hugs and a warm blanket if you're in the northern parts of the country too.

[Enthusiast]

101. +1 a whole bunch.......nt

[Skittles]

27. so sorry what you had to go through to make you understand

but you have a place here georgie2 and we welcome you

[DeSwiss]

29. K&R

- This is what you need. And if you live in Colorado its free.

[GatorOrange]

30. I was a victim of the Conservative Media Echo Chamber too....

My father was an intense devotee to the church of Limbaugh/Faux News. I bought it hook, line, and sinker for years. Then Iraq rolled around....some things started to smell fishy. Beck's "Rally For America", the way The Dixie Chicks were eviscerated, and how all debate seemed neutralized/everyone seemed to march in line with that imbecile Bush. Started to open my eyes to the big picture and look more into multiple sources. Caught DU because of Top 10 Conservative Idiots and it grew from there.

As for opening the common conservatives eyes...it really comes down clearing the Faux News/Conservative Media Echo Chamber fog of BS. Pointing out hypocrisy is an incredible first start and gets your foot in the mental door. A conservative will say "Obama is a TAX AND SPEND LIB-RUL!". Just need to point out how Reagan tripled the debt, Cheney's line about "Reagan Taught Us Deficits Don't Matter Anymore", and the trillions upon trillions George Dubya Bush tacked on the debt. Then move onto fundamental individuality. Conservative Media Echo Chamber Victims have been brainwashed to think Democrats are in power to take their money, livelihood, prosperity, and even their apple pie. Point out that (most) Democrats could care less about getting into getting into a persons bedroom, in a persons doctors office, or in a woman's uterus. We want prosperity for everyone.

It's really a tough task; but starting at hypocrisy will at least open their eyes to the BS being spewed. A far easier task nowadays with the internet and the available sources to refute it.

[Enthusiast]

103. "and even their apple pie"

Damn liberals, so mean spirited!

[beemer27]

32. Welcome back to the Real World

Most of the listeners to right-wing talk radio are like you. Regular people who are making it in today's world. The problem is that most of us are also just like you-just one major illness or sickness away from losing everything. If the good job that we have been working at for the last 20 years would disappear, and they do, there are no employers that want an older worker who knows enough to stand up for their own rights. They want young healthy people who they can scare into working like machines.
The hosts on talk-radio would have us believe that we are the "middle-class" that all those parasites are taking advantage of. In reality, most of us receive much more from the government than our taxes pay for. The rich want to make more money, and keep it. It is to their advantage to have people like us voting the way that would let them not pay taxes, and get more of that special welfare that the rich call "business incentives". The talk-shows trick us into identifying with these rich people, and end up voting for them, instead of our own self-interest. This game has been going on for a long time. Some people are finally starting to wake up, but too many will never see the light. The elections this coming year will be very important. Be sure to vote for the people who are working for YOU, not the special interests that have bought their loyalty. Tell all of your friends and family what the deal is too. You might get thru to some of them, and we will need every vote.

[CatWoman]

33. *hugs* gerogie

[alfredo]

35. My union, the NALC saved me from the same fate. Fuck rush

[Quixote1818]

37. Your post put tears in my eyes. Thanks for telling your story. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

38. Oh my goodness! I am so sorry you've been through so much!

[JustAnotherGen]

39. Bless you

And though you most likely still have troubles - I'm glad my taxes can help you. Thank you for sharing.

[jtuck004]

40. Good. So what would have opened the window into your mind, or otherwise helped you

move away from the dark side BEFORE you had your experiences. What approach, hearing anything would have changed your mind?

We know from research that it isn't just the media. There HAS to be a person...close friend, trusted someone, that you listen to who then opens your mind to the message from media. Who was that for you? (Don't name names or make them really identifiable!- just the relationship...).

Is there anyone else who might have caused you to question what you were hearing?

Welcome to the other side of your life, neighbor...

[freshwest]

41. Best wishes and don't forget to 'pay it forward.' Let compassion flow through you now. n/t

[CFLDem]

43. Super mega ditto!

[MattBaggins]

45. Now you know what we fight for

I had a heart attack as well at the age of 39 and lost my job as well.

Lost all my savings and could barely afford my COBRA payments. Luckily UI and government loans have allowed me to switch to Nursing as a career.

[Shandris]

46. I was raised to be a good little Republican too...

...so I know where you're coming from.

Welcome home.

[skepticscott]

47. Welcome to the party...late

Your story is...interesting, to say the least. Are you going to actually do anything to counteract your decades-long support for that mother fucker, and your promotion of his talking points? Do you realize how much damage, possibly irreparable, people like you have done to this country?

[bluestate10]

66. The fact is that unless the OP inherits a lot of money or wins a big lottery prize, he is of

no interest to people like Limbaugh and the rightwing. Given the OP's age and cardiac problems finding a job is likely impossible unless employment becomes so full that companies are forced to give older workers serious employment consideration. Sadly, the OP is likely going to need the social safety net for the rest of his life. So, Limbaugh, Romney, Ryan, Christy, et al, have no interest in what the OP thinks or feel, the OP is just another "taker" to them. I truly don't understand why a poor or middle class person ever vote republican. But a lot of people that are one lost job or illness away from economic destitution vote incessantly for republicans, even as they get nothing back for their votes even when they are still part of the "maker" class. But win a republican voting American falls out of the "maker" class, that person dies as far as the republican party is concerned.

[skepticscott]

70. It is the OP and people like him

who have kept Limbaugh and his ilk on the air, spreading their bile and their lies for so many years, while progressive talk radio has shrunk. It is the OP and people like him who elected GWB for 8 years, with all of the consequences of that, not least of which is a hard right wing SC. It is the OP and people like him who have given the Republicans the control they have in Congress and in state legislatures all over the country. It is the OP and people like him who ensured that global warming has progressed to the point that nothing can reverse it. I could go on and on.

So I repeat, what is the OP going to do to to balance out all the harm he's done? And why should he be congratulated until he has?

[Egalitarian Thug]

88. And I also note that the OP lacks any confessions, any apologies, and any sign of contrition.

He's not sorry, he's just sorry he got caught.

[skepticscott]

108. Or perhaps to put it more accurately

he's sorry that he actually had to live in the kind of world that he thought all those "other people" should have to live in. I see nothing unjust about that, though. Only a hard, but necessary life lesson. If he wants to do some actual good, he might try spreading that lesson around to his gang of dittohead friends, if he has the courage, instead of coming here looking for absolution.

[Egalitarian Thug]

111. Completely agreed. Want to make any bet on the likelihood of this one doing anything

beyond playing the suckers?

I don't get any part of my non-surveillance-agency identity from DU, but if I did, I would be embarrassed by the reaction to this obvious bait.

[skepticscott]

114. Well, it's hard to be too harsh

with people who seem sincerely to want to see the best in others, but sometimes I can't help but shake my head at the lack of a critical eye and mind among so many DUers.

[99Forever]

125. Harsh, but very true.

It stays within the selfish pattern of the "conservative" mindset.

[StevieM]

158. Actually, he said that he now realizes that he was wrong to have believed that

"I did it all by myself" back when times were good.

[florida08]

93. my thought exactly

and that's the problem. It takes something horrific to wake these hardliners up. Even then it's more about them than the millions of people who continue to suffer decades under the GOP maniacal and self centered regimes. They don't recognize they are merely pawns used to promote them. Then when it does it's they have a coming to Jesus moment. Meanwhile the suffering continues while a new hardliner takes their place.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

112. Yes. He should wear a sack cloth and ashes, and a large "R" on his clothing!

For Rush Listener!

He must atone!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Idiot.

[skepticscott]

115. It would not be an exaggeration

to say that GOP control in this country (enabled by the OP and people like him) has caused a lot of death and suffering, and will cause a lot more in the future. If the OP is truly sincere, he might ask what he could do to make up for his part in all that, rather than just posting a hit-and-run attention grabber. Sans the sackcloth.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

117. What is it about this country where people constantly demand repudiation and recompense?

For crissakes, he's not Rush Limbaugh himself, he's a former Rush listener. He's not the cause of the problem here, he's the symptom.

Your attitude is no better than the attitude conservatives took post-September 11th when they demanded moderate Muslims "speak out" against Bin Laden and Al Quaeda. As if they even needed to do that in order to reject that ideology.

Get over yourself, why don't you?

[skepticscott]

119. In case you missed it

The OP said "I voted GOP in every election". That's a cause, not a symptom, dude.

Those "moderate Muslims" you're talking about didn't help elect or support Bin Laden or Al Qaeda in any way, now did they? So your analogy is bullshit.

[treestar]

136. Is that really the best way to react?

Sometimes I think the purists want to be in a tiny minority that can feel superior. Would you rather the freepers all remain so and never change their minds?

[skepticscott]

137. No, I'd rather that converted freepers

(assuming that this is one of them) recognize the harm that they and their ilk have done, acknowledge responsibility for it, and make an effort to undo some of that damage. I don't think they deserve credit, and certainly not praise, for simply showing up and saying they've "seen the light", especially when the conversion has been motivated by self-interest (as it seems to have been in this case), rather than actual compassion for others, and genuine recognition that the right wing way is deeply flawed.

Problem with any of that?

[treestar]

138. Yes, it does not allow for human nature

When you are getting a behavior you want, you do not attempt to undo it and get the person to go back to the old way because they resent your treatment of them. Being unforgiving will not increase the number of liberals and might get someone on the fence to go back to the other side.

You don't praise people for doing the right thing, but harp on the fact they were once wrong. Very unwise, as if you don't really want to get ahead but would rather be in a small minority that can claim some type of superior "rightness."

[skepticscott]

149. Which again raises the serious question

of what they are actually "doing" and why. If they are embracing the liberal safety net side of things only because it happens to be their way of saying "I got mine" at the moment, if they would go back to the other side as soon as they thought it was in their best interest, or if they're choosing sides only based on who is being most polite at one particular point in time, and not because they give a fuck about the core ideals and values that progressives think are important, then that kind of behavior I couldn't care less about.

If someone is superficially doing the "right" thing for the wrong reasons, then no, they don't deserve praise. They deserve the chance to put their money where their mouth is, and to make up for all of their shitty and destructive behavior in the past, but that's all.

[roguevalley]

48. welcome honey. I am sorry for the hardship but love your company. You are most welcome here.

[rustbeltvoice]

49. Marley told his tale to Scrooge, not the Cratchits.

[Hamlette]

50. The GOP would not eliminate the safety net. That's the big con.

No way would any politician with enough power to do anything advocate doing away with social security, disability, medicare, medicaid because it simply would not happen and if some how it did, the party that did it would be out of office forever.

What is odd to me is why people like the man who posted the original post here didn't realize it sooner?

A lack of empathy? Just not thinking it through? Thinking it would never happen to you?

[kelliekat44]

54. Most people can't or don't empathize with another until shit happens to them. nt

[Hamlette]

57. I don't believe that of "most" people.

I think they can, and they do, but they find someway to not do anything about it. Like religion: "I give at church".

[reformist2]

71. Like hell they wouldn't!

In my opinion, channeling Social Security taxes into Wall Street mutual funds is their #1 priority.

[Enthusiast]

105. They have said so.

And the President endorsed Chained CPI.

Like Carlin said, "They are coming for your social security." Carlin hasn't been wrong yet.

[XRubicon]

51. My help came when I was very young

But I never forgot.

[IdaBriggs]

52. Welcome. Now that the immortals have rejected you,

you will find we mere mortals - the ones who deal with life by having families, getting sick, and pitching in to help out whenever we can - are pretty nice.

Your story really makes me realize the absolute denial one must live in to vote Republican. You had to believe your health would always be good (regardless of genetics or other drivers or random falling objects), your skills would always be in demand, your bosses/employers would always value and appreciate you, your family members would never get old, or experience any health challenges (a child in the NICU or a parent in the hospital or a special needs child), you would never personally witness the power of Nature during hurricane, tornado, fire, mud slide or ice storm, you would be blessed with exposure only to non-contaminated foods and medications --

In short, you had to literally believe you were not going to experience any "life challenges" that would require more than you to survive.

Immortal. Omniscient. Able to avoid the occasional drunk driver and random act of workplace violence due to your own magical powers of self confidence and personal strength/belief.

I am a woman of faith. I am glad you have joined us. I hope your experiences can help you to build our communities stronger. With hubris destroyed by reality, it takes courage to do what you are doing - admit you were wrong, and try to make it better.

Thank you for sharing. I look forward to your insights in future discussions. That which does not kill us makes us stronger, and you live.

Your mission on the planet is obviously not over. Get to work making a difference.

Have you considered running for political office?

[raccoon]

102. Consider starting a thread with your second paragraph. Well said. nt

[Enthusiast]

106. I like your post very much.

[aquart]

131. Really well said.

Make it a main post and I can tweet it.

[indepat]

53. Unfortunately you've experienced the full impact of living in a right-wing-soused society, as have

tens of millions of others who mostly have been less severely impacted than you. This is the price society pays for electing and continuing to return to Federal office those who typically vote in a manner detrimental to the interests of most people. Best wishes and godspeed.

[Arugula Latte]

55. Welcome, and a request.

Could you let us into your pre-conversion mindset a bit more? What did you think about sick/disabled people who collected disability or people who worked but needed food stamps because they didn't earn enough back when you were a Rush fan?

[wryter2000]

56. Welcome to DU

It's a shame when people have to experience things directly to come to the light, but we're glad you're here. Do share your story with others who are like the way you were. You can do some real good.

[Squinch]

58. Welcome.

And may we on the left make enough progress over the years to come that you can get back to full employment, and full and dignified security.

I am so sorry you had to go through all that. We should be able to prosecute the people that fired you after your heart attack. That's disgusting.

[Curmudgeoness]

59. Better late than never.

So what needs to be done to get through to the millions who are still buying into the conservative dream? You understand more than others if anything can help, or what that anything is. We can't give heart attacks to all the Rush dittoheads to show them how important the safety nets are for ordinary people.

What are you going to do to help us liberals?

I love that you told your story, and it probably wasn't easy to come to the realization that you were living a fantasy. But you need to tell the people who need to know.

Welcome to the liberal side and DU.

[mountain grammy]

60. What's truely disturbing is the negativity and meaness that comes from the right wing.

They may do fund raisers and charity work, and I know many 1%er's that do, but they are mean when it comes to anyone not "worthy" of their charity. That's their reasoning behind not paying taxes. They know best where and how and how much of their money should be spent and who is fit to receive it and who should just disappear. But, they'll pray for you, don't ya worry about that.

[JanT]

61. welcome to DU Georgie2 you will love it here

so sorry about all of your troubles but glad that you came out of it alive and I wish for your continued health and strength. You have a valuable perspective for others. I hope that you take every opportunity to point out what happened to you and how you feel now. Every person that we can show the hypocrisy of FAUX and the right wing agenda to will be one more that will vote democratically. I have been trying to sway some of my friends, but to no avail. But i keep trying every chance i get by fighting their remarks with truth & facts. Maybe someday they will be admitting to me that i was right. it took courage to write what you did. Thank you for sharing. Good luck and hugs to you. You are not alone.

[Rebl]

62. Too

bad it took you so long to figure it out. Interesting how for some people something terrible actually has to happen to them or a close loved one before they understand bad things happen to people in life and they may need help from the govt. safety net(s). You are correct that some republicans would rather see us dead than lend a hand to help a fellow human being-they just can't empathize.

[gussmith]

63. Best Wishes to You

But, you know, even if every fraud, abuse, waste and overpayment were removed from government help, the Rushes and most Republicans would be opposed to helping others. There is just a blind streak of self-righteous greed in too many people for there to be universal sharing.

[The Second Stone]

65. Democrats do not provide a safety net for people like you.

The federal government provides a safety net for everybody because Democrats have fought for 80 years to make it that way. And Republicans have fought against it every step of the way. The only reason you are getting any benefits at all is because of the people you used to fight against beat your ignorant ass at every turn, every time for 80 years with no funding going up against monumental funding.

David never beats Goliath in real life? Bullshit. There are rich people with heart, and they help, but ultimately, all people who have to earn a living need to stick together. Where the rubber hits the road, Democrats have been fighting a struggle of the heartless rich against the poor for all of history. Since Franklin Fuckin' Delano Roosevelt, we have had a string of victorys and some losses. Those victories keep people alive.

If we want to bring back hope and a middle class, we must dramatically raise the minimum wage.

[Enthusiast]

107. + a shit load!

[lpbk2713]

67. So sorry you had to learn the hard way.

Welcome to DU.

[reformist2]

68. Gerogie, what are your thoughts on changing the minds of those who haven't been through what you hav

e?

[renate]

69. welcome welcome welcome!!!!

I'm sorry for what you went through to get here. How absolutely horrendous. But I'm glad you're here now.

I'm also really looking forward to hearing your take on the things we talk about here!

Welcome!

[Betsy Ross]

72. Welcome to DU!

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year. I would a prosperity, but most of us will be glad for the first two at least.

[AAO]

73. Maybe you can opine on a serious question you may have insight into.

First, I wish the best for your health situation, and thank you for seeing the light. But my question is: Why do people need to have a personal experience in using a social program or government program before they admit the value in it?

I'm seriously interested in your educated opinion.

[ecstatic]

82. +1000. I was trying to think of a tactful way to ask

Why does it seem to take personal tragedy/personal experience for repubs to finally get it? If there's another reason besides just being mean or hateful, I'd love to know.

[a kennedy]

74. I'm sorry for what has happened to you.....

and I hope your life does get better.

[MrScorpio]

75. Welcome to DU, my friend

It really pains me to hear about all the suffering that you've had to go through. And your point is quite clear, a lot of this country is living in a sad delusion. It should be a crime for people like Limbaugh to lead people into that delusion where nothing but sadness and poverty awaits.

it's a trap laid by him and people like him.

[nikto]

76. Any suggestions as to how to break-through to folks BEFORE suffering calamity?

Suffering is always the last, and strongest, teacher.

[KayJay503]

79. Sorry....

I tend to be suspicious of folks who post a comment in a blog thread, say something alarming/controversial, then disappear after 75 responses and 8 or so hours...

Are you a stealth "turncoat" (i.e., not really one at all)? There really might be SomethingFishy.

[flying rabbit]

83. I hear ya. nt

[Courtesy Flush]

80. Rush is the reason I came to DU

He used to talk about this place, and what vile things were said here. I came to see for myself (he wasn't counting on that!).

The more posts I read, the more I found that my own values were more in line with the left, and I had taken the path that was expected of me in a red state. It used to piss me off that conservatives were cast as bigots and heartless. I wasn't like that! But the more I opened my eyes, the more I saw that my views were not being represented by my party. To be honest, I believe that a lot of the bigoted things we're hearing from conservative friends these days are things they'd have never said ten years ago. Little by little it has become de rigueur to demonstrate tribal loyalty by taking extreme positions and sticking to them. It's poisoning people.

One thing's for sure, if you want to know what liberals think, ask a liberal. You won't find out by listening to a conservative.

[nikto]

81. But...but...but...

Right Wing women are so brilliant and so hot...







http://i.huffpost.com/gen/116593/thumbs/
s-TEA-PARTY-large.jpg#old%20teabagger%20woman%20260x190


----------------------------

Just like the men...

[exxo1111]

84. Sorry for your bad fortune but I have a question

Why did you when you used to believe in Rush, buy his shtick. Clearly all of us (excepting billionaires and millionaires -- most of middle america) are 1 or 2 incidences of bad luck (long illness, job loss at the wrong time or place, loss of home in 2008 Wall Street created real estate bubble) away from poverty.

Why did you then; and other followers think differently? But more importantly, how could use stand the hate and debasement of the less fortunate? You can think them undeserving of help, but why the abject hate?

Just asking, b/c when I hear someone blame the poor for being poor, I think there but for the grace of God go I.

[villager]

85. Welcome to DU, gerogie2

May better health, and more healing, await you in the days and months ahead...

[Warren DeMontague]

87. Here's a picture of his bedroom:

His "regular guy" shtick is as phony as a 3 dollar bill.

[nilesobek]

89. There are similar parallels to my story

and I wish you all the best.

I flipped in 2003 when I realized we had an organized torture program.

[Heather MC]

90. Welcome to DU

[mettamega]

91. Blessings on you, and I pray you continue to receive the support you need

and deserve - as a precious & dignified human being

[Enthusiast]

94. Recommended X 1000!

There are millions of people in this nation that do not recognize the potential for disaster. They listen to Limbaugh and Hannity and think they are invulnerable. Well, they never give it a thought. They are only concerned that the moochers and takers will get something they do not deserve.

Many healthy people assume they will stay that way forever, healthy and comfortable in a good paying secure job.

I know from direct experience that this is pure fantasy. I'm sorry that you had to find out the hard way.

[florida08]

98. am sorry for your hardship

and am glad you have some government help, but this is going on to millions of people in this country..especially since the crash of the economy. Many don't pay income tax because they make so little they can barely pay their bills and put food on the table. The RW always bitches about this but insist on keeping wages for the working class flat. Were you in favor of the ACA before your heart attack?
Medical hardships are one of the biggest reasons for home foreclosures yet the GOP wants it dead.

You see we "liberals" fight for everyone. We believe the American Dream is a right not a choice. So many don't have a choice.
You're right. You didn't do it to your self. You did everything you were told yet a big crack opened up anyway. THAT is the point.
Shit happens. So if you won the lottery would you go back? You don't have to answer it's rhetorical. I just hope that now you have some sense of what so many have been going through their whole lives. Struggling, working and still can't get ahead. Then they get sick and have no insurance.

But their is plenty of money for oil subsidies, defense contracts, bank bailouts..etc. You get my point.
Appreciate your honesty. I certainly hope you have signed up for Obamacare.

[raccoon]

104. I notice we've had no response from the OP. nt

[skepticscott]

110. Was just noticing that too.

Makes one wonder about the veracity of the OP to begin with.

[Prophet 451]

109. Welcome to the team

I'm sorry for your pain but glad that you learned from it.

[surrealAmerican]

113. One thing, though ...

... is there anything you could have said to that smug, "superior" person you were 25 years ago that would have made a difference? Should it really take a major personal crisis for people like you to see the value of safety net programs?

[workinclasszero]

116. No pity, no compassion, fuck you I got mine

This Randian evil is what is killing the USA. I see it everyday and it makes me sick.

Most people in this country are one sickness or one accident away from bankruptcy and yet we must fight against godless socialist healthcare for all because a fatass, drug addict, draft dodger who is worth 400000000 or so tells me its bad!

Then the inevitable happens and suddenly..oh NOW I see, NOW that it happened to ME...its...different...and way way to late!

Healthcare, guns, jobs, wages, its all the same.

Sure selling assault weapons to any random mental nutcase with an axe to grind against humanity sounds good because...founding fathers, or something. Then the mental case takes it to your kids school and puts your loved one in the ground forever.
Suddenly you realize the fucking gun industry is playing us all for fools and $$$.

When you have no pity or compassion for other people you are damning yourself as well.

Sometimes I think this country is too damn stupid to survive.

[Berlum]

118. So many people have been SUCKERED by the Republicon propaganda

If they ever wake up and realize how massively they have been SUCKERED, the Republicons will have to find another planet for the soul-ugly 1% Elite Totalitarian EvangelOmaterialistic HOMELAND they'd like to shove down everyone's throat. They will have no place whatsoever in America.

[JEFF9K]

121. Rush Limbaugh - Champion of the the OVERdog!

[PowerToThePeople]

122. Your younger self wanted to kill your current self

for a few bucks, and many millions more people. How long have you been off the right wing addiction?

[Egalitarian Thug]

123. So what, beside coming onto a message board and complaining about

having to now live in the world you helped to create, are you doing about it?

[Dirty Socialist]

124. Sorry it took something bad to

Last edited Sun Jan 5, 2014, 11:31 AM - Edit history (1)

Get to stop listening to Rush.
BTW: Zero props to your wife who left you. Whatever happened to "in sickness and in health"?

[RKP5637]

126. Thanks for posting this!

[cer7711]

129. Welcome to Sanity & Decency . . .

. . . at long last. Too bad your heart and brain weren't engaged thirty years ago.

Have you apologized to all the liberals and progressives you attacked and ridiculed during your decades as a hateful Rush-bot tool? Or reached out to current right-wing friends in an attempt to set them straight?

You spent approx. 30+ years as a "useful idiot" helping to put this country exactly where it is now. Two heart attacks, a vanished wife and an ill-timed bankruptcy later you stumble to our board and bleat for acceptance, reconciliation and empathy--values you've spent the best part of your life spitting on.

Oh, the irony. The bitter, sad irony of it all: until the bottom fell out on you personally you didn't understand the harshness of reality.

I'm glad you're here. Now. But your penance isn't done; it's only just begun.

You've got a lot of un-fucking up to do.

[Rose Siding]

130. Have you any insight as to why you needed to be impacted personally?

I'm sorry about your misfortune but can you explain how your previous lack of empathy might have been addressed without having to experience those things yourself? That would be really helpful.

[justgamma]

132. There are far too many people who

see the light when it affects them, but think nobody else deserves the same consideration. There are far too many who have used the system, but want to deny it for everyone else. I hope you're not one of them.

May you prosper in the new year.

[philly_bob]

133. America's new Middle Class: "One paycheck or health crisis away from living in the gutter."

Thanks for sharing.

[WinstonSmith4740]

134. Welcome to the light!

I'm so sorry you had to come to us "the hard way", but I'm glad you're here.

[Javaman]

139. I could say a lot of things...

but I won't.

Welcome to DU.

[CrispyQ]

140. A Day in the Life of Joe Conservative

A Day in the Life of Joe Conservative

Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for water-quality standards.

With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some commie liberal fought to insure their safety and that they work as advertised.

All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some stupid liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance -- now Joe gets it, too.

He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

Joe enjoys reading his local newspaper as he eats his breakfast. He is able to read because some whinny liberal, who believed that the best way to help people help themselves is to educate them, fought for a free public school system.

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body.

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries and government from polluting our air.

He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.

Its noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.

Joe pays his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.

Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards.

He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until-some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

Joe is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some elitist liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host, whose right to free speech was fought for and is defended by wimpy liberals, keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that Joe's beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day.

Joe agrees that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. "After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

[gulliver]

144. +1

These are excellent! Thanks for posting.

[CrispyQ]

148. I love them too.

I emailed my right wing mother the Joe Conservative one & asked her, "What is it here that you oppose?" She never responded.

[leftyohiolib]

152. some tree-hugging liberal fought for water-quality standardS, wasnt that nixon who signed the clean

water act?

[CrispyQ]

154. He also advocated a guaranteed annual income.

I think there are more than a few old time repubs the current party would tear apart.

[CrispyQ]

141. Joe Conservative Gets His Way

Joe Conservative Gets His Way

Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He turns on the faucet and sees the brownish water, again. Sometimes clear, sometimes not. He fills his water filter and waits for it to filter through because the republicans have weakened the basic minimum water standards.

He gets his daily medication as the coffee brews. He hopes his medications are safe to take because the republicans have gutted the FDA in their quest to cut government spending. He puts the pill in the pill cutter because he has to pay for most of his medication and it has to last. Without government oversight, his employer’s medical plan barely pays for anything, but he’s still paying into a health insurance system that doesn’t pay back. He spent hours on the phone getting what little he has.

Joe pulls the bacon from the refrigerator for his morning breakfast and is shocked at how discolored it is after only being purchased a couple of days ago. The republicans gutted the budget for the USDA and loosened regulations the meat packing industry. They don’t have to label inspection and expiration dates anymore. He throws the rotted meat into the garbage bag and drinks the rest of the coffee.

Joe takes his morning shower and reaches for the shampoo. The shampoo contains benzene, formaldehyde, and other carcinogens as filler, but Joe can’t know this. The republicans have loosened labeling laws and have left it to the industry to police itself. They put some of the ingredients on the label, but conveniently left off the dangerous ones. The FTC, too, has been gutted in the quest to cut government spending.

Joe begins his work day; hoping that this won’t be his last day, last week, or last month on the job that can be moved overseas at any given moment. Before the republicans took over, he had a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation, but the republicans have cut oversight in the interest of the free market. Joe’s employer pays the minimum they can. The employees pay most of their medical and retirement. They get the major holidays off, but other days off aren’t paid. The employees can’t bargain for better conditions because there’s no union. There’s no federal Department of Labor—another casualty of republican budget cuts.

If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he won’t get a worker compensation or unemployment check because the republicans don’t want to make big business pay more than they have to. It’s up to the goodwill of the business to pay worker’s compensation or severance, they aren’t required. Joe is on his own and SOL.

It’s noon time, Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. He has multiple accounts at different banks so that if one should fail, all of his money isn’t lost. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC, but to a decreased $25,000 because the banking lobby convinced the republicans that they could be trusted. While he’s there, Joe has to pay his home mortgage and his student loan at above market rate because his family wasn’t well-off enough to get a lower rate.

Joe is home from work, dragging in after another 10 hour day, for which he’ll get only an added 10%--no time-and-a-half overtime. He wants to stay employed, so he doesn’t complain--no Department of Labor. He tries to find the energy to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dad’s house. He hopes that he doesn’t die in a crash due to unsafe and cheap materials, as he has seen on various news reports. There are few auto safety laws; the auto lobby convinced the republicans that they need to be able to compete with foreign automakers. Too many regulations would hamper them, so they were removed.

He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t, and still doesn’t, have electric power because the regional electric company decided that it was too expensive to run power lines, and the electric company isn’t required. If farmers and rural people want electric power, they have to pay for the privilege. He walks into the old house lit only by the fading sun, a fireplace, and camp lanterns.

He isn’t happy to see his dad, who is now retired, because he is worried about him. His dad lives on church and charity handouts because his company pension was gutted by greedy executives a few years ago. There's no Social Security, it was a casualty of the republican budget cuts, too. He gets a fraction of what’s left in the fund, so he doesn’t live well. Joe gives him what he can spare, but it isn’t much. Joe can’t afford to take him because he can’t get a loan to renovate his house because he doesn’t make enough money. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the teary ride back home.

He turns on a radio talk show, the host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. Joe agrees, “After all, I’m a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have! I’d hate to see life in the US if those damned liberals were in charge!”

[gulliver]

145. +1

[jollyreaper2112]

142. Sadly

Sadly, people like the op are still part of the problem. They're supporting assholes most their life and we get a deathbed conversion too late to do any good. And there's a million more like them young and healthy and self-satisfied and listening to Rush.

[CrispyQ]

146. This. ^^^

I'm glad the OP has seen the light, but what's he doing to change the minds of his friends & family that believe the way he used to? How do we reach these people before they go through a boatload of crap? How do we turn their empathy on?

I will be checking back to see if the OP ever responds to some of the queries in this thread.

[CrispyQ]

143. And finally, the article that brought me to DU.

It's a little dated, but still relevant today.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/02/11/23_liberal.html

When Did "Liberal" Become a Dirty Word?
November 23, 2002
By F. Johnson

Liberal: adj. 1. relating to or having social and political views that favor progress and reform. 2. relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom. 3. giving and generous in temperament or behavior. 4. tolerant of other people. (Collins Concise English Dictionary)

snip...

Now a "new patriotism" is afoot. Political debate on important issues is drying up leaving the microphones to self-styled "new patriots" - Rush Limbaugh, Cal Thomas, Don Imus, and many, many "hate-talk" radio hosts. Liberals are not getting equal time because of the popular misconception (purveyed by hate talk radio) that the press represents only the liberal eastern establishment. Liberals expressing views differing from those of the right are being labeled un-American and unpatriotic by right wing conservatives. It is a dangerous trend - a trend that some might argue parallels the right wing movement in Germany during the Thirties when the Fascists excoriated socialists and other liberals, burned books, and murdered opponents to gain complete and dictatorial control of the government.

snip...

most liberals I have met are by definition very interested in equality and fairness, the welfare of all Americans, health care for all Americans, a free public higher education for all Americans, protecting the environment and our wilderness areas, tolerance and respect for individual freedoms (including women's), and more equitable income distribution in America.

snip...

...certain radio talk shows are really "hate talk" shows that are extremely dangerous to the free exchange of differing points of view. That certain radio hosts use mean-spirited and hateful language in a way that incites their listeners. Language that might inflame and motivate those who would shoot a President Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy or Martin Luther King, or even blow up a Federal Building in Oklahoma. Why must such political disagreement be aired in such a rude and insulting way?

snip...

If we as human beings must judge others, it is important that we clearly understand what others are trying to say and accurately label those viewpoints and not slander the speaker. The word "civil" is the root of the word "civilization." We must all become more civil to one another if collectively we are to become a civilized nation.

[niyad]

150. welcome to DU--looking forward to your responses to the serious questions posed to you.

[tazkcmo]

151. So...

"If the republicans were in charge all people like me would be dead due to lack of care and no place to live."
For 25 years you were fine with that, didn't give a damn about anybody else and the only thing that changed your mind was YOUR misfortune? Please correct me if I've got the wrong impression...

[StevieM]

157. The important thing is that his mind has been changed. And even if his fortune reverses, he isn't

going back to who he was. He didn't know the truth beforehand--but now he does.

Should we turn down his vote in future elections? Tell him not to try to persuade people in favor of our ideology?

Change happens when people change their minds from their previously held positions. If they don't feel free to join our side, then things will just stay the same.

[tazkcmo]

160. He's free to do what he wants

as I am free to be skeptical that he won't go back to his uncaring. selfish, better than thou attitude. I find it difficult to have sympathy for somebody that ignored the suffering of people outside his own little bubble for 25 years and suddenly has a change of heart (pun intended) when shit turns bad for him. He may have changed his mind but I believe he hasn't changed from being a ''me first and above all else" kind of fella. I'll be happy to re-evaluate my position in 25 years.

Won't turn down his vote and won't tell him to do anything.













h

[colsohlibgal]

155. It's Nice You've Seen The Light

But too bad it took all what you've gone through to have you "get it" and quit carrying water for billionaires and war profiteers (millionaires too).

And it is not unlike Rob Portman and Dick Cheney being anti gay till they knew they had a gay child. Not being able to show any empathy or compassion when it doesn't impact your life.

The inability of a large swath of the right to empathize, to be able or willing to put themselves in other people's shoes, is partly why we're in the mess we're in now. I'd guess the other part is a problem with critical thinking and not taking Limbaugh's and other rightie wack job types increasingly insane rants as any kind of truth.

In the end it's better late than never though, we can use all the help we can get to take the US back from the plutocracy it is now.

[leftyohiolib]

156. in other words you didnt see the light, you were kicked out of the club.

[polynomial]

159. One score and six years ago

listening to Rush Limbaugh was eerie. Back then many did not have the capability to sound off to decompose what the Republicans call Conservative.

Especially to listen to talk radio at the company you work for is the ideal propaganda machine. Plus if you were not being a so called Conservative you might get fired in this “AT WILL” business economy. Worse the “AT WILL” still is an economy that is thriving today. Big reason for the anti-union stuff is to strike fear into the everyday job instead of having the worker strike.

When many Americans realize that the first amendment is in all practical purposes the integral message that stands for the basic definition of unionism. Freedom of speech, submitting grievances, right to assemble, freedom of religion, freedom of the press is right here in this blog. Very hard for some to embrace or let happen.

Conservatism was and is an integral part of being Democratic, all the electorate in society have the capability to make the country do what it should be able to do. I say what it should be able to do rather than that famous saying “it’s the right thing to do” many political people say, yet America has heard that rhetoric and still is backed up into the margin call of half a nation that is in poverty, and many to retire into poverty is not the right thing to do.

In a sense just that simple notion amazes me to wonder why the one percent let that happen or even encourage that to happen. How can the Republican Party even sense to do better and make more money yet always in a constant rant seeking to make President Obama fail at his endeavors. It is absolutely stupid and economically crazy to encourage the country to fail. Or is that the real definition of too big to fail. There is only one political entity that come to mind that is Islam that believes Americans are infidels and should be wiped off the earth. We know that from George W. Bush, the W stands for Woo.

It is a shame to understand besides being frightening that a great deal of Americans do vote against themselves namely that pure southern draw identifies many but what was used to be called a Carpet Baggers of the North is now the common Tea Bagger now traveling in a bus.

I think it was Paul Ryan that said a remark about governing in the sense of “What the Republicans are going to get out of the next Bill in Congress”. It was a slip of the message but with that said tells America the Republicans govern for themselves the rich the one percent, not for We the People.

Eventually, many will realize that working for a Republican concern will be as undesirable as working for an anti-patriot system. Business will fold but the trail will always make them a distinction in the future. Perhaps the Bin Laden’s, Bush and Company layered the plans for that to happen. Making money and profiteering while people suffer seems to be a common thread in this politics. Welcome to America.