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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Their numbers are no longer negligible."
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/4/2/132015/0785Finding an Acorn
by BooMan
Mon Apr 2nd, 2012 at 01:20:15 PM EST
Steve Benen found something that has been rattling around on the borders of my consciousness for the last couple of weeks.
A half-century later, there can be little doubt that (1) Eisenhower wouldn't recognize his own party; (2) he would think the contemporary GOP is, to use his word, "stupid"; and (3) Republicans are eager to test Eisenhower's assessment of what the American mainstream is willing to tolerate.
One reason I wasn't able to fully summon this was because I remembered it as having to do with H.L. Hunt, and that's the context in which it was bubbling up. I think I wanted to use it to talk about climate change, which is a totally different way to use this quote. It turns out, though, that the original quote did include a reference to H.L. Hunt.
Their numbers are no longer negligible.
BumRushDaShow
(127,300 posts)but they have a huge megaphone. They are like the wizard if Oz.... Some lone guy behind a curtain projecting distorted images of sound and fury, which generates fear in the populace and forces them to comply...
Warpy
(110,904 posts)since the feeding frenzy that began under Reagan has transferred the country's wealth away from labor and into the grasping paws of the plutocracy.
librechik
(30,663 posts)I'm sure Eisenhower never imagined the eventual poser of mass media and it's perversion by the RW into a voice for the most conservative and wealthiest. I'm sure he would be appalled at what can only be called the elections industry, which has stretched the boundaries of elections advertising every single year and 24/7. Huge continuous profits and propaganda for the scum of the bottom feeders.
nxylas
(6,440 posts)Remember:-
20% of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim
44% of Americans believe the Earth is only 6000 years old
17% of Americans believe global warming is a hoax
These are not majorities, but they are not negligible either.
CrispyQ
(36,225 posts)I keep saying this, but it's true: every major institution in this country is corrupt & rotten to the core. Privatized Profits + Socialized Risk = Predatory Capitalism. At this point, I would be happy with a genuine free market system!
quakerboy
(13,901 posts)A clever, vindictive, hate filled devious kinda stupid, but stupid none the less.
And I don't think their numbers are so great. I just think a lot of people have been spoon fed a lot of unchallenged assumptions and misinformation, and generally don't really know where they are.
There should really be something like the Political Compass test required or at least strongly encouraged to be taken by Voters when they register for a party, and every few years after. And maybe a vote based result posted for politicians who are running for office. just so people can actually visualize and understand how these things fit together.
For instance, I knew pretty much where I would come out on that test before I took it. My sister was surprised to find she was in the same quadrant as I, if a tiny scootch closer to the center. Her "Ima republican cause my parents are, and their parents before them" SO took the test, and was absolutely shocked to learn he was in the same quadrant as the rest of us "socialists", and more shocked to learn that our political leadership are all grouped so close in the opposite corner, no matter which party they happen to be from.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)CrispyQ
(36,225 posts)A right wing relative of mine took that test & he landed where all the politicians are - not surprising. However, he expressed surprise at "the number of liberal democrats close to me!"
Liberal.
Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)it's that no matter how terrible or asinine an idea is they will keep coming back to it again and again. They will never give up and every time they move the ball a little farther down the field.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,355 posts)"Republican zombie ideas". They.just.don't.die.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)the election process, the writing of legislation, and effectively rule the nation today.
zeemike
(18,998 posts)The 1% own it...bought and paid for...now they will just divvy up the power and reap the spoils.
We failed to listen to Ike. about the MIC and now we pay for that.
Arkana
(24,347 posts)because he was disgusted with the way the Truman administration handled Korea.
If the Democrats had gotten him in 1952 (which they very well might have), we'd have noticed little difference.
harun
(11,348 posts)(Democratic as in a Democracy)