Reply #5: Comments [View All]

[JailBush]

"At the moveon meeting, we discussed this whole issue. There is need for strong community within the party, if we are to finally change anything."

EXACTLY. And the strongest communities are made up of strong individuals. If you rally a thousand lemmings who can't think for themselves, you get a lemming migration. Rally a thousand people who have learned to think for themselves, and they can contribute something to the cause.

"Insisting that people not need each other, when that is clearly a normal human need, is not going to bring you the strength that you desire."

Normal human needs are part of the problem. The corporate masters are experts at using psychology to manipulate people. One of the key "normal human needs" gives us the rule of the flock, commonly referred to as people. Yes, people need each other. But they should be smart enough to understand the principals of sacrificing principles for companionship, and strong enough to act on their knowledge.

"Not too long ago, there was a very good thread about European societies, and how they differ from USians. The main differences stem from the beliefs of Europeans that the good of the whole comes first, and the USians are tied to their Me first ideology."

Being able to think and act for oneself, doesn't necessarily translate into selfishness. In fact, I strongly suspect Europeans are much more intelligent (or at least better informed) than Americans, on average. They certainly aren't subject to our bias and corporate propaganda to the same degree. So European peace groups may make my point - they're networks of relatively strong, intelligent people, whereas many American political groups are composed of people who can't think for themselves and therefore can't contribute much to the group.

"Right here on DU many people are leaving because of the attitude that I can say whatever I want, and if it hurts you, tough, you should be strong. Well, that doesn't hold up for the long haul, and people get burned out and leave."

Again, you make my point. That's a sign of weakness. Anyone who can't handle a little criticism or is overwhelmed by the powers arrayed against us - from corporate behemoths to flaky U.S. citizens - isn't going to get very far.

"Maybe it's time to revisit this whole idea, and think about whether we can learn something from other models."

I'd like to see more U.S. citizens think, period. Honestly, I'm appalled at the ignorance I've encountered in so many people, even in teachers. What's especially frightening is the lack of thinking skills, the lack of any sense of logic.