Far-Right Republicans Really Don’t Get Reciprocal Reasoning, Do They?

[Joanne98]

If you truly believe in a principle, you stick with it even when you don’t like where it leads you. Hence the famous phrase attributed to Voltaire: “I do not agree with a word you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.” Especially when it comes to the First Amendment and every American’s right to free speech, it ought to be axiomatic in American discourse that every side is entitled to its part in the debate.

More often than not, though, Republicans on the far right don’t seem to get this type of principled rationalism. Rather, the GOP, at least at the fringes, seems to appropriate tropes or principles only when they compel their political goals, and toss them when they’re inconvenient.1 Case in point, Michael Savage, who (suddenly) decided to wax poetic on an American’s right to disagree with the President:

We live in America, and we’re supposed to… ask questions, challenge the government, the government’s supposed to be responsible to the people. Many of you are so ignorant, you don’t even understand that we have this right in America.

It’s truly a remarkable coincidence, isn’t it, that Michael Savage realized the value of dissent in a democracy just as Barack Obama took office, and not a moment earlier? Let’s not forget that for the past eight years, he’s been calling anyone he disagrees with a traitor, from politicians to peace activists. Although “Dr.” Savage finally found the courage to disagree with President Bush, it’s not too long since he railed against President Bush’s doubters as “traitors” - the “Enemy Within,” if you will. Apparently, that same valued right to dissent is heresy when applied to a Republican:

http://www.acandidworld.net/2009/02/23/republicans-really-dont-get-reciprocal-reasoning-do-they/

[rudy23]

1. Repukes "believe" whatever they need to to get what they want.

If they contradict themselves completely, they refuse to admit it. Even when you show them their contradictory statements, right to their face.

Repukes don't worry about being "right" or "true" in the way liberals do. They think backwards from what they want to believe, and defend themselves with sheer bluster.

[Wickerman]

2. The only think Republicans stick with is the TAX CUT! cry n/t

[DCKit]

3. Now they want to get back together with the Constitution?

The poor old girls been treated so poorly by the Republics, a restraining order is more likely.

[Grinchie]

4. The Republicans are nothing more than Unemployed Rand Corporation

Social Engineers. They believe that they can mold societies and shape opinions through skill control of media, economics and consumer products.

The trouble is that the world has proven them wrong time and again, yet they cling to to hope that people are rational, predictable entities, which they are most certainly not.

[rudy23]

5. They are sociopaths who see humans as little more than obstacles and pawns

in their social engineering games. They can be some of the nicest seeming people, but get them in this mode, and humans are nothing more than ants on an ant farm to them.

[baldguy]

6. Not only do they *not get it*, it's the basis for their whole philosophy.

Why do you think the "Defense Of Marriage Act" denies people the right to marry?

Or that "No Child Left Behind" is designed to leave children behind?

Or that the "Global War On Terrorism" takes strategic actions to ensure that terrorists will multiply & expand their operations?

They impeached Clinton for his immoral - but not illegal - sexual behavior, but supported every single crime that Bush committed AND MADE SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER LAWS FOR HIM TO BREAK.

[TheCoxwain]

7. Republicans dont get any kind of reasoning. Period.

So Far Right Republicans ( subset of Republicans) do not get Reciprocal Reasoning.

There is some deductive reasoning for you.

[Uncle Joe]

8. I believe this is because they're afraid, they know they're wrong either

consciously or subconsciously, maybe both.

They fear taking on their own because they know much of their ideology is built on a house of cards and removing the wrong card; as Cheney/Bush exemplified to the ninth degree, would or could cause their realty to collapse.

[yurbud]

9. I disagree with ''only at the fringes.'' It is central to their party and intellectual honesty is

at the fringes.

On fortunately, Democrats are often only better if they are graded on a curve.

[treestar]

10. They have no principles

And no idea of fairness. This is because they believe themselves to be "right" and so that they should have every weapon - mainly they are trying to fool you - that's why they talk down to people. They think people are to be molded and manipulated and that they won't notice the contradictions.