The "Average Joe/Jane" - what is making them turn?

[Glenda]

On DU here we get all the news on DSM, Rove/Plame leak, Cindy Sheehan... We have alternate media sources (we *are* an alternate media source) and we can get the real facts that the MSM is sweeping under the rug. We discuss among ourselves that Fox lies, that everything out of *'s mouth is a lie, that CondiLiar actually has "Liar" in her name.

We also know that with MSM being almost a * cheerleader, that the "sheeple" didn't get the information we were getting.

But now *'s approval numbers are low, and he has a credibility gap, and they believe Iraq is going badly.

How did people slowly start to see the light? I don't know many of the regular Joe/Janes on the street to know what is making their perceptions change.

- Is it the increasing number of soldiers killed in Iraq?
- Is it that as much as the WH suppresses scandals/news, that some of it does get out to the regular person?
- Is it when reporters got bolder because of Judy Miller in prison, that they more reported real news for a while?
- Is it that while * lies about how well Iraq is going and how good the economy is, the people are seeing in their lives that these just aren't true?
- Are people wondering why gas prices are so high, given "the oil prezdint?"
- Are people freaking out about their high prices of health care, or other domestic issues that they know * won't deal with?
- Are people not as pulled in to the marketing gimmicks of BushCo? <"9/11,9/11,9/11" has gotten old, color-coded terror alerts were worthless>
- Are people worried about a possible draft?
- Are people listening to Air America radio?
- Are people watching the Daily Show?
- Are just enough of their "librul" friends/family/coworkers talking about the failings of BushCo, that they are turning?
- Is it that BushCo and REpugs are imploding from within, and are having such trouble with all their scandals that they can't focus on courting the sheeple?

- Is it that there are enough items above, that 2-3 are going to affect any given person, and this is enough to start turning some people away from * and his evil band of cronies?


I know we here at DU wonder how *'s approval ratings are still in double digits. But it seems like people are turning on him, and I am wondering if someone who has their pulse on the average Jane/Joe can tell me what is making this happen? :shrug:

Thanks.

[evilqueen]

1. It could be any combination

I also think more and more people are starting to look for news online and maybe not relying on television as much as they had been. Especially since it seems to most people that tv news is mostly drama or entertainment and not the real news. And they hunger for real information. I'm hopeful they're finding it.

[Glenda]

11. Wouldn't this be great if people were actually starting to realize...

that the "News" on TV isn't news at all? Americans actually have some logic and reasoning skills? :woohoo:

[jody]

2. "Bush Lied" n/t

[mwb970]

3. The newspapers are chockful of Republican wrongdoing now.

You should see the Columbus Dispatch this morning! Staring with above-the-fold, front page articles on Gov. Taft's ethics scandal and Bush's flip-flopping about Iraq troop withdrawals (including a picture of Cindy Sheehan, finally). Continuing with Section-A articles about the indictment of Delay associates and the indictment of Abramoff. Many op-ed pieces critical of the war and of the "president".

I'm telling you, it is wall-to-wall Republicans Behaving Badly. This must be having an effect on the masses.

[Glenda]

10. What is the climate in Ohio?

With all the scandals, Coingate, etc?

What is going to become of the Governor - do you think there will be a new one next election? And when is his term up?

WHat about the Senators, etc?

It seems like a lot is going on in the state of Ohio, and do you expect any changes to occur?

[BuyingThyme]

4. Could it be that, because * can't run for reselection,

simpletons don't feel obligated to go around collecting lies and thus get blind-sided by reality?

[Doo_Revolution]

5. They're sick of the bullshit.

Aka the downing street memos revealed it all. Lies upon lies upon lies, FABRICATED war, stolen elections and every other illegal breaking of the law under his pathetic hide.

Yes we did invade Iraq. The reason was to gain control of all the Oil fields, split proceeds with the countries Israel-Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and our homeland.

Telling the truth from the getgo would have made the U.N. go completely ballistic and kick us out of the council. A for-profit war from the start, but the real problem is it was a coup: The Mossad government wants more than half the oil proceeds. They felt ripped off, and so they are going to level+wreck Iraq completely like Michael Ledeen said and get back EVERY single oil drum they can get. Protecting it from those pesky arabs is the United States job, that's the 'mission'. Reforming the civilization for the Mossad and so Israel has one more home. It is NOT any kind of mission for the USA, that part is all just more madeup shit.

In this situation too, our Americans are hated twice as much by the government there if we leave...The last thing those people want is the Shiites to take their oil. It ALL comes down to that.

[grrl62]

6. i think for some of them

it starts with personal issues-
can't find a job when they say "job's are great!"
can't afford/difficultly paying for the basics when "everything is fine"
know someone in iraq/loved one in iraq and/or lost someone in iraq when they say "the war is fine - doin' great!"

but you aren't doing great..it's not all fine. wow that really causes some confusion and cognitive dissonance.

then maybe it progresses to paying more attention to the lies.. paying more attention to their own doubts. that little voice in the back of their head that's been telling them to question. that voice they've been ignoring. now maybe they start listening a little more.. and a little more.. and before you know it they no longer accept the lies/some of the lies.

i think for me it all comes down to the basic idea that no one wants to believe that bad stuff happens, especially not that it is done by the people who are our "leaders/reps" - i think for most it's like saying their parents are bad... they don't want to think badly of their parents (authority figures). i think it takes realizing that just because these people (leaders and parents!)are in a position of power doesn't mean they are just.

[Glenda]

13. I like what you have said here:

"i think for me it all comes down to the basic idea that no one wants to believe that bad stuff happens, especially not that it is done by the people who are our "leaders/reps" - i think for most it's like saying their parents are bad... they don't want to think badly of their parents (authority figures). i think it takes realizing that just because these people (leaders and parents!)are in a position of power doesn't mean they are just. "



Just knowing so much about the * Administration has made me question all past leaders and events. It's a much happier state of mind to just go along believing people in leadership positions are basically doing what is right for Americans. But once you cross the line and "lose your innocence" there's no turning back

[newportdadde]

7. Gas prices and in turn rising living costs.

Simply put I believe if gas was 1.30, the SUV and boat full and ready to go on Friday Bush would be doing okay on approval, probably over 50% or at least not were he is now which is pretty bad.

High gas prices coupled with stagnate wages eats people alive. It DIRECTLY impacts them and their lives, their fun. They could give two shit about soldiers in Iraq because a roadside bomb killing a couple of people doesn't impact them. But thats the problem its not, they have less cash to go to the movies, vacation etc. That is what is really making them angry.

Its all about the wallet.

[Glenda]

14. Yeah, we were all wondering during the

"selection" why many people voted against their interests. It seems like they didn't know they were voting against their interests, until now when the waste material is hitting the fan

[Bosso 63]

8. The press stopped calling * "popular".

[Glenda]

16. they did?

I haven't been paying attention to the press. I'm glad someone is! Thanks for the update!

You mean the Man-Date went away? All that political capital?

[HughBeaumont]

9. I'm not getting how ANYone can defend the Do-Nothing Dauphin

Seriously, WHAT has his administration EVER done right except make money for Big Business/Big Oil?

Not only that, but I don't feel anyone's necessarily "turning" on him so much as he's already saddled with more opposition than his "votes" proclaim.

[Vinca]

12. It costs too much to gas up the car to drive to their child's funeral. nt

[Soup Bean]

15. I've noticed a distinct change in press coverage the last few days.

It seemed to coincide with the poll numbers shifting, which is probably the result of higher gasoline prices.

Blah. You have to hit people in the pocketbook before they pay attention.

[Glenda]

17. I think you may be right - high gas prices...

and it's as simple as that!