"Blame the Republicans"

[jgraz]

"Blame the Repugs" ... "It's all Bush & Cheney's fault" ... "Why don't you criticize the assholes who caused all this shit?"

It never fails: every time there's a thread critical of Democrats, these responses pop up like flies at a barbecue. You can set your watch by it.

So I started wondering: what is the point of these posts? Why is it so important that a Democratic board constantly be reminded that the Republicans -- and ONLY the Republicans -- are responsible for the mess we're in? After all, any random check of GD or GD:P will turn up plenty of posts denouncing Bush, Cheney and anyone else with an (R) next to their name.

I can think of a few answers on my own, but none of them really make sense. Do you think we might forget who really started this mess? Are you worried we might cause some DUers to vote GOP? Or do you believe that the current Democratic leadership shares no responsibility for the continuation of the war, the expansion of FISA or the general getting-away-with-shit that has gone on over the past nine months?

Perhaps you think that by constantly blaming the Republicans you'll actually change their behavior. Naw, that can't be it. Or... just maybe...you think there's a chance of convincing a few of those lurking 26-percenters to switch teams. Hmm, that sounds a bit far-fetched as well.

So I'm hoping someone can help me out here. Why, exactly, is it so important that posters critical of the Democrats be exhorted to blame the Republicans instead? What do you hope to accomplish with these little reminders?

Without a clear answer, I may start to worry that the real goal of these posts is to shut down dissent...but that couldn't really be the case, could it?

[stimbox]

1. I think you hit the nail on the head.

"Without a clear answer, I may start to worry that the real goal of these posts is to shut down dissent...but that couldn't really be the case, could it?"

Have you ever noticed that the same small group of vocal people pounce on every thread critical of Democrats?

[jgraz]

5. Yes, I have noticed that.

:shrug:

[Marr]

2. The problem is much bigger than the political parties.

At it's core, this whole mess can be laid squarely at the feet of corporate power and wealth disparities. Whenever people start saying "blame Bush, not Congress", or "they don't have the votes-- we need more Dems in the Congress", I cringe. To me, it seems like just more of the same crass political gamesmanship we've seen so much of from the Republicans. Just more blind party loyalty.

Making excuses for Democratic politicians who serve the interests of the wealthy and big corporations isn't going to fix anything.

[jgraz]

3. Good point...class is becoming more important than ideology

[rwheeler31]

4. Over site Why was all ok when Republicans in charge,

They will not correct their own, this is a real failure.

[Solar_Power]

6. it's hard to blame D officials for being enablers :)

[Ghost in the Machine]

7. Yes, I've noticed a few of *them* here myself. No matter how many times

you debunk their claims, no matter how many times you present them with clear, concise evidence, they continue to spin away as if nothing fazes them.