On the Antagonism of the Right

[frustrated_lefty]

HCR/HIR has passed. For the supporters of the bill, this moment is rightfully one of celebration. For those earnestly concerned about its shortcomings, this should be a moment to fire one’s resolve, directing that hardened focus towards holding our elected representatives to promises made. Without invoking the ghost of Teddy Kennedy, or collapsing in orgasmic delight as if at the finding of the holy grail, or, alternatively, wailing as if the depths of hell had been made manifest on earth, it might be worth taking a breath and waiting to see what happens.

In the midst of this process, several dynamics appear to be evolving. The nature of those dynamics is the actual focus of this post and is hinted at by the ambiguity of the title. If the last few days have indicated nothing, it is that neither side (left v. right) understands the perceptions or motivations of the other. I don’t mean the movers and shakers, the money-makers, those with a pulpit and an agenda, like lobbyists, corporations or the festering, syphilitic sores of agenda-driven, media-propelled stardom. I mean your neighbors, co-workers, casual acquaintances….the people who actually form the electorate.

There is a very real disconnect between the rightwing perceptions of John Doe-(R) and the reality of the 2008 election. In their eyes, they are the REAL Americans. GWB took a manly (cab) ride in a fighter jet (after re-positioning a fleet outside of San Diego), and they made action figures out of it. He made all sorts of good-ole black and white John Wayne statements, like “yer either with us or agin’ us.” The rest of us were latte-drinking wussies, afraid of a good fight. Shrub was a “do-er” and not a “thinker.” Having time to “think” is elitist, feminist, Nazi crap, btw.

If you’re working two jobs to make ends meet, can’t afford a higher education, and don’t have time to think about much more than paying the bills and getting some sleep before the routine begins again, I imagine it must feel good to have your vision of the Duke swagger into the oval office and declare the fires of war on A-rabs, sand “niggers” and other riff-raff whose been holding you down. It would be equally disillusioning to find out the rest of the country didn’t feel the same way four years later. They are convinced that the powers of government have literally been stolen from them, not by the people, but by some undefined power.

One of the statements made a few times on DU in the last day or so is “Now they know how it feels.” No, they don’t. Your average democrat in 2007 would have lamented the presidency of that pissant douche bag, but would have equally regretted the state of education and rights within the US which allowed that coke-snorting weasel into office. The right wing is certain they have been betrayed, certain their basic rights have been stolen. The system did not fail. Some leftwing group cheated the system.

Look at their representatives. They are not voting on ideas, they are voting on perceptions.

I’ll follow up on this post later, life calls.