I have a hard time understanding Republican's greatest fear

[1-Old-Man]

Just what is it that Republicans are afraid of in terms of Government spending?

First off let me say that I reject any arguments about waste, fraud, and abuse. Every politician since the dawn of man has worked to eradicate that hated trio and I will presume that despite the rhetoric that their combined effects will remain constant and tolerably low. So, given that what is the worst consequence of Government over spending? Is it that the common man will have it too good? Are they afraid that the streets will be too well paved, that ultra-high speed rail and wideband will be available nationally at prices near cost? Are they afraid our children will be too well educated? Just what in all of hell's halls are the afraid of?

Rant over, thank you for your time.

[Angry Dragon]

1. The Shadow

[Gravitycollapse]

2. Fear of the archetypal other.

[Fridays Child]

3. Oh. I thought you were referring to one of their actual greatest fears, the top three being...

...truth, logic, and a grip on reality. Or, more to the point, Republican operatives are afraid that too many voters will, someday, find themselves in possession of those three commodities. Because, if that ever happens, congressional Republicans and their flying monkey minions like Beck, Coulter, and Limbaugh will be exposed as the avaricious, soulless resource thieves they really are.

[silverweb]

4. Fear of losing privilege.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Billy Bragg's Internationale has a line that I love: "Freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and all."

ReTHUGs don't want "one and all" to enjoy the privilege they reserve to themselves. Their greatest fear is being viewed as merely "equal" to the rest of humanity -- and that's why they can never allow the rest of humanity to achieve real equality.

For all their raving about "liberty" and "freedom," reTHUGs really intend it only for their privileged class (white, Christian, educated, affluent, and either male or under the protection of a male). They consider themselves generous humanitarians when they choose to extend it by special dispensation to "exceptional" others they feel have "earned" it.

They don't mean to allow a good standard of living for everyone. Not a quality education, or excellent infrastructure, public transit, or broadband access, and certainly not safe food and water, or quality health care.

They really like the distance between themselves and everyone else, and they intend to do everything they can to keep that distance intact.

After all, how can you look down your nose at someone who stands on level ground, eye-to-eye with you?

[olddots]

5. They are afraid of agreeing with a smart African American presedent .

I don't agree with Obama on his cabinet choices and defense (war) policies .

Any body with half a brain would be afraid of what Scum bag ryan and mr. natural might have pulled off by now.

[dtom67]

6. they are not afraid of anything...

They are merely carrying out the agenda of the 1%. Austerity isn't actually meant to reduce the debt; it is to eliminate social spending. This makes the population easier to control. If you are worrying about your family's next meal, you don't have time to sit around thinking about what you should do to change things.
You could riot, like the "Arab Spring" or Greeks. That is why we have militarized police here in th US. That is also why you no longer have the right to free speech or assembly.
You could post on the internet, but that will not get you far. Let's face it ; spying on the internet is a most effective method of intel gathering.
Anyway.... they are not afraid. They are just putting the 99%right in their place, per the Koch brother, et al.....

[Sherman A1]

7. Precisely

[CanonRay]

8. Ding! We have a winner.

Well said, thanks.