What is your honest opinion of Bush supporters ??

[kentuck]

Are you angry at them or do you simply see them as innocent bystanders who have no idea what they are supporting? They have a general idea about supporting our troops and our country when we are at war but, they have no idea how far we have gone down in four years, both domestically and internationally? They mostly see the criticism of Bush as "politics" but they really don't pay much attention to it? What is your opinion of these Bush supporters? Do they have any responsibilty for the mess we are now in and the bigger mess we are about to be in, in the next few years?

[mmonk]

1. cognitive dissonance

[Odysseus Poseidon]

43. Cognitive Dissonance Exactly!!!

This is a great point and identifies the primary difference between liberals and conservatives.

Cognitive dissonance is uncomfortable for all of us, but particularly for conservatives. Conservative and liberal are more then political positions. They are thought processes.

The second definition of liberal is "open minded. I think the first is "to give open-handedly".

The first definition of conservative is to preserve. Politically, to preserve established or orthodox beliefs, practices and institutions.

By definition conservatives act to preserve their belief systems. Unfortunately they do so even when faced with direct evidence that they are wrong.

People can only deal with new information in two ways. They can accommodate it or assimilate it.

Liberals tend to accommodate into their belief systems new information. Therefore their belief systems are flexible and ever changing. Hence, open-minded.

However, conservatives tend to assimilate (change) new information in order to preserve their belief systems. This breads self righteousness, is closed-minded, and stifles growth and development.

People like Carl Rove understand this difference well and utilize it to their advantage. The strategy involves making a quick first impression within their base because they know once a conservative takes a position, it is unlikely they will change that position even when confronted with overwhelming evidence it is wrong.

No WMD, no problem. Once they support something, they don't change their mind.

[Arkana]

2. They are fools

who have fallen for the propaganda machine.

[RealLifeNM]

37. Is there room for difference of opinion?

I have up until now been mostly a lurker but feel that this is the right time to air my voice. Can people have a differing opinion and not be labeled a fool?

[KayLaw]

40. Sure

In some cases. But he asked our opinion and I agree that Bush voters are fools. It's the opinion of some that it's fun to smoke pot, get drunk, and go driving around in a car (coincidentally, Bush was one of these characters). My opinion is that such people are fools.

Not all Bush voters are fools. Some are mad and some are evil, but I think most are foolish suckers and I have no problem saying so. If were were all on a lifeboat together and one person decided to ram a knife into the boat, yes, I'd go out on a limb and call him a fool.

Bush is known drunk with a long history of betraying his country, ruining businesses, telling lies that kill tens of thousands, and supporting policies that harm the environment and most everyone's pocketbook. Who would vote for such a person?

[newyawker99]

49. Hi RealLifeNM!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[FloridaPat]

3. Half are stupid and half are evil. The ones who believe God put

Bush in office - not sure which side of my fence they belong on. Most people in the US just don't seem to care about anything. It's like they're brain dead. After having lived through the Vietnam war and all the protests, Rowen & Martin, Smothers Brothers, and open discussion about war and government lies, I just can't believe I am living in the same country. So much for progress.

[FreedomAngel82]

6. There's a mixed group I think

Some people are really full in deep and think he's a prophet from God and all that nonsense. Then there's people who just really didn't know things. Some people can be reached and others can't. It all just depends. On the really farout there one's who don't even listen to me when I talk: those I'm pissed at.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. I'd never date one, that is for SURE!

[NVMojo]

zombies ...

[Erika]

5. Coming from a solid red state

they would vote Republican if the candidates wore a Nazi symbol on their uniforms.

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Now that's not fair

to say about people. How are you going to win people by saying that? I know lots of republican friends who said they voted for Bush. All you have to do is show them the truth and talk to them about issues by not slaming them and getting angry.

[thefloyd]

7. I totally think supporters do not know what

they are supporting. I think when politics became more partisan and somthing not so taboo to talk about people chose sides and saw all the flag waving by the right and thought "well they seem to be patriotic" but never really understood patriotism is more than waving a flag. It also involves sacrifice. For example one of my friends thought Harry Truman was a republican. No research whatsoever about the issues just saw the republican flag waving and assumed Truman was republican because of his record.

[pansypoo53219]

8. Wdiots

they have joined a cult.

[Lone Pawn]

10. 1/2 ill-informed, 1/4 stupid, 1/4 in a different world.

[GetTheRightVote]

11. They are fools or just plain stupid, I do not know which but them are bad

:kick:

[Bouncy Ball]

12. I think they are a combination of

any one or more of these things, at heart:

1. ignorant (this is NOT the same as stupid)

2. greedy, selfish (as in "well I'm fine/my family is fine, so WE'RE happy"--very self-centered, not usually thinking about how others are doing--this is one of their most vivid characteristics)

3. racist/bigoted (and thus hateful on some level or many levels, though some go to great lengths to disguise it)

Remember I said one or more of these factors, not all three have to be present.

And yes, I hold them accountable and I hold the people they voted for accountable. If you cast a vote, you are responsible for that vote and what it creates. Ignorance is no excuse. You must be a well-informed voter or suffer the consequences.

[MsConduct]

27. I agree with your assessment with just one exception...

innocent people are the ones suffering the consequences of their ignorant/selfish/bigoted/uninformed voting practices. I have a feeling that 'they' won't suffer any consequences at all. JMO

[flyarm]

13. they are stupid , lazy, ignorant inbreds! n/t

[jojo54]

14. disillusioned

or they just refuse to see what's going on. Just like *, they let others do their thinking for them.

[flaminbats]

15. it depends on the individual..

Some of the people I disliked most worked with me on Democratic campaigns, yet some of those I loved most voted for Bush.

I resigned from "the Sons of the American Revolution" because every gathering was used to openly support Republican politics. Unfortunately many of my best friends stopped voting years ago, and nothing I try has motivated them.

[BuyingThyme]

16. They make me cry. They're convinced that education and participation

are anti-American concepts.

It just makes me so sad.

They want me to live in their cage.

[NYC]

17. They cause me harm.

That's what I think of.

[Disturbed]

20. Various combinations.

Have no illusions. The RW is at war with anyone in Amerika that refuses to bow down to their agenda.

[Blecht]

51. This nails it -- they cause us all harm

They even hurt themselves. They harm the whole fucking world by supporting that man and what he stands for.

[G_j]

18. wearing thin...

I am a forgiving and tolerant person, but some of these people are consciously supporting sadistic torture, racism, death, the destruction of the environment, and are actually proud that the world hates us for it.

Others really don't understand what is happening.
There comes a time however when ignorance as an excuse is irrelevant.
Imagine if we were a group of people on a space ship. Some of the passengers insist on pouring poison in the water supply, it effects us all, our children, our grandparents. Be it ignorance or malevolence, the end results are the same.

[moondust]

19. Rich ones are predators. Poor ones are fools.

With lots of ignorance and brainwashing thrown in the mix.

[rzemanfl]

38. Exactlly. n/t

[Mr_Spock]

21. automaton syndrome

These "bots" just want everything to be "good" in the world. They could give two shits about the "details".

[fooj]

22. Hear me out, please. I think there are "levels" of accountability.

First of all, I believe that the American people have been COMPLETELY BETRAYED by the MSM. They have failed to protect the people of this country from government propaganda! Instead, they have protected themselves. They have HELPED CREATE this madness! I personally feel as though they have committed an egregious crime against their fellow citizens in this country. I just needed to say that. Thank you for giving me a place to do so. Keeping what I've said in mind, I think that there are many Repubs who have simply fallen victim to the MSM's crime. They have not been getting the REAL news...the truth has eluded them. I think that some supporters are fueled by hate and division. These slime bags hate anything that does not look, walk or talk like they do. These are Turd Blossom's favorite kind of people. He, too, is a slime bag. Therefore he can relate and knows just what to say to set them off. The most dangerous, in my opinion, are the people in the third group. This group is ruthless, maniacal and pure, hard-core evil. I believe that Rove feeds off this group as well. His sick and twisted mindset keeps him drunk with power. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the lot of them are about as merciless and self-absorbed as it gets. They have no respect for humanity and no use for anyone who does not follow their dangerous doctrine. So, there are my three groups: the uninformed, the hate-mongers and the anti-Christs!

We've got a real doozy going here. Peace.

[GarySeven]

23. They are traitors, pure and simple

They support an ideology which denies citizenship under a rule of law. They have opposed every progressive measure to improve the welfare of humanity, from the abolition of slavery to the 40-hour work week. While preaching piety, they abhor the Constitutional protections of religion, choosing instead to usurp the rule of law in favor of a theocratic dictatorship. And they are not content for this change to occur by evolution, or even by force of arms; instead they work to undermine the foundations of our government by subversion and subterfuge, and by the selective assassination of individuals they dislike (civil rights leaders, homosexuals, etc.) to instill fear in those they wish to control. There is nothing redeeming about them, nothing worth salvage, nothing to talk with them about - they are the enemy of democracy and a clear and present danger to this Republic and to all people who wish to live free and stand on their own feet rather than be cowed and controlled by masters. They know what they are doing. They have known for 230 years and they have silently been going about their business to destroy from within. There is only one answer for the problem they pose and the threat they present. And the more astute of you will know what this solution is.

[leftofthedial]

24. 4 categories

1. members of the ruling oligarchy--part of the 1% or so whom the little bushturd actually represents. they and all their heirs should all be executed and their wealth added to the national treasury.

2. hate-filled bigots or true-blue PNACers who believe the best thing Murka can do is kill as many furriners as possible. They should all be imprisoned, studied, used for scientific experiments and then executed.

3. religiously insane wack jobs. they should be deprogrammed. If deprogramming is successful, they shouldbe allowed to do community service until the damage is undone. If deprogramming fails, they should be euthanized.

4. political opportunists, who don't believe anything, but jump on whichever wagon they think will carry them to the bank the fastest. they should be tried as accomplices to the war crimes and crimes against humanity and crimes against the planet that they have enabled. when they are found guilty after a fair trial, they should be executed and their wealth add to the national treasury.

gee, I guess I'm angry.

[Senator Lamb]

28. I think there should be a group

for those who genuniely believe in conservatism and smaller government along with other traditional conservative principles. sadly most of these principles have been replaced by red state facism and these people havent figured out the change.

[Nay]

48. Love yer rant, leftofthedial.

[DenverDem]

25. Willfully ignorant, racist, bigoted, self consumed, anti-American fascists

That about covers it.

[leftofthedial]

50. don't pull your punches there, DenverDem

let 'em really have it

[minustwentyseven]

26. Two Basic Categories

Not ALL Bushies are dumb-asses (though most are). Some are merely lazy. Let's face it, being a progressive requires an inquiring mind. Some, however, are satisfied with a National Enquirering mind...

[fooj]

29. Welcome to DU!

[depakid]

30. It's clearly become a character issue

and there are really only two ways to look at it:

Republicans are either willfully ignorant (in which case, I have no interest in being around them- and wouldn't even consider hiring one to work in any business or organization I'm involved in)

or

They possess MAJOR character flaws, such as shortsighted avarice, sociopathy (i.e. lack of empathy) or intolerance & hatefulness.

Again, I don't want anyone like that in my life (including certain family members) and I do my best to steer clear of them in business and academic contexts.

[Seabiscuit]

31. Most are traditional Republicans who don't pay attention and don't know

any better.

The others are vile. I sometimes wish there were a legal way to thoroughly eradicate this group.

[porphyrian]

32. They're traitorous fucking pieces of shit. - n/t

[timtom]

34. Of all the responses to this OP

(and some are kind and some are harsh), I believe yours is the most succinct and closest to the truth (or maybe just the way I feel). "Traitorous fucking pieces of shit??"
You Bet!
And jail's too good for the lot of them.
Anyone who can take a look at the accomplishments of * prior to the 2000 election, and even consider him remotely as fit for anything, does, indeed, have serious character flaws.
No, actually, they are traitorous fucking pieces of shit.
Amen.

[wellst0nev0ter]

33. FundyFools Who Can't Wait For The World To End

If Bush is going to destroy the planet tomorrow by tossing the nuclear football, they won't mind a bit as long as their souls are "quickened" by the rapture. They believe if they vote otherwise, they'll earn a one-way trip to Gehenna.

Bush supporters with IQs about 20 brain cells just don't believe in sustainable societies and are only looking out for themselves.

That about covers it because the "swing voters" who voted for Bush because they don't trust Kerry to inflame the Arab world like the chimp are not that significant in number.

[KG]

35. idiots

[TyeDye75]

36. I have complete contempt for anyone

who voted for George Bush in 2004.

[B Calm]

39. Uninformed, ignorant people who fear everything.

[Sugar Smack]

41. Hey, remember "Trahcan Man" from the Movie "The Stand"?

In a sort of apocalyptic setting, he would buzz around on his motorbike, slack-jawed and drooling, blowing things up. Muttering "My life for yooooouuuu. My life for yooooouuuuu. (incomprehensible gurgling and snarfing)My life for you!" And then he'd hyperventilate. He had this imaginary leader in his head pointing him in a certain direction, and an insane, glazed look in his eyes. But on the way there he mainly just blew stuff up.

Hmm. I guess that's not so much an opinion as it is my description of your typical Bush voter.

:)

[eridani]

42. Possibly braindamaged

There is such a thing, biologically, as the empathic distress response. It appears in newborns, who cry when other babies cry. It's how we feel other people's pain. It is the biological foundation of ethics. We also need to suppress this sometimes, like for self-defense and dealing with emergencies (stabilize vital signs first, then relate to the patient as a fellow human in pain). Given a need for suppression, it inevitably follows that there will always be at least a few who are entirely too good at it.

That's where Bush voters come from. The parts of their brains that process the question "How would you like it if someone did that to you?" just aren't working.

[hadrons]

44. might be some truth to this (along w cognitive dissonce)

As we know about Republicans:

Congresswoman with sick mom-in-law driving force behind Canadian drugs vote Jul. 25, 2003

WASHINGTON (AP) - A lone congresswoman, who was worried about her mother-in-law's expensive drugs, was responsible for the U.S. House of Representatives' vote to allow Americans to buy prescription medicine abroad.

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson a Missouri Republican switched her vote on a Medicare drug bill last month and obtained the IOU she needed to have House leaders agree to bring the importation bill to a vote early Friday morning. The deal pitted her against opposition from the White House, Republican leaders and the influential pharmaceutical industry.

Ask why she is so passionate about the issue and Emerson is likely to tick off a list of her mother-in-law's prescriptions, which cost $600 to $800 a month.

"Not only do we hardly have any money left in her savings but I'm helping out, too," Emerson said. "

www.mediresource.sympatico.ca/channel_health_news_detail.asp?channel_id=136&menu_item_id=4&news_id=1953

Medicaid cuts could carry a political cost, too

By KEVIN MURPHY

The Kansas City Star

GERSTER, Mo. — Gary Ruckel, like most rural Missourians, backed Matt Blunt for governor last fall and voted other Republicans into legislative seats.

Ruckel agreed with Blunt on issues such as gun control and gay marriage, but he was not considering a subject that hit much closer to home: medical care.

So when Blunt proposed cuts in Medicaid last month that could cost Ruckel and his wife, Vivian Ruckel, some services, the couple had second thoughts about backing Republicans.

www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/10929121.htm

Republicans are a bunch of whining, selfish babies when they feel pain

[yankeedem]

45. Angry, because of WILLFUL ignorance

The truth is out there, but it's easier to follow the crowd and passively accept whatever the "liberal media" tells them.

[Padraig18]

46. A mixture or pity, anger and contempt.

Those who support Bush simply because the are ignorant/uninformed I pity; those who KNOW better, yet still support him I have nothing but contempt for.

[greenpagan]

47. They're stupid &/or ignorant. Case closed.

[Sparkly]

52. &/or evil, I'd add.

But I think most are just ignorant.