I have cracked the wingnut/TeaBagger code: Constitution/"freedom" ONLY FOR ME & my race

[UTUSN]

I wasn’t around age-wise to witness the demise of Father COUGHLIN (radicalized political-Catholicism) or McCARTHYISM (hey, Wisconsin lives again, and he was an INTIMATE courtier of the KENNEDYs, dated two of the sisters, godfather to Kathleen, Old Joe loved him), but heard about it all and thought that it was History and therefore we were safe from that, it was SO over. Wrong. The KKK was supposedly over, but I saw some actual ones in little parades into the ‘60s. But I do remember John Bircherism and saw it die off and felt safe and that we were enlightened and beyond that crap (again). Wrong. Then came LIMBAUGH, who single-handedly rehabilitated Wingnutism into a form of respectability, and on his coattails were the scores of media yakkers of his ilk, including the revival of radicalized political-Catholicism (Pat and Bay BUCHANAN, HANNITY, O’LOOFAH, and the scores of others), with that zeal for orthodoxy and inquisition and crusade and dictating social choices to others. But not content with relatively respectable “Conservatism,” the wingnuts reverted to loosing their Birch fringers again: the Skinheads, the Minutemen, and the TeaBaggers. All of the bad old days are young again. They never really disappeared, just went underground for a couple of decades. And racism is a key component in all forms of wingnutism.

In dismay, I wondered, how do you fight rhetorical phantasms, vague platitudes: “We LOVE the Constitution. We LOVE Freedom.” The implication being that ONLY THEY love the Constitution and Freedom. Repying with, “SO do I” takes everything to the Neverland field of non-combat.

But something has gnawed at my reason and b.s. detector with every one of their platitudes: What doesn’t FIT here? They SAY they love “the Constitution” and “Freedom” but why are there so many things --- meaning, “people” –--- that they, not only are against, but seem to abhor?

And I have finally hit on my answer: They love “the Constitution” ONLY FOR THEMSELVES. They love “Freedom” only for themselves. All their yapping platitudes about "the Constitution" and "freedom" and all, really mean: "ONLY FOR ME." They don't APPROVE of the Constitutional exercises and freedoms that others, especially those alien-looking others, choose to exercise in their own ways.


Somebody else here at the discussion board just posted the same thing (I'll look up/credit the DUer. On Edit, it was "Volaris" in this thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x881168 ) :

*********QUOTE*************

The current Conservative mantra is: Only if it works in my favor. States' Rights? Only if it works in my favor. ACTUAL Libertarianism? Only if it works in my (political) favor. Universal Healthcare? Only if it works in (MY State's) favor. ---see Massachusetts--- Electoral Fraud Inquires? Only if it works in my favor. TAX LAW Most definitely Only if it works in my favor. A Pro-active Congress (as it relates to Executive Oversight) Only if it works in my favor. The Imperial Presidency it will ONLY ever work in my favor

**********UNQUOTE************

[anneboleyn]

1. Yes, great post. In their imagining, the constitution is a weapon

not a sophisticated, living document that has been amended (in their minds, somehow, the whole thing is written in stone and gets changed by magic). And yes, it's for them and their "people."

[UTUSN]

2. Thanks, I've knocked my head trying to figure how to fight platitudes & abstractions n/t

[mmonk]

3. It's always been that way in America's backwoods and prairies.

The country just goes through periods when it isn't politically correct or socially acceptable for their behavior and they remain quiet. And then when they are needed politically, it is time to them to be socially acceptable again (because the rich need division between people) to shift attention off of the fact the rich are responsible for the middle and lower class economic ills.

[Brewman_Jax]

4. Tim Wise video clip on this topic

Short clip at http://www.timwise.org/2010/09/interview-on-grit-tv-with-laura-flanders-92410/

Now we know what they REALLY mean when they say that they "want their country back." :eyes:

[white_wolf]

5. Don't you know, when the Constitution says "We the People."

It really means "We the white, rich, christian males." The rest of us who aren't white, rich,or males, can go to hell. Note you must meet all requirements to qualify: They hate all poor and working people equally regardless of race or sex or religion.

[Dawson Leery]

6. This is a common theme among many conservatives/traditionalists.

In the past 5 years or so, country "music" has taken this theme and incorporated it into their works.
9/11 most likely was the trigger for this, though there is no question that the election of a black President has triggered some of the most reactionary/violent/dangerous elements around.

[Volaris]

7. “SO do I” is the wrong response....

the CORRECT response, is as follows..

"Fuck you, prove it. Get behind the idea of Publicly-Funded elections. Back the idea of Corporate Non Person-hood. (oh you say the Supreme Court says otherwise? Well I'm so glad you think the S.C. is infallible,
that means we can stop have a bi-annual fight over Roe. DOESN'T IT????)Agree to the fact that the current Tax Code looks like it was written by the East India Company. Get on Board with THOSE things, and THEN MAYBE we can start believing that you're sincere when you talk about things like Family Values and the benefits of an unbroken Home as it relates to todays population of children."

--Generally, humans define a learning experience through pain and self-inflicted suffering. This is because, as a rule, we can be pretty damn stupid to the point where nuance isn't usually enough to teach us the lesson we need to learn. Sometimes, you have to get hit in the head with a metaphorical brick.

Peace,
=)

[ladjf]

8. Or translated in another way "Impede everyone who isn't one of us

so that we can succeed while they all fail due to their shortcomings."

[butterfly77]

9. K&R..

[UTUSN]

10. Thanks. n/t

[butterfly77]

11. You're welcome...

:kick: