In an excellent piece, Hendrik Hertzberg explains what is driving the right wing’s lunacy about President Obama and healthcare reform:
Lies and fantasies about health-care reform swirled together with lies and fantasies about the chief executive himself. Obama is plotting to set up “death panels,” government tribunals authorized to euthanize the old and sick. Obama was born in Kenya and therefore his very Presidency is unconstitutional. Obama will cut Medicare benefits to provide coverage to illegal aliens. Obama seeks to indoctrinate children in Marxist ideology and put teenagers in “reëducation camps.” Obama is a Communist. Obama is a Fascist.
This sort of lunatic paranoia—touched with populism, nativism, racism, and anti-intellectualism—has long been a feature of the fringe, especially during times of economic bewilderment. What is different now is the evolution of a new political organism, with paranoia as its animating principle. The town-meeting shouters may be the organism’s hands and feet, but its heart—also, Heaven help us, its brain—is a “conservative” media alliance built around talk radio and cable television, especially Fox News. The protesters do not look to politicians for leadership. They look to niche media figures like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and their scores of clones behind local and national microphones. Because these figures have no responsibilities, they cannot disappoint.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post and article. I’m not sure I agree that the right-wing media are the “brains” behind the movement though. I think they are more an outgrowth of the paranoia. I did a post a few days agoabout the psychology of the right-wing delusions based on a super article by psychologist Michael Bader.
http://www.alternet.org/politics/142439/the_psychology_of_the_right-wing%27s_anti-government_%27death-panel%27_delusions/?page=1
Their leaders either won’t, or can’t tell them that it’s okay to be scared and confused so, they turn to people with their own agendas who are more than happy to give them targets on which to project their insecurities. Read “Don’t think of an elephant” by George Lakoff.
It’s refreshing to once and for all find a writer who actually knows what they are talking about. Seriously, with as much info as there is floating around on the net, TV, radio, and magazines, it is difficult to know what to think nowadays. I’m glad to know I’m not the only chick who thinks this way.
Great page, I genuinely benefited from glossing over it, keep doing all the hard thoughts.
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some great points , I besides think this s a very excellent website.
Pleasant page, I surprisingly enjoyed reading it, keep doing the hard efforts.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already
Cheers!
Hello. fantastic job. I did not expect this. This is a great story. Thanks!
There is clearly a bunch to identify about this. I suppose you made certain good points in features also.
Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!
We’re a group of volunteers and also starting a brand new initiative inside our neighborhood. Your post provided us all with beneficial information to help us get started.
Hello there I am so excited I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.
Hey guys I just desired to stop by your weblog and check in so I may drop my link. I wish that you locate our material as effective as I did yours! We happen to be a hands on sort of operation, so if you have any sort of concerns about our services please let us realize!
I felt the first transformers movie was excellent.
Hey! Superb weblog! I’m also a daily visitor (whole lot like addict
) on your website but yet I had a a doubt. I’m just not likely absoluetly certain if it is the right place to ask, but there are no spam comments. I receive comments just about every day. May you assist me? With thanks!
hahahahahahaha how did you do that
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you have introduced for your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for newbies. Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
as soon as I noticed this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
very interesting information! .
Hi! Great blog!
) He spends the majority of his time reading comic books and fanatically talking about trivial activities and fantasising about his female teachers.
You are my aspiration , I possess few blogs and occasionally run out from to post .
I carry on listening to the news broadcast speak about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?
Really good information can be found on web blog .
Greetings! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thanks a ton!
Fun feature, I genuinely had a good time reading it, keep doing all the good writing.
I’ll be back as soon as again inside the possibility to examine out your blogposts down the road.
To your organization online business owner, releasing an essential company will be the bread so butter inside of their opportunity, and choosing a fantastic child care company often indicates the specific between a victorious operation this really is. how to start a daycare
If you think an old Bimmer is a good idea, I can’t talk to you.
Wonderful website. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your effort!
Only wanna admit that this is very beneficial , Thanks for taking your time to write this.
Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one.
This web page is really a stroll-by means of for all the information you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.
Fantastic post, I actually had a good time reading it, keep up all the hard efforts.
solid post my mom does this kidn of work BUT last post for tonight if someone can help me with some solid seo work or knows of a company please email me
Bookmarked this post and look forward to coming back again. Great job!
theres still some stunning free dating sites that are available to new members
is the super bowl this weekend?
Good site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day! “If you are going to do something wrong at least enjoy it.” by Leo C. Rosten.
Great details indeed. I’m here to see the right comments!
Bookmarked this blog and look forward to coming back again. Fantastic writing!
Bakers earn the majority of their income in the morning, they earn most of their dough at yeast by a leaven o’clock.
I really enjoy looking at on this web site , it holds superb content .
who will win the superbowl!
not really relevant but i waiting at the dumb bus station and the only website i can logon to is this one good read anyway
Fun article, I genuinely enjoyed glossing over it, keep up all the good thoughts.