Example of the GOP's TRUE Religion: The religion of 'we can spend as much as we like on wars and we don't need to find any sort of revenue to pay for it'...
The Daily Show: The Republicans' refusal to accept any tax increases to help America out of debt is like a doctor believing strictly in magic to cure a patient. (5:46):
Reminder: Republican rule put the country on the brink on economic collapse (remember 2008-09?). Even George Bush said that he didn't understand that his ideological position of no taxes etc. turned out to be bad for the economy (hehe)
Article: 10 Things The GOP Doesn't Want You To Know About The Debt
Here is what is going on:
The old Republicans used to be sensible. Then they got old. Problem is they brought up a bunch of 'old' children as well, stuck in ideology and not aware of the facts the way Republican's used to be.
VIDEO: Fareed Zakaria talks conservatism
Extract:
"It used to be that conservatism was a hard-headed set of ideas rooted in reality.
Unlike the abstract theories of Marxism and socialism, it started not from an imagined society, but from the world as it actually exists.
"This is the way things work," conservatives would patiently explain to wooly headed liberal professors. "Whatever you may want it to look like, this is what it really looks like."
But consider the debates over the economy these days. The Republican prescription is cut taxes - slash government spending, then things will always bounce back.
Now, I would like to see lower tax rates in the context of simplification and reform, but what is the actual evidence that massive tax cuts are the single best path to revive the U.S. economy? Taxes as a percentage of GDP are at their lowest levels since 1950. The U.S. is among the lowest taxed of the big industrial economies.
So the case that America is grinding to a halt because of high taxation is not based on facts, either past or present. It is simply a theoretical assertion.
The rich countries after all are in the best shape right now with strong growth and low unemployment are ones like Germany, Denmark and Canada - none characterized by low taxes."
More proof that the economic debate in the States is an ideological debate - i.e. watch the following talk between the economists on whether we should have jobs vs. whether we should be budgeting.
VIDEO: A Serious Economic Debate
Notice where it says 'in my judgement' in the following quote - another proof that this is an ideological debate...
"STOCKMAN: Yes. That's the dilemma that we're in. We're in a deflationary cycle. We can't afford to borrow more. We can't afford to create artificial demand and artificial employment. And so, therefore, we're likely to have unemployment in the teens for the balance of the teens, that is, for a decade or more.
That's the mess that we have created after 30 years of, you know, tax giveaways and lack of control on entitlements and running this massive $800 billion war budget that we don't need and can't afford. It sounds like very harsh medicine, but it happens to be reality. We cannot borrow our way out of this one, in my judgment. We're now facing the day of reckoning, literally."
Here is another direct quote (notice that what this Republican economist thinks should be done is an ideological perspective NOT an economic one {i.e. he is using metaphor of personal budgeting for understanding an economy)...
"Two years ago, Greece was borrowing two-year money at 3 percent. This morning, they're borrowing at 30 percent. There reaches a point when the bond market is no longer willing to tolerate the kind of fiscal irresponsibility we have, and I think we're very close to that, and it is very foolish to run a risk of trying to find out how much longer we can go on with this before the reaction sets in.
So, yes, I agree it would be nice if we could afford to spend money to put people to work or put money in people's pockets, although I don't think that's a good public policy. But we can't afford it. Literally, we are broke. Literally, we are at the edge of a financial calamity and we have to get beyond the idea that there is always enough balance sheet left to borrow some more money until we get to economic conditions that are more to our liking. The conditions that we have are the ones that we have to cope with, and that, unfortunately, is the fact of life today."
It is a fact of life for people. Economies function on different principles as this post makes clear. (The whole extra large credit card gag is just ridiculous and not just because it's inaccurate but also because where the bulk of our debt comes from i.e. the unpaid for wars in Iraq & Afghanistan).
It is very obvious from the following video that the anchor of Fox News Sunday genuinely believes what he is saying, i.e. he is obviously not lying (an assertion by some 'liberals' on the 'left' about Fox News in general). Also, notice that Jon Stewart respects the fellow and the debate is very civil... and even though they disagree there is an affection between the two.
Jon Stewart Vs. Chris Wallace On Fox Bias (CQB 241)
The economic debate over the US economy is an ideological one. The GOP likes to believe stuff that has already proven to be bad if the economic crash of 2007-8 is taken into account. They just keep spouting their ideology (seeming more and more like intentional lies to me though) and people just seem to believe em.
How The GOP Creates Opinions In It's Base & Motivates Them To Take Action On These Opinions Which They Have Created & Then They Claim That 'This Is What The American People Want'
Definition of Fundamentalism: For fundamentalism to exist you have to take a side so completely that the 'other' side (whatever that side may be) MUST be beaten at all costs for survival.
The above is most certainly an attitude shared by Anders Behring Breivik as well as some others...
From Salon.com
Anders Breivik's favorite American pundits show no shame in blaming liberals, Muslims for right-wing terror.
Some individuals in hate groups will decide to attack on their own some will work in small groups. Muslims are in a bad economic environment and a large part of global population with historical grievances. This is being duplicated in the west with the currant economic conditions and, fascinatingly enough, a recreation of history so that there may be historical grievances to fight against!
Scholars have criticized Barton for presenting facts out of context or in misleading ways, but that hasn’t stopped him from promoting his theories through books, television, and, yes, the textbooks that will teach the next generation of Americans. He promotes conspiracy theories about elites hiding the truth from average Americans in order to undermine the nation from within. Last summer, he declared that liberal and media attacks on the Tea Party were just like attacks on Jesus. In February, Barton spoke at the Connect 2011 Pastors Conference, where he said that Christians needed to control the culture and media so that “guys that have a secular viewpoint cannot survive.” Said Barton, “If the press lacks moral discrimination, it’s because we haven’t been pushing our people to chop that kind of news off.”
The above is about a man named David Barton who likes to take two or more separate facts and put them together. Then he markets them.
What Europeans need to realize is that he has allot of influence in American politics, guides the direction of fundamentalist Christianity and says stuff like 'just like attacking Jesus' (see quote above) which inflames his followers and any other Christian who is not aware of the facts (i.e. doesn't read), thus his movement, and with it the cultlike New Republican (GOP) party keeps growing. If the democrats in the States win there will be a great deal of genuine anger and conspiracy beliefs and, probably, more death. If Republicans win it could be worse. A great deal of their power comes from making some of their leaders untouchable. If they can be investigated internationally (as Obama doesn't have the political power or desire to expose certain war crimes etc.. that are already proven all over the place - including my blogs)
The rest of this post is a quick exposition in how Fox News is promoting political fundamentalism (which includes Christian fundamentalism).
Law 27: People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power. [From "The 48 Laws of Power"].
"emphasize enthusiasm over clear thinking."
In the above video you will see how lies are used to inflame passions and encourage the blooming of the Tea party, while the video below proves that they were lying...
Also, this video above is from August 17, 2009 and The Obama as Hitler campaign had already begun. Also, with million of people without health insurance, Fox News was promoting the lie that 'America has the best healthcare system in the world' - A statement that defies the facts - World Healthcare system ranks USA healthcare at 37. (just 2 places above Cuba!)
Many lies from Fox News have been confirmed by the politics fact checking website...
Jon Stewart is considered to be a 'liberal activist' by Fox News so the full dynamic is played out on the daily show for all to see so I'm using allot of their videos to illustrate the method of cult creation and maintenance.
Step 1: Keep It Vague: Keep It Simple
"Done right, the combination of vague promises, cloudy but alluring concepts, and fiery enthusiasm will stir people's souls and a group will form around you."
"As a corollary to its vagueness your appeal should also simple. Most people's problems have complex causes: deep-rooted neurosis, interconnected social factors, roots that go way back in time and are exceedingly hard to unravel. Few, however, have the patience to deal with this; most people want to hear that a simple solution will cure their problems. The ability to offer this kind of solution will give you great power and build you a following. Instead of the complicated explanations of real life, return to the primitive solutions of our ancestors, to good old country remedies, to mysterious panaceas."
On one side, in the realm of economics, the new GOP slogans of balance the budget is simple and doesn't require any analysis of history of the intricacies of economic planning or even a GED.
On the other hand Glenn Beck is one of the masters or promoting fear (which leads to anger... and violence? Obviously.) the following is a post I wrote a long time ago...
Beck says sarcastically "we are fighting our way back into the socialism we never had" implying that unions and people in unions are socialists. [Note: Socialism is defined as a centrally planned economy in which the government controls all means of production - to say that unions somehow control all means of production is absurd... and to imply that they are going to take over the government is probably not what he intended?]
He says, 'traditional values that we know and love and are trying desperately to hold on to' implying that everything any particular listener cherishes is under attack and this creates a need to respond - if he is wrong then what he has actually done is to create a psychological imbalance that could lead to problems.[Click here to watch video] [Note: This is an idea that could have spread to many right wing groups through many different routes].
The following is a case of being too specific (a mistake in following this law, which resulted in patch up propaganda), which is understandable as Chris Wallace appears to be a true believer in the conservative faith and therefore wasn't thinking strategically.
2 minutes 6 seconds :
Stewart: "You believe that Fox news is the ideological equivalent of MSNBC News?"
Wallace: "I think we are the counter-weight. I think that they have a liberal agenda and that we tell the other side of the story." [Notice the use of "Other"]
Notice the number of fields of knowledge Stewart cites as part of Fox News being "right wing resin" - In particular he mentions that Fox News sees Science, History, facts as against the 'conservatives' i.e. a comedic perspective based on Fox News broadcasts. (click links for further proof on these statements).
As a consequence he had to do a retraction, which was a very bad one but enough for a true believer as all they need is any almost any vague explanation that appears logical and has the word "because" in it [for example: He believes X because of Y, even if it is a lie the explanation is accepted if it is presented by a respected authority figure.]
Around 1 min into the video a Fox News clip begins and Wallace says "I wish I had said the full story" in response to "we tell the other side of the story". The difference, the first is honest the next is either a lawyer idea or a planned line of attack chosen by the editors of the news cast.
About 5 minutes into the video Stewart describes Fox News game, which comes down to, 'if something is in line with Fox News 'conservatism' then it is fair and it it isn't it's liberal bias and if you try to prove them wrong they are being UNFAIRLY persecuted [playing the victim card]
Step 2: Emphasize the Visual and the Sensual over the Intellectual
"Surround yourself with luxury, dazzle your followers with visual splendor, fill their eyes with spectacle. Not only will this keep them from seeing the ridiculousness of your ideas, the holes in your belief system, it will also attract more attention, more followers."
Fox News is well known for having over done graphics and marketing. Sean Hannity's strategy is to use angry rhetoric and shouting down anyone he doesn't agree with (generally). [Creates spectacle, plus he's rich and supports the rich which is enough to dazzle some kinds of people].
Glenn Beck is also a great example of spectacle;
Step 3: Borrow the Forms of Organized Religion to Structure the Group
"The lofty and holy associations of organized religion can be endlessly exploited. Create rituals for your followers; organize them into a hierarchy, ranking them in grades of sanctity, and giving them names and titles that resound with religious overtones; ask them for sacrifices that will fill your coffers and increase your power. To emphasize your gathering's quasi-religious nature, talk and act like a prophet."
The Tea Party protests has the format of a religion. A movement, based on ideology, that requires sacrifices of time and money from its followers with rituals such as buying tea bags and I think I remember some kind of tea boxes stacking event.
Side note: When there is dissension in the ranks then the cult is falling apart, this is the time for escape.
Step 4: Disguise Your Source of Income
"Your followers want to believe that if they follow you all sorts of good things will fall into their lap. By surrounding yourself with luxury you become living proof of the soundness of your belief system. Never reveal that your wealth actually comes from your followers' pockets; instead, make it seem to come from the truth of your methods."
After the Tea Party movement was created, the creators (Fox News) distanced itself acting as if the Tea Party sprang up 'on its own'
About a minute in Newt Gingrich says that the tea party 'kinda sprang up on its own'
Then Stephen Colbert proves that the Tea Party was founded by anchors of Fox News and activism ideas even came from the repub party chairmen.
About 3 minutes into the video Stephen says a bunch of nonsense, mixing various eras from history together with fiction, this is making fun of Glenn Becks theories which are historically and factually inaccurate.
Step 5: Set Up an Us-Verses-Them Dynamic
"First, make sure your followers believe they are part of an exclusive club, unified by a bond of common goals. Then, to strengthen this bond, manufacture the notion of devious enemy out to ruin you. There is a force of nonbelievers that will do anything to stop you. Any outsider who tries to reveal the charlatan nature of your belief system can now be described as a member of this devious force."
[such as playing victim]
They egg each other on to believe that the Social Democrats are guilty of all the horrors we'll come to experience; that immigrants rape and murder and that it's the socialists' fault. It is the fault of Mona Sahlin, former Social Democrat leader, that we will be forced to wear burkas and live under sharia law by 2020. I'm not saying it's wrong to have opinions about immigration, or to protest against the people who really do want Sweden to allow Muslims to have their own courts and laws. I don't think it's right that our borders should be wide open, without any controls – but I utterly reject these reactions. Hatred breeds nothing but hatred.
Creating the 'other': When Chris Wallace appears to be losing the factual argument immediately a 'Us vs. Them/Him' dynamic is created
About a minute of Fox News anchors repeating the same catch phrases again and again, drumming negative perspectives about Stewart into thier viewers (simple yet effective tactic used by Hitler). The race card on such a flimsy case shows desperation... one would think, but if many people believed it, then the flimsy race card was all that was needed!
The move towards terrorism or violent rhetoric...
Fox News gets upset because a democrat used thier own 'Nazi' tactic on them. [After the killing of a judge that possibly was because of an individual inflamed by fundamentalist right wing rhetoric - the lessons of which were either not learned or simply ignored]. In the above
video you will see why so many people believe Fox News anchors are always lieing and not just following a script. The reality is that when you are surrounded by one kind of rhetoric all day, all week, all year then you begin to believe it. Bill O Reilly literally says Ariana Huffington and the Nazi do the same thing but seems to geniunely believe that he is NOT making a comparision between a 'liberal' and the 'Nazis'.
[Was it any surprise that a judge was shot and anothe ralmost killed with this kind of rhetoric? I wasn't surprised by that, the Norway massacre, or the future massacres from both white, black, brown, yellow and purple polka dotted deranged individuals.]
"When you push the demonization of populations, you often end up with violence," —Heidi Beirich, research director for the Southern Poverty Law Center.
To combat this demonization some activists are trying to balance the equation but are playing right into the trap of 'Us vs Them' by following tactics that are exact opposite of the cult (following the same tactic is also a trap, different law of power so not applicable here)
Avoid slogans, namecalling, and demonizing members of the Right.
Slogans and sound bites have their place, but they are not sufficient as an organizing strategy. Simple anti-Right slogans do not help people understand why the Right sounds convincing but is wrong. And responding in kind to being called names weakens your position with some of the listeners you are trying to convince. Phrases like “religious political extremists” are labels, not arguments, and often will backfire on the neighborhood and community level.
The above document shows how the democrats have chosen to handle the situation. It shows that they are on the back foot. In other words, lies and ideology are so effective in the states that simple facts can only be promoted as if in a defensive war. Allowing Fox News to control the political landscape with lies is clear indication of the failing American democracy. Ideas exported to Europe should be eradicated before they can take root.
Note: How can the following types of perspectives not lead to violence?
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