dagblog - Comments for "So What Do Progressives Do Now, In Response To The 2014 Midterm Disaster?"

..the only way I can see for

NCD — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 16:53:39 +0000

..the only way I can see for people to realize their "factual world" is based on myths and wishful thinking is for them to see their goals fulfilled. And once they see the chaos their goals achieve,

Their "factual world" is, as Wattree says, based on Ideology. They do not see what non-ideologues see.

An ideology can be so strongly established that it can become almost impossible, regardless of facts, for the 'believers' to cast off. Ideology is the indispensable tool of dictators and despots, acting as a shield for the crimes of those who wield it, and a impenetrable filter for facts which threaten it.

Fox News and Limbaugh, etc, reinforce the GOP ideology by reporting, and repeating over and over, opinions supporting that ideology, and propaganda/misinformation or outright lies supporting it.

If you think ideology will be cast off by 'chaos' you might read Under Two Dictators: Prisoner of Stalin and Hitler, a witness to the extremes of both left wing and right wing ideology, and its hold on those who believe. The author documents many for whom the grasp of ideology persisted until the bitter end.

Excellent !

Beetlejuice — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 14:43:17 +0000

In reply to So What Do Progressives Do Now, In Response To The 2014 Midterm Disaster?

Excellent !

I'm slow-reading/studying Walter Lippman's book, Public Opinion and you've identified a point he made that people purposefully build shells around them where they can pigeonhole information they consider necessary to their way of life. And I have actually encountered people, when confronted with facts that prove what they say and think are wrong, they really do, as you said, contort the facts to make their opinion seem valid so they don't have to admit they're wrong.

Unfortunately, the only way I can see for people to realize their "factual world" is based on myths and wishful thinking is for them to see their goals fulfilled. And once they see the chaos their goals achieve, only then will they be willing to consider other options.

September 2008 was one such occasion ... the middle class was nearly destroyed, loss of wealth tied up in housing, loss of jobs, benefits, retirement funds, security and so forth ... yet many blame Democrats for their losses because republicans were able to reframe the issue and Democrats refused to engage so the lie became fact.

And I think you wasted your time with addressing the issue with President Obama because he is, after all, a laissez-faire leader seeking bipartisanship with republicans at any cost which republicans have and will take full advantage of.

And the Democrats in the Senate have been quite feckless, refusing to use their political power to push any aggressive agenda by whatever means possible.

So the only possible point of entry would be with the local/regional Party offices in the States to create an agenda there, looking for candidates that have the abilities to push such legislation thru local city and county councils,and State legislatures with an eye towards Congress.

I am sorry.

Richard Day — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 05:33:25 +0000

In reply to So What Do Progressives Do Now, In Response To The 2014 Midterm Disaster?

I am sorry.

I just kept thinking of this old song from decades ago.

Where is America, anyway?

I am sooooo very lost!