The life of Joe Republican - Unseen benefits of government

BWhite · 2005-02-27 09:26:36

DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOE REPUBLICAN
Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards. With his first swallow of water, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised. All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.

He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

It's noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression. Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime. Joe is home from work.

He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day.

Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

= = =

Edit to add http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2005/2 … 17/4#4]The missing link

Edited By BWhite on 1109523012

Ian Flint · 2005-02-27 10:40:44

Good stuff!!!

I have a bumper sticker that reads, "Republicans for Voldemort." I live in a rural area of Colorado, so it's mostly republican. The only time I get a comment about the bumper sticker is when I travel to a liberal area.

So someone please explain this to me. Do the republicans that read it:
1. Understand and not comment,
2. Not understand because they can't read,
3. Not understand because their preacher said Harry Potter is evil (so they didn't read the books),
4. Think that Voldemort is some real candidate running for office?

Trebuchet · 2005-02-27 14:46:43

They understand and don't comment. If I saw that bumper sticker, I'd have rolled my eyes and thought, "Oh, another leftist idiot making 'cute' statements" and blown you off.

As far as BWhite's post goes, the same thought applies.

BWhite · 2005-02-27 16:22:42

So when does the civil war start?

Trebuchet · 2005-02-27 20:01:46

What 'Civil War'? You guys are all talk. Get a house of Congress back or maybe the Presidency and then you might be strong enough for us to take you seriously.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 06:40:44

You know, just the other day I was at one of those secret "Republican" meetings. I get invited for being openly fascist. Lord Voldemort was there, Lord Vader, actually we all have Lord V-something names. Anyway, we were discussing the progress of the grand plan to poison the waters, make sure no one can afford healthcare, destroy civil rights, convert everyone to evangelical Christianity and steal all the oil so we can jack up the price for the sole purpose of pissing everyone off and fueling our unquenchable greed. If there's time we're also planning to start about ten wars, preferably of the unwinnable variety just for shits and giggles.

Fortunately our sworn enemies on the Left are so adept at oversimplifying things and convincing themselves that they are truly righteous and rational that it's easy to fool and distract them. They convince themselves that all evil is our work, which while flattering is unfortunately beyond our means. All they really want is to soothe their conscience for doing essentially nothing about the misery in the world, so we engineer silly little causes for them to rally around while the evil plot progresses. They're out yapping about raising minimum wage and emission standards while we spread the evil around and grow. Silly liberals.

Stay tuned next week for "Inside the Mind of Johnny Pinko."

So when does the civil war start?

What, you guys have guns now? :;):

BWhite · 2005-02-28 07:59:16

What, you guys have guns now? :;):

Guns? Who needs guns?

My mission is to engage the 10st Keyboard-ists in intarweb conflict and keep 'em pinned down long enough so they forget to pay the electric bill.

And. as you yourself said, Cobra, Americans cannot function without air conditioning.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 08:02:01

And. as you yourself said, Cobra, Americans cannot function without air conditioning.

But my minions and I can, and Americans will gladly submit to our evil rule in order to feel the chilling blast again.

One of us, one of us, one of us...

Palomar · 2005-02-28 08:19:49

*We desperately need a strong and challenging 3rd political party in this nation, to effectively knock Dem and Repub heads together, break up the constant fighting and etc.

3's company.

And I still blame all the popular media outlets today for fueling the increased hostilities between Right and Left today.

I hate the politics of today. It's all about image and grandstanding and camera time, versus actually accomplishing things. Too many "little Napoleans" on either side of the camera. Yeah, I know the politicians of the past weren't wonderful and honest, etc. But it's just gotten out of hand; there are too many *opportunities* today for the folks in power to abuse their power than ever before.

Back when there were only 3 major TV media outlets, time and attention was harder to obtain and/or buy. Now we've got a jazillion TV media outlets and so there are more "celebrities" and bullcrapola and bread and circuses, etc.

There's just waaaaaay too much b.s. and hype and spin today.

Some people need a good ass kicking.

--Cindy

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 08:33:56

I hate the politics of today. It's all about image and grandstanding and camera time, versus actually accomplishing things.

Yep. Neither side can afford to actually accomplish what they advocate except in a partial, symbolic way. If they truly succeed, they lose their issues and with them their power. Republicans don't actually want to cut government intrusion any more than Democrats actually want to end poverty. Fighting these things is a means to an end.

I'm more concerned with ends myself, starting with those two Parties.

Let the equal-opportunity ass kicking commence, plenty of boot to go around.

BWhite · 2005-02-28 08:42:52

Like I said once before. we need to discern an incoming alien invasion fleet, scheduled to arrive in about 30 or 40 years. Failing that, we need a meta-narrative, a uniting storyline that transcends the current partisan agendas.

= = =

Part of America's problem is that the world is becoming increasingly globalized, we are but 5% of total world population, and we have a tradition of one person = one vote.

I believe Americans should adopt a Musketeers attitude, all for one and one for all, since we will need it in the decades to come.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 08:58:29

Like I said once before. we need to discern an incoming alien invasion fleet, scheduled to arrive in about 30 or 40 years.

Somehow I don't think that will lead to the cooperation you envision, unless aligning with a militant, vaguely Rightist agenda counts in your book. If the invasion fleet is coming, the causes of the Left will get trampled in favor of preparing for a serious throwdown with ET.

Which isn't all bad, a good pounding to bring us back to the true harsh nature of the universe coupled with all that captured alien technology would probably be a net gain in the grand scheme of things. Assuming we were to win of course, but if they invade Earth they'll have to go into both Vietnam and Iraq, it's hopeless. :;):

I believe Americans should adopt a Musketeers attitude, all for one and one for all, since we will need it in the decades to come.

We already do for the most part when threatened from abroad, the immediate aftermath of 9/11 being a case in point. But internal conflicts are a whole different matter. We always have and will continue to have bitter divisions about domestic issues. We simply need frontiers to escape to, not some all-encompassing compromise or "meta-narrative". Just someplace to go if you don't want to put up with it.

BWhite · 2005-02-28 09:10:16

I believe Americans should adopt a Musketeers attitude, all for one and one for all, since we will need it in the decades to come.
We already do for the most part when threatened from abroad, the immediate aftermath of 9/11 being a case in point. But internal conflicts are a whole different matter. We always have and will continue to have bitter divisions about domestic issues. We simply need frontiers to escape to, not some all-encompassing compromise or "meta-narrative". Just someplace to go if you don't want to put up with it.

My rage at George W. Bush arises from my perception that he has cynically manipulated 9/11 to benefit his private agenda.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 09:30:33

My rage at George W. Bush arises from my perception that he has cynically manipulated 9/11 to benefit his private agenda.

Is a politician's manipulating of events cynical, or a citizen's outrage at it merely naive? Is one man's "manipulation" possibly another's reasonable course of action for the common good.

My problem with the American Left, even the more moderate variety, is this tendency to assume that we're right, they're wrong, everything they do is manipulation. Following this mindset, one could argue that Dems know SocSec is going to collapse but they are manipulating the situation so everyone thinks Bush is just nuts until it really does collapse, giving them a whole new batch of dependents to vote for them.

What? It's the same sort of "we're always good, they're always bad, they're up to no good" stuff.

Heads up elephants and donkeys, you're both wrong about half the time (if not more) and neither of you can survive without the other to blame for everything that's wrong. The elephant stomps louder, the donkey bleats undlessly. I don't particulary want either in my house.

BWhite · 2005-02-28 10:10:43

My rage at George W. Bush arises from my perception that he has cynically manipulated 9/11 to benefit his private agenda.
Is a politician's manipulating of events cynical, or a citizen's outrage at it merely naive? Is one man's "manipulation" possibly another's reasonable course of action for the common good.

In general I agree with you.

As for my specific rage over the Rove-ian handling of 9/11, I make reference to my usual practice of being even tempered and moderate on the vast majority of issues.

If "I" believe the Bush handling of 9/11 is analagous to Marc Antony waving Ceasar's bloody cloak (from Shakespeare) - - in order to practice demagoguery - - that suggests to me this is an extreme case. :;):

Earthfirst · 2005-02-28 10:24:53

I was kicked out of the super secert Republican meeting for prepossing that instead of having taxes in the USA. We taxed other world peoples, inexchaged for not liberating them from their evil governments. EU members will pay double taxes to repay use for liberating them 50 yrs ago. Great Brition wont not have pay but will also get to collect money to. France will have to pay triple for the 2 times we saved them from Germany. They thought it was a great idea, put din't like my idea that vegitreanise be outlawed. As the founder of petp "people for the ethical treatment of plants" I belive that plants are senitent beings and is a crime to kill them or eat them. To save the plants I enforce stick carnivorism on my cult members. To save grass eat a cow, or eat a vegan. As facisthippie neoconservlibral I belive that all plants should have the same rights as human beings. I am not a neohippiefacist antismoker, I just think we should be able to shoot smokers before they smoke to save my self from deadly 2 handsmoke. Anyways "shoot a vegan save a plant" or as I call them herbavours. Just joking I wouldnt hurt anyone. Though animal rights people can and do peta is the real crazy cult here.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 10:29:31

If "I" believe the Bush handling of 9/11 is analagous to Marc Antony waving Ceasar's bloody cloak (from Shakespeare) - - in order to practice demagoguery - - that suggests to me this is an extreme case.

Problems of using oneself as a reference aside, what end is this "demagoguery" intended to produce?

While some on the Left seem to truly believe that Bush fancies himself Caeser and means to install himself as emperor, I know that you're more reasonable than that. In four years he'll go back to Texas and new players take the field.

Why then? Just for a bit of a laugh? Seems woefully lacking.

To secure the dominance of his Party and the furtherance of its goals? Quite possibly, in which case all politicians throughout time are guilty of the same offense, it being part of the central purpose for parties in the first place. hardly grounds for such rage.

Maybe he actually believes that what he's doing is in the best interests of this country. <gasp> Could he actually believe that making it easier for police to catch terrorists and going on the offense against them abroad is the best way to proceed. Of course it's a possibility, the position is not without merit despite the equally valid objections that can be raised to parts of it. In this case the outrage is not at Bush but at his pursuit of policies contrary to those you (and your party) would prefer. Bush is merely a vessel for the rage, a lightning rod on which the Left can hurl its fury.

Perhaps it's even possible that the problem isn't with Bush or even the policies he enacts. Maybe, just maybe, the problem is that the opposition has issues with itself. Feeling guilt about things it can do nothing about, lashing out at those that don't share their self-loathing?

I cannot say, but until Bush takes a sceptre I will continue to question the motives of his critics with even greater scrutiny than I question his own.

Edited By Cobra Commander on 1109609322

BWhite · 2005-02-28 10:56:41

Here is an interesting http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/26 … 840]thread that seeks genuine Left/Right dialouge.

Some on the comments are harsh yet the overall tone appears remarkably civil, IMHO.

= = =

Nope, I do not believe this:

"Maybe he actually believes that what he's doing is in the best interests of this country."

Bush 41? Yup, he wanted to do the right things for America. Even Reagan did. But not Bush 43.

Edited By BWhite on 1109610017

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 11:01:12

Here is an interesting thread that seeks genuine Left/Right dialouge.

Reviewing.

Nope, I do not believe this:
"Maybe he actually believes that what he's doing is in the best interests of this country."

I'm curious as to why you can dismiss the possibilty.

EDIT::
Several replies into the link you provided and my impression so far is this: The original post is from someone essentially saying "I'm a Republican and I'm not evil. I'm probably just like you." Several of the replies are from Democrats essentially saying "how can you be Republican if you believe these things, Republicans are evil."

Is this "genuine dialogue"? Perhaps, but hardly productive so far. Endless efforts to convince the mild-mannered Republican that he should convert.

Edited By Cobra Commander on 1109611439

BWhite · 2005-02-28 11:46:13

I'm curious as to why you can dismiss the possibilty.

Any answer typed here must be superficial. That said, what comes first to mind is how he willfully abuses language to distort truth is a top contender. A shameless disregard for truth.

Democrats lie and are usually embarrassed when caught.

The whole Swift Boat thing left me with a deep emotional disgust. Bush said in public "I honor Kerry's service" and allowed his backers to funnel millions into the anti-Kerry smear campaign. A serious escalation of unscrupulous political rhetoric.

Had Bush had the courage to say with his own lips, "I believe John Kerry does not deserve his Vietnam medals" I would have far more respect for Bush.

= = =

On the Kos diary, what are the odds a similar Democratic diary would be deleted from Free Republic within 30 minutes? Or less? The odds approach 100% IMHO.

Palomar · 2005-02-28 12:02:15

*I'm so put off by politics in general that last week I actually unregistered to vote. My sister pointed out (not that I hadn't noticed for myself) that -- on a local level -- nothing really ever changes with "the changing of the guard." That was one reason (there have been some improvements in the area where I reside -- finally, after living here for over a decade; snail's pace).

Another reason is the jury duty hassle, my career demands and my husband's continuing health difficulties (better but not completely gone).

The last time I was called up for jury duty the clerk was unfriendly and combative; she informed me I'd have to go before the judge to get a dismissal. Whoopie-do, I was so scared (not). I gave it a week, merely wrote another letter of explanation and was let off.

I'll re-register to vote for the next Presidential election. Not sure why, maybe some ingrained sense of duty after all. It just seems so pointless. The powerbrokers in D.C. are going to do whatever they want, within the limits of the Constitution (sometimes just barely so), and my opinion and vote don't count any more than any other regular American with no power or prestige.

I wonder why I'll even bother re-registering to vote; I feel my vote DOESN'T count and there'll be jury duty hassle again. That's how fed up I am.

Sorry, just had to say it.

--Cindy

Earthfirst · 2005-02-28 12:32:26

Petp: All animals that do not stop herbavoury will to shoot, veagans have been behind the holocast of plants for years. You people who just do nothing are just as evil as the veagans. Omivours can be forgiving if they only eat non vasiclar plants like algea.
As a Republican my self I am for no taxes at all, just make the other people in the world pay for are government, I mean the USA is the one world government anyways, so they should pay taxes too.

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 12:50:56

Any answer typed here must be superficial.

Ahh, this is quite revealing actually. Thought can be put into words. Feeling is more difficult.

That said, what comes first to mind is how he willfully abuses language to distort truth is a top contender. A shameless disregard for truth.
Democrats lie and are usually embarrassed when caught.

Oddly I've had almost the same thought, though with the parties reversed. I'd be embarrassed to argue some of the obviously false positions of the Democrats, especially when they directly contradict positions held not so long ago. Ah well, what we see as a lie is formed as much by our desires as our senses.

Bush said in public "I honor Kerry's service" and allowed his backers to funnel millions into the anti-Kerry smear campaign. A serious escalation of unscrupulous political rhetoric.

Another example of the assumption of some sort of conspiracy. Isn't it possible that pro-Bush groups act independently, not as part of an orchestrated operation taking orders directly from the President? And if not, then isn't it then reasonable to equate the most extreme slurs from MoveOn.org and their ilk as part of an organized plot directed by the Democrat Party leadership? Kerry is a traitor, Bush is Hitler, lay blame for one and you open yourself to accepting blame for the other.

On the Kos diary, what are the odds a similar Democratic diary would be deleted from Free Republic within 30 minutes? Or less? The odds approach 100% IMHO.

Perhaps, I've not participated at Free Republic and therefore have no real frame of reference on it. What I can say however is that any meaningful dialogue is a sham because we all believe we're right and core principles that you'll abandon to be nice aren't worth much. You think Republicans moving toward the Left is them being reasonable, I'm more inclined to see Liberals moving Right as reasonable. There is no standard but that which we apply, itself a bias. There are sensible people on both sides as well as kooks, neither is the embodiment of virtue, anyone believing otherwise is a fanatic or a fool. And as I always say, a fanatic is just a fool with conviction.

Cindy:

I wonder why I'll even bother re-registering to vote; I feel my vote DOESN'T count and there'll be jury duty hassle again. That's how fed up I am.

I'm sorry to hear that, my oft voiced disdain for the democratic process aside. The fact of the matter is that overall one vote doesn't matter. But the attitude that one vote doesn't matter does. A million people decide not to bother and it adds up.

Jury duty is also a hassle, but I consider it a civic duty. If nothing else it's an opportunity to make a stand on unjust laws, there are all sorts of "offenses" that I would refuse to convict on regardless of evidence. The judge won't tell you this, but that's actually part of the job. The law itself is on trial as much as the defendent.

We can only hope that better choices will emerge, someone to vote for instead of merely voting against the other guy.

Cobra 2012 anyone?

Edited By Cobra Commander on 1109617178

Palomar · 2005-02-28 14:30:43

Cindy:
I wonder why I'll even bother re-registering to vote; I feel my vote DOESN'T count and there'll be jury duty hassle again. That's how fed up I am.
I'm sorry to hear that, my oft voiced disdain for the democratic process aside. The fact of the matter is that overall one vote doesn't matter. But the attitude that one vote doesn't matter does. A million people decide not to bother and it adds up.
Jury duty is also a hassle, but I consider it a civic duty. If nothing else it's an opportunity to make a stand on unjust laws, there are all sorts of "offenses" that I would refuse to convict on regardless of evidence. The judge won't tell you this, but that's actually part of the job. The law itself is on trial as much as the defendent.
We can only hope that better choices will emerge, someone to vote for instead of merely voting against the other guy.
Cobra 2012 anyone?

*Well, I'd like to make another (brief as possible) comment (yes, I realize Bill didn't start this thread to discuss jury duty).

I know what you're saying. Actually I debated for 2 years about unregistering to vote. I often complain about crime and etc. :-\ Fact is, I'm the major source of income. If my husband were employable and had a good-paying job, it wouldn't matter much. The nature of my work and management of accounts -- I'll skip the details.

Another factor -are- his seizures. They're in much better control now, but there I'd be: Sitting in a court room, wondering if he's okay -- particularly if he awoke that morning "not quite himself"; is it simply that he's still tired or is something more coming on? And I cannot fathom trying to deal with the folks at court on the morning of a seizure episode; please excuse me from jury duty today, my husband has been having seizures since 3:00 a.m. I've lived in different towns in various parts of the country, and I've never encountered such pig-headed and difficult people in even minor positions of authority as I have here. There is no win/win, very little understanding or trying to cooperate (which is what I was accustomed to elsewhere); down here there's a cultural thing of continual power-over, and contempt for the citizenry. They are also prissy and vindictive; if they feel you've slighted them or not paid them proper respect (what level of respect they feel is due to them apparently), or etc., they become overtly hostile and will try to "get you." Even if you're simply straightforward, it can be misconstrued and taken offense to; probably because you're not playing all the silly little games they obviously relish.

I've never lived in a place like this.

As for the vote: Sure, if a million people decide not to vote it adds up. I think we should boycott the 2008 Presidential elections -- *everyone.* (Yeah, I know that won't happen). Send a message loud and clear.

--Cindy

Cobra Commander · 2005-02-28 14:56:36

I know what you're saying about jury duty and understand that you have legitimate reasons for avoiding it. I want to make clear that I'm not trying to be disapproving or anything of the sort. It can be a major disruption even with lesser obligations in one's life.

As for petty, spiteful government underlings; I know the type well. There's a few clerks at a certain district court I wouldn't mind... well, not seeing again. There are few things more troublesome than a peon with delusions of grandeur in a position to cause you a major hassle.

Oddly the elections office people always seem to be civil and helpful. Don't want to piss off a potential new boss I suppose. :hm:

But then this thread was started to inflame political division under the cover of fostering unity, so back on topic.
:;):

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