So while I am not exclusing racism, xenophobia or lack of compassion as possible motives of the behavior in question, I thing we need to look into a broader socio-political context to explain it. And it appears that this behavior is displayed by people who are already in a vulnerable social position, who feel threatened by changes, and who are preyed upon by right wing demagogues.
So if there are to be 'death panels,' they should be getting rid of the demagogues who stir up fear. And I really mean it - the Rush Limbaughs of the world are vermin that should be physically exterminated without mercy by any means necessary. The world will definitely be a better place without them.
Wojtek
On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 10:42 PM, Left-Wing Wacko <leftwingwacko at gmail.com>wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 3:42 PM, Marv Gandall<marvgandall at videotron.ca>
> wrote:
>
> > =================================
> > I'd add a poisonous combination of racism and stagnating real incomes to
> the
> > cultural factors identified by Wojtek. Many white working and lower
> middle
> > class Americans seem to believe government spending is primarily aimed at
> > blacks and immigrants and this, coupled with their inability to augment
> > their incomes in the workplace or through self-employment, encourages
> them
> > to seek relief through lower taxes and draws them into the conservative
> > Republican orbit.
>
> Oh, you must be talking about this lady?
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcRr5xA-K80
>
> If you don't feel like watching the video, this is a summary of what she
> says.
>
> She believes in "Biblical values" (Come on lady, what would Jesus do?
> Hint: heal people, and NOT ask them for payment or an insurance card).
>
> She's afraid that the Obama plan is going to give health insurance to
> illegal aliens "I mean, God bless them, I want them to have care, but
> my husband works two-three jobs and he doesn't have health care......"
>
> Yeah lady, its all a conspiracy to take care of everybody except for
> you and your kin.
>
> For crying out loud, maybe these death panels aren't such a bad idea?
> Lets start with getting rid of people who are soooo against any kind
> of empathy and human solidarity that they are against their own
> interests!
>
> Then later an Israeli man tells a reporter how great "national health
> care" is in Israel, and the same wingnut taunts him with a "sieg
> heil Hitler" He then goes bezerk on her and rightly so! (quite
> entertaining)
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVS4Zgjm8HE
>
> But hey there's a thought, maybe we can get Israelis singing praises
> to their "national health care" to win over some of the right-wing
> idiots who unquestioningly support Israel?
> Yeah, I know, probably not.
>
> Sheldon
>
> --
> http://left-wingwacko.blogspot.com/
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>