Life According To Bush
I have some theories to explain why Bush got reelected.
Masochism. This is how Americans punish themselves.
Tradition. We have a legacy of ignorance, hatred, and exploitation. In comparison with the last century, it might even be said we are slacking off a bit. Iraq and Afghanistan pale in comparison to Vietnam and the covert wars we waged throughout the 1970s and 1980s. This is mere catch-up.
Polarity. Much like yin and yang. Country vs city. Man verse woman. Freedom against oppression. Some might say the middle of American politics is actually quite conservative. The people call it Centrism.
Religion. America is dominated by Christians. Christians are obsessed with self-punishment and guilt. Christians don't feel compelled to give reasons for their faith. They just believe. Likewise, voters do not necessarily have answers or reasons for how they voted. Many people simply "believe" in George Bush.
Appearances. If one thinks of the Presidency as a marketing position -- rather than a policy position -- it is easy to understand why so many people like George Bush. He puts a good spin on a bad situation. It's that simple. John Kerry might be honest. America isn't willing to risk honesty.
Shame. Shame is often preceded by denial. Because we have occupied Iraq, many people believe we should appear united and resolute. Voting for John Kerry was a treasonous act.
Culture. Many people see the president as a cultural leader. Issues such as religion, art, and sexuality are not essential to raising the standard of living in our country. But these are the issues Americans understand. Few people understand economics and international relations. But religion, art, and sexuality are intimate and ubiquitous.
Stubbornness. To not vote for Bush again is to admit the mistake of voting for him in the first place. Four more years is but a gamble that Bush might actually redeem himself.
Nihilism. If nothing really matters, then it doesn't matter who got elected. If America were a fictional TV show, which would you choose?
(a) a rational person who acts responsibly
(b) a renegade Christian fundamentalist who unleashes military destruction upon helpless Muslim countries?
Randomness. Evolution suggests that our species -- and all life -- is moving toward higher and more enlightened forms. Yet maybe evolution itself is an aberration. Maybe evolution will not survive. Maybe this is just one, of an infinite number, of random outcomes.
Posted by Eric on November 3, 2004 11:18 AM
Oh Poor Eric--
You're just jealous that we conservatives are smarter than everyone else!
HAHAHA! Just kidding man. Hope all is well.
Rich
Rich... my token Orange County Republican homie... good to see you up on here! ;) Yeah, I voted for Badnarik, that chump. I didn't want actually want him to be president, but I had to vote for someone cuz everyone was bitching at me to vote. Next year I'm going to start the Sociolibertarian Peace and Prosperity Party. We'll give those bastards a run for their money in 200something something. Either that or I'm gonna start the American Anarchist Party and get myself killed. I don't know... so many options to consider.
As a canadian, i watched in horror (Im talking pure horror) as Bush was declared president. Eric i have to agree with what u posted about why/how he possibly got elected. But it can be that Americans are just plain stupid. I feel for all of you!i go to school in michigan and everyone at school today was disappointed. my teacher couldnt teach and he named today "BLACK WEDNESDAY". i fear for the rest of the world. The only speck of hope i have is that he will fuck these next four years so badly that even someone like nader can be elected in 2008. just remember that the rest of the world is behind you guys... in solidaridy, Hala
Stupidity. Yeah, I call it by different names. But often it is just good old fashioned stupidity.
I concur
Hala- I can understand where you and your teacher are coming from. I am going to venture a guess here and say that you are in college, and your teacher is a professor, not just a teacher. If that is the case it makes absolute perfect sense.
Answer me this though Hala: did you watch in pure horror as the Berlin Wall fell or as the Soviet Union (also known as the "Evil Empire") collapsed? I mean, shit, you must have. It sounds to me that you, like most other Canadians, are a socialist. And I would bet my last capitalist pig dollar that your professor is pinko as well. Afterall, don't most college professors run back to the relative welfare state that is being tenured after they have failed in the private sector?
And one last thing, if we Americans are so fucking stupid, why are Canadians our little monkey bitches when it comes to matter's of policy?
Anyways, please stay in Michigan, or better yet, go back to Canada, because I don't want my tax dollars to pay for you social welfare loving ass.
Yeehaa, GO AMERICA!!!!
MY MY MY WHERE DO I START WITH THIS ONE. AMERICA LOVES GUNS VIOLANCE AND WAR. WE INVADED JAPAN GERMANY SOUTH AFRICA WE EVEN FOUGHT OURSELVES!!!I WANNA MOVE TO CANADA SO BAD BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE VERY NICE PEOPLE. I WISH THIS COUNTRY WAS COMMUNIST TO HELP OUT "EVERYONE" AND NOT JUST THE RICH INSTEAD. I WISH THE POOR WERE RICH AND RICH WERE POOR TO SEE HOW IT FEELS FOR A DAY. THERE IS POVERTY IN AMERICA WHICH IS HORRIBLE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE BUSH GO DOWN TO COMPTON AND GIVE A SPEECH, NOW THAT WOULD BE AMERICAS MOST HUGEST RIOT. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT RECOUNT IN FLORIDA(CORRUPT POLITICIANS!!!) I WISH GORE WON BECAUSE HE IS FOR THE PEOPLE. LOOK AT CHE GUEVARA SURE HE COMMANDED DEATHS BUT HE DID IT TO BAD PEOPLE. THE CUBAN REVOLUCION WAS ABOUT TAKING OUT A GUY NAMED FULGENCIO BATISTA BECAUSE HE RAN THE ECONOMY INTO THE GROUND AND HE BURNED PEOPLES HOUSES BECAUSE THEY DIDNT LIKE WHAT HE WANS DOING AND SINCE THE GUERRILAS WERE SO BIG BATISTA WAS RUN OUT OF CUBA AND STOLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE TREASURY AND FLED TO THE DOMINICANS. SO AMERICANS LOOK AT THE TAGS OF YOUR SHIRTS AND IT WILL SAY MADE IN A SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY AND THATS WHAT CHE GUEVARA WANTED TO STOP. ALSO I HAVE TO SAY SCREW FIDEL CASTRO BECAUSE HE PULLED A BENEDICT ON HIM AND TOLD THE U.S. ARMY WHERE HE WAS JUST BECAUSE HE WAS LOOSING POPULATION( I HATE CASTRO!!!)
FROM THE WORDS OF ERNEST CHE GUEVARA
HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE!!!
Yeah, you're right Martin, compared to Batista the Husseins were saints. As a matter of fact, after I heard that Uday and Quday Hussein died me and my family held a candlelight vigil in their honour. God, my eyes water just thinking about all the raping and torturing that we're missing out on now that they're dead. RIP Uday and Quday Hussein, we are forever greater for having known you.
