tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post5163653148623941801..comments2024-03-27T03:19:11.216-04:00Comments on Assistant Village Idiot: He's For UsAssistant Village Idiothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978011985085795099noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-80340483787036181092014-08-13T20:55:42.780-04:002014-08-13T20:55:42.780-04:00It affects me like the perennial poll question, &q...It affects me like the perennial poll question, "Which of these candidates most causes you to think 'He cares about people like me.'" And I wouldn't be sorry to see the phrase "special interests" fade from use, either.Texan99https://www.blogger.com/profile/10479561573903660086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-65353699950949643332014-08-13T18:34:29.948-04:002014-08-13T18:34:29.948-04:00"We stand or fall together" is exactly t..."We stand or fall together" is exactly the question at issue. If the triumph of my tribe is the most important thing, the fate of the loose coalition with other tribes is less significant. And all those things you say will vanish when cooperation vanishes--our tribe is entitled to them come what may.jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792036361407527304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-91458815012086397512014-08-12T09:56:17.851-04:002014-08-12T09:56:17.851-04:00That's true, but not exactly what I meant. &qu...That's true, but not exactly what I meant. "Fight" implies you're fighting against someone, and the "someone" is always among the people you're vying to represent.<br /><br />The verb is inherently divisive, in other words. It invites us to view some of our fellow-citizens as enemies and to elect a champion to defeat them on our behalf. Tribal.jaedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03328666344764784829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-82320768510721484052014-08-11T23:01:09.019-04:002014-08-11T23:01:09.019-04:00Actually, that one is almost always Democrats. I ...Actually, that one is almost always Democrats. I noticed it about 20 years ago and have seen only a few counter-examples. Republicans say they will work for you. If fits the stereotypes of the constituencies. Republicans believe the system largely works, and only takes calm, intelligent management for everyone to go home with some sort of prize. Democrats include in their coalition a lot of people who believe the system is rigged against their group, and must be pummeled into submission to produce fairness.<br /><br />Each has a point. I side more with the former, though not entirely.<br /><br />You will notice that many of those who say they will fight or work for you, don't actually do that.Assistant Village Idiothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978011985085795099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19305198.post-65958920936179695302014-08-11T22:50:35.638-04:002014-08-11T22:50:35.638-04:00"I'll fight for you!" is another one..."I'll fight for you!" is another one that gives me the same vibe. Fight whom? Well, you know... THEM.<br /><br />I don't think I've ever heard a politician say that when he or she meant enemies of the country. It's always "that part of the electorate that I choose to demonize".jaedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03328666344764784829noreply@blogger.com