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May 01, 2005
The Battered American Syndrome
Had enough abuse yet?
Gas prices are over $2.10 a gallon. Home insurance rates have doubled.
Our country is in a never ending war in Iraq costing $300 Billion. Tax dollars are used to build schools in Iraq, while taxes are raised to build local schools.
We have lost 1600 American soldiers for a war based upon false information. We have killed tens of thousands of Iraqi children. We have lost our credibility across the world.
We have the worst deficit in history. Wages are stagnant. The dollar has lost 30% of it's buying power abroard.
Unfortunately, many have nothing but excuses: "Gas is $4.00/gallon in Europe." "Freedom isn't free". "We inherited a recession". "We need to be safe."
This attitude is much like an abusive relationship where the abused continue to make up excuses for their abuser's treatment. They are afraid to speak out and would rather just accept the abuse with the final excuse of "I can't do anything about it." All while nothing is being done to stop the abuse from continuing. It is a vicious cycle.
On the other hand, maybe Americans just love the misery. God help us all.
Posted by John Cobarruvias at May 1, 2005 08:14 AM | Permalink
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Comments
There goes that Johnny C. again, speading cheer everywhere he goes ...
Posted by: PDiddie at May 1, 2005 08:47 AM
Yep. I had a discussion with an R friend of mine and just went non-linear on him.
I asked him to name 3 good things going on about America. He struggled then made some more excuses.
I told him he reminded me of a battered wife who would not leave her husband, and keeps coming back for abuse.
He shut up. He refrains from talking politics now.
Posted by: John Cobarruvias at May 1, 2005 09:03 AM
John, what a great comparison and come back! Will sure to use it next time I get in a political discussion with my Republican parents and brother. Thanks!
Posted by: Susan Gates at May 1, 2005 02:17 PM
Yep. It just came to me! And it is quite effective because everything they say is yet another excuse.
p.s. I loved the clubs meeting.
Posted by: John Cobarruvias at May 1, 2005 02:27 PM
Gee John on Friday we talked about how the neo cons were taking their approach to governing our country beyond the Lakoff 'strict parent' model and into the level just past the point of strictness and into the area where it was similar to battering and abusive. I thought it was a great way to extend Lakoff's way of trying to explain what was wrong with the neo cons. It is our job to make our neighbors aware of the abuse and impose what amounts to an intervention to guide us all to better methods of involvement and social betterment. It is an awesome way of explaining what is happening in our politics. Great talk on Friday and great point here again. I hope you are always on my side of any issue.
Posted by: RJH at May 2, 2005 01:59 AM
I intend to quote John's comparison of the Republican's to a battered wife on a regular basis now. What a great analogy!!! Keep'em coming! We will just "add to" Lakoff's explanations with John's original thought. THANKS for keeping the discussion "framed" according to the DEMOCRATIC perspective.
Posted by: Phillip McNutt at May 2, 2005 09:41 PM