Republican branding

[ousdahl]

so last night beaver was drunk and suddenly starts talking politics.

before we discuss any further, we should mention that on a practical level, beav's pretty liberal. He supports civil rights, and has no interest in limiting access to marriage, or to abortions. He thinks war is dumb, especially the war on drugs. He's for more balanced income equality and a more progressive tax plan. He even recognizes that many gummint services are necessary and beneficial, and that taxes are necessary to furnish as much. He's not obsessed with the second amendment, doesn't own any firearms of his own, and is open to common sense gun control. He loves hip hop but hates country. and on and on.

with that said, he identifies, and votes, as a die-hard republican. He's never been able to fully articulate why, and if he does try to, it's usually some combo of he's not lazy, and don't wanna pay more in taxes.

specifically, last night he proclaims he's a republican cuz he "isn't afraid to work hard." He then says that anyone who works hard and makes their own money eventually becomes republican because they don't want the gummint taking any more of their money, ESPECIALLY anyone in any higher income bracket besides movie stars. The only reason anyone would be a liberal is cuz they're lazy and want the gummint to give them everything in life.

I call him out, and say that's all a pretty reckless oversimplification. He drunkenly walks some of it back. We discuss where he stands on a few issues, and his answers sound pretty liberal.

but then says, for real tho, why would a movie star with all that money still wanna be a liberal? They must think it's just the trendy thing to do or something.

so I guess my question is, how can so many Merican political identities, and voting decisions, be so removed from their actual beliefs on issues? How are republicans so good at framing their brand as the only party that stands for hard work, and that the other guys are all lazy freeloaders?

Within the republican/democrat dichotomy, is there an example of the opposite?

[ousdahl]

A couple other comments relative to candidates: though he says he didn't vote for him, beav was for the longest time a part of the "I think Trump at least deserves a chance" crowd, a sentiment that he held at least until after Trump was elected. He now though thinks Trump is a moron, and wonders how Merica could have possibly done this to themselves

except that...

He despises Obama, and thinks the guy stands for everything that's wrong with Merica - specifically, all the entitled lazy liberal freeloaders. And don't even get him started about cankles!

[twocoach]

Republicans have branded themselves as Team USA as in that if you arent on Team (R) then you're against Team USA.

Turns out that religion and patriotism are two of the easiest traits to weaponize because they are so similar to the concept of blind faith sports team fandom. Paint the other team as anti-religion or anti-American and it doesnt matter what logic or facts are presented. It's a brilliant tactic in it's simplicity.

Democrats dont have enough plain old rah rah fans or a simple enough rah rah chants. It's not a coincidence that we've seen the return of all of these anti-Dem rah rah chants at Trump rallies. They are simple and catchy and sports fans, eh... voters, love them.

Dems have too many smart people in charge of their messaging. They use facts, charts, long list of reasonable, logical, sensible information and it bores the shit out of a chunk of the nation. Most folks just want to chant, cheer and be a fan of a winning team. They dont actually give a fuck about the boring details of what the team is doing.

[Mjl]

so last night beaver was drunk and suddenly starts talking politics.

before we discuss any further, we should mention that on a practical level, beav's pretty liberal. He supports civil rights, and has no interest in limiting access to marriage, or to abortions. He thinks war is dumb, especially the war on drugs. He's for more balanced income equality and a more progressive tax plan. He even recognizes that many gummint services are necessary and beneficial, and that taxes are necessary to furnish as much. He's not obsessed with the second amendment, doesn't own any firearms of his own, and is open to common sense gun control. He loves hip hop but hates country. and on and on.

with that said, he identifies, and votes, as a die-hard republican. He's never been able to fully articulate why, and if he does try to, it's usually some combo of he's not lazy, and don't wanna pay more in taxes.

specifically, last night he proclaims he's a republican cuz he "isn't afraid to work hard." He then says that anyone who works hard and makes their own money eventually becomes republican because they don't want the gummint taking any more of their money, ESPECIALLY anyone in any higher income bracket besides movie stars. The only reason anyone would be a liberal is cuz they're lazy and want the gummint to give them everything in life.

I call him out, and say that's all a pretty reckless oversimplification. He drunkenly walks some of it back. We discuss where he stands on a few issues, and his answers sound pretty liberal.

but then says, for real tho, why would a movie star with all that money still wanna be a liberal? They must think it's just the trendy thing to do or something.

so I guess my question is, how can so many Merican political identities, and voting decisions, be so removed from their actual beliefs on issues? How are republicans so good at framing their brand as the only party that stands for hard work, and that the other guys are all lazy freeloaders?

Within the republican/democrat dichotomy, is there an example of the opposite?

To answer the last question - racism is the first that comes to mind.

[ousdahl]

wait, racism how so?

[Shirley]

so last night beaver was drunk and suddenly starts talking politics.

before we discuss any further, we should mention that on a practical level, beav's pretty liberal. He supports civil rights, and has no interest in limiting access to marriage, or to abortions. He thinks war is dumb, especially the war on drugs. He's for more balanced income equality and a more progressive tax plan. He even recognizes that many gummint services are necessary and beneficial, and that taxes are necessary to furnish as much. He's not obsessed with the second amendment, doesn't own any firearms of his own, and is open to common sense gun control. He loves hip hop but hates country. and on and on.

with that said, he identifies, and votes, as a die-hard republican. He's never been able to fully articulate why, and if he does try to, it's usually some combo of he's not lazy, and don't wanna pay more in taxes.

specifically, last night he proclaims he's a republican cuz he "isn't afraid to work hard." He then says that anyone who works hard and makes their own money eventually becomes republican because they don't want the gummint taking any more of their money, ESPECIALLY anyone in any higher income bracket besides movie stars. The only reason anyone would be a liberal is cuz they're lazy and want the gummint to give them everything in life.

I call him out, and say that's all a pretty reckless oversimplification. He drunkenly walks some of it back. We discuss where he stands on a few issues, and his answers sound pretty liberal.

but then says, for real tho, why would a movie star with all that money still wanna be a liberal? They must think it's just the trendy thing to do or something.

so I guess my question is, how can so many Merican political identities, and voting decisions, be so removed from their actual beliefs on issues? How are republicans so good at framing their brand as the only party that stands for hard work, and that the other guys are all lazy freeloaders?

Within the republican/democrat dichotomy, is there an example of the opposite?

To answer the last question - racism is the first that comes to mind.

^^^

/thread

[TDub]

Oh good. Another fantastical thread by our resident fiction novelist.


Have you ever been to a branding? It is really hard work, long days, particularly for the ground guys. Great times though, especially when its done at a remote pen in the forest allotments.

[DCHawk1]

Once upon a time, my friend, who isn't really a zoo animal, but identifies as one, started talking about zoo animals, despite the fact that I don't really know much about zoo animals and think they're pretty fucking weird.

Change my mind.

[PhDhawk]

We're all joe exotic now.

[ousdahl]

I’m broke as shit, I’ve had some kinky sex, I have tried drugs...

[TDub]

Once upon a time, my friend, who isn't really a zoo animal, but identifies as one, started talking about zoo animals, despite the fact that I don't really know much about zoo animals and think they're pretty fucking weird.

Change my mind.

But is your zebra friend racist? Even though he is black AND white!!?? Can he even BE racist?

[ousdahl]

Beav’s never exhibited any racist tendencies.

Well, except for his hatred of Obama.

But even then, it’s cuz he enabled the lazy lib freeloaders, and had nothing to do with the fact he was born in Kenya...

[TDub]

Excuse me, I'm conversing with DC in regards to his friend who thinks hes a zebra. This is not a time for jokes about beavers.

[PhDhawk]

We're all beavers now

[ousdahl]

remember that article a while back that said female beavers smell like old cheese?

[Deleted User 89]

Oh good. Another fantastical thread by our resident fiction novelist.


Have you ever been to a branding? It is really hard work, long days, particularly for the ground guys. Great times though, especially when its done at a remote pen in the forest allotments.

honestly, some of my fondest moments as a kid...in rural new mexico

[Deleted User 289]

Didn't know what thread to post this on. Figured this one would work. I felt it was kind of sad being that I feel our country has enough division and why not figure out how to unite one another instead of "divorce" from one another.

From a Christian Conservative that I dated the summer after my Senior year of High School.
Obviously written a while ago but she posted it today.



DIVORCE AGREEMENT

THIS IS INCREDIBLY WELL-PUT, AND I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT'S WRITTEN BY A STUDENT!!! WHATEVER HE RUNS FOR, I'LL VOTE FOR HIM.

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists, and Obama supporters, et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950s for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.

Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.

Here is our separation agreement:

Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by land mass, each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets, since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.

—We don't like redistributive taxes, so you can keep them.

--You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.

--Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military.

--We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and the coal mines, and you can go with wind, solar, and bio-diesel.

--You can keep Oprah, Whoopi, Bill Maher, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all five of them.

--We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street.

--You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless, homeboys, hippies, druggies, and illegal aliens.

--We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEOs, and rednecks.

--We'll keep Bill O’Reilly and Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood.

--You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.

--You can have the peaceniks and war protesters.

--When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.

--We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.

--You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness, and Shirley McLaine. You can also have the UN., but we will no longer be paying the bill.

--We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Volt and Leaf you can find.

--You can give everyone health care if you can find any practicing doctors.

--We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."

--I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine," "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," "Kum Baya," or "We Are the World."

--We'll practice trickle-down economics and you can continue to give trickle-up poverty your best shot.

--Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name, and our flag.

Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you might think about which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,

John J. Wall
Law Student and an American

P.S. Also, please take George Clooney, Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin Short, Charlie Sheen, Barbra Streisand, and (Hanoi) Jane Fonda with you.

P.P.S. And you won't have to press 1 for English when you call our country.

Forward This Every Time You Get It !

Let's Keep This Going, Maybe Some Of It Will Start Sink in!

[Deleted User 62]

Dumb. Sophmoric

[Geezer]

"Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad."
General Mattis

[zsn]

Couldn’t have been written that long ago given the reference to Volt and Leaf cars, which are about 6-7 years old.

As others have pointed out it’s quite stupid. The first thing this person needed to do was compute the relative GDP of the divided country as proposed, if author possesses the intelligence to do so. Then we can argue about what each side gets. Won’t take much time to determine who’s got the advantage.

I’d be all in favor of the bargain this person is offering, as a resident of California