My Comment On The Debate

[PureX]

The thing people don't realize is that a lot of Trump's supporters LIKE that whole 'obnoxious bullyboy' shtick. They've been listening to Rush Limbaugh railing against liberals and democrats for decades, and they loved Bill O'Reilly when he would shout down his opponents and turn off their mikes. There are countless 'conservative' media blowhards on TV and radio both nationally and locally spewing the same petty, insulting, dishonest, boorish nonsense as we saw Trump spewing last night. And all these media bullyboys (and girls) have their audiences. People tune in for it, because they LIKE it. And these same people like Trump when he does it. And the more outraged the rest of us, the better they like it.

Don't ask me to explain the psychology, because I can't. All I know is that they are angry, and they like seeing their favorite scapegoats for that anger being treated badly, publicly. They like seeing them being shouted down, and talked over and badgered and humiliated. It's what all these "conservative" media 'talk' shows are all about. They feed these people's anger and resentment to get their eyes and ears on the advertising. And there's big bucks in it or they wouldn't be doing it.

It's basically the only game Trump knows how to play. It's the only show he's capable of putting on. And so he does. Because it works. Like it or not, there are a significant number of our fellow citizens who get excited by this sort of ugly spectacle. And they will consider last night's "debate" a win for Trump. They will see Biden and the press as having been abused and humiliated by Trump and they'll love him for it.
And I think these people have always been among us. We just hadn't noticed them so much, before, until the media and the republican party realized that there were enough of them to be worth capitalizing on, and that they were easy to manipulate because they operate on emotion, rather than reason.

Was last night's debate really that different from a Jerry Springer Show? Or a Bill O'Reilly Show? Or a Rush Limbaugh Show? Or any of a hundred similar media productions intended to stir up people's outrage and indignation for fun, fame, and profit? It's been big business in this country for 40 years, now. Are we really that surprised to see in this context?

 

[joe1776]

You're probably right. However, as a strategy it was dumb because Trump needed to persuade undecided voters. Preaching to his choir doesn't do that.

 

[Father Heathen]

Exactly. Conservatives tend to prefer gratifying emotion and ego over being honest, objective, and rational. That's why they treat politics like sports. Their brains bluescreen when facing issues that are nuanced and complex.

 

[Nimos]

Was last night's debate really that different from a Jerry Springer Show? Or a Bill O'Reilly Show? Or a Rush Limbaugh Show? Or any of a hundred similar media productions intended to stir up people's outrage and indignation for fun, fame, and profit? It's been big business in this country for 40 years, now. Are we really that surprised to see in this context?

I watched it as well and it seems to follow how most political debates are, yell a lot, talk over each other, manipulate your opponents words, point fingers, tell how amazing you are compared to the opponent and very little content.

I normally don't bother watching political debates, and hadn't it been for Trump I probably wouldn't have watched this either.

Politicians and the medias should be much better at talking about how they want to lead the country into the future, facts about how it is possible, what benefits and how these things will help the citizens and solve the issue they are facing both national and international. These debates for the most part lack all that one would call intellectual maturity, its like watching a couple of kids having a go at each other without any substance behind what they are saying.

 

[bobhikes]

Was last night's debate really that different from a Jerry Springer Show? Or a Bill O'Reilly Show? Or a Rush Limbaugh Show? Or any of a hundred similar media productions intended to stir up people's outrage and indignation for fun, fame, and profit? It's been big business in this country for 40 years, now. Are we really that surprised to see in this context?

My comment on the debate, depressing. This is the best people the US can offer for President. I not sure if both parties are full of stupid people or if no competent person wants the job. For my part I would never want to be president.

 

[PureX]

You're probably right. However, as a strategy it was dumb because Trump needed to persuade undecided voters. Preaching to his choir doesn't do that.

Trump is not smart. He isn't even close to being smart. He's all arrogance and bluster, and no substance. And the amazing thing is that because he was born into wealth, his stupidity has never really mattered. He's lived like a king his whole life even though he's failed at every business venture he's attempted, except for a mean-spirited reality TV show where all he had to do was be a selfish, arrogant prick, and fire people. THAT, he was good at. And ever since then all he's done is sell that Trump image/brand of the arrogant, wealthy, "Richie Rich"-like cartoon caricature to other businesses (mostly hotel and resort chains).

The real sickness of Donald Trump isn't Donald Trump. He's just a pathetic, selfish imbecile that happened to be born into money. The real sickness is in the rest of us. In an American public that is so fascinated and obsessed with money that they would actually think this imbecile should be president. Granted, it wasn't the majority of us, but still, the fact that ANY of us would think so is very disturbing!

 

[Quintessence]

The psychology of it is pretty simple - sociopathy. Those who enjoy the misery and suffering of others are sociopaths. It's a serious mental health condition that wreaks havoc in that person's life and more significantly in the lives of those around them. In that regard, some measure of understanding is warranted; they are deficient in the social and moral reasoning present in most people.

To be clear here - not everyone who delights in the misery of others would qualify as a sociopath. Like anything related to mental health, there's a spectrum from absent to extreme. The prevalence rate of sociopathy is estimated at around 5% of the population, so a lot of what is going on here is instead manifestations of in-group and out-group dynamics or simple cultural differences. Yet there is the slice of people who are just sociopaths. Our president is one of them. That's worth keeping in mind when attempting to listen to their bile.

 

[LightofTruth]

The thing people don't realize is that a lot of Trump's supporters LIKE that whole 'obnoxious bullyboy' shtick. They've been listening to Rush Limbaugh railing against liberals and democrats for decades, and they loved Bill O'Reilly when he would shout down his opponents and turn off their mikes. There are countless 'conservative' media blowhards on TV and radio both nationally and locally spewing the same petty, insulting, dishonest, boorish nonsense as we saw Trump spewing last night. And all these media bullyboys (and girls) have their audiences. People tune in for it, because they LIKE it. And these same people like Trump when he does it. And the more outraged the rest of us, the better they like it.

Don't ask me to explain the psychology, because I can't. All I know is that they are angry, and they like seeing their favorite scapegoats for that anger being treated badly, publicly. They like seeing them being shouted down, and talked over and badgered and humiliated. It's what all these "conservative" media 'talk' shows are all about. They feed these people's anger and resentment to get their eyes and ears on the advertising. And there's big bucks in it or they wouldn't be doing it.

It's basically the only game Trump knows how to play. It's the only show he's capable of putting on. And so he does. Because it works. Like it or not, there are a significant number of our fellow citizens who get excited by this sort of ugly spectacle. And they will consider last night's "debate" a win for Trump. They will see Biden and the press as having been abused and humiliated by Trump and they'll love him for it.
And I think these people have always been among us. We just hadn't noticed them so much, before, until the media and the republican party realized that there were enough of them to be worth capitalizing on, and that they were easy to manipulate because they operate on emotion, rather than reason.

Was last night's debate really that different from a Jerry Springer Show? Or a Bill O'Reilly Show? Or a Rush Limbaugh Show? Or any of a hundred similar media productions intended to stir up people's outrage and indignation for fun, fame, and profit? It's been big business in this country for 40 years, now. Are we really that surprised to see in this context?

If Trump doesn't win we'll all get bored by Biden and want another Trump.

 

[LightofTruth]

God said that He rules in the kingdoms of men and sets over them whomsoever He wills. And that they are the basest of men. Daniel 4:17

The word "basest" means "the lowest".

 

[metis]

So, the main purpose of politics is for entertainment purposes?

 

[PureX]

Politicians and the medias should be much better at talking about how they want to lead the country into the future, facts about how it is possible, what benefits and how these things will help the citizens and solve the issue they are facing both national and international.

They should be, but this is what "sells". And we are to blame for that. We watched the daily battles on the Judge Judys and the Maury Povitches and the Jerry Springers and the Geraldo shows, and we tuned into the Howard Sterns and the Rush Limbaughs and the local "shock jocks" in every city. And by the criteria of greed that we evaluate everything in this country on, they were a whopping SUCCESS! They sold the advertising for the big bucks! They were a hit!

So of course it was inevitable that our politicians would jump on that bandwagon. They are nothing if not greedy for money and attention! Only instead of selling advertising time for their profit, they sell their corporate sponsors BS directly to their constituents. BS about how the rich are better and smarter and closer to God than the rest of us. And how we should never question the wise decisions of the wealthy, or ask them to pay their taxes. Or ask them to pay us higher wages. And so and so on, ... and no small number of us fell for it. Just like they fell for Trump's "Richie Rich" caricature.

These debates for the most part lack all that one would call intellectual maturity, its like watching a couple of kids having a go at each other without any substance behind what they are saying.

They're intended to drive smart people away from, and out of politics. To make us give up on ever expecting any real intelligence or integrity among them. And boy, is it ever working!

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

You're probably right. However, as a strategy it was dumb because Trump needed to persuade undecided voters. Preaching to his choir doesn't do that.

The idea of Trump persuading undecided voters is a joke, and those who were likely to vote for Trump remain likely to vote for Trump.

What Trump needs to do is dissuade marginally committed voters. Getting people increasingly disgusted with the process is just one more form of voter suppression.

 

[PureX]

So, the main purpose of politics is for entertainment purposes?

The main purpose of politics in the United States is to help the rich become even richer. Entertaining our worst inclinations is just part of that service. It keeps us hopelessly confused, and frustrated, and divided against each other. Ripe for the plucking.

 

[sun rise]

Conservatives tend to prefer gratifying emotion and ego over being honest, objective, and rational.

To me it's a mistake to call such people 'conservatives'. There are many thoughtful and rational conservatives who I heartily disagree with but who reject emotional circuses.

Such people are populating groups that want Trump gone and are ponying up money as well.

 

[PureX]

If Trump doesn't win we'll all get bored by Biden and want another Trump.

I'm bored by Biden, already! He's a life-long empty suit. A political toady that's done the bidding of his rich benefactors his entire career. He's basically a moderate republican, and has voted as a moderate republican, consistently, his whole career. He voted against raising the minimum wage, every time. Against raising social security, every time. He is against medicare for all. He was against Obama's attempt at achieving universal health care. He voted in favor of every military action that's ever come up for approval. And he's done nothing and said nothing about the wholesale legalized bribery of our legislature, of which he is a member. And he voted against any and all attempts in the past at stopping it.

The best we can hope fro from Biden is that he will hold things together until someone better comes along. Or until the plutocrats and their republican stooges regroup, and stage another all-out assault on democracy, again.

 

[joe1776]

What Trump needs to do is dissuade marginally committed voters. Getting people increasingly disgusted with the process is just one more form of voter suppression.

Would his oafish performance be more likely to turn this target group off against the process or energize them to vote to against him? My guess: a wash at best.

Still a dumb move.

 

[joe1776]

I'm bored by Biden, already! He's a life-long empty suit. A political toady that's done the bidding of his rich benefactors his entire career. He's basically a moderate republican, and has voted as a moderate republican, consistently, his whole career. He voted against raising the minimum wage, every time. Against raising social security, every time. He is against medicare for all. He was against Obama's attempt at achieving universal health care. He voted in favor of every military action that's ever come up for approval. And he's done nothing and said nothing about the wholesale legalized bribery of our legislature, of which he is a member. And he voted against any and all attempts in the past at stopping it.

The best we can hope fro from Biden is that he will hold things together until someone better comes along. Or until the plutocrats and their republican stooges regroup, and stage another all-out assault on democracy, again.

Right, but the thing Joe has going for him is that he's not Trump.

 

[metis]

The main purpose of politics in the United States is to help the rich become even richer. Entertaining our worst inclinations is just part of that service. It keeps us hopelessly confused, and frustrated, and divided against each other. Ripe for the plucking.

I wish I could disagree with you, but I can't. Both politically and economically, the cards are stacked in their favor.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

My guess: a wash at best.

Your guess ...

 

[joe1776]

Your guess ...

Right, but you know better?