It sounds like you're suggesting that Bush has set up a situation where, in order to vote for an alternative, the people need a candidate that can both appear to duplicate Bush's failing but clearly-defined ideals, but not actually do so so as to prevent America digging itself even further into the hole it's in. The people want a more competent liar?
The people want someone who will make them feel safe and secure. It doesn't matter what the actuality of the situation is, but we want to feel safe and secure. It's sort of like consumer confidence, it has nothing to do with actual market factors, but it has everything to do with how those market factors are PERCEIVED.
Thus I am saying that that Kerry needs to become much more aggressive and hawkish, to stop mealy-mouthing around issues of national security and such, and take a much stronger stand. He's already won the battle over the economy. Now he needs to win the battle over security.
The people want a more competent liar?
In short, yes. They want someone who's going to give them everything they want and not force them to pay for it, they want someone who's going to make them feel safe, make sure they have a home, a job, safe streets, and low taxes to boot.
They want someone who's going to give them everything they want and not force them to pay for it, they want someone who's going to make them feel safe, make sure they have a home, a job, safe streets, and low taxes to boot.
Agreed. Many people don't understand, and don't want to take the trouble to understand, the complex issues that their leaders have to decide on. That's one reason Kerry is sometimes perceived as waffling*; he presents very nuanced, complex views on a topic where Bush has a simple, black and white answer. The simple answer is often completely wrong on it's face, and even more often simply doesn't sufficiently address a complex issue. But it's simple and sometimes that's all people want.
An alternative would be someone who can inspire them to look at the challenges head on and see why they're worth accepting. Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy were good at this. I don't see either of the current candidates managing this. I think Dean was capable of it, and I think McCain was too.
*Sometimes, of course, Kerry is perceived as waffling because, well, he's waffling. :-) Most politicians do waffle from time to time, and, in fact *should* do so. Most politicians are elected to be representatives of the people, not to act as independent people--after all, that's why there are frequent elections, to give voters the opportunity to replace elected leaders who aren't doing what they want. Sometimes elected officials need to vote their conscience and try to lead their constituents towards what they believe is right. But mostly they need to listen to the people and do what the people want, whether it's what they believe or not, and whether it's what they said the week before or not. One of the thigns I don't rspect about Bush is that he refuses to admit that he's ever been wrong or made a mistake; if someone can't change their mind or never makes a mistake, I'm not prepared to trust them.
Several years ago I saw a fascinating documentary about Ayn Rand, which included several interviews with her. In one of them she claimed that she had not changed her opinion about anything since she was nine years old; the impression I got was that she thought this statement demonstrated her integrity. It struck me as pathological.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-04-20 10:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-20 10:29 am (UTC)Thus I am saying that that Kerry needs to become much more aggressive and hawkish, to stop mealy-mouthing around issues of national security and such, and take a much stronger stand. He's already won the battle over the economy. Now he needs to win the battle over security.
The people want a more competent liar?
In short, yes. They want someone who's going to give them everything they want and not force them to pay for it, they want someone who's going to make them feel safe, make sure they have a home, a job, safe streets, and low taxes to boot.
no subject
Date: 2004-04-20 01:16 pm (UTC)Agreed. Many people don't understand, and don't want to take the trouble to understand, the complex issues that their leaders have to decide on. That's one reason Kerry is sometimes perceived as waffling*; he presents very nuanced, complex views on a topic where Bush has a simple, black and white answer. The simple answer is often completely wrong on it's face, and even more often simply doesn't sufficiently address a complex issue. But it's simple and sometimes that's all people want.
An alternative would be someone who can inspire them to look at the challenges head on and see why they're worth accepting. Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy were good at this. I don't see either of the current candidates managing this. I think Dean was capable of it, and I think McCain was too.
*Sometimes, of course, Kerry is perceived as waffling because, well, he's waffling. :-) Most politicians do waffle from time to time, and, in fact *should* do so. Most politicians are elected to be representatives of the people, not to act as independent people--after all, that's why there are frequent elections, to give voters the opportunity to replace elected leaders who aren't doing what they want. Sometimes elected officials need to vote their conscience and try to lead their constituents towards what they believe is right. But mostly they need to listen to the people and do what the people want, whether it's what they believe or not, and whether it's what they said the week before or not. One of the thigns I don't rspect about Bush is that he refuses to admit that he's ever been wrong or made a mistake; if someone can't change their mind or never makes a mistake, I'm not prepared to trust them.
no subject
Date: 2004-04-20 03:50 pm (UTC)