What is is about Bush?

[billydkid]

I've been trying to figure out what exactly it is that is so repellent about Dubya to so many people, myself included. I just can not put my finger on it. It isn't just that he is dishonest and self serving and all the rest. There is something essential about the man that is utterly repugnant to about half of we Americans and incredibly appealing to the other half. I really just can't figure out what it is. I don't think this really has anything to do with politics - I find the Democrat's politics equally as unappealing. It sort of like the difference between video tape and film - you can see there is a difference, but you can't really tell what it is.

[seayakin]

For me, it is his smugness. (in addition to his foreign policy, domestic policy and non-existent environmental policy)

[RandFan]

Originally posted by billydkid
I've been trying to figure out what exactly it is that is so repellent about Dubya to so many people, myself included. I just can not put my finger on it. It isn't just that he is dishonest and self serving and all the rest. There is something essential about the man that is utterly repugnant to about half of we Americans and incredibly appealing to the other half. I really just can't figure out what it is. I don't think this really has anything to do with politics - I find the Democrat's politics equally as unappealing. It sort of like the difference between video tape and film - you can see there is a difference, but you can't really tell what it is. I question whether it is or isn't about politics for most people.

However, to be repelled by someone without cause is irrational. Welcome to woo-woo land, where beliefs in god, telekinesis, dowsing, etc. are based upon emotional states without foundation.

Your honesty is refreshing though.

[billydkid]

Originally posted by RandFan
I question whether it is or isn't about politics for most people.

However, to be repelled by someone without cause is irrational. Welcome to woo-woo land, where beliefs in god, telekinesis, dowsing, etc. are based upon emotional states without foundation.

Your honesty is refreshing though.

Hey, there is a cause, I just can't define what it is. This is not a fine distinction and should not be difficult to grasp. You have never known/met anyone that you simply did not like, but did not really know why?

[seayakin]

Originally posted by RandFan
I question whether it is or isn't about politics for most people.

However, to be repelled by someone without cause is irrational. Welcome to woo-woo land, where beliefs in god, telekinesis, dowsing, etc. are based upon emotional states without foundation.

Your honesty is refreshing though.

Ignoring my own previous comment which indicates my own fallibility in this matter, it is my own personal opinion that most voters base their choice on emotional states without foundation.

[hammegk]

Originally posted by seayakin


... most voters base their choice on emotional states without foundation.

Yeah, most of us keep looking for "The Perfect Mathematics of Political Science, Politics, and Politicians" but Brights haven't published it yet. Still working on the tome "The Mathematics of Ethics & Morals", I guess. BillHoyt has assured me he isn't working on the latter book, anyway.


Of course you don't like Bush. He's too dumb to be Bright -- and admits it.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by billydkid
Hey, there is a cause, I just can't define what it is. This is not a fine distinction and should not be difficult to grasp. You have never known/met anyone that you simply did not like, but did not really know why? Yes, and I realized it was not rational.

I am intuitively against gay marriage. I don't know why. Since I can't think of a valid reason I must realize that I am being irrational and assume that the problem lies with me.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by seayakin
Ignoring my own previous comment which indicates my own fallibility in this matter, it is my own personal opinion that most voters base their choice on emotional states without foundation. The purpose of critical thinking is to get past the visceral and make choices based on logic.

I know what you mean by video tape vs Film. It drives me carzy and I have come up with a number of ideas only to ultimately reject them.

I do understand your original point.

[rockoon]

Circumstances.

A) Bush came into office after Clinton was completely trashed with an attempt to impeach him. Clinton was damn near the worst thing that ever happened to the democrats in the past half dozen decades. From improper sexual activity to questionable business deals to probably giving secrets to china to FBI files just laying around the whitehouse. Lets also not forget a certain questionable murder. If you are a democrat then all this fuels your fire.

B) The events in Florida. While this swings both ways, the democrats and republicans respectively refuse to see their own crimes but only see each others. And trust me.. both sides were playing very dirty politics in Florida.

C) Bush is the son of a former president, his brother is a governor, his buddies are oil men, and his VP is apparently making some money off of current policy. If you are a democrat then this just fuels your fire.

I DID NOT HAVE IMPROPER RELATIONS WITH THAT CHAD

[fishbob]

Of course you don't like Bush. He's too dumb to be Bright -- and admits it. And yet Bush projects such certainty that his policies are the only correct policies. I dislike absolutes, but nobody is correct all the time.

I can see where some people might like a leader who is absolutely positive in his positions and policies. Others, like me, find this annoyingly arrogant.

[evil sutko]

I think it's more the "win at all costs" attitude and the unwillingness to compromise.

That sort of attitude, especially actions like Tom DeLay's racially-motivated gerrymandering of Texas, rubs people the wrong way, and rightfully so.

The GOP really needs to reel in some of the zealots, or their problems will continue.