How can US Republican hopefuls be so out of touch with reality?

[Paul]

Some of the complete nonsense that these people are spinning is driving me bananas. They have kids brainwashed into saying "Trump is great" when asked why they simply reply "He's going to turn America around" and how? "Because he's great".

Marco Rubio wants to reverse the same sex marriage law - he believes it's unconstitutional. Why? "Because the constitution is a living breathing document of limitation... no way that you can read that constitution and deduce from it that there is constitutional rights to an abortion or a constitutional right to marry someone of the same sex"

Him and other Republicans want strict legislation on the use of public restrooms. The restroom to use is one that conforms to the sex you were physically born.

I could ramble on about other tripe these people have blurted. I get the feeling that it's all for spectacle and to make people feel something and polarise opinion. I really hope it backfires.

Do you think that this kind of politics is healthy?

What sort of message do you think it sends to the young and/or vulnerable members of our and America's community?

Paul

[Guest_5218]

Hi Paul,

I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say that the pollies are just trying to cause a spectacle and to polarise opinion.  Part of the process when you have a system where voting is not compulsory.  The only way they can garner a vote is to force people to have an opinion, and for them to want to express it.

No I dont think this form of politics is healthy at all.  American politics is all about money.  So therefore all the pollies are beholden to their backers, and will be dictated to by them. You cant get into politics in USA without a huge monetary backing from someone, be that the powerful gun lobby or the Evangelical movement.

You're right, it sends the wrong message to young and vulnerable people.

Sherie xx

[justinok]

Those Republicans sure make our own dear Libs look enlightened by comparison.  No, I don't think that kind of politics is healthy, specifically for us, but those kind of pollies don't care. They make a calculated decision about this, it's why minorities are always demonised. They only burn off a tiny percentage of their vote, and potentially gain a heap more from not just bigots, but oridinary folk that they can terrify into thinking there's a problem when there isn't.  The bathrooms one is a great example: nothing is going to terrify a parent quicker if you whip them up into a fear that their kid is going to be assaulted by a stranger.

This is why I worry about this plebiscite on marriage equality. We have all this crap to look forward to, and funded with our tax dollars too.  I don't know if you saw the whole rainbow noose thing that came out a week or so ago, but it was disgusting.

[Gruffudd]

Paul,

I think they are good questions. When I read that stuff it reminds me of why those past generations fought for everyone to have the vote, not just the privileged few. Those attitudes are not just in the american republican party, they are around in the community here too. There seems a such a big contrast between the last election where they were selling hope and this one where the agenda is about fear. I suspect you are right, it sends a very negative message. I worry about here, my father and his family came to this country from a bombed out european city by boat seeking a safe place and a better life - that happened, I find it hard to see the negativity around people who are seeking the same thing my family did, same goes for the LGTIQ community too.

Rob.

[Paul]

I agree Rob,

My Aunty put a post on facebook with a pic of a dead cow. The caption was 
"Support our Aussie farmers". Her comment was "Instead of letting more refugees in"

My comment was "The best way to support Aussie farmers is to buy their produce and ensure we vote for politicians who understand the impacts we have on the environment and ultimately the climate. How does this change a refugees plight and our human acceptance of people whose home has been destroyed?"

I went on.

I think this exemplifies that people seem to lose sight of balance, humanity and the power that we have individually to make choices that impact those who we are whinging about not being supported fairly.

Sadly, it's human nature to look inside before looking outside and overcoming our pre-programmed selfishness (to survive).

[Gruffudd]

Je suis Charlie - I think it is also very human to have a bit of compassion and walk a mile in another's shoes. If you are making an attack on refugees you are also attacking me and my family who once were refugees. We have gained more as a country from accepting people then shutting them out, when I think of the different migrant communities I wouldn't be without them. France has been an interesting contrast to that negative selfish thing with the response to Charlie Hebdo and the terrorism, the solidarity was inspiring.