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Ally House (Oregon)'s avatar

I cannot fathom the rationale of what the Republiqan governors are doing. It just does not make sense in any way, shape, or form. That party needs to die a quick and painful death so that we can, just maybe, survive this Code Red that we've created.

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Charlie Grantham (Tucson)'s avatar

It's like they (R's) wake up every morning and think, "what can I do today to hurt someone"?

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Jack Lippman (FL-NY-NJ)'s avatar

Sometimes I feel that the Republican Party, recognizing that it never can legitimately get a majority of Americans to support it, knows that it is dying, and has decided to take the rest of the country down with it, rather than change. (Their hidden leadership, so well documented by Jane Mayer, envisions an authoritatian takeover of the nation's remnants at that point.)

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Ally House (Oregon)'s avatar

I think that is pretty close to accurate.

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

...and it's so easy to do.

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Bob Stromberg's avatar

It's a desire to dominate. The other feels bad, so you feel good!

Now get out there and win!

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Aug 10, 2021
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Ellie Kona's avatar

But when a person derives pleasure from actively causing pain to someone else, itтАЩs called sadism.

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Jack Lippman (FL-NY-NJ)'s avatar

But if you didn't bring about the person's pain, its schadenfreude.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

I'm not arguing the definition of schadenfreude. I'm arguing that the conduct of Republican governors is more than schadenfreude--it's sadistic. But there's a lot more involved in quest for money and power than an emotional state.

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Jack Lippman (FL-NY-NJ)'s avatar

It's all very simple. Those who possess a disproportionate share of the nation's wealth are interested in keeping it, or at least keeping it in their families, and oppose tax reform legistlation which would change that along with the economic structure which enabled them to amass that wealth. It has always been that way. They are willing to generously support candidates who will take their side and not that of the majority who would support tax policies leading to a redistribution of wealth in the country. They don't give a damn about the ethics or morality of those who support them, just so long as they support them, and that includes the support of sadists, to whom they would gladly donate, along with bigots, nazis and downright crooks.

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Ellie Kona's avatar

Yes, that's the common denominator across most forms of government, historically and present. Mitigating those Me-My-Mine forces is a challenge for the common good.

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Jack Lippman (FL-NY-NJ)'s avatar

If you smile internally, with just a touch of guilt, when you read the news such as that found at

https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/anti-vaccine-radio-host-in-florida-dies-of-covid-19-complications/

that's schadenfreude.

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Cheryl's avatar

Hi Ally. Unfortunately What DeSantis and Abbott are doing does make sense. They are playing the Republican platform rally cry of "less government" - which ignited the Civil War and smoulders to this day. They do this because they see it as riding their constituents misbegotten beliefs to the White House. It's all about playing to their "fans" in a shameless bid for power without having to take the hard road through reality, honesty, and integrity.

You are so right about the Code Red. I will never forgive Trump or the Republican party for the four years we lost not addressing climate change. We can't get that time back. Now here we are facing the consequences - and still Republicans resist. They must think wealth will save them from a burning planet. In Virginia, Republican millionaire Youngkin is slyly running for governor, not announcing himself as a republican, and just barely mentioning his plans to "deregulate" industry in our state. He is a well-educated dealmaker and CEO (maybe CFO) for a private multi-national equity company. In short, he is a nightmare - Trump with brains. It's all about money.

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Christine (FL)'s avatar

Prob for DeSantis an his ilk is that their cry of less government controlтАжmore individual freedom and enterpriseтАжless gov regulation which he thinks builds his base. Until people see him regulating and controlling and bullying the sh*t out of everything to get his way. Classic former move.

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Cheryl's avatar

Absolutely

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