Conservatives Want to Live in the Bubble?

Image from source, Salon

It's no secret that we're a divided country these days, with a left, a far right, and a silent middle. Notice I didn't say "far left." That's because as far as I can tell, there isn't much of one, beyond Noam Chomsky. Of course, even moderate liberals look far left by comparison to the right, whose mainstream has been supplanted by its fringe edge. So, I guess you could say that there isn't much of a far right either, because what in the world would the fringe of the fringe look like? I mean, when Cliven Bundy is a hero?

Anyway, that's the oddity of our politics. But what's interesting, not only are we divided, but it appears we really, really want to be divided. Particularly in the case of conservatives.

[Excerpt]

Wingnuts’ sheltered fantasy: This is the far right’s scary myopic vision
 
A recent survey of 10,000 Americans from Pew Research Center for the People and the Press was ostensibly designed to provide proof of the increased polarization of our country. (Spoiler alert: “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades.”) But the poll, due to its large sample size of both far left and far right respondents, provides quantitative data demonstrating something striking: an extreme right wing that not only hates those on the opposite side of the political spectrum, but also desires to be isolated ethnically, culturally and geographically from the rest of the country. . .

Read more at: Salon

Meanwhile, on Facebook: Mitt Romney's Bogus Charges

Yeah, I'm still not getting the "division, hatred and anger" charges coming out of camp Romney/Ryan. I think they're still desperate to change the direction of the storyline, and they'll grab anything they can use as an oar. The President at his most strident rarely emotes anything harsher than a stern lecture. This cartoon--currently floating around on Facebook--captures the argument perfectly.

More on the "Division, Anger and Hate"

I'm not buying it. Image from Wonkette

I'm still not getting it, this allegation by Mittens that accuses the President of "division, anger and hate." But I think I'm starting to draw a bead on it. With each jab given by Barack Obama, Mitt has responded with alarm. He and his surrogates have alleged that what he said (whatever it is that day) is shocking, out-of-bounds, beneath the office of the President, on and on. Ordinary political jabs are treated as if they were punches below the belt (right in the magic underwear! Now, that's below the belt!). It's similar to the way Mitt chuckles whenever he's asked something uncomfortable face-to-face.

So, I think this accusation of division, anger and hate is just a tactic. This is no more nasty a campaign than the last one ("Pallin' around with terrorists," anyone?), or the primary battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton, or even the recent Republican primary, with Newt Gingrich! It's bullshit, but I fear it could take root like so many other dumb things in these campaigns (windsurfing, tanks, Rev. Wright).

[Excerpt]

Everyone Go Sign Mitt Romney’s ‘Stop Hitting Me’ Petition

Mitt Romney has a never-ending list of complaints about things President Obama is not allowed to criticize him on — Medicare, his business career, taxes, things of that nature — but the Obama campaign simply won’t stop. The only way to stop this now is to get the people involved. We must all sign this petition to get our names in the Romney contact database end the hurtful attacks on Mitt Romney during this most important of elections. Will you, reader, “sign [this] petition if you agree President Obama should take his campaign of division and anger and hate back to Chicago”? . . .

Read more at: Wonkette