Bred to Fight
Interesting piece in the new Harpers about the huge discrepancy in the military in partisan political identification. Only" 7% identify themselves as liberals, Republicans outnumber Democrats in the military by more than four to one" . Of course I am no huge fan of Democrats or liberals but it is interesting that "since 1980 ( Reagan fascism) our military has become conservative in a more explicitly ideological sense."So we have some set of factors which is causing this personality disorder which manifests itself as conservative (in the vulgar, racist, sexist, provincial, homophobic sense), patriotic, evangelical, militaristically violent and good at taking orders.
Part of it has to do with how they were raised (that factor varies a great deal) part has to do with how susceptable they are to popular culture, part genetic (IQ, aptitude, etc) and part influence of teachers, mentors, peers. A study of the Hitler Youth could probably yield a great deal in this regard. I think video games factor in here somehow but have no data.
Personally, I don't support the troops. Not our troops, not their troops, not anybodys fucking troops. They personify and embody everything I stand against and if they are stuck in the military and don't like it I feel sympathy for them and if they are in there enjoying it they are sick. But in neither case do I support them in any way, shape or form.They are not defending my freedom or my property or my wealth or any stupid thing.What does "support" even consist of? Some prayer like mental state? Good thoughts? Thats stupid as well. If they want my support they will have to wake up, realize what they are doing and quit. Quit being killers, quit being Republicans, quit being conformist droids walking in lockstep towards glorious battle, quit being stupid.
posted by troutsky @ 10:44 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
So we have some set of factors which is causing this personality disorder which manifests itself as conservative (in the vulgar, racist, sexist, provincial, homophobic sense), patriotic, evangelical, militaristically violent and good at taking orders.
I no longer consider myself a conservative, so I'll let the insult slide.
One reason for the increasing numbers identifying themselves as conservatives seems to be the drastic leftward shift of the political world. The Republicans of today would never elect Goldwater or Coolidge, or even Ike--who warned against the military industrial complex.
To be liberal, is to be so far to the left, I'm honestly surprised that 7% consider themselves as such. Then again, I can't seem to figure out why we libertarians can't seem to find at least nominal support. I'll be waiting for the scales to fall from everyone's eyes, exposing the two-party as the sham it is.
One only hopes it is not too late.
Leftward shift? That to me is a fascinating observation.Up till the 1950s there was a strong Communist Party in this country, Socialists ran for president, Anarchists self identified as such,Catholic Workers,Wobblies,Knights of Labor, that was a Left.Maybe you are refering to a pro abortion, or gay or anti-gun left but that has little to do with the true, anti-capitalist Left which is in a state of defeat(but not not bowed).
Maybe you are refering to a pro abortion, or gay or anti-gun left but that has little to do with the true, anti-capitalist Left which is in a state of defeat(but not not bowed).
I speak of leftward growth in so far as it is synonymous with governmental expansion. A wish for governmental regulation and control is a "liberal"--in the sense of leftist--one.
Left defined as you have it, you are of course correct.
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