[quote=Aecetia]Very thoughtful eaves and the quote: “They are still missing the boat on what really is pissing off Americans” applies to both parties. I think there is a very anti-incumbent sentiment now, not just anti Democrat or Republican. Both parties have seriously misread the tea leaves and are going to pay a price for their arrogance and for appearing to not care about what is worrying the average American- it is still the economy for most people.[/quote]
I agree that the anti-incumbent sentiment is at an all-time (at least in my lifetime) high, but I think the parties differ. I believe that the Dems are, overall, generally clueless about what’s going on aside from a very narrow financial-educational demographic. Whether this is the result of stupidity, or not giving a shit, I can’t say. I just have a vision of the DNC staff taking a daily siesta in their conference room, where they smoke a pound and a half of Maui Wowee, and watch “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” with director’s commentary in slow mo.
The Repubs, on the other hand, developed a taste for blood in the late 80s and have been after it ever since. Power trumps everything, and winning is essential to acquiring that. I don’t know that they truly are in touch with Americans (I vote “no”), but they have a gift on zeroing in on what issues will elicit the most visceral and vitriolic response from the voters, even if they are non-existent issues. I think that they have the skills to figure out what is pissing off Americans, but will exercise it only to the extent that it gets them publicity that will engender votes. But they are brilliant at leaving a great many people with the impression that they truly care, which makes it appear all the more cruel when their Senate and House votes prove otherwise.
The fallout from this rapidly increasing distrust is that it threatens to become a permanent condition, and Americans are looking to candidates that are diametric opposites from incumbents. There are more and more candidates like Sarah Palin appearing on ballots, as the average American is searching for someone they perceive as similar to themselves to trust. And there’s no talking them out of it.
As for the economy, you couldn’t be more accurate. None of them, including LaPalin, has the faintest idea of the insurmountable financial challenges being faced by millions of their middle-class constituents.
