What makes so many Republican voters pro-war?

[Voluntary Man]

[1]As a newly-recovered neo-con, you may be surprised to learn that I didn't KNOW I was a neo-con.

[2]I didn't have to be a neo-con -- so I decided NOT to be one -- well, Ron Paul taught me I didn't HAVE to be one!

1) Not surprised most people who support evil do so out of ignorance. Once the evil is exposed as evil, it's difficult for most decent people, even with our fallen nature, to continue to support it.

There are many on this board who advocate the abandonment of the word "neocon," because many neocons don't know what it means or think it's just an epithet invented by progressives to defame conservatives (most progressives don't really know the meaning of the word either, but they do have the vague sense that it means "warmongering Republican"). But, why cater to people's ignorance? Why not just deliver them from it? So, I use the word generously hoping to shake the well-meaning out of their slumber.

I'm convinced that the majority of people currently falsely identifying themselves as "conservative," if they're basically decent and intellectually honest (okay, that may not describe the majority of people), will not be able to remain neocons, once they are aware of what one actually is.

Neoconservatism is a cockroach political philosophy that scurries from illumination. Once it it's exposed, it will quickly die. It's already happening. Keep the lights burning, people.

2) Amen, sister! Bless you! Spread the word!

 

[demolama]

Southern pride and American exceptionalism

 

[OrbitzXT]

They think it makes them safer. In the 2008 debate, you'll recall the Ron Paul said 9/11 happened as a result of our failed policies keeping us in places we don't belong. Guilliani made a big stink of it saying "You're saying it's America's fault 9/11 happened?" and the uneducated crowd booed Ron Paul for suggesting such a thing.

 

[newbitech]

fear

 

[Bonnieblue]

Southern pride and American exceptionalism

Are you saying that those two things are the reasons that the Republicans embrace war?

 

[Dianne]

We need to get to the root of this question and try to influence them to change their minds. If they changed their minds I'm certain that thousands of GOP voters who at the moment support one of the pro-war candidates would start supporting Ron Paul.

I think a main reason why Republican voters are pro-war is their belief that all Muslims are the same (all bad) and that we must keep attacking them to be safe.

What kind of statements do you hear from pro-war people when you ask them why they are pro-war?

The conservative propaganda machine, FOX News. I am absolutely shocked the people in South Carolina would ever consider voting for a Mormon or Catholic draft dodger when they have Ron Paul, a Southern Baptist hero, who served his country.

 

[LiveForHonortune]

Propaganda and fearmongering became ridiculously effective after September 11th.

Ironically, Bush ran as the anti-war candidate in 2000.

 

[Darthbrooklyn]

I don't think anyone is Pro War or likes War, as much as they've been conditioned to think that our military operations around the world actually keeps us safe. I think people just want to feel safe and protected and somehow equate that with our constant military interventions.

 

[cheapseats]

I don't think anyone is Pro War or likes War, as much as they've been conditioned to think that our military operations around the world actually keeps us safe. I think people just want to feel safe and protected and somehow equate that with our constant military interventions.

It is eminently rational to want to feel safe/protected.

I think people IN THE KNOW on the bigger picture GET the strategery behind PRESENCE in places. Big sticks are very influential in back-room dealing, which is vital to an unnatural #WealthGap (indeed to #FeudalEconomics, which is what this IS).

At THIS point, I do NOT believe the majority of Americans believes our festival of bases and pageant of interventions keeps us safe. I believe at this point the majority GOES ALONG WITH IT the same way they go along with paying extra for taking a SUITCASE on a JOURNEY by plane, also being EXAMINED prior to boarding. It's the cost of doing business, it's the price you pay, IT'S THE WAY IT IS.

 

[No Free Beer]

Where is Hazek on this one?

 

[floridasun1983]

Its pretty simple, I think. The idiot box is filled with self proclaimed "experts" that have been telling people what to think for 11 years on this stuff. If you hear all these so called experts telling you the only way to keep your family safe is preemptive war, sprinkled in with the "hey we haven't been attacked since!" stuff, eventually you'll be inclined to believe it.

 

[cheapseats]

What makes so many Republican voters pro-war?


In a word, MONEY. In two words, INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS.

One cannot imbue TPTP with evil intents and dangerous powers (turbocharged, in truth, by MIND-BOGGLING fortunes), and also believe that "many Republicans" call the shots.

Pardon the blasphemy, but Ron Paul needs to go BOBBY KENNEDY on Americans. Are YOU willing to fight and perhaps die in Iran?! Are you willing for your CHILDREN to fight and perhaps die in Iran?! As God-fearing or karma-respecting or just plain honorable people, we CAN generate prosperity and we CAN protect ourselves without marching right back to war.

Maybe not Evangelicals but, otherwise, people across the spectrum BUT OUTSIDE the ol' Military Industrial Complex (which includes INVESTORS) have pretty much had it up to HERE with Big Swinging Dicks rattling their sabers.

 

[floridasun1983]

Neo-con's aren't Christian Zionist zealots, though. "Democracy" is the religion of neo-conservatism. Democracy rights all the wrong's of the world. The neo-con is on a mission to remake the world in their image.

 

[cheapseats]

Neo-con's aren't Christian Zionist zealots, though. "Democracy" is the religion of neo-conservatism. Democracy rights all the wrong's of the world. The neo-con is on a mission to remake the world in their image.

That is the party line.

It sounds better than WE ARE OUT TO POSSESS THE LION'S SHARE, AND TO CONTROL WHATEVER WE DON'T OWN.

 

[cheapseats]

Neo-con's aren't Christian Zionist zealots, though. "Democracy" is the religion of neo-conservatism. Democracy rights all the wrong's of the world. The neo-con is on a mission to remake the world in their image.

The world in their image...I'm so SURE.

Yeah, they want a bunch of resourceful and cut-throat people angling to be Top Dog.

FEUDAL ECONOMICS = LAND LORDS + SERFS

 

[Matthanuf06]

Most aren't pro war. They want America to be safe. They, rightfully so, think that there are some bad guys that want to kill us. They just grossly inflate those numbers. They also have a bad idea on how to keep us safe. War in all cases isn't right. Now some folks here go the opposite and think war is never the answer.

The way to get to these voters is to tell them we need to regain the moral high ground. At this point it's the chicken or the egg problem. The ME blames us, we blame them. We need to step back and take away any reason they blame us. Regain the high ground. Then, if they attack, we have the moral standing to retaliate. But it needs to be emphasized that we will be trying to prevent attacks and our military will remain strong enough to severely retaliate.

Blaming us, and actin like we leave will suddenly cause them to leave us alone is not the right approach, and in reality is a coin flip at best.

 

[gunnysmith]

All powerful people either die or are deposed. They convey their fear to the public while trying to gain as much control as they can before their agenda is discovered.
Some make it, the greater majority of them don't, until now.

 

[DEGuy]

Sorry I didn't read the whole thread. Look up Jeane Kirkpatrick. She's one of many, but really the mother of the neoconservative movement. They've been in the party since the late 60's. Basically a bunch of Democrats who liked both wanted to increase domestic social program and wage war against communism, the later Islam. Many of them were from New York with strong ties to Israel, and that fanatic loyalty still remains in the GOP. However, she said one of my favorite quotes:

"Russia is playing chess, while we are playing Monopoly. The only question is whether they will checkmate us before we bankrupt them."

 

[unknown]

Yeah but that doesn't explain the evangelicals. Somewhere along the line, their pastors are telling them that Jesus says bomb the muslims.

This is a part of it. There is a lot of pro war propaganda in churches. A friend of mine left 2 congregations for this reason.

They buy into the holy war, the idea that Muslims are out to take over the World and America. I can understand to a point, when you look at some of the rhetoric coming out of the ME. Couple that with the endless pro-war brainwashing/propaganda and voila.

Others know that its a resource based strategic land grab and are ok with it. They feel that its our oil. That its in our "strategic interest". Its ok to take their (Arab) oil and redistribute it, just dont redistribute my money here at home...

But I think they are receptive to the idea that these endless wars are bankrupting us. That we can end up like Russia or Europe and that there is a way to be safe while preventing the collapse of our economy.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

This is a part of it. There is a lot of pro war propaganda in churches. A friend of mine left 2 congregations for this reason.

They buy into the holy war, the idea that Muslims are out to take over the World and America. I can understand to a point, when you look at some of the rhetoric coming out of the ME. Couple that with the endless pro-war brainwashing/propaganda and voila.

Others know that its a resource based strategic land grab and are ok with it. They feel that its our oil. That its in our "strategic interest". Its ok to take their (Arab) oil and redistribute it, just dont redistribute my money here at home...

But I think they are receptive to the idea that these endless wars are bankrupting us. That we can end up like Russia or Europe and that there is a way to be safe while preventing the collapse of our economy.

This is an excellent point!! The Baptist church I went to as a child celebrated holidays about war quite jubilantly and with all the State symbology(veteran's day, independence day, etc) and never those about peace.