Hillary Clinton Suggests ‘Formal Deprogramming’ For ‘MAGA Extremists’

[SavedByGrace3]

Does anyone really hold views which are extreme under any party, at the end of any spectrum, apart from the internet and the media telling us this is the case? If we all used our treadmills, went for walks, walked our dogs, did something outside of the TV and internet, we might find we are more connected than we are told we are by politicians and the media. The phrase, I believe, is 'touch grass'. Just a thought.

I wish Hillay would take your advice. Maybe she would not be advocating such draconian measures... which is the topic of this thread.

 

[YorkieGal]

I wish Hillay would take your advice. Maybe she would not be advocating such draconian measures... which is the topic of this thread.

Well, she's a politician and is used by others to create hatred and divide. Her platform is TV and internet. If we turned it off or ignored it, she wouldn't have a platform and we wouldn't be tempted to adopt her lies as truth.

 

[dzheremi]

Does anyone really hold views which are extreme under any party, at the end of any spectrum, apart from the internet and the media telling us this is the case? If we all used our treadmills, went for walks, walked our dogs, did something outside of the TV and internet, we might find we are more connected than we are told we are by politicians and the media. The phrase, I believe, is 'touch grass'. Just a thought.

I'm a big fan of touching grass when I can, but I feel like this appeal would work a lot better in a world where January 6th didn't happen, the Charlottesville march and murder didn't happen, and the CHAZ thing and the crimes associated with it in Seattle didn't happen (etc., etc.). I do think (or at least hope) that the number of such people is greatly exaggerated, but to suggest that no one believes these things is not in keeping with reality.

 

[YorkieGal]

I'm a big fan of touching grass when I can, but I feel like this appeal would work a lot better in a world where January 6th didn't happen, the Charlottesville march and murder didn't happen, and the CHAZ thing and the crimes associated with it in Seattle didn't happen (etc., etc.). I do think (or at least hope) that the number of such people is greatly exaggerated, but to suggest that no one believes these things is not in keeping with reality.

I didn't suggest NO one believes anything or everything. I said that perhaps there aren't as many extreme views, on either side of the political spectrum, as we are led to believe by the media and politicians. The best way to understand the power of politicians and media, and reduce it, is by talking to actual people instead of getting snapshots of people's beliefs/ideas from online or having these 'beliefs' or 'views' handfed to us by these politicians, governments and media.

Until very recently, Democrats, Republicans etc all coexisted peacefully and then what changed? Politician and media terminology and rhetoric. If people don't see through this, then I question their IQ overall but, at the very least, their social IQ.

Don't isolate yourself from reality and have it handed to you by others.

 

[dzheremi]

Forgive me. Your use of the word "anyone" confused me, I guess.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Does anyone really hold views which are extreme under any party, at the end of any spectrum, apart from the internet and the media telling us this is the case? If we all used our treadmills, went for walks, walked our dogs, did something outside of the TV and internet, we might find we are more connected than we are told we are by politicians and the media. The phrase, I believe, is 'touch grass'. Just a thought.

Yeah, people do hold views outside of the established political parties. They're rare, as most people tend to follow what the authorities tell them is acceptable but they do exist. I know this because my own views would be considered politically unacceptable.

 

[JeffP]

What do you think would happen if they actually attempted this?

Hillary Clinton: MAGA ‘cult members’ need ‘deprogramming’

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton railed against supporters of former President Trump during a new CNN interview, comparing those who still support the former president after the Jan. 6, 20…

thehill.com

While I may not fully agree with the sentiment behind the remark on the need to deprogram MAGA supporters, there's some validity to it. MAGA seems to be a manifestation of a larger issue in our nation. It seems that at some point, politicians discovered that creating an 'us versus them' narrative is a shortcut to garnering support. By pinpointing a common enemy, they solidify their base. Stoking fear and outrage further solidifies this support, as nothing drives people to the polls quite like anger or fear. This tactic isn't new; it's a marketing strategy that's been around for a long time. By dividing the audience, you create a loyal customer base. However, the idea of deprogramming extends beyond just MAGA; it's a societal issue. The polarization is so deep that if Hilary Clinton said the sky was blue, a portion of people would second-guess this fact purely based on the source. The same is true for the other side. This division serves the interests of those in power, but it's detrimental to our society in the long run. George Washington once voiced concern over the divisive nature of political factions, warning in his Farewell Address that they could become tools for cunning individuals to undermine democracy and seize power.

Additionally, the proposed ranking of a typical politician's priorities—starting with self-interest, followed by alliances within their party, lobbyists, supportive media, party loyalty, the electoral base, and lastly the general public—sheds light on the perceived hierarchy of concerns in political circles. This ranking suggests a disconnect between politicians and the broader populace, hinting that personal and factional interests often take precedence over the fundamental duty of serving the public. The complex interactions among politicians, their parties, and various external influences echo the multifaceted challenges in bridging the existing political divides and fostering a more inclusive and understanding political discourse.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I didn't suggest NO one believes anything or everything. I said that perhaps there aren't as many extreme views, on either side of the political spectrum, as we are led to believe by the media and politicians. The best way to understand the power of politicians and media, and reduce it, is by talking to actual people instead of getting snapshots of people's beliefs/ideas from online or having these 'beliefs' or 'views' handfed to us by these politicians, governments and media.

Until very recently, Democrats, Republicans etc all coexisted peacefully and then what changed? Politician and media terminology and rhetoric. If people don't see through this, then I question their IQ overall but, at the very least, their social IQ.

Don't isolate yourself from reality and have it handed to you by others.

Disentangling oneself from the established political order isn't going to make you more normal. If anything, it could make you more extreme as you're separated from the system.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Well, she's a politician and is used by others to create hatred and divide. Her platform is TV and internet. If we turned it off or ignored it, she wouldn't have a platform and we wouldn't be tempted to adopt her lies as truth.

Agreed. Same with Trump. But I like to keep track of them to see what they are up to.

 

[JeffP]

Disentangling oneself from the established political order isn't going to make you more normal. If anything, it could make you more extreme as you're separated from the system.

The stats show that around 33.2% of voting-age people didn't vote in the 2020 election (and that is historically low), meaning about one-third of them weren't really involved in the political scene to start with. Also, with 49% of Americans identifying as independents, it's clear that many are stepping away from the usual two-party system. Plus, nearly half of the people have stopped talking about politics because it's become too divisive. I'm not saying your comment is wrong but I would be willing to risk it to find out.

 

[dzheremi]

I've been a no-party-preference voter ever since I could vote (I'm in my 40s, so it has been a while), and I can't imagine being any other way. Tell a hardline Democrat that you're against abortion and they're liable to think that you're some anti-woman fascist, while many a Republican will argue that claiming that we don't have enough of a social safety net in this country and should have nationalized healthcare at the very least (like all the other first world countries have) essentially makes you a communist. So both parties are full of idiot ideologues whose buzzword-screeching helps absolutely nothing, and I don't see why anyone should want to be a part of either of them.

I feel like many more Americans are at this same point of being politically homeless than would've been the case a few decades ago, as the parties continue to solidify largely in reaction to each other rather than to what many Americans actually want, but I don't think we're at the tipping point yet where it has actually cost them anything, since they know that a third party is not viable, so they don't really risk much by staying the course. hence we have geriatric slugs like Biden and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (since so many of his supporters here get their MAGA pantaloons all twisted when he's mentioned in a thread that isn't specifically about him) actually leading the major parties. It's a sad reality. American politics are mostly just sad and alienating.

 

[HARK!]

MOD HAT ON

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MOD HAT OFF​

 

[RoBo1988]

Until very recently, Democrats, Republicans etc all coexisted peacefully and then what changed?

The DNC has their members (courtesy of Pelosi, and Schumer) in lock step and they march on, with 90% of the media's help (by hiding the Democratic Party's foibles, and exacerbating any Republican ones) .
Meanwhile, Republicans have been the "get-along, go along party" for decades; rolling over for virtually everything. Their constituents are frustrated, a handful of reps are finally fighting back, which upsets the Democrats, the sycophant media, and establishment Republicans.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

MOD HAT ON

The names of the two main political parties are the Republican party (RNC) whose members are Republicans, and the Democratic Party (DNC) whose members are Democrats. It is not the "Democrat" party. The use of Democrat party was started as a pejorative term and was meant to be derogatory. (see this) We realize many do not know that, and don't mean it in a derogatory way, so we have sent pms to members explaining. We would prefer not to make it part of the Statement of Purpose.

So remember that there is the Republican Party and Democratic Party made up of Republican politicians and Democratic politicians who individually are Republicans and Democrats.

Please follow that guideline. We really do not want to add more to the Statement of Purpose.

Admin Announcement - **Annoucement** regarding the Political and News forums

As a reminder, both Hammster and I are the advisors for Discussion and Debate forums. He is conservative and I am more liberal. First, we are going to allow the term "Trumper" since we are allowing the term "Never-Trumpers". It seems fair. Second, another way to add civility to the...

www.christianforums.com

MOD HAT OFF​

Ok... I have never heard of that.
Thanks.

 

[HARK!]

MOD HAT ON


LET'S GET BACK ON TOPIC!


MOD HAT OFF​

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

The "eternal return" is an idea for interpreting religious behavior proposed by the historian Mircea Eliade; it is a belief expressed through behavior (sometimes implicitly, but often explicitly) that one is able to become contemporary with or return to the "mythical age"—the time when the events described in one's myths occurred.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

The "eternal return" is an idea for interpreting religious behavior proposed by the historian Mircea Eliade; it is a belief expressed through behavior (sometimes implicitly, but often explicitly) that one is able to become contemporary with or return to the "mythical age"—the time when the events described in one's myths occurred.

I think Trump tapped into to a primal need and theme: return to a mythic time. We have asked when America was great and have gotten mixed answers. MAGA is basically a denial of present reality, facts.

 

[The Barbarian]

No MAGA-embracing defendant charged with acts of violence is on trial in any courtroom in the USA for violating the tenants of "liberal progressivism", so this is a red herring.

You say that, but did you know that liberal progressivism opposes insurrection against the Constitution, assaults on police officers, and death threats to public officials? All of which MAGA-embracing defendants are currently on trial for, or have been convicted and sentenced for.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Chairman Mao and Joseph Stalin had re-education camps. Hillary is proposing a similar thing?

 

[RileyG]

Chairman Mao and Joseph Stalin had re-education camps. Hillary is proposing a similar thing?

That's scary stuff!