Tender Feelings

[oselle]

So, it appears the Republicans scuttled a possible agreement on the bailout bill because Nancy Pelosi said mean things.

You know, I've got a question. I've long noticed that Republicans and conservatives, whether they're politicians or pundits or people right here on LJ, tend to have very thin skins about themselves. Oh, they're terrifically thick-skinned about, say...starting wars or torturing people or denying healthcare coverage to needy kids or leaving an American city to drown but boy, when it comes to themselves, they're all, "You're so mean!" and "You hurt my feelings!" and "Don't call me names!" Why is that? How can people so utterly lacking in any sort of normal empathy for their fellow man be so deeply sensitive and easily wounded when it comes to themselves? Can this be classed as genuinely sociopathic behavior or what?

Barney Frank hit the nail on the head:

“We don’t believe they had the votes and I think they are covering up the embarrassment of not having the votes. But think about this: somebody hurt my feelings so I will punish the country. I mean that’s hardly plausible. And there were twelve Republicans who were ready to stand up for the economic interest of America but not if anybody insulted them. I’ll make an offer: Give me those twelve people’s names and I will go talk uncharacteristically nicely to them and tell them what wonderful people they are, and maybe they’ll now think about the country.”

Good luck, Barney.

Comments

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I just saw a little of the Bill Maher show and there was a conservative woman (and by conservative I actually mean crazy person on board with the extreme crazy that has taken over the party) who said something about how the Republicans are the party who respond to rational arguments and facts instead of fuzzy emotions.

The response was priceless. Because it wasn't even everybody booing or disagreement. You could *feel* everyone in the room (and see the others on the panel) trying to figure out why she'd just made this obviously sarcastic joke without sounding at all ironic--and isn't she supposed to be conservative?

I mention it because the disconnect seems just so strong in the same way. These are people who will viciously attack anyone who disagrees with them or is not in their party, but then will claim their feelings were hurt and those Dems are so partisan with a totally straight face and not seem to get how strange they sound.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

They're socicopaths. Or psychopaths.

[oxer12.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard this! The only thing I've read is that too many members of the House were concerned about backing an unpopular bill this close to elections, even at the expense of the economy. Granted, it sticks in my craw that we have to have the government bail out private corporations, but I do think we have to do SOMEthing.

Barney Frank FTW. :-)

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

for cryin' out loud. We're going to fuck the country over because Nancy was omgmeen!11????

[pearlette.livejournal.com]

Well, the way it's been reported here -- regardless of twelve Republicans with hurt feelings :p -- the anger at the bailout bill sounds like a Peasants' Revolt from ordinary Americans who are sick and tired of fat cats not taking the rap for this mess and saying, "why the hell should WE pay for the mistakes of a few" :)

We are seeing the fruits of capitalism run completely amok. The chickens have come home to roost with a vengeance. Unfortunately, though, it is the little people who will pay the biggest price. :(

Speaking for myself, I say the US has to do what the US has to do. The deal should have gone through. Too much is at stake. Because if America crashes, we all crash.

Our leaders are in a very sober mood today following what happened in Congress yesterday. David Cameron, leader of the Tory Party, was bang on the money. He said that it was the job of a responsible Opposition to work with the present Labour government if push came to shove, seeing the gravity of the situation we're all facing. That earned him a Brownie point from me.

[the0neru.livejournal.com]

there is just so much in politics these days that makes me go o_O. more than usual, i mean.

i take it you've seen palin's 'response' to katie couric's question about the bailout proposal? *headdesk*