Republicans need to get out more

My girlfriend, some friends and I traveled this weekend to The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, where we saw an amazing exhibit by outsider artist Henry Darger. There, a thought returned to my mind that I have harbored for quite some time. A thought that, though basic on its face, remains unheeded by our friends on the right.

Here it is, in all of its simplicity: Republicans need to get out more.

There's nothing to fear about new experiences. There's nothing wrong with stepping outside of your comfort zone. There's nothing to lose by broadening your horizons. But there's so much to gain. And the sooner more people - especially Republicans - realize this, the better for all of us.

Earlier, when I attempted - as we liberals love to do, of course - to offer therapy and understanding to the right, I suggested that Republicans remained Republicans because they were either too stupid, too fearful or too spiteful to come to their senses. Specifically, they were too afraid to admit failure, that they had been sold a bill of goods and were ashamed to admit otherwise.

But it's more than that, really. What I missed then is what I'm saying now. It's not only about a fear to admit failure, but it's also about a fear of trying something new. A fear of change. A fear of departing from a rigid existence. This fear is rather insulating. It helps shroud people in a sense of the-way-things-ought-to-be. It gives them a comfort level able to combat an ever-changing world. It allows them to miss out on life experiences without feeling as though they've really missed out on anything at all.

But that fear, as we know, has some very negative side effects. It turns those gripped by it into a nuisance to the rest of us. It causes them to think that Howard Stern, SpongeBob SquarePants and Janet Jackson's nipple are a threat to American democracy. It leads them to believe that the only thing standing between our society and armageddon is them. And, knowing that, if they don't assume the role of culture police, the world as they know it will soon come to an end.

Think of the climate this fear breeds. A philosophy bound to a world that no longer exists and that is incapable of change is one very hostile to the world in which we live. It breeds demonization of homosexuals and other minority groups. It sparks violence against those whose only crime is disagreeing with one's world view. It enables rhetoric that closely mirrors that of those extremists the fearful so tirelessly fight.

I also think the climate this fear has bred has led directly to the ascension of Bush-era conservatism. The people voted for a president who similarly held irrational fears, fears just like theirs. A president who, along with his party, work to erode the rights of those not exactly like them. Fearful of gays? Keep them from marrying and adopting. Fearful of Mexicans? Use them as a scapegoat for America's problems. Fearful of women? Take away their right to choose. Fearful of sex? Fine broadcasters millions while fining mine officials hundreds. Fearful of the truth? Promote failed ideologies like intelligent design and abstinence-only sex education.

All of this fear. And it's getting us nowhere. America, one could argue, has rarely seen a darker time. All because we've placed the reins of power in the hands of those afraid of their own shadow. There's a whole world out there that half of this country is simply too scared to experience. And it's not like doing something new means you must forfeit your old life. Legalizing gay marriage doesn't mean, for instance, that its current opponents will have to marry someone of the same sex.

Think of the new experiences you've tried and how they broadened your horizons. A couple of years ago, you would have had to issue a warrant to get me to try new foods. These days, thanks to people like Casey, you'd have to pry me away from a good sushi bar. Or Middle Eastern restaurant. Or Thai spot. And there's so much culture people miss when they spend their entire lives glued in front of a television. Movies and theater that make you think. Music that challenges you. Art that provokes discussion. There's just so much out there to do, to experience. Isn't it a shame that many of us are not only unwilling to accept change, but also actively fight it?

What are they so afraid of?

Update: Apparently, some people think I'm being preachy and urging Middle America from my lofty coastal tower to give up television and sports and become a cultural snob like myself. This, of course, ignores the fact that I'm writing from a "red state" and that I do, in fact, love watching television and am as big a sports fan as anyone. Trust me.

What I'm saying is this (and you can take it however you like): Why should I trust you to tell me what's right, what's wrong and how to live my life if you yourself (not the blog I'm responding to, but a wider "you") are scared of trying new things? It's not just going to new restaurants or movies that make you think. No, it's about not being held back by the fear that prevents you from enjoying a full life.

I don't think Republicans are Republicans only because they're not willing to try new things. But you can't tell me that a large portion of the Republican Party doesn't consist of folks who are afraid of change. This fear is universal, too, don't get me wrong. I think if we were all willing to step out of our comfort zones more, we'd have a greater understanding of the world around us.

Look, this isn't about what you eat or what culture you consume. I don't give two shits about what's in your fridge or on your calendar. Contrary to those accusing me of thinking people who don't agree with me are either "ignorant" or "evil," I don't think that at all. My only wish for this society is that we be more willing to try new things, be it food, art, anything. The more perspectives we're willing to open ourselves up to, the less fearful we'll be and the more we'll get out of life.

So instead of telling me how smug I am because you falsely think I hate people like you, why don't you take your blinders off and truly enjoy the world in which we live. I don't think I'm better than anyone. I do think, however, that a good dose of communication and willingness to venture off of the beaten path would help combat so many of the problems America faces.

Comments

[PB]

So how do you explain a so called "Crunchy Conservative" ?

[JohnAnnArbor]

Are you seriously this full of yourself?

[Joseph]

If by "full of myself" you mean "not scared of the world around me," you're right. Listen, read the update.

[ORSunshine]

Isn't that what it means to be "Conservative"? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative)
Close enough.

I suspect that "Crunchy" or "Granola Conservatives" are few and far between. I met one in college -- a trust funder who liked to smoke weed and talk about organic farms and composting but who didn't want to pay taxes... hey wait, couldn't he be a libertarian?

[JohnAnnArbor]

"But you can't tell me that a large portion of the Republican Party doesn't consist of folks who are afraid of change."

Not a surprise; it sounds like you think you've got everything figured out.

I know so many counterexamples to this that it would fill up your server. I live in Ann Arbor, and I see a LOT of Democrats who think broadening their horizons means trying a new kind of cheese--but wouldn't for one minute consider an opinion on, say, abortion or affirmative action, that might challenge their viewpoint. Far more likely would be a simple refusal to listen, after calling the viewpoint they haven't heard "fascist."

[quickrob]

Really, just not a very good article.

Your point is weak, your evidence is, uh, nonexistant.

And, of course, there's always the point that generalizations about groups of people are damn near always incorrect.

You are attempting to psycho-analyze an entire half the country, more or less, and you obviously have no clue what you are talking about. You are taking your own small, limited experiences and trying to apply them to a huge world you seemingly can't even imagine the complexity and breadth of.

In psychology, what you are doing is something like the "fundamental attribution error". And, to be honest, you are sounding like a cultural snob.

You are in no position to throw stones, pal. No way.

So, when a blogger accuses you of being arrogant and presumptious you respond my further proving his point.

If I were you I'd have the grace to admit that you are off-base.

But, if what I read in this post is indicative of your personality as a whole, then I don't see that coming.

As a Republican, I think I will go eat some vanilla ice cream now and perhaps fuck my girlfriend in the missionary!

Later, Einstein!

-QuickRob

[quickrob]

Where is Hughes?

He can't be sleeping, can he?

I thought only REPUBLICANS went to bed early??!?!?!?

WTF?

[Joseph]

C'mon QuickRob, I was off writing long-winded cultural critiques from my ivory tower. And thanks, everyone, for the lectures on grace. I really appreciate it. From the bunch whose vice president told a senator to go fuck himself.

[JohnAnnArbor]

You're welcome! Especially since the vice-president's vocabulary is SO relevant to how ideologically pretentious you are.

[QuickRob]

From the bunch whose vice president told a senator to go fuck himself.

There's a fine line betwen grace and being a funny dude, Hughes.

And, that time, Cheney was actually being a funny dude.

But, as John from Ann Arbor rightfully notes, that is off topic.

Looks like you are running out of excuses when you bring an old Dick Cheney quote in, eh?

[Carin]

Stereotyping sure is FUN! Let me try it - liberals all smell like patchouli, don't shave, and value emotional arguments over reason.

[Strider]

I think my concept of a person who truly understands the outlook of his opponent is this: look for a person who could formally debate the side he does NOT agree with... and win.

You, Joseph, appear to be quite clueless about BOTH sides of the aisle beyond the most suberficial surface glance at the issues mentioned.

As for "politics of fear", and only being against things, it's your party whose entire political platform consists of "whatever Bush is for, we're against it." It's your party that told young people that if Bush was reelected, they would be drafted. It's you're party that keeps screaming "THE SKY IS FALLING!" any time somebody suggests just maybe limiting prenatal infanticide. It is your party that keeps insisting that Bush has destroyed the economy iduring a period when by virtually all measurements the economy is going gangbusters. Fear? Look in the mirror, Pal.

Oh, and RE: Cheney's language? The Senator deserved worse than a simple "Fuck off" for the crap he'd been spewing in the weeks before Cheney spoke his mind. We would be better served if more politicians clearly and honestly said what they think. THAT is what most conservatives like about Bush and Cheney.

[PB]

Will there be a rebuttle here? It isn't like you are filling your time working?

[Teaser]

We would be better served if more politicians clearly and honestly said what they think. THAT is what most conservatives like about Bush and Cheney

As opposed to, say, competence?

[the-anti-communist]

Just another dumb liberal who compensates for his idiocy by telling everyone how smart he is.

And he posts at DU!!! And hey, shouldn't that place be called "CommunistUnderground"?!?!

McCarthy was right--Liberals(progressives(haha))=COMMUNISTS

[Joseph]

Nice, PB. Cheap shots will get you everywhere. This comments thread is slowly, but steadily, proving my point. If I offer a rebuttal, it'll probably be in the main section.

[Bob]

Carin - It's interesting that you label Joe's view as "superficial" when you display such an astoundingly narrow perception of what the Bush administration is doing to your country. Are you aware that the debt the administration has incurred is larger than the debt incurred by all other administrations combined? Bush's deficit beats all hands down? You're like the guy who borrows $500,000 to buy a beautiful house and all the neighbors say, "my, he must be doing well...". Whatever--your kids are going to have to help pay your ignorance off along with mine.

But wait, there's more...are you aware that the President not only violated UN resolutions but broke the UN charter itself by invading Iraq, to start a war which has proven an unequivocal disaster, and was justified 100% using the "politics of fear"? These are but two examples, and only serve to reinforce Joe's original post that "Republicans don't get out enough". However you want to interpret that--you don't experience American press outside of FOX News, you don't travel, you don't listen to anyone who says what you don't want to hear--that you blew it by electing the idiot. You sit and stew in your own little universe of ignorance. Meanwhile, "liberal" predictions have proven 100% correct. Wasn't it Cheney himself who predicted Iraq would fall "like a house of cards"? Hmm?

[James]

Gee, that's a lot of verbiage to waste on a strawman.

[Jeff]

Ok, let's look at this a different way. Let's take politics out of what Joseph is saying here. Remove Republican and Democrat, Conservative and Liberal altogether.

When you remove those qualifiers, I think he is right on the money. Speaking specifically about America, the country is chock full of people he describes here. I meet them and am frustrated by them every day. And, I also think that yes, this personality type can be a nuisance to others because of the decisions they make. I know far to many people who make decisions against their best interest because of nothing other than fear. Fear of change. Fear of leaving their comfort zone and in some cases, yes, ignorance, as they were too lazy to reach out past the coffee table to learn both sides of an issue or scared shitless of what other people will think of them.

Life is about learning methinks. Some people do not want to learn beyond a strict diet of what they're told to think and do by Presidents, Preachers and Parents. It also seems to me that many of those same people refuse to learn out of fear. Mostly fear of losing face.

There are many folks who simply cannot say, "I don't know," or "I was wrong." These are the ones to fear the most because a lot of them are Presidents, Preachers and Parents and sometimes the PPP's decisions put all of our lives in jeopardy.

[Brian]

It's obvious how Joe came to this conclusion. He went to see a Henry Darger exhibit.

Henry Darger was socially very reclusive and an avid churchgoer. Joe must've figured he was Republican, and a theory was born.

[Joseph]

Oh yeah, Brian, that's EXACTLY how I figured it out. Somebody get him the prize!

[Brian]

As long as the prize is something I don't have to leave the house to use, I'll gladly accept it. I don't get out much, you see....

[Joseph]

Ha ha. That a good comeback, actually.

[JohnAnnArbor]

are you aware that the President not only violated UN resolutions but broke the UN charter itself by invading Iraq

Exactly the same thing Clinton did with Bosnia and then Kosovo. The sainted UN is useless; how many Rwandas and Darfurs does it take to show that?

[Jeff]

Goddamn all this shit pisses me off.

Republican Shmublican. . .

Democrat Shmeblicrat. . .

So long as this country remains polarized under such titles and refuses to see the human mental facilities - or lack thereof - at work beneath, we're all fucked. Someone wants us to be so divided because so long as the People are infighting, the people who want to heist our future for their own short-term gain can get away with it.

Sadly, I don't think either "side" is smart enough to realize that only under unity and reasonable compromise can We The People have a country to collectively be proud of.

To the rest of the world, we are ALL looking like the biggest assholes in the world right now.