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03/17/2004: "Below the Belt Politics"

Neal Boortz today reprinted a couple of posts from the Democratic Underground of Democrats at their worst. He did not reprint any posts of Democrats dismayed by the tactics. Click "More" to read the two posts that Mr. Boortz reprinted as well as two posts of dismayed Democrats.

I discuss this because they are interesting tactics in the same way that a computer game employs interesting tactics; it's an interesting mental exercise. I include the second two posts to indicate that common sense exists on both sides. < whine > And unlike Mr. Boortz, I include links. < / whine >

From ReadTomPaine, post number 373.

As we’ve heard again and again recently, if we are going to beat this bunch of rule breaking GOP misanthropes, we’re going to have to start fighting as dirty as they do. I started this thread for one reason, to get everyone’s ideas on a list of things we as Democrats can consider to stop the takeover of this country. This isn’t going to be a thread for the squeamish, or for the ideologically pure. Best to steer clear if that describes you.

Here are half a dozen ideas to get the ball rolling.

1) Get Republicans fired at your workplace, or fire them yourself if you can – In the belief that all activism starts with the grass roots, do us all a favor, and fire your Republican employees this week. There are legitimate reasons to fire virtually any employee, so avail yourself of them. Not only will it quit the gloating you’re hearing around the office, it’ll stop those donation checks they are getting ready to write. Might also teach them a bit of humility regarding the poor and the disadvantaged. They can be the “Pioneers” of “Unemployment Window A”

2) Pretend to be a Republican, and then cut down the next Republican that you have a conversation with. - The more public/crowed the place you do this, the better. Use whatever remarks you know are sure to make the intended impression. “You’re no better than the liberal scum you claim to hate… get back into the kitchen… Just wait till we win next year and toss peons like you into the field or the workhouse… People in your income bracket don’t have the right to be Republican or vote etc.” If you need talking points, just observe in a Yahoo political chat room for a few minutes and you have all the right wing bile that you can use and quite possibly all that you can stand.

3) Create, plant and disseminate widely “news stories” that discredit GOP policies – A good way to do this is to print out stories in the visual style of a major newspaper or magazine (don’t use the logo or other copywrited material, however) and theme them similarly to the ones that targeted John McCain’s platform last presidential election. Make sure not to slander individuals directly. Leave stacks of the printouts where people are certain to find them – i.e. supermarkets, coffee houses, bars, community centers etc. As in #2 make sure to write these from the right wing perspective, for maximum effect on the target audience. Avoid digital media, as it’s too easy to fact check, not that most GOP voters care to check these things anyway.

4) Contact the IRS and anonymously tip them off regarding prominent GOP contributors in your area. – Lets face it, they are likely tax evaders in any case (that’s why they are GOP), so might as well have them go thru an audit and feel a bit of what it’s like to have a hostile government prying into their affairs. The tax money you shake free will be a little payback to your community for the egregious tax cut they undoubtedly are enjoying.

5) Make sure that you’re the only ride on voting day for a group of hard right types who live out of the way, and then don’t show up. – This works best in low population density areas and poor right wing communities. Cultivate a group of right wing friends and make sure they depend on you for the ride on Election Day. Then don’t show up. Every vote they miss is an uncontested vote on the blue side of the aisle. The right needs a taste of Florida 2000.

6) Impersonate Linda Tripp. – Whisper into the ear of GOP associates to encourage and get dirty laundry regarding their improprieties, and then make sure that information gets into the wrong hands. It’s hard to brag about family values or think about politics when you’re in a divorce court.

Are you really serious about winning the culture war? Do you mean it when you say it’s time to fight fire with fire? Then channel that anger and let’s hear some ideas. Given the thin skin of most conservative ideologues, it won’t take much to have them running far away from such policies and tactics so we can all enjoy proper, principled political discourse in the country again. First, however, they need to be taught that fighting dirty burns them as much as it burns anyone.

BTW- if you want to take action beyond the intellectual consideration of these ideas, please do so on your own. This thread is meant for the mental exercise of these ideas. Don’t involve DU.

From tedoll78, one of over 1,000 posts. Emphasis in original.

I used to be an "I-won't-do-that" person, but now I want to win and prevent the major harm that the GOP would do. In the end, having more liberal leaders in power will save the country and world from more heartache/chaos/destruction/etc; the change for the positive worldwide will more than pay-back for these tactics.

Like someone above said, let's break some eggs.

My starting proposals:
1) Hand-out faulty polling locations & directions in GOP-heavy voting districs. Let's see how they like it for a change.
2) Go door to door as a GOP volunteer with absentee ballots; the GOP loves to vote absentee, right? And then throw the filled-out ballots away. Either that, or give them a faulty ballot with a bad address on the envelope, and then they won't vote on election day since they'd think they've already voted.
3) Volunteer for a GOP phone bank operation and talk dirty to old people on the phone. Think of the most obscene, anus-licking things you can comprehend, and go for it! And be sure to identify yourself as a Bush supporter.
4) Wear an 'I love george w bush' t-shirt in public and act like a major ***. Moon people, fart loudly, call people offensive names. Here's a favorite: Go to football games where the Army is playing and accuse the other team's fans of being unpatriotic for rooting against the Army. In other words, be absurd!
5) When a polling organization calls, give answers such that they reflect very very very poorly on the nation's condition. Tell them you're unemployed, or tell them that you make <$8000 a year.
6) Panhandle in GOP/swing neighborhoods where it isn't illegal. Get as many people as you can to join you; create the image of crisis. Hold-up a sign saying that you were downsized, or that your job was sent overseas. If you're a veteran, empahsize your loss of benefits.
7) Drop-off a stack of fliers at veterans' halls, hospitals, etc detailing the betrayal of the Bush administration. And, if possible, ask them if they're enjoying their tax cuts.

I just thought of these seven off the top of my head. Surely we can come-up with some creative strategies for making the GOP's image as irrespectable as possible!

From Imajika, one of over 1,000 posts.

"1) Get Republicans fired at your workplace, or fire them yourself if you can"

The fact that so few have criticized this statement is downright frightening.

This is a progressive web forum, and your suggesting firing people with different opinions and ideology? Let me get this straight, you think it would be fine and dandy to engineer or directly fire Republicans from their jobs and careers - for no other reason than they vote and support Republicans?

That is sickening. The very thought is repulsive.

I'd go one step further, If I ever found out one of my supervisors was firing anyone because of their personal politics - I'd fire that supervisor in a heartbeat.

Anyone who thinks this is a good idea better get an effing clue. The Republicans OWN most of the businesses, and therefore have the ability to fire and hire pretty much anyone they want. If your dopey idea actually became a tactic liberals used to hurt Repubicans, it would backfire in a BIG way.

Your sixth idea about airing dirty laundry is pretty crappy too. If I knew someone was intentionally doing that, whether they be of the right or left, I would immediately avoid them at all costs simply because I would consider them a dispicable human being.

Intentionally keeping people from the polls? Shouldn't we be encouraging EVERYONE to vote, not discouraging those we don't agree with? I suppose I could see hoping a certain bloc of voters doesn't cast ballots, but to actually attempt to prevent them from voting is disgusting.

The rest of your ideas sound like typical political operative stuff. Have fun wallowing in the mud if you want, but know that the ends don't always justify the means, so if you can live with yourself do whatever makes you happy.

Imajika

From kennedy_lib, first post.

You false-liberals make me sick.

Ever been to the local soup kitchen?
Ever been up to the pediatric floor of your local hospital?
Adopted any kids who aren't in an "attractive" category?
Ever volunteered at a local charity?

Geez, there's so much you could be doing to help out locally and all you can do is sit around and dream up *illegal* *unethical* and *sociopathic* attacks on your neighbors who differ in their political thinking.

Get a clue. Liberalism is NOT thinking up ways to harm others. You want to know how we can win elections? Start by setting a good example. All this extreme demagoguery just emboldens the Cons.

Where're the moderators?