This is a short diary but I want to put this out there and hear what others think.
I keep looking at the polls and all I can think of is "Identifying with the aggressor." For those who aren't into psych stuff this term was created by Anna Freud to describes a defense mechanism that describes the behavior of some victims of abuse. Often, when a person is chronically abused or witnesses abuse, rather than accepting the status of victim, they "identify with the abuser" so that they feel strong. They ally themselves psychologically with "the strong one."
This is very common, as admitting to having been victimized is very difficult and often causes shame and guilt.
So, with that in mind, back to politics.
Here is a link about defense mechanisms
Off the top of my head:
The republican party's policies have put the country in debt, limited the personal freedoms of the populous and decided to tax work not wealth. They have defended corporation interests over the individual, endorsed shareholders rights as more important than workers retirement pensions and deregulated the banking industry so that the people are not protected against predatory banking practices. Also, in a time of ever increasing health care costs they have obliterated bankruptcy laws so that people can remain indebted for life - owned by their debtors.
That is just what I can think of right now.
Nevertheless, some of the most vulnerable groups in this country, the working rural poor and those on a fixed income have been consistently voting Republican. I am beginning to believe that many Americans can not accept the idea of being victimized.
They must identify with their aggressor otherwise they feel weak.
There is an implied theme now in politics that says,
"Anyone who stands up for being nice to people is a WUSS!"
This is truly disturbing.
I realize "psychlogizing" politics can be annoying but sometimes an explanation can point to a solution.