(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Chainsaw or Bullwhip? Republicans weaponize politics - because they are sadists. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-02-06 Source (both): Wikimedia Commons. Left: Chainsaw Ganado (cosplay) by Xal. Right: Bullwhip sculpture by Richard MacDonald. “Sadistic” is an adjective that is defined as, “Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.” The time is long gone for giving Republican lawmakers the benefit of the doubt about their political ends and means. They are sadists. They no longer employ negative rhetoric against their political foes just because they truly believe conservative governance will return America to its glory days and the vast majority of people will be happy and grateful. They no longer even believe that their own philosophy of governing is more pure and more free than that of their sausage-making and deal-wrangling opponents. They just want to hurt people. When they control all of government, they hurt people while telling lies that it’s someone else who is getting hurt. When they control part of government, they hurt people and falsely blame their opponents (who control other branches) for the hurt. It’s a sickness. GOP lawmakers derive pleasure from hurting others because (a) they believe most of the others are masochists and enjoy feeling pain, or (b) they believe most of the others are sinners and deserve getting punished, or (c) they think it will help them win in Republican primaries. The chainsaw is symbolic of blood and gore horror movies, most of which are made to titillate sadistic urges in viewers, or at least to de-sensitize them from feeling fear and shame. The bullwhip is symbolic of slave ownership, most of whom were certainly sadists: If you don’t whip your slaves they will cease providing cheap labor, and your recurring power thrill will go away. The chainsaw represents the political “means” of Republicans: Take the U.S. economy hostage, and start sawing up the Democrats’ recent successes like infrastructure, climate incentives, and prevention of tax cheating. The bullwhip represents the political “ends” of Republicans: When you control the economy, use pain and fear to keep people in line and to reduce their aspirations for their own future. If any of your friends and neighbors are still voting Republican because they believe Republicans stand for free markets or sound morals, let them know that those days never really existed (Reagan and Gingrich always cared more about Old Testament judgement and punishment and virtually nothing about New Testament grace and forgiveness). And also let those friends know that today’s right-wing warriors don’t even bother to claim moral superiority — they only demand ransom from the poor and progressive. The flag of the USSR contained a hammer and a sickle — implements of production. But also, when misused, instruments of harm. Today’s Republicans should develop a party flag that symbolizes their sadism — a chainsaw and a bullwhip. See rough draft below. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/6/2151370/-Chainsaw-or-Bullwhip-Republicans-weaponize-politics-because-they-are-sadists Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/