Larry Dighera wrote:

On Sat, 08 Jul 2006 02:53:41 GMT, Matt Whiting
wrote in ::


Yep, that's what happens in the liberal nanny-state. Nothing is
anyone's fault and we must all be taken care of by the government.


First, I wouldn't characterize Bush as a liberal.

Me neither. Did you have a point here?


Second, the notion of 'taking care of the unwashed masses' has its
origins in organized religion, hence my earlier statement concerning
the undue political influence of the religious-right in US policy
decisions. One can easily see evidence of the magnitude of the power
religion asserts over its adherents in Islamic suicide bombers who
willingly give their lives for their irrational beliefs.

Yes, taking care of those who could not take care of themselves. That
doesn't cover much of our current social programs. Millionaires still
get SS and medicare.


Because of (what I believe is a genetically based personality
attribute or instinct,) religiosity, that shamans are able to exploit
in controlling the opinions and beliefs of their flocks of followers,
the religious-right are able to muster and deliver cadres of voters
who vote the slate. Because religion is well organized, the magnitude
of its results are significantly more influential among politicos than
those unorganized voters who think for themselves and vote
accordingly. The church is able to deliver votes, and actively
exploits that power politically (when it's not sexually molesting the
children of its faithful).

The church has historically always sought to assert control over its
followers by telling them what to believe, whether its rational or
not. Religion's commendable role in civilizing the masses is
overshadowed by its demand for obedience and belief in irrational
dogma.

The news and entertainment media also play a role in shaping public
beliefs. In their unending search for audience share, screenwriters
and journalists must provide content that is shocking, so that it will
get the publics' attention. Unfortunately, the only remaining source
of shocking material dwells ever deeper in the depths of those
subjects that have traditionally been taboo: sex, violence,
corruption, ... and this is what we are continually fed by the media.
Unfortunately, the well of shocking subjects has been almost exhausted
over the decades, so that now the really hardcore taboos are being
presented to the public in the name of entertainment and news, and the
public is thus being continually ever more desensitized to their truly
vile nature.

This clueless drivel doesn't warrant a response.

Matt