"When a Frenchman, for example, says to other Frenchmen ‘The country is done for’ — which has happened, I should think, almost every day since 1930 — it is emotional talk; burning with love and fury, the speaker includes himself with his fellow-countrymen. And then, usually, he adds ‘Unless ...’ His meaning is clear; no more mistakes must be made; if his instructions are not carried out to the letter, then and only then will the country go to pieces. In short, it is a threat followed by a piece of advice and these remarks are so much the less shocking in that they spring from a national intersubjectivity"


This really struck a chord with me.  It seems to me that this is exactly what our politicians are doing right now, or at least have in the past.  In fact, it might just be the strategy that most politicians use, now that I think about it.  They all talk about how the opposing party/candidate is ruining the country, and how we should vote for them and follow their lead to save it.  The last line about how the remarks are less shocking ties everything together for me.  You'd think people would be more shocked or surprised to see that politicians actually think for example, Obama is ruining the country.  It just seems to me that they are able to play off of people's concepts and fears about the country for their own gain.


Hmm, seems like pasting quotes from the site messes up the background color.