Reply #9: Alot of things

[justinsb]

but nothing specific enough that I could put a finger on the problem. It is, I think, a part of the culture. Probably alot more so than most Americans realize. I read a study once, that I wish I could link to, but it was about a decade ago - that showed a rise in violent crime when there is not a war on. Part of it is the gun culture I think, and the resulting facination with weapons of all kinds.

There was also, I think, an early realization that people could be easily motivated by a boogie man - the U.S. has always had one or more: First the founding fathers succesfully motivated a population on the verge of revolt to attack the Brits and protect wealthy land owners - after that, lots of boogymen (natives, blacks, various european powers, communism, drug dealers, crime in general, welfare mothers, terrorism etc.) There always has to be one.

Even on this forum I've noticed that at times there is a hatred of the Bush Admin. that is deeply personal, which is to say it goes beyond the policies and actions of the administration to a general hatred of everyone and everything Republican, regardless of their actions or positions on issues.

All of this, I must admit, had more to do with my decision to expatriate than the Bush administration specifically.