How can seemingly intelligent and concerned people be drawn to Rush Limbaugh?

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

:shrug:

I just do not get it. There must be some psycho-social thingy at work that I haven't grasped but really want to understand.

You ask, "What are you talking about?"

Well, without identifying the relationship I have with this particular individual, I will describe the characteristics I have observed. This individual is educated, pragmatic, concerned, loving towards family and friends, engages in acts of kindness/consideration, helpful, active, thoughtful and generally easy to get along with. This person also hesitates to identify with a particular political association (I thought it was because independent analysis and thinking was important).

Then, out of the blue, this person expressed a practical idolization of Rush Limbaugh. I'm, like, "WOW!!! Don't you think he's kinda',...hateful?" "

"Oh, NOOOO. Rush is a thoughtful, patriotic American that cares about the American people's interests", according to this individual.

I just shook my head and said, "I'm sorry but,...I can't listen to that man for more than a few minutes because his forte seems to be visciously attacking fellow Americans who disagree with his perception of the world." The response: "If you don't listen to him, how can you say he's hateful. Besides, he just talks about politics."

:rofl:

I actually started laughing, not meaning AT ALL to offend this person who immediately got a little upset. I explained, I was honestly confused at how extremely different we perceived a blow-hard, radio-talk-show rump considering everything the two of us had in common (Air America was immediately thrown out and I tabled it). But, frankly, how on EARTH could I begin to explain to a person (who considers him/herself 'rational' yet idolizes Limbaugh) the unadulterated drive for money that makes polished emotional button-pushing people, like Rush Limbaugh, successful. Hell, Limbaugh personally admitted what drove him to be what he is to this day,..."it's a living". Anyway, it seems like, just when I think people can't surprise or shock me,anymore,...someone always does. The experience is surreal and, maybe, someday, I will grasp the emotive stuff behind it.

Personally, I think there are a lot of people who would just prefer others think for them or others validate their frustrations or beliefs or illusions because it's easier than spending the energy to do otherwise (as in actually LOOKING at reality and analyzing it then making a decision about it). But,...I would like to understand such strange phenomena as what appears to be otherwise intelligent, gracious and caring people being attracted to the likes of Rush Limbaugh who does not give a personal cent to anyone.