(V):  Good post.  From products to politics, we care less about the facts.  Our gut level emotions are paramount.  Facts are manipulated to play on feelings.  Propaganda really does work on the masses.

Ferris Bueller: Interesting in Palin's/tea party talk it's about "conservatives" seemingly like being a Republican has gone out of fashion. Also that Palin is aiming at "conservative women" .. implying that "conservative" children are at risk if they don't act. The target (as in the government) gut reaction probably dates back to us British and other European govs reinforced by years of brainwashing over communism through incorrect and distorted facts, yet easily absorbed fear.

... I saw on the GOP site they are blaming Obama for the oil disaster, again relying on the BiG GoVeRnMent big bad wolf subconcious conditioning to carry the message despite that it is a lie.

Propaganda is a dangerous and risky political tool. It has a tendency to backfire and create pockets of extreme emotional responses. In the end.. who will define what is a "conservative".. that no-one of the conservative element on this board can or will define that suggests that they are being led rather than free thinking and why some just don't and cannot get the "conservative" message.

.. We can feel our guts being manipulated.

(V): Are you suggesting that "the other side" doesn't "manipulate guts"?

rod03801: Not as much from what I've seen. The style of political banter seems to be less aggressive and also less about fear and more about policy.

You've got to understand Rod I live in a country where buying a Cuban cigar is not illegal. We were not taught to fear a USSR missile attack, but nuclear war full stop whoever started it. As we in the UK and Europe were screwed whoever started it. Europe especially was toast through short range and tactical nuclear weapons.

Communism was never made illegal here. We didn't have a McCarthy. Political freedom has and is protected as long as you do not break the law.