It is obvious that the Republican party has had issues with telling the truth for some time now. Swift Boats, Death Panels, Obama was born in Kenya, and the list goes on.
At the same time, they routinely call others liars. In fact this is done often and loudly. For those of you that don’t know, this is a Psychology 101 technique. If you are guilty of something, scream at the top of your lungs that your opponent is guilty of the same thing. By the time the dust settles, either people will believe your lie or the will think that you are both guilty (which means it is a wash).
What is the best way to describe the leaders of the modern GOP? When I say leaders, I am not talking traditional party bosses. The true leaders of the GOP are the Billionaires that pull the strings, the shock-jocks that spread their noise and the network bosses that run the propaganda machines. What is the best word to describe these people?
Below are definitions of the different types of liars and some people I see as examples. Do you agree?
Sociopaths
A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused – it is done to get one’s way). Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways.
Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh
Compulsive Liars
A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit – an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.
Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, Matt Drudge, Michelle Malkin
Political Cult Leaders
Political cult is a term used to describe some groups that are generally considered to be on the political fringe. Although the majority of groups to which the term “cult” (currently often used as a pejorative term according to some comparative religion scholars) is sometimes applied are religious in nature, some are non-religious and focus either on secular self-improvement or on political action and ideology.
Political cult members are very susceptible to suggestion and will believe almost anything told to them by what they consider a trusted source. In face of indisputable facts, members can reject the obvious and delude themselves into believing what a casual observer would consider extreme conspiracy theories.
Glenn Beck, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin
Nazi Propagandists
The Nazis didn’t mince words when it came to lies. In fact they published their views on them even before they employed them. How is that for confidence.
Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it. – Adolf Hitler
The size of the lie is a definite factor in causing it to be believed, for the vast masses of the nation are in the depths of their hearts more easily deceived than they are consciously and intentionally bad. The primitive simplicity of their minds renders them a more easy prey to a big lie than a small one, for they themselves often tell little lies but would be ashamed to tell a big one. – Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf
Karl Rove, Koch Brothers, Rupert Murdoch, Roger Ailes
I love that not only did you explain each category,you gave examples,too Bravo
And what illness are the confederate Teabillies afflicted by? My guess would be that years of consuming hate and fear have cause irreversible bran disfiguration.
Shouldn’t Mitt Romney be on the compulsive liar list as well? Isn’t an extreme flip flopper indeed a liar?
I guess being a sociopath covers they lying part. His lack of compassion and empathy is another red flag; he is incapable of caring about anyone or anything. Being a vulture capitalist is a perfect vocation for such a deviant.
I’ve always suspected Romney was Aspergers and unable to really feel other’s pain or sadness. He was always trying to act as if he has empathy, but you could tell he had no idea what he was supposed to be feeling and the empathy or sympathy was all faked. Perhaps sociopath in one form of Aspergers.