Is it possible that catering to the basest, lowest human emotions is a bad thing?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/06/klan.report.ap/index.html

So did the administration once again fail to consider the side effects of their policy or is this the desired effect?

You don't think that immigrants (read: Mexican immigrants), Arabs, gays and lesbians have been propped up as "the enemy" to the American way of life by this administration? It looks like cause and effect to me. If you teach people that it is okay to hate, why act surprised when they hate?

Answer 1

Folks don't want to acknowledge that our system of political economy is exactly based on the lowest and basest human emotions -- greed, competition, dominance, appetite, fear.

These basic animal instincts that evolved millions of years ago in crocodiles are the instincts that must be indulged in order to thrive in our American society.

That's where we are right now. Our social development, as institutionalized in our society -- is at the level of the crocodile brain.

We are supposed to celebrate this, and people usually offer up the vacuous Churchill quotes as ear candy, "Well, capitalism is a terrible system, but it's the best we have and it works."
Or some such pablum.

When you get right down to it, we have a terribly primitive system here, which appeals to the lowest human instincts and flies flat in the face of the spiritual guidelines we are supposed to be celebrating in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

In short, our spiritual life is at war with our civic life. The resolution to this problem is that the spiritual life has been co-opted into the civic life as a netroworking opportunity. So, Church has become a place to work on business relationships.

You politely nod your head as the preacher talks about non-violence, and you scan the room for business partners.

Answer 2

I don't believe that this one can be blamed on the Republicans...nor should it be. Not everything is traced back to the evils of politics. I understand your wanting to place blame on the immigration laws, but lets make sure we focus on the real evil here...the racist groups that are gaining strength. By placing blame on the government, the KKK grows stronger.

And for those that feel this might be a good way to resolve the illegal immigration problem...shame on you! Get yourself focussed back on what made America great...and stop allowing such hatred!

Answer 3

What does your question have to do with the link?
1) Catering to the lowest is bad, although it seems to work for Dems.
2) The KKK is evil.
3) Side effects of what policy? There seems to be a cognitive disconnect here.