Back in January, a Daily Kos/Research2000 poll that measured the beliefs of the Republican party was taken, and the results were startling:

Originally Posted by Daily Kos/Research2000 January Poll

QUESTION: Should Barack Obama be impeached, or not?
YES NO NOT SURE
All 39 32 29

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States, or not?
All 36 42 22

QUESTION: Do you think Barack Obama is a socialist?
All 63 21 16

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win?
All 24 43 33

QUESTION: Do you believe ACORN stole the 2008 election?
All 21 24 55

[...]

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates White people?
All 31 36 33

(click the link for full crosstabs and methodology)

While many conservatives denounced the poll simply for the name "Daily Kos" being on it, a new Harris poll seems to substantiate the results:

* 67 percent of Republicans (and 40 percent of Americans overall) believe that Obama is a socialist.
* 57 percent of Republicans (32 percent overall) believe that Obama is a Muslim
* 45 percent of Republicans (25 percent overall) agree with the Birthers in their belief that Obama was "not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president"
* 38 percent of Republicans (20 percent overall) say that Obama is "doing many of the things that Hitler did"
* Scariest of all, 24 percent of Republicans (14 percent overall) say that Obama "may be the Antichrist."

[ETA: Click here for crosstabs of "True" results and methodology.]

With that, I ask you this: have Republicans gone off the deep end?

Welll...my mom lived under Hitler in Germany so I think she'd know that part.
If by deep end, you mean gone crazy, maybe some of them have?.

I blame Glenn Beck, honestly. That man is nothing more than a liar and a fear monger and should be ashamed of the things he tells people.

i"m going to be honest., I'm getting sick of politics. Have a look at what one of my friends added on face book, its a group btw, so feel free to join it if you really want to be a prick about it.

Name:
For every group member, I will donate $1 to help a liberal grow a brain.
Category:
Common Interest - Beliefs & Causes
Description:
Liberals are a sad race who were born lacking a brain. For every member that joins this group, I will donate 1 american dollar to fund research to grow brains for these unfortunate individuals.
Privacy Type:
Open: All content is public.



I find it very offensive that he was bold enough to make that group. It is altogether uncalled for. Can all people do in political debates is name call? Shit, grow up...Any who...thanks for letting me rant. I don't know what you think of it, but I feel like I've just seen the true side of my friend. Its not a nice feeling. I personally dont get involved in politcal debates because thats all people do now a days. They can't find any better way of making their point so they bash the persons beliefs and call them idiots for believing so. Not to mention BOTH sides Democrats AND Repubicans are taking this health bill plan way to seriously. Debates are becoming more vicious everyday. Its no longer about putting out you're opinion and beliefs, its more about telling people how wrong people are and they deserve to die if they dont believe you or you dont believe them.

People have different values and based on those values they chose a politcal party. Nobody is right or wrong. I don't understand the need to slam people, especially publicly. Can someone tell me that? In my opinion, one's politcal party says nothing about a person's intelligence, but insutling people who disagree with you says a lot about the person you are...ugh, it just kills me. Maybe its just me, maybe I'm just overreacting. But how would you feel? How do you feel when you get bashed like that?

To the original question: First you have to clarify what the deep-end is exactly. Are religious beliefs classified as going off the deep-end? Is being against Obama's policies going off the deep-end? Of all of those questions, most that you would expect to be very biased, are actually pretty nuetral. Also, could you post a direct link to the Harris Poll, rather than a link to a radical leftist's blog?

Originally Posted by Shtona

To the original question: First you have to clarify what the deep-end is exactly. Are religious beliefs classified as going off the deep-end?

Well, for starters, religious beliefs are not classified as "going off the deep end". Outside the context of debates over evolution and marriage equality, I'm not a huge fan of attacking people's religious beliefs. In fact, there's a question in the DK/R2000 poll on this subject which I omitted from the quote for pretty much this reason.

Originally Posted by Shtona

Is being against Obama's policies going off the deep-end?

Well, this kind of depends on why you're against Obama's policies in the first place. Let's use health care reform as an example. If you oppose his policies because you see a legitimate problem in said policy (it doesn't go far enough to contain costs, mandating that people buy a product offered by private corporations with no public alternative is a dick thing to do), then you're not off the deep end. Hell, even if you're against Obama's policies for policy reasons that have been proven demonstrably false (it'll cost a trillion dollars {which it won't}, it allows for taxpayer-funded abortions {which it doesn't because of that pesky Hyde amendment}), you're not off the deep end just yet. (However, just for the record, this will not prevent me from laughing at you and/or calling you a name that demeans your intelligence should you try and do so.)

On the other hand, if you oppose Obama's policies because he's a commufascist-Hitler-Muslim who wants to turn over the sovereignty of the United States to a one world government (also for the record, that last part was a question in the Harris poll), you might want to invest in floaties and nose plugs because you're off the deep end.

Originally Posted by Shtona

[...]Also, could you post a direct link to the Harris Poll, rather than a link to a radical leftist's blog?

While I hardly consider The Daily Beast to be a radical leftist's blog, that was the only link to any results of the Harris poll at the time of my original post unfortunately. Now that the results of the poll have been released on the Harris website, I have edited my OP to add that link. :)

Few Republicans are as crazy as Orly Taitz. She can't even spell :gonk:

"VIOLATION OF COMMERCE CLAUSE AND OF PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AS A DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY UPON DEFENDANT'S IMMINENT SIGHNING OF THE HEALTH BILL"

She amended her suit against Obama (y'know, the birther arguments about Kenya etc.) to include the new health care bill. She is asserting that the bill interferes with her dentistry.

@Keyori:
I will say this about Orly Taitz: I remain unconvinced that she is not a Sacha Baron Cohen character.

I think you might be right xD

I would agree with Kris, and take it a bit further. Republicans have been used to being The Man (tm), so now that they have slightly less power, they see themselves as the edgy rebels. Their power is determined by how insane and outlandish they can get, and logic has no place in their beliefs. Give those people leaders just as nuts as they are, like Beck and friends, and it's shocking they're not claiming Obama's an alien.

On a related note, I was watching the news and I have to say that if all these threats of violence actually come to pass, Republicans will face a backlash the likes of which have never been seen in this country. It's a bill that really won't even affect most people that much and won't affect ANYONE for at least 3 more years, and people have already started talking about a violent revolution, and the Republicans have done nothing but egg it on.

Originally Posted by MidnightWolve

i"m going to be honest., I'm getting sick of politics. Have a look at what one of my friends added on face book, its a group btw, so feel free to join it if you really want to be a prick about it.

Name:
For every group member, I will donate $1 to help a liberal grow a brain.
Category:
Common Interest - Beliefs & Causes
Description:
Liberals are a sad race who were born lacking a brain. For every member that joins this group, I will donate 1 american dollar to fund research to grow brains for these unfortunate individuals.
Privacy Type:
Open: All content is public.



I find it very offensive that he was bold enough to make that group. It is altogether uncalled for. Can all people do in political debates is name call? Shit, grow up...Any who...thanks for letting me rant. I don't know what you think of it, but I feel like I've just seen the true side of my friend. Its not a nice feeling. I personally dont get involved in politcal debates because thats all people do now a days. They can't find any better way of making their point so they bash the persons beliefs and call them idiots for believing so. Not to mention BOTH sides Democrats AND Repubicans are taking this health bill plan way to seriously. Debates are becoming more vicious everyday. Its no longer about putting out you're opinion and beliefs, its more about telling people how wrong people are and they deserve to die if they dont believe you or you dont believe them.

People have different values and based on those values they chose a politcal party. Nobody is right or wrong. I don't understand the need to slam people, especially publicly. Can someone tell me that? In my opinion, one's politcal party says nothing about a person's intelligence, but insutling people who disagree with you says a lot about the person you are...ugh, it just kills me. Maybe its just me, maybe I'm just overreacting. But how would you feel? How do you feel when you get bashed like that?

Thats really messed up...and you're right, and that shouldnt be posted on a public message board. its offensive to everyone.. Politics are literally controlling peoples lives. No one can have a single discussion without things turning ugly. A friend of yours or not, he needs to grow up, as so does a lot of people.

I thought the questions were more offensive than the answers.

I believe that you really shouldn't care what anyone believes. If you think that Obama is a terrorist, go ahead, whatever you want to believe. I don't believe he is a terrorist, that's my belief. I have no right to mess with yours or you mess with mine. If you go to the white house trying to assassinate the president, you are a very wrong human. I don't care what you believe, when you act upon your beliefs in a negative fashion, then there's a huge problem.

I don't have a problem with republicans. I'm a bit more socialist in my beliefs. This is me, you are you. When someone proclaims that Obama is a socialist, I'm deeply offended by them making assumptions because they have different beliefs. Will I act upon it? No I will not. You are just stating your beliefs. There will be some that agree and disagree with you, some will think you're a moron. That is fine by me, I can't make everyone agree with me.

Originally Posted by Philomel

On a related note, I was watching the news and I have to say that if all these threats of violence actually come to pass, Republicans will face a backlash the likes of which have never been seen in this country. It's a bill that really won't even affect most people that much and won't affect ANYONE for at least 3 more years, and people have already started talking about a violent revolution, and the Republicans have done nothing but egg it on.

The very last sentence I must applaud you on. You've hit the nail on the head. Yet there is much talk amongst everyone here I know, and when asked for the facts they simply do not know. It's a 'revolution' stemmed mainly on fear. I will be honest, even I'm left in the dark when it comes to the actual effect it will have on me personally...but ideologically speaking I couldn't be happier. (Well when it comes to politics...) Everyone should have affordable health care available, regardless of age or financial status.

I think if anything people who don't have health care NOW will be more likely to use it since it's there and they're paying for it, and will be more apt to seek help before a health issue becomes irreversible.

I would like to see the facts though on the bill, so if anyone has a reputable source I would love to see a link.

And for the record, as a human being, I have the utmost respect for Obama. I've seen him give interviews and he's the first President I genuinely felt was after the best interests of the everyday American. I voted for him in the 2008 election, and I would vote for him no questions asked again.

If anything, the whole 'Tea Party' movement and the public support by some iconic republican figures such as Sarah Palin do nothing other than to further alienate me from their party. I can't even begin to tell you how much I detest and loathe Sarah Palin just based on her dumbing down speeches in rallies and just making the average American look very white trash and stupid.

QUESTION: Should Barack Obama be impeached, or not?
YES NO NOT SURE
All 39 32 29

Certain interpretations of the Constitution would make evident that Obama should be impeached. I'm not saying I believe this, I'm just saying why.

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States, or not?
All 36 42 22

I don't know, I wasn't there, but it is kind of suspicious how he locked his birth records up, isn't it?

QUESTION: Do you think Barack Obama is a socialist?
All 63 21 16

Google Search: Define: Socialism
a political theory advocating state ownership of industry
an economic system based on state ownership of capital

Obama took over a car company and has now taken over healthcare. Industry. Capital. He is socialist. He is expanding the Government.

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win?
All 24 43 33

Some think Obama is muslim(which there is some evidence for).

QUESTION: Do you believe ACORN stole the 2008 election?
All 21 24 55

Obama was one of ACORN's biggest supporters until they were revealed and then Obama refused to comment. I don't they were behind the election however.

QUESTION: Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates White people?
All 31 36 33

This one made me laugh. Who the hell asks a SERIOUS question like that?

And as for the antichrist thing, anyone who comes into power is a suspected antichrist. XD More than 14% of americans thought Bush was the antichrist. It's not some big huge deal, and it's not like it's only poor Obama.

True Republicans hate socialism. They like capitalism. Healthcare bill, and expanding government is not capitalism.

hayzel - I think the more important question to ask is what does it matter if he IS Muslim? Someone's religion doesn't make them any less of a person. It's their interpretation and how they act on it that truly matters. For his birth records, I feel very similar about this too. I think that our laws should be amended to be that anyone who wants to run for office can have a fair chance. Why should we discriminate? I would think that perhaps a person who has been born in another country may have even stronger feelings of patriotism due to the fact they are able to compare it to other countries that do not give the same freedoms. My husband and I went round and round in circles because he strongly believes by excluding foreign born citizens from becoming President we are protecting us from potential terrorists. Well for a start the system is set up in a way that there are checks and balances and if someone were indeed corrupt they can be overridden. I think as long as the person has citizenship only in America and has the country's best interests at heart they should be given a chance.

I really do believe that it's mainly racist people who are hung up on the fact that Obama's middle name is Hussein, that he could potentially be Muslim, and that potentially he could be foreign born. He's lived the majority of his life in the US, he has worked his way up the political system and I feel is a very fine representative for what this country stands for.

hayzel - I think the more important question to ask is what does it matter if he IS Muslim?

Because the people we're at war with are Muslim Extremists.

Someone's religion doesn't make them any less of a person. It's their interpretation and how they act on it that truly matters.

You're right. But republicans don't like how Obama acts so...

For his birth records, I feel very similar about this too. I think that our laws should be amended to be that anyone who wants to run for office can have a fair chance. Why should we discriminate? I would think that perhaps a person who has been born in another country may have even stronger feelings of patriotism due to the fact they are able to compare it to other countries that do not give the same freedoms. My husband and I went round and round in circles because he strongly believes by excluding foreign born citizens from becoming President we are protecting us from potential terrorists. Well for a start the system is set up in a way that there are checks and balances and if someone were indeed corrupt they can be overridden. I think as long as the person has citizenship only in America and has the country's best interests at heart they should be given a chance.

I'd have to agree with your husband, only for a different reason. First of all, it's not discrimination. Arnold is the governer of california, and it's not like we say you can't be in politics. But I think if someone is going to lead our country, they should've been born here. There are some people who are very loyal to America who weren't born here, but this law is for national security and I believe it's a good one. Also, we're not saying that they can't lead a country. They just can't lead OUR country.

I really do believe that it's mainly racist people who are hung up on the fact that Obama's middle name is Hussein, that he could potentially be Muslim, and that potentially he could be foreign born. He's lived the majority of his life in the US, he has worked his way up the political system and I feel is a very fine representative for what this country stands for.

I've been accused of being racist because I'm white and don't like Obama much. Ironically their accusation was racist. Hussein is just a name. I have puerto rican neighbors, and he has one son, Christian and another, Omar. They're just names. The problem with allowing anyone to run for president is that we could get someone who will simply sweet talk their way to the top. Some people are VERY persuasive. And they could be very much against the country. And be careful who you call racist. Birther's aren't necessarily racist.

But the ability to 'sweet talk to the top' doesn't correlate with their original nationality. Someone can be just as corrupt, or even more and be born in this country. I honestly don't think by excluding them we're doing ourselves any good.

And just because the people we're at war ARE Muslim extremists also shouldn't be a reason to discriminate someone who does believe in those faiths. Whether he's Christian, Atheist, Muslim, whatever is his own personal decision and quite frankly is none of our business. This is another example of how there isn't true separation of church and state. The Presidents of the past have NO BUSINESS bringing religious remarks up in public speeches. Public prayer should NOT be allowed in public school, and neither do we need the words "In God We Trust" minted on every coin. I'm every bit American but I am in NO WAY associated with Christianity, or any religion who believes in a higher deity.

Furthermore, it further enrages me that we cannot talk about Darwin's theories in public highschool or alternative safe sex practice without conservatives getting all up and arms. Religion should not influence public education, and abstinence programs do not do our teens any good. School is based on facts, and I'm sorry but scientific data SUPPORTS evolution and really does little to support a higher power.

But the ability to 'sweet talk to the top' doesn't correlate with their original nationality. Someone can be just as corrupt, or even more and be born in this country. I honestly don't think by excluding them we're doing ourselves any good.

I never said it was, but there is a greater chance for a harmful individual to come from outside the nation, rather than from within.

And just because the people we're at war ARE Muslim extremists also shouldn't be a reason to discriminate someone who does believe in those faiths. Whether he's Christian, Atheist, Muslim, whatever is his own personal decision and quite frankly is none of our business. This is another example of how there isn't true separation of church and state. The Presidents of the past have NO BUSINESS bringing religious remarks up in public speeches. Public prayer should NOT be allowed in public school, and neither do we need the words "In God We Trust" minted on every coin. I'm every bit American but I am in NO WAY associated with Christianity, or any religion who believes in a higher deity.

I didn't say it was a reason to discriminate against someone. I'm just saying why some people think it's important and actually I believe it is our business to know the religious affiliation of our political leaders-because it tends to influence their standings on important issues.

Saying public prayer should not be allowed in school is actually discriminating against those who are religious. For some Christians, they feel they must pray before the eat and bless the food. So now your discriminating against them because they're praying in public schools. If kids want to bring their own religions with them, that's up to them. Are you going to go tell a hindu that she has to take the dot off her forehead while in school because of separation of church and state? No. Then why ban praying in public schools?

Also, the "In God We Trust" on the coins was placed there by our historical political leaders and should be values for their historical value, not their religious. And for that reason I believe we shouldn't change it. Because our forefather put it there, and it make me feel proud even if I don't believe in God, to have those words in my pocket at all times.

Furthermore, it further enrages me that we cannot talk about Darwin's theories in public highschool or alternative safe sex practice without conservatives getting all up and arms. Religion should not influence public education, and abstinence programs do not do our teens any good. School is based on facts, and I'm sorry but scientific data SUPPORTS evolution and really does little to support a higher power.

Okay this I actually laughed at. You have it very much backwards. Darwin's theories are taught in public schools all the time. conservatives get upset because OTHER theories are not even mentioned. In fact, all hell breaks loose when someone even mentions something about Creationism. There was a debate I was watching between an evolutionist and a creationist(non Christian I might add) and eventually the evolutionist got so flustered that he said "Evolution must be true because the alternative is unthinkable." Sounds a little biased there doesn't it? I believe it was Sherlock Holmes that first said "After eliminating the impossible, whatever is left, however improbable, must be true." That's how science should be looked at. Creationism does not mean religion, it means there is some sort of being that created this, whether alien or spiritual and there is evidence to support this belief. Also, Because Darwinism is a theory, and not fact, you have to believe it. Have faith in it if you want to get technical. And that right there is religion. You really cannot completely separate religion from everything else.

Also, much of the "Data" for evolution is faulty. Their examples of mutation happen 1. within a species. There has never been a mutation to jump from one species to another. and 2. there is always information lost, never gained. Meaning, when you try to make a new breed of dog, you focus on certain tendencies. For example, white fluffy fur. Or a sweet personality. However when you breed a new dog you don't get a dog with purple fur. Because the information wasn't there to begin with. The whole idea of evolution is based around information being added into DNA, when there has never been a case of this happening "naturally." And what about irreducible complexity? Darwin himself denounced his theory before he died saying he didn't think it was true anymore and if it was found that there was something smaller than the cell, his theory would simply not work. Evolution even violates laws of physics for pete sake. There is a law that states order cannot come from disorder. If you think it was chance perhaps how about this. Newton's law of intertia. Things in motion will stay in motion, and things at rest will stay at rest. So what put the universe into motion? Explain the Big Bang theory to me now. It just doesn't add up. The fact that there are so many patterns in life is indicative of a higher being.

Carbon dating doesn't work. It measures the breakdown of certain isotopes in rocks and artifacts assuming that the breakdown is universally the same, which it isn't. Different factors will cause the breakdown of the isotopes and different rates, such as weather, water, and other chemicals in the earth. Some rocks from the most recent eruption at Mt. Helena were carbon dated at several million years old. There are ALOT of problems with the theory of evolution, just like there are problems with Creationism. Which is why they're both theories. I don't think it's fair to teach one over the other.

Just recently at somewhat local school district there was this huge lawsuit because a bunch of families banded together and requested the teacher say "There are other theories as to the eath's beginning's and book's may be found about it in the library." The school said no, they wouldn't even MENTION the fact that there are other theories. If that's not one-sided and brainwashing, I don't know what is. Teaching theory as fact is just. plain. wrong.

Saying that a Republican or a Democrat has gone off the deep end really makes no sense. Sure, some of them have, but most of them are just normal people. It's like judging all Baptists based off the actions of the Westboro asshats. The extremists just yell a lot louder then the normal people.

As for Obama's birth, I can assure you that he was born in America. I know this because I have had a child. No matter who the father was, I would not travel during my last trimester to a poor country where I did not know the language to deliver my child. The fact that people actually think that she would is mind boggling to me.

Ugh, not going to touch hayzel's posts with a ten-foot-pole.

In the mean time, I'll quote a crazy teabagger, Victoria Jackson.

I've never done anything like this [tea party rallying] but we have to because our president's a communist... You might not say communist, but I watch Glenn Beck and he's taught me well, uh, progressive is the new word for communist

*sigh*

Originally Posted by Keyori

Ugh, not going to touch hayzel's posts with a ten-foot-pole.

In the mean time, I'll quote a crazy teabagger, Victoria Jackson.



*sigh*

*cries* A little piece of me died when I read that quote. I..I just....ummm....HOW?! I mean really? It is bad enough that so many people confuse Socialist States for communism (which in itself pisses me off), but good lord this takes it to all new levels. To think drinking tea used to be associated with class. For shame, for shame.

@Keyori - your loss.

Many people see socialism as the first step towards communism. Many people are also angry because socialism is NOT capitalism, which has worked for us for so long and put the US at the top.

We've never been fully capitalistic. We never will be. A purely capitalistic system is just as bad as a fully socialistic system. You have to have a balance between holding businesses accountable for their actions and preventing them from exploiting consumers or resources, while protecting their rights to inventions and innovations and trade secrets and commerce. Even George Bush realized this; that's why he expanded "socialist" programs such as education (No Child Left Behind) and health care (Medicare Part D), while refusing to privatize social security. He also pushed for TARP before he left office--something that most people blame Obama for.

Here's an excellent editorial on why pure capitalism does not work. It's a three-part article, and although I disagree with the solutions the author proposes (the third part), he raises several fair points about why a purely capitalistic system does not do anything but serve investors and harm consumers (the first and second parts).

Oh, and let's not forget what happened when we deregulated the broadcasting and housing markets.

...No. the government has.

Originally Posted by hayzel

Many people see socialism as the first step towards communism.

I will stop you right here, as at this point we have already established that many people have little or no understanding about the theory of historical materialism.