The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Alex]

I'd say scaeagles is right. Typical leftist elitism is to assume that those who disagree politically are stupid. Typical rightist elitism is to assume that those who disagree politically are immoral.

My point of objection to that particular t-shirt would be that while I do personally think that an unacceptably large number of self appointed (though apparently at least with some level of consent from the other members) leaders of the Tea Party movement are complete dingbats, the particular dingbattery mentioned in that t-shirt is not, to my experience, a prominent part of it.

Equally effective (and possibly its at the web site) t shirt more on topic would be "Obama won't keep the government's hands off my Medicare. That's why I'm voting Tea Party."

Mostly, though, while I'm sure I'd find some of the shirts amusing, i'm guessing they partake in the boring tendency to assume that political disagreement must be caused by some level of mendacity in those you disagree with. And once that's assumed then simple ad hominem is fine.