Via The Motley Cow, this great post at Common Dreams finally put to words a theme I’ve mentioned a number times regarding Scott Walker’s “father figure” governing style. It's called the "daddy state."
Although I haven't blogged about it yet, it's crazy to think a sociopath like Walker would ever change his mind, no matter how long the Wisconsin 14 stay away. Take Walker's nerve-racking public threat to layoff thousands of working people, vulnerable Wisconsinites with families, mortgages and bills. Walker apparently believes he would never suffer any public or political consequence for such a callous decision. The following analysis rings true about Walker:
The more I watch politics, the more I’m convinced that America’s shrinks should update their catalog of official mental illnesses to include a new category of certifiable whack job: the “political sociopath.” American conservatives, who have long deplored the government “entitlements” bestowed on the unwashed and unworthy, are fond of the term: “nanny state.”
But I think there’s a right-wing version of this concept, which deserves the term “daddy state.” The autocrat in charge, the “daddy,” is almost invariably a dogmatic, egocentric, socially awkward, strangely synthetic nerd. he is singularly ill-equipped for daddyhood and — suspecting this flaw — builds the household, or the state, on the delusion that it can be run “like a business.”
The “daddy state” regards its citizens as a father perceives his kids: children are perilously ignorant of how to properly control their lives or guide their future. We, the people, tend toward appetite and self-indulgence. We cannot grasp the value of a dollar. If we are to be saved from ourselves, we need to be restrained, scolded, denied, disciplined and watched over, all the time. When necessary, we should be lied to. We are weak, but he is strong.
Daddy’s strength is transcendent, ineffable. Father knows best not because he defeated his foes in some temporal political dispute.
It is, after all, the nature of children to complain and whine and want their own way. Their rebellion is the proof and definition of their childishness. The father doesn’t take guidance from a baby when it’s well-behaved, much less than when it’s throwing a tantrum. The louder the protesters in Madison, the stronger becomes Gov. Walker’s conviction that he knows best.
Popularity is no test. The political sociopath reviled in poll after poll, like Gov. Walker, is reinforced in his rectitude. He recognizes every flaming effigy and Hitler mustache as a childhood prank.
I first recognized Gov. Walker as a political sociopath from the way his eyes behave on TV. Watch closely. They never entirely settle in one place. They rarely look directly into the camera. Even when you catch a glimpse of him straight on, Walker’s gaze seems fixed either just beyond his nose or a million miles yonder.
I think you are right - Scott Walker is a sociopath. Read "the sociopath next door" Martha Stout phd. From that source and some other articles including (http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html) He has several things in his background that are apparently characteristic of sociopathy: past and present disregard for law/rules - scandals/unethical behavior etc, poor grades in school, college dropout, creepy personal demeanor, remorselessness, very controlling, chronic lying, manipulative etc. Same with Karl Rove.. If in fact this is the case, there are lot of other things about him that can be deduced - such as his marriage is a complete sham (a sociopath is incapable of love) - she is there for show as he needs to blend in. He's likely had affairs. She on the other hand is likely very submissive unquestioning personality and is likely the most victimized of anyone under his influence. Often a sociopath who is the highly motivated type will resort to whatever they think they can get away with to get what they want.
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