How to Respond to Republicans Who Demand we Should Say 'Thank You'

50% off coupon, thanks everyone! Whether it's white supremacists and neo-nazis on the internet, or Republican politicians on the television, it seems like every day I'm confronted by a wave of deceitful and condescending arguments. These jerks let out a sorrowful sigh, shake their heads, and then mutter, “Why can't you ever show any gratitude for all the advantages and privileges you've been given?”This is but another shade of the argument that all abusers use.“I've done so much for you!”“Think about the good times!”“Why isn't it ever enough?”It's all based on misdirection and distraction. They're like street magicians peddling evil, and their platform is our entire oligarch owned media.The latest example comes from the guy who is known for his non-consensual amorous relationships with davenports. Remember that a couch cannot give consent. He just slithered up to a microphone and complained that Mamdani always talks about the nation's problems and never just says, “Thank you.”A statement like that is so frustrating I hardly know where to begin.First of all, when was the last time you ever heard a Republican giving thanks for anything (with the possible exception of a corrupt appeals court)? Meanwhile demanding that people say “thank you” has become the new version of, “Kneel before Zod!”Why are these tiny little men so obsessed with declarations of indebtedness?Naturally this kind of rhetoric is a cheap shot, but when a slick venture capitalist in an expensive suit says it, the struggling rubes waiting for their farming subsidy checks don't know the difference.“Yeah! Why isn't that guy grateful? Why can't he even say 'Thanks?' What makes him so special?”So, what we have to recognize is that even though this line of argument is beneath our dignity, we have to answer it.When you're caught in that splash of blatant hypocrisy, it's natural to suffer a moment of frank astonishment. Honestly, it amazes me that we can still be surprised by the depths to which these dishonest people will descend. But here we are.“Why can't you be more thankful to America? Why do you have to talk about its problems all the time?”That's the same as simply accusing your opponent of “Hating the country.”That's ridiculous. But we're foolish if we ignore that this kind of cheap tactic does earn the support of a large number of voters.So, you have to be prepared to respond. In fact, our think tanks should sit around thinking of the most hypocritical things Republicans might say, and work to have a response ready.If a scumbag Republican accuses you of not being thankful, you have to grab the ball and run with it.“I am thankful to the American people. I am thankful to the working class. These are the people who show up every day and keep this nation going. That's why I'm committed to ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their labor. That's why, unlike my opponent who doesn't respect the working class, I wish to improve wages and expand access to healthcare. You'll notice that the venture capitalists never say 'Thank you' when they foreclose on the land that has been in your family for generations. They just take it and smirk. That's why I'm in this race! I want to thank the American public not with weak words, but with strong actions. I want to say 'Thank you' by raising wages and restoring all the rights and privileges that people like my opponent have stolen. Let's keep in mind that all his wealth and luxury is a consequence of your work. Yet he has never said 'Thank you,' except to demand hearing those words from others. But I'm not afraid to say it. I have sincere thanks for the American public, and every action I take flows from my sense of enduring gratitude to the people of this country. You don't just live here and work here. You are this nation, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Together, we will work to ensure that all working class people obtain the benefits they deserve.”Until now, our establishment, corporate Democrats haven't been able to say anything like that because they're all venture capitalists too. That's why we keep losing. Instead, they flail at the podium with a dumb look on their face expecting the public to see what a raging hypocrite their opponent is.But the thing is, the public is FURIOUS that their property is being taken by these slick jerks, so they vote for the guy who at least tells one of the candidates off (even though he's part of the problem).It isn't hard to figure this out!Progressive candidates are popular because they actually stand for the people. Establishment Democrats lose because they care more for their donors than the voters, and they refuse to make strong statements in defense of the people who suffer injustices every day.Change that.These jerks who fly around in their private jets and have ski resorts shut down so they can have private holidays have a lot of nerve demanding that people who make seven bucks an hour should be more “grateful.” That “our” representatives are too tongue tied to combat this kind of absurd attack is more insulting still.It's not that hard.We need politicians who are willing to fight for the working class. Our motto can't be “We're not going back.” The motto must be, “We're going forward, either get with the program or get the hell out of the way.”We need to demand that Republicans start showing a bit of gratitude to the American people. Republican politicians have coasted along by stealing the benefits of our labors long enough. They enjoy state funded healthcare, state funded protection, state funded pensions and state funded travel.Start with a “Thank you.”Then move on to an apology.Then give us what's ours and go away.You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI'm so happy you're here, and I'm looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe