by Susan Rosenthal
(Updated at: Psychopaths in Power)
Either George W. Bush is a psychopath or he does an excellent imitation of one.
The President claims that opponents of the war against Iraq, whose children are at risk, are too emotional to see things clearly. In fact, human morality is rooted in emotions or "gut feelings" that move us toward what is right and away from what is wrong. Without emotions, there would be no anger in response to injustice and no shame in behaving badly.
The American Psychiatric Association defines a psychopath as someone who meets at least three of the following criteria. The President meets all of them, as do the leaders of both political parties who push the same heartless, self-serving policies.
• failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest (bombing Iraq, domestic spying, approving torture).
• deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, or conning others for profit or pleasure (lying to justify invading Iraq, altering reports on global warming, standard business practice).
• impulsivity or failure to plan ahead (believing that Iraqis would welcome a foreign invasion, destroying the environment for short-term gain).
• aggressiveness as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults (preferring military force over negotiation).
• reckless disregard for the safety of others (Katrina, Iraq).
• consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to honor financial obligations (failure to fund essential government programs).
• lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another (too many examples to list!).
Capitalism requires the people in power to behave like psychopaths. Empathy and compassion would make it impossible to trample human lives in the race for power and profit.
When authorities flaunt their disregard for human life, it seems as though humanity as a whole has no compassion. In reality, the people in power are sick freaks who do not represent the majority.
Human beings are born compassionate. Infants will cry when they hear another baby cry, but not when they hear recordings of their own cries. By 14 months-of-age, toddlers will try to soothe other babies in distress. At 18-months-of-age, youngsters are eager to help adults. And the number one character trait that both men and women seek in a potential mate is kindness.
The war mongers are more like reptiles who have shed their humanity. They have no problem devouring their young.
For more on this subject see POWER and Powerlessness, Chapter 2, "Compassion Isn’t Cost-Effective." Available at www.powerandpowerlessness.com
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