"Republicunt": why use terms like this?

[Anomalocaris]

Insults are a form of social disapproval of whatever behavior the other is engaged in.  It's a form of applying pressure for change.

So you think Republicans, upon reading 'Republicunt', will reflect upon their views and decide to become Democrats instead?

No, insult by itself is unlikely to change the views of the insulted.

However, if the insulted is in any way salvageable, and has been triggered by other experiences to reflect upon his or her views, then if he or she actually has the mental curiosity to actually make the reflection an potentially profitable exercise, then the chances are he or she would also reflect upon who is it that insulted them, and why those others may so give up on him and her. In this case, insults themselves may convey little information, but the fact that insults are made may convey a great deal of information.

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Uh huh. Because self-reflection and intellectual curiosity is usually someone's reaction to an overwhelming gang of haters in a hostile situation.

Attributing insult to a simplistic “gang of haters” is a reflective defensive reaction, not the reaction of the truly curious.

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