I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this, and here they are. I sit here on this forum, being lambasted by conservatives for suggesting that maybe they also need to look at a mirror. I get eviscerated by progressives on the other forum for suggesting that maybe they need to do the same. I am no longer loved on any online forum. I'm fine with that.
But here's what I think, anyway. If you declare you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a fascist, you are part of the problem. If you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a woke idiot, you are part of the problem.
If you think the other side is so evil, they are destroying America, you are part of the problem.
If you think your opinions are common sense, while those you disagree with are rank ideology, you are part of the problem.
A poll showed too many Americans were okay with political violence. Guess what? It wasn't just one side. 12% of liberals and 28% of conservatives agreed violence was sometimes justified*. You are all part of the problem.
Now, I don't think we are all equal. And I don't think you have to agree that the other side is the same as you. We all have our own foibles. We all have faults. And those faults aren't always identical.
But America has reached a point where peaceful dialogue between left and right is becoming harder to find, harder to accept, and harder to imagine continuing into the future. And you are all to blame for that.
Consider the hot button trans topic. We have one side who thinks that all trans women are women in all ways, period, and it's hate speech to suggest otherwise. We have another side who thinks all trans women are mentally deficient predators who are coming after your children, and it's idiocy to suggest otherwise.
What about the idea that maybe, just maybe, we should support the right of all people to live their best lives and explore and express their own identity? Maybe it's okay for a trans woman to say, "I identify as a woman" while it's also okay for a cis woman to say, "I don't identify with them, and I don't want them playing my sports and entering my locker room?"
Where did this possibility disappear? Because all I see are lunatics on both sides boiling everything down to the worst possible essentials.
I think the left has serious problems. I think the right has serious problems. I'd like someone - anyone - to have the balls to stand up and say, "We have a problem, and you know what? It's an American problem, and we're all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it."
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
I don't see that person arising anytime soon.
*Edit to note: I thought I heard these numbers on a radio broadcast, but I can't back them up. Seems like they are roughly backwards, and liberals are twice as likely than conservatives to say this.
I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this, and here they are. I sit here on this forum, being lambasted by conservatives for suggesting that maybe they also need to look at a mirror. I get eviscerated by progressives on the other forum for suggesting that maybe they need to do the same. I am no longer loved on any online forum. I'm fine with that.
But here's what I think, anyway. If you declare you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a fascist, you are part of the problem. If you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a woke idiot, you are part of the problem.
If you think the other side is so evil, they are destroying America, you are part of the problem.
If you think your opinions are common sense, while those you disagree with are rank ideology, you are part of the problem.
A poll showed too many Americans were okay with political violence. Guess what? It wasn't just one side. 12% of liberals and 28% of conservatives agreed violence was sometimes justified. You are all part of the problem.
Now, I don't think we are all equal. And I don't think you have to agree that the other side is the same as you. We all have our own foibles. We all have faults. And those faults aren't always identical.
But America has reached a point where peaceful dialogue between left and right is becoming harder to find, harder to accept, and harder to imagine continuing into the future. And you are all to blame for that.
Consider the hot button trans topic. We have one side who thinks that all trans women are women in all ways, period, and it's hate speech to suggest otherwise. We have another side who thinks all trans women are mentally deficient predators who are coming after your children, and it's idiocy to suggest otherwise.
What about the idea that maybe, just maybe, we should support the right of all people to live their best lives and explore and express their own identity? Maybe it's okay for a trans woman to say, "I identify as a woman" while it's also okay for a cis woman to say, "I don't identify with them, and I don't want them playing my sports and entering my locker room?"
Where did this possibility disappear? Because all I see are lunatics on both sides boiling everything down to the worst possible essentials.
I think the left has serious problems. I think the right has serious problems. I'd like someone - anyone - to have the balls to stand up and say, "We have a problem, and you know what? It's an American problem, and we're all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it."
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
I don't see that person arising anytime soon.
no. There are degrees. Right has its faults without question. Trump is a boorish Jack off. But policy is normal. Like it. Dislike it. But it’s normal.
Socialism. Defund. Open borders on and on and onare just objectively wrong. The scoreboard is a rout in favor of the right. The left is on the wrong side of every major issue.
now would it be nice if we could communicate. Sure. But that’s not happening. The sides are entrenched so as I’ve said for more than a year choose by policy.
Only one party needs to fix its shit and it’s not the right.
@mcm666 the next 3 or 4 elections are extremely important for course correcting the country. If the GOP performs relatively well in 26 and holds the White House in 28 and 32, there is still hope for us. If we flip back to the liberals, it's not good for the future. Putting aside all the crazy culture stuff, the GOP polices are night and day better than the Democrats.
@snarlcakes that’s why it’s not a both sides issue. The policies of the left are akin to what a seventh grade girl would like to see
@mcm666 I agree brotha. Eventually, Bitcoin fixes this, but I'd prefer it to be as smooth as possible.
I’d like someone – anyone – to have the balls to stand up and say, “We have a problem, and you know what? It’s an American problem, and we’re all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it.”
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
We tried that with Obama, and for a brief time it seemed to work. But when it collapsed upon itself, we got Trump.
Meanwhile, the responses in this thread are chilling.
I’d like someone – anyone – to have the balls to stand up and say, “We have a problem, and you know what? It’s an American problem, and we’re all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it.”
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
We tried that with Obama, and for a brief time it seemed to work. But when it collapsed upon itself, we got Trump.
Meanwhile, the responses in this thread are chilling.
They just prove my point for me
Braver Angels. Look it up.I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this, and here they are. I sit here on this forum, being lambasted by conservatives for suggesting that maybe they also need to look at a mirror. I get eviscerated by progressives on the other forum for suggesting that maybe they need to do the same. I am no longer loved on any online forum. I'm fine with that.
But here's what I think, anyway. If you declare you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a fascist, you are part of the problem. If you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a woke idiot, you are part of the problem.
If you think the other side is so evil, they are destroying America, you are part of the problem.
If you think your opinions are common sense, while those you disagree with are rank ideology, you are part of the problem.
A poll showed too many Americans were okay with political violence. Guess what? It wasn't just one side. 12% of liberals and 28% of conservatives agreed violence was sometimes justified. You are all part of the problem.
Now, I don't think we are all equal. And I don't think you have to agree that the other side is the same as you. We all have our own foibles. We all have faults. And those faults aren't always identical.
But America has reached a point where peaceful dialogue between left and right is becoming harder to find, harder to accept, and harder to imagine continuing into the future. And you are all to blame for that.
Consider the hot button trans topic. We have one side who thinks that all trans women are women in all ways, period, and it's hate speech to suggest otherwise. We have another side who thinks all trans women are mentally deficient predators who are coming after your children, and it's idiocy to suggest otherwise.
What about the idea that maybe, just maybe, we should support the right of all people to live their best lives and explore and express their own identity? Maybe it's okay for a trans woman to say, "I identify as a woman" while it's also okay for a cis woman to say, "I don't identify with them, and I don't want them playing my sports and entering my locker room?"
Where did this possibility disappear? Because all I see are lunatics on both sides boiling everything down to the worst possible essentials.
I think the left has serious problems. I think the right has serious problems. I'd like someone - anyone - to have the balls to stand up and say, "We have a problem, and you know what? It's an American problem, and we're all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it."
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
I don't see that person arising anytime soon.
I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this, and here they are. I sit here on this forum, being lambasted by conservatives for suggesting that maybe they also need to look at a mirror. I get eviscerated by progressives on the other forum for suggesting that maybe they need to do the same. I am no longer loved on any online forum. I'm fine with that.
But here's what I think, anyway. If you declare you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a fascist, you are part of the problem. If you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a woke idiot, you are part of the problem.
If you think the other side is so evil, they are destroying America, you are part of the problem.
If you think your opinions are common sense, while those you disagree with are rank ideology, you are part of the problem.
A poll showed too many Americans were okay with political violence. Guess what? It wasn't just one side. 12% of liberals and 28% of conservatives agreed violence was sometimes justified. You are all part of the problem.
Now, I don't think we are all equal. And I don't think you have to agree that the other side is the same as you. We all have our own foibles. We all have faults. And those faults aren't always identical.
But America has reached a point where peaceful dialogue between left and right is becoming harder to find, harder to accept, and harder to imagine continuing into the future. And you are all to blame for that.
Consider the hot button trans topic. We have one side who thinks that all trans women are women in all ways, period, and it's hate speech to suggest otherwise. We have another side who thinks all trans women are mentally deficient predators who are coming after your children, and it's idiocy to suggest otherwise.
What about the idea that maybe, just maybe, we should support the right of all people to live their best lives and explore and express their own identity? Maybe it's okay for a trans woman to say, "I identify as a woman" while it's also okay for a cis woman to say, "I don't identify with them, and I don't want them playing my sports and entering my locker room?"
Where did this possibility disappear? Because all I see are lunatics on both sides boiling everything down to the worst possible essentials.
I think the left has serious problems. I think the right has serious problems. I'd like someone - anyone - to have the balls to stand up and say, "We have a problem, and you know what? It's an American problem, and we're all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it."
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
I don't see that person arising anytime soon.
Governing from the center is a good idea. Most Americans identify with something inside the goalposts, if you will.
I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this, and here they are. I sit here on this forum, being lambasted by conservatives for suggesting that maybe they also need to look at a mirror. I get eviscerated by progressives on the other forum for suggesting that maybe they need to do the same. I am no longer loved on any online forum. I'm fine with that.
But here's what I think, anyway. If you declare you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a fascist, you are part of the problem. If you don't think it's worth engaging someone who is a woke idiot, you are part of the problem.
If you think the other side is so evil, they are destroying America, you are part of the problem.
If you think your opinions are common sense, while those you disagree with are rank ideology, you are part of the problem.
A poll showed too many Americans were okay with political violence. Guess what? It wasn't just one side. 12% of liberals and 28% of conservatives agreed violence was sometimes justified. You are all part of the problem.
Now, I don't think we are all equal. And I don't think you have to agree that the other side is the same as you. We all have our own foibles. We all have faults. And those faults aren't always identical.
But America has reached a point where peaceful dialogue between left and right is becoming harder to find, harder to accept, and harder to imagine continuing into the future. And you are all to blame for that.
Consider the hot button trans topic. We have one side who thinks that all trans women are women in all ways, period, and it's hate speech to suggest otherwise. We have another side who thinks all trans women are mentally deficient predators who are coming after your children, and it's idiocy to suggest otherwise.
What about the idea that maybe, just maybe, we should support the right of all people to live their best lives and explore and express their own identity? Maybe it's okay for a trans woman to say, "I identify as a woman" while it's also okay for a cis woman to say, "I don't identify with them, and I don't want them playing my sports and entering my locker room?"
Where did this possibility disappear? Because all I see are lunatics on both sides boiling everything down to the worst possible essentials.
I think the left has serious problems. I think the right has serious problems. I'd like someone - anyone - to have the balls to stand up and say, "We have a problem, and you know what? It's an American problem, and we're all in on it, and it will take all of us to fix it."
I would follow that person. I would vote for that person, regardless of party.
I don't see that person arising anytime soon.
The history of politics tells us the left sees activism, protests, and demonstrations as necessary tools with which to address the myriad of social and economic injustices the left sees. Conservatives on the other hand probably first don’t see all the problems a liberal would see, and when they do, the conservative is more willing to allow social and economic evolution to change as needed. I think this is pretty much standard issue politics and is undeniable.
Of course I’m speaking in general. Individually, a liberal or a conservative are probably equally prone to cross lines and break laws and commit violence.
But when you overlay the hidden persuaders and activists present in media and social media; the poor educations of all of us; and intractable politics of government leaders, on the general rule, the differences between liberal and conservative are exacerbated. In the 21st century, we have seen activism frequently metastasize into minor law breaking, major felony law breaking, and individual violence.
This, in brief, is why I believe the violence is more a left problem. But in any event it needs to be tamped down regardless of who perpetrates it.
@bradstevens it’s a worthy cause. A great idea. But I believe more and more fundamentally flawed. We have a communication problem but it’s minor compared to our biggest problem. The left and right are polar on basic issues. This isn’t center right vs center left. This is socialism. This is an open borders vs door to door searches. This old school southern religion vs meds for minors transitioning.
language and respect won’t remedy those differences. That’s two countries sharing common land
@goat no your predicate is flawed. Everything you write is aspirational. It’s great. But if two groups want a completely different country there’s no degree of decorum that can allow for same. I used to believe we all want the same things. Today I don’t. Pic a topic. Were polar on most ever
@tr32 where have you been. You think cradle to grave benes is the center? Socialism? Open borders? All electric? Trannies playing sports. The left doesn’t want anything remotely resembling the center. That ship has sailed. NYC is a totem of where the heart of the left policy rests today
I guess I think people are a lot more gullible and persuadable by the language and rhetoric used, and if a different type were used, we'd be better off.@bradstevens it’s a worthy cause. A great idea. But I believe more and more fundamentally flawed. We have a communication problem but it’s minor compared to our biggest problem. The left and right are polar on basic issues. This isn’t center right vs center left. This is socialism. This is an open borders vs door to door searches. This old school southern religion vs meds for minors transitioning.
language and respect won’t remedy those differences. That’s two countries sharing common land
But I also recognize that the incentives go the other way, and am starting to become less engaged and emotional about it as if it can change. Time to just go with the flow and try to keep my head above water, I guess.