Get back to me when the first Republican leader appeals to unity and mutual respect. If Republican voters voted like they poll, we'd have a very different country.
Authoritarians are not about to give up, polarization notwithstanding. They have been fighting democracy and freedom of thought for over centuries by whatever means possible, from wars to inquisitions to genocide.
Until the 18th century, the world was ruled by authoritarians. The Age of Enlightenment introduced such new ideas as “all men are created equal” and described such rights as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as “unalienable” having been “endowed by their Creator” and not by any authoritarian ruler. This was something new; and it definitely was not Christian. It is important to note that most of the Founding Fathers were not Christians; they were Deists.
Deists defined planet Earth and the rest of the Universe as the expression of God. For them, God’s “word” was not in the Bible or other scriptures but rather in the observable physical, scientific, and mathematical world around us. For them, “mysteries” were simply truths that had not yet been discovered. Their ultimate authority was the enlightened mind and conscience which empowered a free and democratic society: government by consent of the governed. It started as an experiment. The Founders tried it, and for more than two centuries America successfully bucked the authoritarian trend, in spite of the many stumbling blocks which still remain.
Christian Nationalists want to put the freedom genie back in the bottle. They reject that the natural environment reveals more about God than their theologies. They see the American tradition of fact-based reality as a heresy, because to accept it would nullify authoritarian rule. Beware of those claiming to speak for God! And, so far America has flourished under that rubric. We actually know for a fact that what we observe can be accepted as true. We don’t need a mythology that tells us our leaders have a divine right to rule over us as their subjects. We must remind our leaders that WE put them there, and that they work for the People, not a king!
I’m someone who only cares about what people do, not what they say. Republicans might say that they don’t see me as the enemy, but they sure as hell treat me like one. They voted for and continue to support a man who has openly called democrats Satan and refers to us as enemies. He campaigned on it. He attacks us as enemies. They listen to people like Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Tucker Carlson. They cheer on invasions of blue cities and the persecution of immigrants, trans people, and prominent democrats.
I don’t consider everyone who voted for Trump as an enemy, but I certainly consider some of them to be. The rest might not be my enemies, but they sure as hell aren’t my friends or allies either.
There is an article in the New York Times about a Rutgers professor who is an expert in anti-fascism movements who fled to Spain because of an onslaught of death threats from MAGA. How many MAGAs fled the country under Biden? Miss me with the both-sidesing.
I was enticed to read this because I thought there was some new insight. In truth, we see what has been common over the last decade. Pollsters are unable to capture people’s real opinions. In other words, they tell pollsters one view but truly hold another. Thus, Trumpie’s victory in 2016. Finally, as Mr. Woodruff notes below, without shared facts there is little to talk about. The emergence of the preposterous notion of alternative facts makes discourse virtually impossible.
This ⬆️ is one of the reasons I started looking for view point diversity beyond progressive talking points. I’m a highly educated person, but I have a very working class job. Many of my coworkers voted nonsensically (we work as caregivers) for Donald Trump, and I just can’t completely condemn them for it because people are more nuanced than their politics. Many of my progressive friends on the left would say otherwise but seem to also agree that it’s not okay to condemn someone’s differing opinion. It’s like intellectually they know the right thing, but they don’t feel it to be true and those feelings are guiding words and actions rather than thoughts.
As you continue to think about this you would do well to remember there is a he'll of a lot more to being "online" than being "on social media". Misrepresenting your findings undermines your credibility ... and your argument.
Ignorance and bigotry will always complain how "unfair" it is when they aren't allowed a set at the table alongside knowledge, empathy, and compassion.
Republicans have started the beginnings of a military occupation of key blue cities.
Republicans are conducting economic warfare against blue states with sanctions against universities, scientific research,and rescission money grabs. Republicans are illegally redistricting to nullify Democratic seats in congress.
What Republicans aren’t doing is opposing any of the above actions. Screw polling, Republicans voted in a tyrant. We are in a slide towards losing our democracy aided and abetted by the Republican party. That is our reality.
When Republicans start pushing back then we can talk overlapping ideas and values. For now, commonality is few and far between.
My party is sometimes silly and often clueless but the current Republican party is something that I have not seen in my lifetime 70 years and I hoped never to see it.
I certainly by now consider anyone voting republican to be a supporter of authoritarian overthrow of the constitution, and therefore, enemies. They do not want America as it was. They want an America in which only their strongmen have any authority and elections no longer exist. There's no spinning it anymore. They knew what was up last November and they said "may we have some more?"
They can answer survey questions however they want. Their actions say differently and actions are what matter. None of them are pushing back in the slightest against the fascist unitary executive bullshit, violating rights and nationalizing companies like the USSR. They support literally anything and everything this asshole does and will do without question. He could eat a live infant on TV and they'd shrug.
It's accurate to say the majority of Republicans view Democrats as the enemy. Not surprising when all the party leadership call the opposition the enemy. But as you point out it's not the majority Democratic position.
This is a huge problem in liberal democracy in perilous times; It only takes a plurality to tear it down.
Get back to me when the first Republican leader appeals to unity and mutual respect. If Republican voters voted like they poll, we'd have a very different country.
Authoritarians are not about to give up, polarization notwithstanding. They have been fighting democracy and freedom of thought for over centuries by whatever means possible, from wars to inquisitions to genocide.
Until the 18th century, the world was ruled by authoritarians. The Age of Enlightenment introduced such new ideas as “all men are created equal” and described such rights as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as “unalienable” having been “endowed by their Creator” and not by any authoritarian ruler. This was something new; and it definitely was not Christian. It is important to note that most of the Founding Fathers were not Christians; they were Deists.
Deists defined planet Earth and the rest of the Universe as the expression of God. For them, God’s “word” was not in the Bible or other scriptures but rather in the observable physical, scientific, and mathematical world around us. For them, “mysteries” were simply truths that had not yet been discovered. Their ultimate authority was the enlightened mind and conscience which empowered a free and democratic society: government by consent of the governed. It started as an experiment. The Founders tried it, and for more than two centuries America successfully bucked the authoritarian trend, in spite of the many stumbling blocks which still remain.
Christian Nationalists want to put the freedom genie back in the bottle. They reject that the natural environment reveals more about God than their theologies. They see the American tradition of fact-based reality as a heresy, because to accept it would nullify authoritarian rule. Beware of those claiming to speak for God! And, so far America has flourished under that rubric. We actually know for a fact that what we observe can be accepted as true. We don’t need a mythology that tells us our leaders have a divine right to rule over us as their subjects. We must remind our leaders that WE put them there, and that they work for the People, not a king!
If you support Donald Trump you are the enemy. Simple as.
Uh, no Mona. Hard pass. Voting for the man after attempted insurrection? Shared ground?
I’m someone who only cares about what people do, not what they say. Republicans might say that they don’t see me as the enemy, but they sure as hell treat me like one. They voted for and continue to support a man who has openly called democrats Satan and refers to us as enemies. He campaigned on it. He attacks us as enemies. They listen to people like Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Tucker Carlson. They cheer on invasions of blue cities and the persecution of immigrants, trans people, and prominent democrats.
I don’t consider everyone who voted for Trump as an enemy, but I certainly consider some of them to be. The rest might not be my enemies, but they sure as hell aren’t my friends or allies either.
There is an article in the New York Times about a Rutgers professor who is an expert in anti-fascism movements who fled to Spain because of an onslaught of death threats from MAGA. How many MAGAs fled the country under Biden? Miss me with the both-sidesing.
Isn’t the entire premise of this website that yes, the GOP as currently constituted is in fact the enemy?
I was enticed to read this because I thought there was some new insight. In truth, we see what has been common over the last decade. Pollsters are unable to capture people’s real opinions. In other words, they tell pollsters one view but truly hold another. Thus, Trumpie’s victory in 2016. Finally, as Mr. Woodruff notes below, without shared facts there is little to talk about. The emergence of the preposterous notion of alternative facts makes discourse virtually impossible.
This ⬆️ is one of the reasons I started looking for view point diversity beyond progressive talking points. I’m a highly educated person, but I have a very working class job. Many of my coworkers voted nonsensically (we work as caregivers) for Donald Trump, and I just can’t completely condemn them for it because people are more nuanced than their politics. Many of my progressive friends on the left would say otherwise but seem to also agree that it’s not okay to condemn someone’s differing opinion. It’s like intellectually they know the right thing, but they don’t feel it to be true and those feelings are guiding words and actions rather than thoughts.
As you continue to think about this you would do well to remember there is a he'll of a lot more to being "online" than being "on social media". Misrepresenting your findings undermines your credibility ... and your argument.
Ignorance and bigotry will always complain how "unfair" it is when they aren't allowed a set at the table alongside knowledge, empathy, and compassion.
Less polling, more reality please.
Republicans have started the beginnings of a military occupation of key blue cities.
Republicans are conducting economic warfare against blue states with sanctions against universities, scientific research,and rescission money grabs. Republicans are illegally redistricting to nullify Democratic seats in congress.
What Republicans aren’t doing is opposing any of the above actions. Screw polling, Republicans voted in a tyrant. We are in a slide towards losing our democracy aided and abetted by the Republican party. That is our reality.
When Republicans start pushing back then we can talk overlapping ideas and values. For now, commonality is few and far between.
My party is sometimes silly and often clueless but the current Republican party is something that I have not seen in my lifetime 70 years and I hoped never to see it.
I have never encountered a Dem (in person or online) who has referred to MAGAs as "evil."
OTH I daily encounter MAGAs online who call Dems "evil" "dembs" "libtards" and more.
This is not a both sides issue.
I certainly by now consider anyone voting republican to be a supporter of authoritarian overthrow of the constitution, and therefore, enemies. They do not want America as it was. They want an America in which only their strongmen have any authority and elections no longer exist. There's no spinning it anymore. They knew what was up last November and they said "may we have some more?"
They can answer survey questions however they want. Their actions say differently and actions are what matter. None of them are pushing back in the slightest against the fascist unitary executive bullshit, violating rights and nationalizing companies like the USSR. They support literally anything and everything this asshole does and will do without question. He could eat a live infant on TV and they'd shrug.
It's accurate to say the majority of Republicans view Democrats as the enemy. Not surprising when all the party leadership call the opposition the enemy. But as you point out it's not the majority Democratic position.
This is a huge problem in liberal democracy in perilous times; It only takes a plurality to tear it down.
Perhaps we expect too much of the naked ape.