And incidentally, I subscribe more to libertarian beliefs than to conservatives. For example, totally fine with: Gay marriage I am pro-choice Legalizing certain drugs (especially MJ)
N.B. to the reader: in this post I mention some topics (Trump, Biden, the administration, Ukraine, etc..) as examples to support the main points of the post, but please let's try to keep this on topic. I don't want this thread to descent into another political fight. I believe it's difficult to be impartial in the current political climate. I have never seen divisions as profound as this. Understood. And I will put my hand up and say I for one have been snarky in most of my content as of late. Why? Firstly, and mostly, it's because I am angry. Angry because I agree with Tuxan, in that how can people not possibly see DJT for what he is, as opposed to what he claims to be. Angry because of the damage that's been already done, not only to the US domestically, but also wrt international relations, and we're barely one month into it . Angry because the damage has only started. God knows where we will be down the road. Secondly, because ET allows political content that is highly charged. And since this kind of content (and the behavior that comes with it) is allowed, I let myself participate in it, hook line and sinker, while ironically having a contempt for it (for those who need to, look up Broken windows theory). Maybe it's been an outlet for my anger but, as an adult, I should realize that this only furthers divisions and by God I should know better. I wish I could be as good as some of my personal heros who lead by example and go and make peace with the enemy, talk to them and break barriers. I will give you some examples here. I have no problem in criticizing the past administration if it's true that what we saw in Biden were early signs of the dementia, it would be unconscionable that he was allowed to stay on for as long as he did It was unconscionable that he pardoned his son when he had said he would not. it was regrettable that the Dems weren't allowed to elect their own candidate and they had to go with Harris. While I believe she would have been better in managing what we are seeing now, I don't believe she was fully prepared. Some interviews were cringe If given the choice, I would have actually gone with a Republican candidate such as Pence, who upholds the values that are meant to be sacred to the US IMO NATO has been egging on Russia and yes, the US has been into a proxy war with Russia, which I don't support. Putin has simply been looking after Russia's own interests. I don't know how much substance there is behind the 'Krasnov' allegations but, if they were true, hats off to Putin for pulling off what would be arguably the single biggest coup in history So there you have it. Once again, I would remind the reader that this thread is not about any of the points above, but it is to find the common ground. Thank you.
Just to say I am poleaxed as my sister in law was off to the airport at 4.30am, her car died and I had to zip up there to get her to her flight and then sort her car. But good to know there is appetite for exchanging actual views and such.
I think some of this has to do heavily with social media and the outrage it is designed to drum up. I don't know how old you are, but I can remember quite clearly a time where most people couldn't give a damn what happened in politics. I respect this, very much. But the words you're using are almost exactly the words I heard from folks on the right during the Biden admin, and before that with Obama. I, myself used them in the second Obama term (I voted for Obama the first time around). The Democrats said that the world would end under GWB, and I remember watching friends of mine who always listened to Rush Limbaugh during the Bill Clinton years. To hear them speak, you'd have thought the country would end in the late 90s. It's always going to be the end of the world for the side not calling the shots, and it's always going to be "we saved the country" for the side that is. The truth is that the country will go on, and we'll continue to go back and forth between manic/depressant as it does. The smart folks realize that most of the things in their lives will not change, because the country is so much more than one individual at the head of it - no matter how nuts that person is. We both fall for it. But I'm going to pledge to do my best to treat you with respect from now on, so long as you do so with me. Not just even when we disagree, but especially when we do so. If I fail, please call me out on it and refer back to this thread.
I appreciate this. We humans are fallible by definition and when we are left to our own devices (see above wrt ET's policies) we tend to behave like kids, even during adulthood. We can certainly call each other out as our own means of "checks and balances" and I will also do my best during disagreements. Thank you. I am going to reflect on this.
I wanted to add, you may have a very valid point here. Social media may well be the factor compounding the entrenched views on opposite sides. There's this extremely fiery lady who I follow on social media and she continually posts about resistance. She is very inspirational to the left and I do admire her intent but, at the same time, she is cementing (like many) the divisions we spoke about. I would bet 10,000 bucks that - deep down - she's as angry as I am, for the same reasons, and that's why she is posting as much. Social media can be toxic. Something else to think about. @Tuxan kudos for the topic.
And think what that anger is doing to that fiery lady. Assuming she's not doing it to farm engagement on her timeline (which half of these people do at our expense), what it must be like to be angry all the time at something you have no control of until the next election. The health issues that come with that, etc.
Add to that fact that politicians lie, lie and lie some more. How many lies has Joe Biden and Democrats spouted? It has been lie after lie and when exposed, still more lies. President Donald Trump talks and tells you what he stands for and backs it with action. Whether you agree with it or. not, you know his reasons for his actions. Very refreshing to have a leader tell you what he is going to do and the reasons, he has for doing so. Something politicians would never do!
LOL. No President in U.S. history lies more than Trump. He spews out lies so quickly that fact checkers can't keep up with him. Have you met any 150 year olds who are still getting social security checks recently. Trump says there are millions of them across the U.S.; they should be easy to find.