Why are Americans are so Dumb?

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by Waggs098

This i can actually agree with. The fact is we are all being divided by government and politicians and media. The way I see it is the left has become the hard left. The right has become the hard right. There is no in between. When you try to have a conversation with someone from the other side it seems like your instantly shut down since you don't agree with their view. Instead of listening and trying to have a respectable conversation things go to snotty statements and name calling. This happens on both sides. It's quite rediculious.

What do you mean when you say 'the left has become the hard left.' What are examples of hard left things that now characterize the left in general, in your view?

[FordGT90]

Originally Posted by RickeyM

Actually there is far less hard-left than the hard-right would have you believe. The right needs the left to be seen as undesirable as possible to maintain the hold on their followers. Ever notice how tRump always uses the term "radical-left"? If the entire Democratic party was that radical Sanders or Warren would have cinched the primaries.

I encounter a lot of people that want to swell government control without any plans to pay for it. Some also hold office (e.g. Warren and Sanders). Remember the 2020 Democratic presidential race? How many people were proposing free college, free medical, massive environmental spending, basic income, etc.? Now remember how many of them actually put a proposal forward that could be tested by the Congressional Budget Office and think tanks. All of the plans unbalanced the budget by trillions at best when it's already almost a trillion in the hole. Anyone that can do basic math needs to stand up to those shenanigans. Which is why McConnell brought the "Green New Deal" to the floor for a vote. He did it to show that talk is cheap and these ridiculous bills aren't actionable in the least. Democrats voted against it in droves because they knew it would destroy the country and they'd never hold public office again. Obama warns Democrats against going too far left: ‘We have to be rooted in reality’

Polling shows it too: Half of Americans think the Democratic Party has moved too far left

We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capcity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong. --Calvin Coolidge

In reality, Republican Party hasn't changed much (other than the big personality at the top). It just looks like they did because relatively speaking, the left has drifted so far away. I mean, conservative generally means unwillingness to change, no? And to segue back to topic, wearing masks is a hell of a change.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by FordGT90

I encounter a lot of people that want to swell government control without any plans to pay for it. Some also hold office (e.g. Warren and Sanders). Remember the 2020 Democratic presidential race? How many people were proposing free college, free medical, massive environmental spending, basic income, etc.? Now remember how many of them actually put a proposal forward that could be tested by the Congressional Budget Office and think tanks. All of the plans unbalanced the budget by trillions at best when it's already almost a trillion in the hole. Anyone that can do basic math needs to stand up to those shenanigans. Which is why McConnell brought the "Green New Deal" to the floor for a vote. He did it to show that talk is cheap and these ridiculous bills aren't actionable in the least. Democrats voted against it in droves because they knew it would destroy the country and they'd never hold public office again. Obama warns Democrats against going too far left: ‘We have to be rooted in reality’

Polling shows it too: Half of Americans think the Democratic Party has moved too far left

We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capcity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong. --Calvin Coolidge

In reality, Republican Party hasn't changed much (other than the big personality at the top). It just looks like they did because relatively speaking, the left has drifted so far away. I mean, conservative generally means unwillingness to change, no? And to segue back to topic, wearing masks is a hell of a change.

Not that many really bought into Bernie social ism, certainly not me. Most could see a practical limit to promises vs fulfillment, regardless of how appealing. I do believe in a basic level of universal health care, that should be practically achievable. Universal basic education should and could include trade apprenticeships as a practical achievable portion. Community and educational mentorship is essential and should be encouraged and supported as essential infrastructure.

[Oerets]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

Not that many really bought into Bernie social ism, certainly not me. Most could see a practical limit to promises vs fulfillment, regardless of how appealing. I do believe in a basic level of universal health care, that should be practically achievable. Universal basic education should and could include trade apprenticeships as a practical achievable portion. Community and educational mentorship is essential and should be encouraged and supported as essential infrastructure.

......

[Pio1980]

And while I am here, if you don't think the Republican party hasn't mutated into a corrupted parody of what was Conservatism, beholden to an arrogant toxic madly incompetent narcissistic authoritarian grifter, you are either not paying attention or willfully self-delusional.

[Oerets]

There are basically two Republican Parties. One we would recognize as the long established one, the other is a cult of enablers grabbing power, corrupting the Republican name. The second has no real core values other then getting and keeping control. Using disinformation and intimidation as weapons.

The problem is in the first Republican Party in general still thinks they are in control!



Have been hearing locally more then I like, that we need to get rid of the "Liberal Rioters"!!!! A lot of ginned up hate towards the Left out there and I see nothing but escalation of violence.

[Chicks]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

And while I am here, if you don't think the Republican party hasn't mutated into a corrupted parody of what was Conservatism, beholden to an arrogant toxic madly incompetent narcissistic authoritarian grifter, you are either not paying attention or willfully self-delusional.

Indeed. For those not paying attention, or willfully ignorant, I suggest reading conservative pundits Jennifer Rubin, Max Boot, George Will, and The Atlantic magazine to educate yourselves.

[Chicks]

Originally Posted by FordGT90

In reality, Republican Party hasn't changed much (other than the big personality at the top).

Complete nonsense.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...w-bush-ran-it/

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...-trump/605959/

[FordGT90]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

And while I am here, if you don't think the Republican party hasn't mutated into a corrupted parody of what was Conservatism, beholden to an arrogant toxic madly incompetent narcissistic authoritarian grifter, you are either not paying attention or willfully self-delusional.

Republicans party can be broadly broken down into four factions:

1) Moderates: People like McConnell and Graham that support a big military and maintaining social safety nets within reason. These are the old guard and they still hold a strong majority.

2) Conservatives: Mostly Evangelical Christians. They really love Ted Cruz for some reason. They're really big on curbing government with little exception.

3) Libertarian: The Ron Paul supporting faction which called themselves the Tea Party before the Conservatives stole it. They're more traditional conservatives in the sense that smaller government is the goal without exception. 1 & 2 love a big military, for example, where Libertarian sees as contrary to "for the people, by the people." Big military is for the contractors, by the tax payers.

4) Alt-Right: Basically people that don't fit in the above categories. They're disenfranchised Republicans that see the wheels falling off America. In general, they're just pissed off and Trump's anger was attractive to them.

2016 breakdown...
Trump: majority of Moderates and Alt-Right.
Cruz: Conservative.
Kasich: minority of Moderates and Libertarian.

Originally Posted by Chicks

Complete nonsense.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...w-bush-ran-it/

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...-trump/605959/

Far better source:
The shift in the American public’s political values
Median Republican has only shifted right marginally compared to the left which has gone way left.


On top of that:
Religiously, nonwhite Democrats are more similar to Republicans than to white Democrats
...Republicans have a damaged brand because Democrats convinced nonwhite people Republicans are racist when 91% of Republicans would vote for a black president they agree with:
So************************m and Atheism Still U.S. Political Liabilities
The !@#$ is this? Remove spaces:
https:// news.gallup.com/poll/285563/social ism-atheism-political-liabilities.aspx

[donquixote99]

Blame Democrats for convincing minorities that Republicans are racist? A big percentage of Republican voters virtue signaling in a poll doesn't mean much. It's the Republicans who've done the convincing, their own selves