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Why is the GOP such a terrible political party?
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Harry Bosch
Contributor
Holy Crap. I can't agree with you. The GOP is an incredible party. They have fewer voters in the US than the democrats, and yet they control the Presidency, the house, the senate, the supreme court, most state legislatures, most state senates, most state governorships. Any party that can rise in a democracy and rule with absolute control while having a minority of votes is a great party. If the dems continue to underestimate the republicans, we'll continue to have our asses handed to us.
Jimmy Higgins
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OMFG!!! A black guy somewhere has an opinion on something! *patriotism*
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If the dems continue to not recognize that they are dealing with a social dominance ideology centered around right wing authoritarianism, we'll continue down this road to fascism.
It's no longer a political party and hasn't been in decades. It's an ideological disease.
I was more going for terrible as in 'predominantly made up of people who don't care about people who are in need' than their political acumen.
Not in jest. What in the living hell is wrong with them?
sharon45
Veteran Member
As the Republicans think that the Democrats do not really care about people in need either, except to make sure that there is a lot more of them.
See above.
The link in my signature can clear up a lot of confusion around what's happening with right wing politics.
But as pervasive and obvious as this ideological disease is, I think what makes understanding so elusive is that the people who contribute to this climate of infantile, inhumane politics are otherwise decent folk. Within the small bubbles of their personal lives, they are good neighbors, good parents, good citizens, oblivious to what they are helping to create on a larger scale.
From the outside, we think things like, "Well, that's just sweet old grandma supporting Trump. We can't reasonably be mad at her or blame her." We let the personal make us blind to the impersonal greater whole and we wave off the significance of these otherwise decent people and how they form the substrate of fascism in a society.
That's the real weakness of "liberal political correctness," not that PC "let's respect everyone" actually hurts anyone, but that it prevents us from holding people accountable for what they contribute to the big picture. We refuse to call out dangerously ignorant and inhumane ideology because that might feel like we're hurting grandma and other people who are decent in their personal lives but unaware of just how indecent their ideology is on a large scale in a world full of human beings labeled as Other.
Unless we're willing to confront believers of inhumane ideology and challenge them to step out from behind whatever authority they think will protect them from the scary world, and unless we're willing to educate and call out the seeds of sick ideology and hold people accountable for what they lazily contribute without thought, we will continue on this road of fascism.
That belief that individuals don't need to question anything because they're only a drop in a bucket that they have no personal control of, that's the belief that will require atrocity before anyone acknowledges that they might have done something different. It requires the whole world rising up against you and winning in a most ferocious way before some people will even entertain the thought that maybe they might have been wrong.
But as pervasive and obvious as this ideological disease is, I think what makes understanding so elusive is that the people who contribute to this climate of infantile, inhumane politics are otherwise decent folk. Within the small bubbles of their personal lives, they are good neighbors, good parents, good citizens, oblivious to what they are helping to create on a larger scale.
From the outside, we think things like, "Well, that's just sweet old grandma supporting Trump. We can't reasonably be mad at her or blame her." We let the personal make us blind to the impersonal greater whole and we wave off the significance of these otherwise decent people and how they form the substrate of fascism in a society.
That's the real weakness of "liberal political correctness," not that PC "let's respect everyone" actually hurts anyone, but that it prevents us from holding people accountable for what they contribute to the big picture. We refuse to call out dangerously ignorant and inhumane ideology because that might feel like we're hurting grandma and other people who are decent in their personal lives but unaware of just how indecent their ideology is on a large scale in a world full of human beings labeled as Other.
Unless we're willing to confront believers of inhumane ideology and challenge them to step out from behind whatever authority they think will protect them from the scary world, and unless we're willing to educate and call out the seeds of sick ideology and hold people accountable for what they lazily contribute without thought, we will continue on this road of fascism.
That belief that individuals don't need to question anything because they're only a drop in a bucket that they have no personal control of, that's the belief that will require atrocity before anyone acknowledges that they might have done something different. It requires the whole world rising up against you and winning in a most ferocious way before some people will even entertain the thought that maybe they might have been wrong.
Kharakov
Quantum Hot Dog
They control the media, and create the impression that they win elections, instead of actually winning elections.
Unfortunately, they brainwashed the US military (except for the corrupt part of it) into thinking they are defending a democratic process. They have all the toys and tools, and the fake history to boot, which keeps them on top.
So yeah. Democracy failed, and the only cure is to kill and torture anyone who is rich in the current system. And they lift up good people too, so you'll be torturing and killing good people if you take them out.
So, it's basically fucked. Keep working to make things good, and hope for the day that we can kill, maim, and destroy the corrupt. Definitely make their children know that by supporting their parents, they are on the side that's going to get it.
That's all there is in life, for the good. And the US military has a constant influx of fucking morons who believe what they're told, or are willing to screw over anyone to live the good life. I think they call the latter "officers".
Wut?
ronburgundy
Contributor
There is always a segment of a population most prone to authoritarian intolerance of anything outside their narrowly defined in-group and its traditions. They gravitate towards devout monotheism because it is an inherently intolerant authoritarian world view. They have pervaded America since its beginning. They were the colonists who would have created a theocracy, if not for the handful of enlightenment-minded thinkers who took control in shaping the US constitution. They have spread their religiously fueled authoritarian intolerance ever since in the form of the two "Great Awakenings", a civil war to protect slavery, and the culture wars between the rural south and industrial north of the early 20th century (epitomized by the 1925 Scopes trial, which was as much about racism, anti-immigration, and anti-modernism/intellectualism as it was about evolution itself.
These authoritarian bigots were probably more Dem up until the 1950's, but were generally more evenly spread across both parties.
As the civil rights movement of the 1960's gained steam, the Dems embraced this progress and the GOP saw an opportunity to specifically court the support of these authoritarian bigots who felt betrayed by the Dem party that once dominated the South. Those bigots, along with their hero Strom Thurmond shifted to the GOP in massive numbers. The rhetoric of the modern GOP is almost indistinguishable from that of fear-mongering rural pastors and KKK leaders of a century ago. One such bigot was William Jennings Bryan who actively supported the Klan, was the anti-evolution lawyer in the Scopes trial, and was the Democrats Presidential nominee in 1908. While the GOP as a party spends billions and much effort over the last 50 years fueling and enhancing authoritarianism and bigotry, they didn't manufacture these sentiments but rather capitalized on them and geared their party towards those who hold such views.
These authoritarian bigots were probably more Dem up until the 1950's, but were generally more evenly spread across both parties.
As the civil rights movement of the 1960's gained steam, the Dems embraced this progress and the GOP saw an opportunity to specifically court the support of these authoritarian bigots who felt betrayed by the Dem party that once dominated the South. Those bigots, along with their hero Strom Thurmond shifted to the GOP in massive numbers. The rhetoric of the modern GOP is almost indistinguishable from that of fear-mongering rural pastors and KKK leaders of a century ago. One such bigot was William Jennings Bryan who actively supported the Klan, was the anti-evolution lawyer in the Scopes trial, and was the Democrats Presidential nominee in 1908. While the GOP as a party spends billions and much effort over the last 50 years fueling and enhancing authoritarianism and bigotry, they didn't manufacture these sentiments but rather capitalized on them and geared their party towards those who hold such views.
Harry Bosch
Contributor
I think that's going a little too far! There are some republicans who are fair minded, care for the poor, socially liberal, and care about the environment. It's just that they don't like paying taxes and don't trust the government to solve problems. I do think that these moderates are shrinking in number. There is a growing segment of the republican party that is anti-science, religious, intolerant, and scared of change.
I like this approach to understanding the GOP. I recently read 'Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America' (highly recommended) as a cultural study/history of the U.S., and it went a long way in explaining America's conservative culture. At the most basic level, the U.S. holds values that many other wealthy nations do not, and this is relatively pervasive throughout the country.
So while I've always attributed malice to the GOP, I wonder to what extent many republican politicians actually believe the shit that comes out of their mouths. And because Conservative ideology is not effective, this lean to the right has ended up exacerbating the political problems of the U.S.. As people become brain-washed by conservative media, and stripped of robust social programs they have even less means to engage effectively with the political process.
Jason Harvestdancer
Contributor
Not enough poll options. Nothing about how they want to bring back segregation or slavery, nothing about wanting to execute gays, nothing about wanting police checkpoints, nothing about cancelling all social service programs, etc.
TV and credit cards
Contributor
I think it would be best to understand why conservatives think the democratic party is so terrible. That is the jumping off point to answer this question. We can all rattle off a laundry list of messed up shit the GOP does but if we first understand why they think we are so wrong we can approach the question more objectively.
I think at the base of it conservatives think liberals are naive. That they never grew out of that childlike do-gooder mindset. The GOP believes what is good for the United States is good for it's people. A strong nation is a safe nation and this allows us the freedom to pursue our life's passions. So, if something does not directly benefit the people but rather benefits a corporation's interest or an industry, that is fine as it makes the United States stronger. And from this, I think a repulsion to provide any social support in a nation that is called the land of opportunity becomes apparent. I mean, if you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere. And there's a certain truth to it but it only works in the norm. On the edges are a lot of folks who can't make it anywhere. In the conservative mind, they are going to have a miserable life regardless, so why throw money at them? There is the inability to empathize.
Now then, another disconnect in the conservative mind is a lack of cultural awareness. The conservative mind is the one less traveled. They are born, live, and die in their small town like minds where everyone thinks alike and no one challenges dogma. They do not have to necessarily be from Smalltown, USA, just surround themselves with like minded folk. There is a discomfort associated with experiencing other cultures. Some embrace it. Some just want to go home. But a similar argument could be made for liberals, liberals who have surrounded themselves with like-minded people and refuse all others. I think these are the ones who are inclined to shout down the opposition. I dislike these folks too but save for a few outliers, at least they are not hurting anyone.
I don't think the GOP is such a terrible political party. There is something to be said for having a strong and safe nation. Where I fall out with them is on the inside, where they bend to the worst of their constituents and support such ugliness toward their fellow citizens. My strongest tenets are live and let live and charity for those in need and I hate the GOP for their positions they take on these points.
I think at the base of it conservatives think liberals are naive. That they never grew out of that childlike do-gooder mindset. The GOP believes what is good for the United States is good for it's people. A strong nation is a safe nation and this allows us the freedom to pursue our life's passions. So, if something does not directly benefit the people but rather benefits a corporation's interest or an industry, that is fine as it makes the United States stronger. And from this, I think a repulsion to provide any social support in a nation that is called the land of opportunity becomes apparent. I mean, if you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere. And there's a certain truth to it but it only works in the norm. On the edges are a lot of folks who can't make it anywhere. In the conservative mind, they are going to have a miserable life regardless, so why throw money at them? There is the inability to empathize.
Now then, another disconnect in the conservative mind is a lack of cultural awareness. The conservative mind is the one less traveled. They are born, live, and die in their small town like minds where everyone thinks alike and no one challenges dogma. They do not have to necessarily be from Smalltown, USA, just surround themselves with like minded folk. There is a discomfort associated with experiencing other cultures. Some embrace it. Some just want to go home. But a similar argument could be made for liberals, liberals who have surrounded themselves with like-minded people and refuse all others. I think these are the ones who are inclined to shout down the opposition. I dislike these folks too but save for a few outliers, at least they are not hurting anyone.
I don't think the GOP is such a terrible political party. There is something to be said for having a strong and safe nation. Where I fall out with them is on the inside, where they bend to the worst of their constituents and support such ugliness toward their fellow citizens. My strongest tenets are live and let live and charity for those in need and I hate the GOP for their positions they take on these points.
Some bigotry + some religious indoctrination + some sound conservative principles + some corporate corruption + some tribalism + some "liberals" (regressives) going authoritarian, crybullying, etc. + Democrats having little to offer or believe in.
All of that is part of it. Some of it is actually sound. If you can see nothing at all sound in the arguments of the conservative then you are an extremists and just as deep into your partisan bubble as you see the conservatives as being.
If you think Trump won only because conservatives are deplorable racists, you have blinders on and are leading the Democrats to another loss.
All of that is part of it. Some of it is actually sound. If you can see nothing at all sound in the arguments of the conservative then you are an extremists and just as deep into your partisan bubble as you see the conservatives as being.
If you think Trump won only because conservatives are deplorable racists, you have blinders on and are leading the Democrats to another loss.
Study predicts political beliefs with 83% accuracy
Without tracking down every last study done on the subject, there most certainly is a real, and proven cognitive difference between the way conservatives and liberals think. It's a political spectrum, because if people were not cognitively distinct from each other we would all share the same values and all vote for the same party.
At the most basic level (although there is certainly more nuance) Conservatives tend to appeal to authority and tradition. We're going to love our country because that's what we're supposed to do, we're going listen to our preacher because that's what we're supposed to do, we're going to protect our family over everyone else... and on and on.
The problem with this type of thinking is that appealing to authority is inherently logically flawed. It implies an inability to think critically and with any semblance of dynamism. And so in a world that is constantly changing, with new sets of hurdles to jump over and meet with innovative thought, the Conservative mind-set is inherently backward and flawed. Always has been, always will be, and thinking that is too far to the right does nothing but slow progress down.
That's not to say that everyone on the left is an all-knowing, shining beam of light, but usually they are at least focused on promoting prosperity and human rights for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on.
When it comes to the GOP, I think a lot of them are a particularly bad brand of conservative. They're 'ultra-conservative', which is far worse than some of the saner conservative parties in other wealthy countries.
Without tracking down every last study done on the subject, there most certainly is a real, and proven cognitive difference between the way conservatives and liberals think. It's a political spectrum, because if people were not cognitively distinct from each other we would all share the same values and all vote for the same party.
At the most basic level (although there is certainly more nuance) Conservatives tend to appeal to authority and tradition. We're going to love our country because that's what we're supposed to do, we're going listen to our preacher because that's what we're supposed to do, we're going to protect our family over everyone else... and on and on.
The problem with this type of thinking is that appealing to authority is inherently logically flawed. It implies an inability to think critically and with any semblance of dynamism. And so in a world that is constantly changing, with new sets of hurdles to jump over and meet with innovative thought, the Conservative mind-set is inherently backward and flawed. Always has been, always will be, and thinking that is too far to the right does nothing but slow progress down.
That's not to say that everyone on the left is an all-knowing, shining beam of light, but usually they are at least focused on promoting prosperity and human rights for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on.
When it comes to the GOP, I think a lot of them are a particularly bad brand of conservative. They're 'ultra-conservative', which is far worse than some of the saner conservative parties in other wealthy countries.
Submitting to authority is the opposite of conscience. Those who do will always serve as a liability and in numbers create a warm and welcoming society for fascists, zealots, and con men.
bilby
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But doing as you are told is so much easier than working out for yourself what should be done.
And if it turns out badly, you can just say 'I was only obeying orders'. If a course of action you determined for yourself turns out badly, you have nobody but yourself to blame. And nobody likes being responsible for their actions. Much better to let someone else take responsibility.
If they weren't better people than us, then surely they wouldn't have been put in charge.
Surely?
Kharakov
Quantum Hot Dog
To gain trust, you put your best pretenders (or true believers that can be led in specific directions) up front. It's propaganda 101- lure them in with a false sense of "these people really care about the truth", all the while preparing them to drop the bombshell "wow, the person everyone wanted to win the election didn't! What happened? Lots of people actually supported Trump!"
The media, many of whom deliberately groomed themselves to look aligned with the interests of the many, displays false dejection, and tells everyone that the person who lost the election, won the election.
Philos
Veteran Member
Folks,
I think the brilliance of the GOP success recently has been convincing voters that the Dems are the establishment in hock to special interests. It plays well while the GOP establishment cosy up to special interests.
A.
I think the brilliance of the GOP success recently has been convincing voters that the Dems are the establishment in hock to special interests. It plays well while the GOP establishment cosy up to special interests.
A.