I see a desire " to heal the divide in the United States of America and cure the existing ills through a co-operative effort with, well, 'them'" as being problematic. And I don't mean that it's not a good idea that the factions in our country should come to some kind of understanding but problematic in the sense that I just can't see it happening.
The two sides are heading in diametrically opposite directions. One side stands for individualism while the other stands for collectivism and neither side can stand the other.
With nothing in common I don't see on what terms the two side can come to agreement.
"Liberalism is a doctrine fostered by a delusional and illogical people and rabidly promoted by the mainstream media and ruling elite which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." - unknown
pjohns (10-23-2021)
Hi, The Baron!
Thank you for your reply.
I've spent a lot of time in the past few years exploring the effect of the 'framing' of a question/issue/problem/crisis [Pick one or more or add your own.] It matters, often big time. You've presented a fine example. The red/blue divide in the US* can be framed as individualism vs. collectivism, and many do just that. Seen dispassionately, that's neither good nor bad in itself, no more than liberal/conservative or Democrat/Republican. It's also possible to view a question, etc., in terms of how it can be addressed so as to improve the overall ability of American citizens to thrive. That, in particular, just may lead to people getting into the weeds and understanding a bit more about our society and how it actually functions at the daily life level. It's educational as opposed to vituperative. [Ed.: Torus has also framed this as a dichotomy, nu? Round and round we go.]
Regards, stay safe 'n well.
* Ever note the happy relationship between US [United States] and us -- we, the people?
Last edited by Torus34; 10-23-2021 at 05:47 AM.
"And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche." Chaucer, the Canterbury Tales.
The Baron (10-23-2021)
The Baron (10-23-2021)
Republicans are absolutely useless, but they aren't the ones currently trying to destroy the country at the moment, so I begrudgingly support them.
They are the only viable game in town. If I could think of a truly conservative country I would move there.
I will get attacked for this, but amazingly, Arab Muslim countries are very conservative. I could live happily in one of them except for one little problem: Them forcing me to observe Muslim stuff. If a place like Iran actually had true religious freedom like we do here, it would be great. No homos and trannies destroying schools, no dopeheads peeing on the streets, no woke bullsh*t, think about it, seriously . . .
. . . but, I like my religion just fine and I would not want them messing with that, so thats a deal breaker.
"Conservatives" in politics are against change. They like to hold to what they consider "traditional values"; of course what those are exactly varies but it's primarily The Protestant Christian Church, the nuclear family: man, woman, kids, non union labor, a belief in business over community welfare, the strict father image, the weak mother image, corporal punishment, American cars only, and the cold war.
YOU and your friends are NOT conservatives; you are far right-wing fanatics that hate any religion other than Protestant Christian, you are militant and militaristic, you (the far right) are violent, racist conspiracy nuts who think that only YOU know what American is, what it stands for and what our founding documents say. YOU in the far right come so much closer to fascism than you would like to believe. YOU in the far right have usurped the word "conservative" and supplanted your own violent and militaristic ideology and you cater to, endorse and support white supremacy nationalism: "State" over country.
You are nowhere nowhere conservative.