The Downfall of the Left

[Neo Deist]

Instead, I'd try to convince myself to listen to the next candidate, to try and judge the likelihood that what they say represents what they do, and try to force myself to make a decision based on that, deliberately swallowing down some of the baggage we all carry in order to do so (in my case including the fact that my parents would NEVER vote right).

Unfortunately, many Americans don't do that. They buy into the media frenzy and ride on bandwagons. But you (and others) are right in saying that there are extremes on both sides.

As soon as I take over, throw the extremists into a dungeon (or at least a gladiatorial arena), and outlaw stupidity, all will be made right.

 

[Mister Emu]

1992 dem, 1996 dem, 2000 dem, 2004 rep, 2008 dem, 2012, dem, 2016 dem. It is currently 2017 and in the last 28 years we have had 1 election that republicans won the popular vote.

And yet, what I said is accurate as well.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Unfortunately, many Americans don't do that. They buy into the media frenzy and ride on bandwagons. But you (and others) are right in saying that there are extremes on both sides.

Oh, it's the same here. There are many people who might as well just fill out their ballot slip now, for the rest of their lives. They aren't voting on policy, they're supporting their 'team'.

As soon as I take over, throw the extremists into a dungeon (or at least a gladiatorial arena), and outlaw stupidity, all will be made right.

*laughs*
I've said similar things many times. In truth, benevolent(-ish) dictatorship has a lot going for it as a means of government. But the succession plan is almost invariably a problem.

 

[bobhikes]

Oh, it's the same here. There are many people who might as well just fill out their ballot slip now, for the rest of their lives. They aren't voting on policy, they're supporting their 'team'.



*laughs*
I've said similar things many times. In truth, benevolent(-ish) dictatorship has a lot going for it as a means of government. But the succession plan is almost invariably a problem.

Petitions to secede are filed for 23 states since election

This was President Obama's second election where he won the popular votes. States threaten to secede as much as actors and like actors never follow through.

 

[Neo Deist]

I also do not condone those actions. In the last few days, millions have protested around the world.

I was at a hotel this morning and I watched Fox News for about 30 minutes. I don't have cable normally. They buried the lead in that half hour, which was the women's march. Not mentioned even once.

But twice, in two separate stories, they showed video of a few fires and broken windows from Friday, and explained ow those few got arrested, and what criminal charged would be pending, et cetera.

The actions of a few hundred measured against millions around the world who protested peacefully. . . That's how to spin.

Right wing media is pushing this story hard, which explains the constant attention to it here on RF too.

Let's get to the heart of the media matter. Those companies are either pro liberal or pro conservative. They are going to show stories that help their side while defaming the other. It does not matter which side they side with (I had to do a double take on that), they all do it. If the liberals media is showing peaceful marches, issue awareness, etc. then the conservative media will remind viewers about the criminal activity that took place during those marches, however minute or sporadic. If President Trump does something positive and it is carried by Fox, then CNN will talk about some crap he did last century.

As far as RF goes, I dare say the majority lean to the Left. When outnumbered, you have to speak up more often and be the loudest person in the room.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Petitions to secede are filed for 23 states since election

This was President Obama's second election where he won the popular votes. States threaten to secede as much as actors and like actors never follow through.

Yeah, my point was more the extreme perception/position that exists on both sides. Using the most extreme version of Left or Right political followers as a reason for never considering Left or Right policy is what I try to actively avoid.

 

[Neo Deist]

Petitions to secede are filed for 23 states since election

This was President Obama's second election where he won the popular votes. States threaten to secede as much as actors and like actors never follow through.

From the article:

Petitions have been filed on behalf of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

It wasn't just a Southern thing, eh?

 

[Monk Of Reason]

And yet, what I said is accurate as well.

Indeed. But what I don't think you realize is that you are saying we are trending further down the line. A year ago it was a 5-1 ratio since Clinton. In your example we are going back to include an election durnig the 80's when some of the parents of mellinials were not old enough to vote yet.

 

[1137]

From what I know, most of the protesting was peaceful. Have you considered that the media prefers to show the violence over the peaceful protesting?

 

[dawny0826]

Many people may not realize it right now, but the protests, the violence, the chants of "not my president," etc., are only going to hurt the Democratic Party in the long run. Moderates and swing voters are looking at that behavior and they will associate it with the Left. When future elections roll around, those same swing voters may think twice before aligning themselves with the Left because of it.

To the protesters, it may seem like they are standing up for a cause they believe in. Ultimately, they are driving a wedge between the Left and everyone else. Politically, they are their own worst enemy.

Protests of a violent nature were significantly overshadowed by the strength in numbers and voice of the Women's Marches.

I don't think that the Democratic Party has anything to worry about. The majority who give a damn about equality and civil liberties will either continue to vote independent, liberal or not at all.

 

[Twilight Hue]

VOLUNTEER TO HELP ELECT DEMOCRATS?

No thank you.
How about posing the statement "Volunteer to
help elect Republicans" ?

I've never seen such junvenile, panty wetting, whining, over an election.

Agree.

I'm glad they are acting offensively like that and being destructive and violent.

Nothing speaks louder than ones true colors that shows what one truly is.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Agree.

I'm glad they are acting offensively like that and being destructive and violent.

Nothing speaks louder than ones true colors that shows what one truly is.

Just like the true colors of Republicans are the Neo Nazi's and KKK and Westboro right?

 

[Augustus]

But the swing voters are going to think Democrat = Protesters, and the images pulled up will be of smashed windows, burning cars and violence.

Really though, in 4 years time this won't mean the slightest thing.

If trump does a good job he'll get reelected. If he doesn't he won't.

That's it.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Let's get to the heart of the media matter. Those companies are either pro liberal or pro conservative. They are going to show stories that help their side while defaming the other. It does not matter which side they side with (I had to do a double take on that), they all do it. If the liberals media is showing peaceful marches, issue awareness, etc. then the conservative media will remind viewers about the criminal activity that took place during those marches, however minute or sporadic. If President Trump does something positive and it is carried by Fox, then CNN will talk about some crap he did last century.

As far as RF goes, I dare say the majority lean to the Left. When outnumbered, you have to speak up more often and be the loudest person in the room.

That is not true for all media. Fox has chosen that narrative to differentiate it's product from everyone else's. . . But that is only it's narrative.

The rest of media does not have a clear left bias the way Fox has a clear right bias. If you happen to be a Fox viewer, and I don't assume you are, then how would you even know anything about the rest of the major media outlets, or what their apparent spin is?

I'll feel confident about my Fox New bias claim because the network all but cops to it themselves, as do their viewers, who believe that the spin is a merely a counterpoint to the "MSM." You seem to make that claim yourself.

But you additional claim about the rest of major media outlets is just flat out not accurate. At best, any bias is so minuscule in scale as compared to Fox.

If you have actual longitudinal data over a period of years that can serve as evidence to the contrary, I'd like to hear it.

 

[Carl W.]

Just like the true colors of Republicans are the Neo Nazi's and KKK and Westboro right?

How do you equate Neo Nazi's and KKK and Westboro
with Republicans?
Insulted a lot of people you did.
Crude, crass, uncalled for.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

Many presidents sit for 2 terms, so between Clinton, Bush and Obama, that's not saying much. 24 years of being in the Oval Office spread over only 3 men.

But since we live in a republic (I am SURE I have mentioned that already) the popular vote does not mean squat outside of the state level.

Here's another way to look at it:

Bush Sr.: Republican
Clinton: Democrat
Bush Jr.: Republican
Obama: Democrat
Trump: Republican

Are you seeing a theme here? The people give a president 1-2 terms to get stuff done and then they vote the other way.

Indeed. I'm not arguing against that. I just don't think there is any "death of the democratic party" when they clearly are by far the more popular party over the majority of the last three decades.

 

[Mister Emu]

Indeed. But what I don't think you realize is that you are saying we are trending further down the line. A year ago it was a 5-1 ratio since Clinton.

I just pointed out that 28 years and 2 mos. makes it 6-2 compared to 28 years flat.

In your example we are going back to include an election durnig the 80's when some of the parents of mellinials were not old enough to vote yet.

You're the one who included that time period by going back 28 years, I just pushed it back 2 months.

 

[Carl W.]

The Democratic party is hardly "dead".
Loosing an election doesn't mean a party
died.
There are more Democrats than Republicans.

• 40 percent of Americans identify as being Independents
• 27 percent identify as being Republicans
• 32 percent as Democrats.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Here's another way to look at it:

Bush Sr.: Republican
Clinton: Democrat
Bush Jr.: Republican
Obama: Democrat
Trump: Republican

Are you seeing a theme here? The people give a president 1-2 terms to get stuff done and then they vote the other way.

I agree. Political Ping pong. It seems a dissatisfaction exists with both parties. Drawback of having only two parties with little choice available.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

How do you equate Neo Nazi's and KKK and Westboro
with Republicans?
Insulted a lot of people you did.
Crude, crass, uncalled for.

Try reading the subtext. Plenty of Neo Nazi, KKK and the Westboro church identify as Conservative Republican and can be violent or disruptive. But they're a tiny minority of the Conservative Republican base, so it would be incredibly silly to say something like "I'm glad they are acting offensively like that and being destructive and violent. Nothing speaks louder than ones true colors that shows what one truly is." in reference to Conservative Republicans as a group.

It is equally incredibly silly to say something like "I'm glad they are acting offensively like that and being destructive and violent. Nothing speaks louder than ones true colors that shows what one truly is." in reference to Liberal Democrats as a group as those destructive and violent members are a tiny minority of the party, and even a tiny minority of the protesters. Focusing on a tiny minority of violent protesters when literal millions of protesters were peaceful is disingenuous, it means you're hoping the tiny minority is disingenuously labeled as representational of the group.