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> and because there's no modern conservative that isn't altright This is a rather amazing claim, I would be very interested in seeing some supporting evidence,

• komali2 7y ago
  I agree, it is amazing. This is my experience, though. I have even had the issue talking with my old-guard Republican representatives in Texas, who have transmogrified into hateful parodies of the conservatives they used to be. We used to merely disagree on fiscal policy, now they send me emails telling me that as a liberal, I am radical, insane, an anti Semite, and hate America. If there are conservatives that don't engage with the world like this, I want to get a drink with them, on me, because I've lost hope. I'm very curious what ties you see between the alt right and the left. I don't define the alt right as "people I disagree with." There's plenty on the left I disagree with - anybody engaged in violence, for starters.
  • Fins 7y ago
    I believe you could just as well conclude that these people are not conservatives by any reasonable stretch of the word, too. But then, "liberal" doesn't quite mean what it used to as well. People at The American Conservative [0] might be religious nuts but I don't think anyone could in good conscience accuse them of being anywhere near alt-right. And alt-right engages in identity politics, believes in primacy of the group over individual, see "enemies" behind every tree, and want to use the State against groups they dislike. Very much like the left. And while you would not want to meet either on a dark street, both, in US at least, are, generally, clowns who would be the first ones to be sent to the camps in the Reich, or USSR, or any other shining example of what happens when either come to power. [0] https://www.theamericanconservative.com/ https://www.theamericanconservative.com/
    • komali2 7y ago
      Well, why is it every elected official in my home state is exactly as you described? Where are the actual conservatives hiding?
      • Fins 7y ago
        Probably the same place real liberals are... not getting elected because two-party system and primaries make it so the more outrageous people make it to the elections.
  • lliamander 7y ago
    > now they send me emails telling me that as a liberal, I am radical, insane, an anti Semite, and hate America Political rhetoric has always been inflamed. I see it from my liberal west coast politicians. I see it from friends and family. You yourself have said that all conservatives are alt-right. > If there are conservatives that don't engage with the world like this, I want to get a drink with them, on me, because I've lost hope. The truth, I suspect, is that they are probably all around you. Most people are not particularly introspective or philosophical when it comes to politics, but if you dig in you'll generally find there are good reasons for them believing the way they do (even if, in the end, you find those reasons unconvincing). Dr. Haidt has done reasonable job (as a liberal) of trying to understand the conservative mind. I also recommend Arnold Kling, an economist who wrote The Three Languages of Politics, and Thomas Sowell, who wrote A Conflict of Visions. I should also add that there is an increased intensity with some of the rhetoric, but I think that has more to do with people (on both sides) sensing that we may be undergoing a shift in the political landscape, and that more is at stake than usual. If so, it's not the first time it's happened in U.S. history (they happen approximately every ~40 years, from what I've read). Hopefully it will pass in a few years, but we'll see.