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Thank you for some discussion. > My more controversial opinion is that this behavior drives some people to the far right. Extreme begets extreme. If I claimed

Thank you for some discussion. > My more controversial opinion is that this behavior drives some people to the far right. Extreme begets extreme. If I claimed I knew who went extreme first, it wouldn't matter and only lead to arguments without furthering the discussion. I will say though, that I think the left feels pushed to more extremes by how SCOTUS has gone down since 2015. > Notably, if I’m right about the dynamics, the best way to combat the far right is by moderating the left. I agree, but I also understand when the left claims their moderation has let them get run over. I don't know what the fix is, but I've watched family and friendships torn apart over this. It's a very sad situation.

throwaway894345 6y ago
I generally agree. I’m not arguing that “the left started it”, only that some people argue that this all originated with Trump and I think it goes back further than that. Interestingly, I don’t think the left has been overrun by the right. It seems to me that liberalism was winning out circa 2010 (at least socially/culturally)—consider how quickly gay marriage became acceptable and even celebrated. I don’t think extreme leftism was a response to some rising tide of conservatism (whether extreme or moderate), but maybe I’m wrong. In whatever case, I think the solution is to return to more moderate, liberal values (obviously im biased as a liberal), but specifically for all of us to foster an atmosphere of understanding. If we can foster intolerance in the name of tolerance, maybe we can foster genuine tolerance? If nothing else, I’m optimistic that the next generation will not see the point in our petty partisanship and want something better for our country. I hope I’m right.