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I think that's an overly simplistic view that itself stems from a lack of empathy. While the "left" may look at a right-leaning rally and see a crowd of MAGA ze

by Youden 2y ago

I think that's an overly simplistic view that itself stems from a lack of empathy. While the "left" may look at a right-leaning rally and see a crowd of MAGA zealots in a blind rage trying to destroy all that is good, so may the right see a crowd of devil-worshipping child-abusers trying to corrupt all good God-fearing Americans. The divide results from *both* sides lacking emotional intelligence. If either side were able to understand and empathise with the other, they'd be able to connect and the divide would collapse. Rather than focusing on the bad, you might be able to understand better if you look at the *good*. If your mental image starts with someone unreasonable and enraged, it's going to be hard to move past that. Instead, try thinking of your "enemy" at a barbecue, happy and surrounded by friends, family and community. Try to think what might cause *that* person to hold the positions you oppose so strongly. For the record, I'm not American so don't belong to either camp.

xboxnolifes 2y ago
It's not even really a "may". My left-leaning friends see "the right" as idiotic boomers destroying the country through bigotry. My right-leaning family see "the left" as idiots and plants destroying the country by removing and disrespecting its values. At least in my circles, the divide is almost perfectly one side fearing(/angry about) losing/changing what currently exists and the other side angry the other side tries to stop them from making changes.
- legitster 2y ago
  For the record, I think that a "push-and-pull" approach to progress and democracy is probably helpful. If every progressive policy of the last 150 years was actually enacted it would be pretty terrible - eugenics, prohibition, reeducation, de-industrialization, etc. To the extent that a democracy is still healthy good ideas should still win out in the long run over bad ideas. One side applies the gas and one side applies the breaks. But I also don't think that's a great description of current politics in the US either. Both parties are in alignment on a lot of key issues, especially economic: both support de-globalization, both fight for entitlements (for different groups though, of course), both are fighting for government expansion. A lot of the "culture war" issues are kind of a political window dressing for the actual war over the economy.

by Youden 2y ago

xboxnolifes 2y ago

It's not even really a "may". My left-leaning friends see "the right" as idiotic boomers destroying the country through bigotry. My right-leaning family see "the left" as idiots and plants destroying the country by removing and disrespecting its values. At least in my circles, the divide is almost perfectly one side fearing(/angry about) losing/changing what currently exists and the other side angry the other side tries to stop them from making changes.

legitster 2y ago
For the record, I think that a "push-and-pull" approach to progress and democracy is probably helpful. If every progressive policy of the last 150 years was actually enacted it would be pretty terrible - eugenics, prohibition, reeducation, de-industrialization, etc. To the extent that a democracy is still healthy good ideas should still win out in the long run over bad ideas. One side applies the gas and one side applies the breaks. But I also don't think that's a great description of current politics in the US either. Both parties are in alignment on a lot of key issues, especially economic: both support de-globalization, both fight for entitlements (for different groups though, of course), both are fighting for government expansion. A lot of the "culture war" issues are kind of a political window dressing for the actual war over the economy.