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I wonder if there's going to be a social cycle where every 80 years we have to FAFO why authoritarianism is not such a good idea after all. It's easy to say so

by csours 2y ago

I wonder if there's going to be a social cycle where every 80 years we have to FAFO why authoritarianism is not such a good idea after all. It's easy to say something like 'War am Bad", but are you willing to be civil to sh*theads?

complianceowl 2y ago
I think a big problem we're facing is that there are competing definitions of what authoritarianism means. The Left says it's one thing, the Right says it's another. Even when politicians are confronted with the most concrete, indisputable facts on live television, they simply respond, "That's not true", and their "side", drowning in truth-averting ideology, responds with thunderous applause. I do believe that FAFO moment is coming, but it's going to come as a surprise to the folks that distorted the definition of authoritarianism and employed it as a dishonest attack against everyone who simply disagreed with their opinion.
- ebiester 2y ago
  "Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of democracy and political plurality. It involves the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting." - Wikipedia is probably good enough here. Both-sidesism doesn't work here. Only one side is trying to make democratic voting more difficult, and it isn't the American liberals. Only one side is arguing that the rule of law should not apply to politicians in power, and it isn't the American liberals. You can make an argument that liberals are weaponizing social opinion, and you can completely critique liberals for a lot of things, but authoritarianism is disingenuous.
  - complianceowl 2y ago
    LOL - You're a case and point example of exactly what I am talking about. And bud, I never mentioned a political party -- but it sure looks like I struck a nerve somewhere with you. But it looks like the limits of your comprehension and ability to dialogue in an objective manner have been met. Ideology is a hell of a drug.
    - ebiester 2y ago
      You don't have to mention one to be painfully obvious for your point. Your argument is in bad faith and trying to be deliberately obtuse doesn't do you any favors. Tell me, which politician said “I love you. You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not going to have to vote.”? American liberals are not above reproach in any sense of the word, but your argument about authoritarianism only applies to the Trump section of the Republican Party in America, along with the associated Christian Nationalists. Any other group is so small as not to matter.
      - complianceowl 2y ago
        Wrong, bubba -- and as someone who works in the legal profession, your understanding of the term "bad faith" is flawed. What you refer to as "painfully obvious" is in reality a construct that was born, and continues to live, in your highly ideological, Leftist radicalized mind. Both sides accuse each other's candidate, every four years, of plotting to perpetually stay in power. This is a strong indication that you're not over 30-years old and again, still easily inflamed by the passion of the masses. Neither Obama, Biden, or Trump have ever had plans to become dictators. Hopefully you mature past this ideologically-fueled phase you're in and you realize just what a political pawn you've allowed yourself to become. Kamala just had an artist perform a song about her "fat pu#sy" and twerked on stage at her fundraising event. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the party that will restore decency in America. I wish you the best. But you are wrong -- and blind.

by csours 2y ago

complianceowl 2y ago

I think a big problem we're facing is that there are competing definitions of what authoritarianism means. The Left says it's one thing, the Right says it's another. Even when politicians are confronted with the most concrete, indisputable facts on live television, they simply respond, "That's not true", and their "side", drowning in truth-averting ideology, responds with thunderous applause. I do believe that FAFO moment is coming, but it's going to come as a surprise to the folks that distorted the definition of authoritarianism and employed it as a dishonest attack against everyone who simply disagreed with their opinion.

ebiester 2y ago
"Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of democracy and political plurality. It involves the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting." - Wikipedia is probably good enough here. Both-sidesism doesn't work here. Only one side is trying to make democratic voting more difficult, and it isn't the American liberals. Only one side is arguing that the rule of law should not apply to politicians in power, and it isn't the American liberals. You can make an argument that liberals are weaponizing social opinion, and you can completely critique liberals for a lot of things, but authoritarianism is disingenuous.
- complianceowl 2y ago
  LOL - You're a case and point example of exactly what I am talking about. And bud, I never mentioned a political party -- but it sure looks like I struck a nerve somewhere with you. But it looks like the limits of your comprehension and ability to dialogue in an objective manner have been met. Ideology is a hell of a drug.
  - ebiester 2y ago
    You don't have to mention one to be painfully obvious for your point. Your argument is in bad faith and trying to be deliberately obtuse doesn't do you any favors. Tell me, which politician said “I love you. You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not going to have to vote.”? American liberals are not above reproach in any sense of the word, but your argument about authoritarianism only applies to the Trump section of the Republican Party in America, along with the associated Christian Nationalists. Any other group is so small as not to matter.
    - complianceowl 2y ago
      Wrong, bubba -- and as someone who works in the legal profession, your understanding of the term "bad faith" is flawed. What you refer to as "painfully obvious" is in reality a construct that was born, and continues to live, in your highly ideological, Leftist radicalized mind. Both sides accuse each other's candidate, every four years, of plotting to perpetually stay in power. This is a strong indication that you're not over 30-years old and again, still easily inflamed by the passion of the masses. Neither Obama, Biden, or Trump have ever had plans to become dictators. Hopefully you mature past this ideologically-fueled phase you're in and you realize just what a political pawn you've allowed yourself to become. Kamala just had an artist perform a song about her "fat pu#sy" and twerked on stage at her fundraising event. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the party that will restore decency in America. I wish you the best. But you are wrong -- and blind.