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Conservatives also have a problem. It's called the law and order voter. Taking the side of a crook/thug/punk over the brave men and women of law enforcement is

Conservatives also have a problem. It's called the law and order voter. Taking the side of a crook/thug/punk over the brave men and women of law enforcement is not good politics with that voting block.

username223 11y ago
Liberals can make concessions about Union bargaining power, but what can conservatives concede? Investigating and trying cops by the same rules as citizens for assault/battery/manslaughter/murder seems like a non-starter, but I can't think of what else to suggest.
- ericcumbee 11y ago
  I think in both cases changing demographics and constituencies. Union membership and power is wanning. and in conservative circles I see the younger (and I count myself among them) being slightly more libertarian influenced, and with that slightly more skeptical of police power and government power in general.
  - rayiner 11y ago
    I think the public employee benefits/pensions crisis will be a flashpoint for conservative millennials. The law and order tendency is going to be tempered by the fact that they're going to bear increased taxes while getting fewer services to pay for skyrocketing police pension and benefit costs.
    - glesica 11y ago
      Why would this be a problem? Have you looked at the defense budget recently? Just cut science funding, education, hell just fire all the teachers outright, get rid of social safety net entirely, sell the national parks, etc. There are thousands of major budget items that conservatives hate that can be slashed before their precious storm troopers would need to take a budget cut... In fact, the need to continue funding the cops can be used as an excuse to cut the other stuff, just like the "need" for a "strong national defense" is used as an excuse to slash the aforementioned items.
smtddr 11y ago
Both your comment and the one you're replying shows the huge problem with politics and "talking points". Since people can't be bothered to truly understand an issue, they can only hold on to simple absolutes. Impossible to support the rebel, impossible to say no to unions, impossible to consider the brave people of the military or local law enforcement might be wrong.
- jasonm23 11y ago
  The greatest argument against democracy. A five minute conversation with an average voter.

username223 11y ago

Liberals can make concessions about Union bargaining power, but what can conservatives concede? Investigating and trying cops by the same rules as citizens for assault/battery/manslaughter/murder seems like a non-starter, but I can't think of what else to suggest.

ericcumbee 11y ago
I think in both cases changing demographics and constituencies. Union membership and power is wanning. and in conservative circles I see the younger (and I count myself among them) being slightly more libertarian influenced, and with that slightly more skeptical of police power and government power in general.
- rayiner 11y ago
  I think the public employee benefits/pensions crisis will be a flashpoint for conservative millennials. The law and order tendency is going to be tempered by the fact that they're going to bear increased taxes while getting fewer services to pay for skyrocketing police pension and benefit costs.
  - glesica 11y ago
    Why would this be a problem? Have you looked at the defense budget recently? Just cut science funding, education, hell just fire all the teachers outright, get rid of social safety net entirely, sell the national parks, etc. There are thousands of major budget items that conservatives hate that can be slashed before their precious storm troopers would need to take a budget cut... In fact, the need to continue funding the cops can be used as an excuse to cut the other stuff, just like the "need" for a "strong national defense" is used as an excuse to slash the aforementioned items.

smtddr 11y ago

Both your comment and the one you're replying shows the huge problem with politics and "talking points". Since people can't be bothered to truly understand an issue, they can only hold on to simple absolutes. Impossible to support the rebel, impossible to say no to unions, impossible to consider the brave people of the military or local law enforcement might be wrong.

jasonm23 11y ago
The greatest argument against democracy. A five minute conversation with an average voter.