- Two people, from the same political party, can have nothing in common.
- Two people, from different political parties, can have everything in common.
It’s no longer woke to realize the similarities between career politicians on the left and right. Or to call out the GOP for regularly increasing spending and tax rates, in spite of being considered “fiscally conservative” on paper. Or to call out Democrats, who regularly avoid policies to allow affordable housing, and severely underfund public schools, in spite of being considered the party that supports the underprivlidged. This is common knowledge among the people who believe they’re “woke” or “asleep.”
And yet US society is more polarized by partisanship than ever. Without it even meaning anything.
As a moderate and ‘politically homeless’ I truly hope that Yang (D) and Gabbard (D) take the best and brightest of both parties and destroy the two party system. I dont expect it. I expect more of the same.
The most vocal have been called every name used to describe politics. We’re called Democrats by Republicans, Republicans by Democrats. As if it is an insult. We’re called communists by those who deeply fear communism. We’re called anarchists by those who deeply fear anarchy. None of it is warranted.
By 2022, I’ve lost count of how many times I was told “I bet you voted Biden” and “I bet you voted Trump.” It’s never based on something beyond heated disagreement. It’s intellectual dishonesty. The accusors know that. But people are increasingly comfortable saying, “If you disagree with me, on anything, you must be a {Communist, Authoritarian, whatever}.” It’s easier than discussion.
Did Biden agree with Democrats? Did Trump agree with Republicans?
Again, we all know the answer is no.
Spending bills were disagreed upon during both terms. Alt left claimed Biden did not forgive student loan payments. Alt right claimed Trump reduced gun rights, by banning bump stock. But Biden will still be associated as a liberal, and Trump as a conservative, because it is the jersey they wore during their terms.
It’s sports. But with a higher stake. You don’t only wear a team jersey, you are that team til death.
Those of us who don’t align well with a specific group feel pushed away. Many wanted to support Black Lives Matter, the organization, not the movement, but were turned off by their racist anti-Israel messaging. Many wanted to support the ACLU, but were turned off by seizing Michael Cohen’s files.
Causes are being coupled, in efforts to popularize them. But the relationships aren’t properly explored. And the result is obscuring reality by oversimplifying it to the most polarized level. “If you agree with A, you must agree with B and C, and you must disagree with -A, -B and -C.”
Don’t fall victim to this intellectual dishonesty! It drives people away.
We should all seek truth. And name calling, esp by way of political labels, undermines that search.
[If your takeaway was that I agree with Yang / Gabbard on political issues, re-read this rant!]
