Republican Friends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I shake my head at the bizarre and destructive trajectory of the Republican Party’s political antics, I think it is best to take people as you find them.

Our DC married into a Republican family (Trump supporters except her husband) and they turned out to be really nice, kind and reasonable people. We still have good friends who are old fashioned Republicans and they are trying to help their party get back into a sane path. They are from deep red states so a lot of it is culture and family traditions.

On the other hand, there are definitely Democrats who are arrogant, unkind and not open to different ways of thinking.

If we stay in our own Echo chambers, things will only get worse.

Most Americans whether D or R support women’s choice and gun controls. i agree with PP who argued for finding common ground and working on that. We need federal protection for abortion rights.

who happen to support racism, nationalism, mysogyny and otherwise subjecting people who aren't straight white christians as the other in a neo-fascist future USA ruled by mobs of Oathkeepers, 3%ers and Proud Boys.

Fine people indeed and you are excusing them.

That is what I assumed also until I got to know them. They are fun and thoughtful. They are very responsible gun owners - everything locked up and all their family including daughters were required to do gun safety training. They support women in the family being the main bread winners and pursuing advanced education. We are a multiracial family and they were extra kind to family members of color.

They are modifying their stances also and more tolerant of more liberal positions now. That happens when you maintain communication channels and mutual respect.

On the other hand, some liberal social media influencers we know are not winning over many people in middle America by dressing and acting like drunk, stoned strippers and holding up signs telling the SC to go F?ck itself.

Most people are way more complex than D and R labels. We need to keep talking to each other.

So you are comparing real people you know to social media influencers and you find out you like the real people more?
That's going to happen whether you are talking about politics or fashion.

We actually know some social influencers through DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I shake my head at the bizarre and destructive trajectory of the Republican Party’s political antics, I think it is best to take people as you find them.

Our DC married into a Republican family (Trump supporters except her husband) and they turned out to be really nice, kind and reasonable people. We still have good friends who are old fashioned Republicans and they are trying to help their party get back into a sane path. They are from deep red states so a lot of it is culture and family traditions.

On the other hand, there are definitely Democrats who are arrogant, unkind and not open to different ways of thinking.

If we stay in our own Echo chambers, things will only get worse.

Most Americans whether D or R support women’s choice and gun controls. i agree with PP who argued for finding common ground and working on that. We need federal protection for abortion rights.

who happen to support racism, nationalism, mysogyny and otherwise subjecting people who aren't straight white christians as the other in a neo-fascist future USA ruled by mobs of Oathkeepers, 3%ers and Proud Boys.

Fine people indeed and you are excusing them.

That is what I assumed also until I got to know them. They are fun and thoughtful. They are very responsible gun owners - everything locked up and all their family including daughters were required to do gun safety training. They support women in the family being the main bread winners and pursuing advanced education. We are a multiracial family and they were extra kind to family members of color.

They are modifying their stances also and more tolerant of more liberal positions now. That happens when you maintain communication channels and mutual respect.

On the other hand, some liberal social media influencers we know are not winning over many people in middle America by dressing and acting like drunk, stoned strippers and holding up signs telling the SC to go F?ck itself.

Most people are way more complex than D and R labels. We need to keep talking to each other.

So you are comparing real people you know to social media influencers and you find out you like the real people more?
That's going to happen whether you are talking about politics or fashion.

We actually know some social influencers through DC

Whether we like it or not (and I don’t like social media much) they are hugely influential on our young people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse is left of center. I’m right of center. She’s a D. I’m a R. She agrees and disagrees with parts of her party platform. I agree and disagree with parts of mine. We’ve been happily married for 18 years. We’ve never allowed politics and the ideological echo chambers out there to drive a wedge between us.

Marriage is more than about politics.

So...
who won the 2020 election?

I'm in a marriage like this, and if my spouse starts spouting of Fox nonsense about how there was ballot stuffing (but with no proof produced by any side), I'd have to question how gullible they are.

You assume incorrectly that all registered Republicans subscribe to the propaganda of Fox News or live in a manufactured echo chamber.

So you’re a RINO.

Plenty of R voters hold a set of political views that, if they were elected officials, would get them primaried for being a RINO. But that doesn’t mean they identify or would fit in with Ds. It be like inviting a bunch of Manchins to the party (in states that aren’t WV). They’d probably be very pro-gun, certainly low-taxes, and maybe pro-life, but also socially liberal.

This. You and me will vehemently agree on abortion (Uncle Sam should have nothing to do with this), but as soon as you bring up restricting the second amendment I’m telling you to F right off. Government stay out of my life. All of life isn’t R vs D and black and white.

[Anonymous]

Then why should STATE governments have that power?

And don’t tell me for a second that you wouldn’t back Republicans passing a nationwide abortion ban

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse is left of center. I’m right of center. She’s a D. I’m a R. She agrees and disagrees with parts of her party platform. I agree and disagree with parts of mine. We’ve been happily married for 18 years. We’ve never allowed politics and the ideological echo chambers out there to drive a wedge between us.

Marriage is more than about politics.

So...
who won the 2020 election?

I'm in a marriage like this, and if my spouse starts spouting of Fox nonsense about how there was ballot stuffing (but with no proof produced by any side), I'd have to question how gullible they are.

Beg pardon but there have been arrests due to proof provided, aided by video, by True The Vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse is left of center. I’m right of center. She’s a D. I’m a R. She agrees and disagrees with parts of her party platform. I agree and disagree with parts of mine. We’ve been happily married for 18 years. We’ve never allowed politics and the ideological echo chambers out there to drive a wedge between us.

Marriage is more than about politics.

So...
who won the 2020 election?

I'm in a marriage like this, and if my spouse starts spouting of Fox nonsense about how there was ballot stuffing (but with no proof produced by any side), I'd have to question how gullible they are.

Beg pardon but there have been arrests due to proof provided, aided by video, by True The Vote.

If my partner went full on Qanon, it would be over. There's no way I'd be with someone like that.

[Anonymous]

And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

I agree, but with the note that the GOP literally has multiple propaganda outlets as well as control of the messaging via corporate-people (thanks again, Johnny) owned media. It’s a lot harder to get your message out there when Republican talking heads are given double the air time and the framing the “mainstream” media uses is the GOP’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

Or we just need to find a way to sell them some crock of 5h!t they'll believe even when it's patently false, like the GOP does every time they open their mouths.

Hard part is, that usually means pitting them against someone else, because the only real emotions that motivates them are fear and anger. There is no hope in their world. Just the desperate search for someone to blame for their problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

This, exactly this. A lot of working class people really don't realize they are voting against their own interests in order to "stick it" to the "other."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

This, exactly this. A lot of working class people really don't realize they are voting against their own interests in order to "stick it" to the "other."

The voting breakdown is most starkly urban = D and rural = R.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

Or we just need to find a way to sell them some crock of 5h!t they'll believe even when it's patently false, like the GOP does every time they open their mouths.

Hard part is, that usually means pitting them against someone else, because the only real emotions that motivates them are fear and anger. There is no hope in their world. Just the desperate search for someone to blame for their problems.


Dems have a problem with simple clear messaging. As Einstein allegedly said, you have to understand complex ideas really well to communicate them simply.

For example, the 28 states on the road to banning abortions, especially with no exceptions in cases of rape , incest, or DV, should be simply referred to as Female Unfree States. States where reproductive choices for women are protected should be simply referred to as Female Free States

Ds can learn from Rs to simplify messaging to the core of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And most arrests have been on which side? Oh, that’s right - Republicans

It was galling hearing fake news reports that ANTIFA dominated BLM protests - what I saw was mostly peaceful and masked protesters.

The MAGA rally/ Jan 6 protesters were mostly unmasked and threats of imminent violence brandished proudly.

Still, we need to keep communication channels between Ds and Rs open to avoid another Jan 6. It is much harder work to bother talking to people you disagree with then to just shut them out.

Part of this Trump disaster started because working class low educated people around the country felt disrespected by Hilary (whom I respect and admire) and Democratic leaders in general. Trump was completely disingenuous (billionaire fraud con man) but he managed to bamboozle them that he was one of them and cared what they think. Obviously he doesn’t. Democrats do need to do a better job of communicating with the majority of American who do not have college degrees and showing them they do care what they think and feel.

Or we just need to find a way to sell them some crock of 5h!t they'll believe even when it's patently false, like the GOP does every time they open their mouths.

Hard part is, that usually means pitting them against someone else, because the only real emotions that motivates them are fear and anger. There is no hope in their world. Just the desperate search for someone to blame for their problems.

Dems have a problem with simple clear messaging. As Einstein allegedly said, you have to understand complex ideas really well to communicate them simply.

For example, the 28 states on the road to banning abortions, especially with no exceptions in cases of rape , incest, or DV, should be simply referred to as Female Unfree States. States where reproductive choices for women are protected should be simply referred to as Female Free States

Climate Change mitigation measures could be rebranded as right to life for younger generations.

Ds can learn from Rs to simplify messaging to the core of issues that laymen without college degrees can understand the import of easily.

[Anonymous]

The supposedly moderate R's who keep voting for folks who empower MAGA are definitely every bit as much to blame as the full-on MAGAs.

Where it comes to votes and outcomes the only thing that matters is whether you did or didn't vote for the candidate that won, regardless of whatever shades of gray might exist in your head when you cast a ballot, the ballot outcome is only black or white.