If you are MAGA, do you have contempt for empathy?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To us liberals, this is optically very much the vibe. Is this the case IRL? Would love to understand the thinking.


NP. I’m a Democrat and it feels to me that the Democrats have a lot invested in appearing to have empathy, but not actually having any empathy.

The Republican lack of empathy feels more honest in many respects.


Absolutely this. It's prevalent on this board. You fight with people who you call uneducated or dumb or whatever the case may be, if they say something you don't like. Rather than try to engage in conversation, you just call them names. You rag on rural people constantly, some of which belong to marginalized communities you claim you want to fight for. You act like you're better than people who live in the midwest. You don't know who's behind that keyboard. It could very well be a POC that you like to play white savior for.

Your true colors are showing.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To us liberals, this is optically very much the vibe. Is this the case IRL? Would love to understand the thinking.


Maybe all Magas - Trump voters - are not all the same, just as all Democratic voters - liberals - are not all the same.


I disagree as a liberal - I think we share many common traits as it pertains to politics. And my impression is that maga and republicans have now a shared culture and that scorn for empathy (as someone said ‘bleeding heart liberal’) is a big piece.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Empathy can be properly reserved for the truly unfortunate, but can be tempered by a belief that people should help themselves to the maximum extent possible before turning to the government. That perspective results in antipathy to government welfare activities which can be seen as excessive, enabling those who could do better if they chose to but who made life choices which resulted in very low non-welfare incomes. Republicans understandably have little empathy for such people, but can support aid to people who are disabled, or victims of natural disasters - whose misfortunes were not arguably of their own making. There is little empathy for those who claim their situations are the results of societal animus, when it appears obvious enough that such claimants are simply unaccomplished and seek explanations for their own failures, a hidden hand which maliciously works against them which is visible only through statistical arguments which are merely descriptive, not reflective of causation. Similarly, antagonism for illegals is not reflective of a lack of empathy for the poor conditions in other countries which might make people want to emigrate, but reflects instead a belief that breaking U.S. law is not thereby justified.



I think this sums it up
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s contempt as much as it is people think that your idea of empathy is overrated.

Some people prioritize sane and logical decision making to empathy.


This. Liberals use “empathy” as a cudgel to manipulate people and get their way.

Examples are like not wanting to use pronouns- “Why are you so transphobic? You know you could be more emphatic and just do it!!!”

Taking note of the MILLIONS of illegal immigrants that are putting a huge strain on housing, hospitals and schools “If only you could walk in their shoes and acted like a Christian



ok this is super interesting.
as a liberal it feels like it just isn't really an inconvenience to use someone's pronouns BUT i do agree it kind of went to like a weird place. but i think the tension is that the need to do it felt like - quite small, vs the performance of doing it.
but i do think if someone wants you to use whatever pronoun you should just suck it up and do it no? just dont make it into a whole song and dance.


Why do you believe compelled speech is empathetic? I am genuinely asking; I honestly do not understand why liberals believe forcing speech of others is empathetic.


Because it costs you nothing to call someone by the name or pronouns they want to be called. It makes them feel happy and accepted and safe and it's easy to do. Not doing so makes them feel not accepted and not safe and makes it into a much bigger issue than necessary. Refusing to adopt someone's chosen pronouns feels like a lot of effort, where the entire point is to be a jerk and make another person feel bad.

Can you explain why it's so important to you to not give someone such a small thing that is so important to them? Do you care about making people feel happy safe and accepted? Do you specifically want to send the message that they should not feel happy safe and accepted?
Anonymous
I just want our leaders to speak nicely to each other, to not cause drama, to be honest, and to look out for the American people and not corporations or themselves.

Right now MAGA is not this.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Empathy can be properly reserved for the truly unfortunate, but can be tempered by a belief that people should help themselves to the maximum extent possible before turning to the government. That perspective results in antipathy to government welfare activities which can be seen as excessive, enabling those who could do better if they chose to but who made life choices which resulted in very low non-welfare incomes. Republicans understandably have little empathy for such people, but can support aid to people who are disabled, or victims of natural disasters - whose misfortunes were not arguably of their own making. There is little empathy for those who claim their situations are the results of societal animus, when it appears obvious enough that such claimants are simply unaccomplished and seek explanations for their own failures, a hidden hand which maliciously works against them which is visible only through statistical arguments which are merely descriptive, not reflective of causation. Similarly, antagonism for illegals is not reflective of a lack of empathy for the poor conditions in other countries which might make people want to emigrate, but reflects instead a belief that breaking U.S. law is not thereby justified.



But do you not feel that trumps rhetoric is entirely based on, and has been successful in large part because of, a deep focus on victimhood, grievance and being ‘wronged’? How does that fit with your very high fallutin and purposefully pretentious explanation?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s contempt as much as it is people think that your idea of empathy is overrated.

Some people prioritize sane and logical decision making to empathy.


This. Liberals use “empathy” as a cudgel to manipulate people and get their way.

Examples are like not wanting to use pronouns- “Why are you so transphobic? You know you could be more emphatic and just do it!!!”

Taking note of the MILLIONS of illegal immigrants that are putting a huge strain on housing, hospitals and schools “If only you could walk in their shoes and acted like a Christian



ok this is super interesting.
as a liberal it feels like it just isn't really an inconvenience to use someone's pronouns BUT i do agree it kind of went to like a weird place. but i think the tension is that the need to do it felt like - quite small, vs the performance of doing it.
but i do think if someone wants you to use whatever pronoun you should just suck it up and do it no? just dont make it into a whole song and dance.


Why do you believe compelled speech is empathetic? I am genuinely asking; I honestly do not understand why liberals believe forcing speech of others is empathetic.


Because it costs you nothing to call someone by the name or pronouns they want to be called. It makes them feel happy and accepted and safe and it's easy to do. Not doing so makes them feel not accepted and not safe and makes it into a much bigger issue than necessary. Refusing to adopt someone's chosen pronouns feels like a lot of effort, where the entire point is to be a jerk and make another person feel bad.

Can you explain why it's so important to you to not give someone such a small thing that is so important to them? Do you care about making people feel happy safe and accepted? Do you specifically want to send the message that they should not feel happy safe and accepted?


Again - we are forced to do many things verbally all the time.
Pronouns are no different.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s contempt as much as it is people think that your idea of empathy is overrated.

Some people prioritize sane and logical decision making to empathy.


This. Liberals use “empathy” as a cudgel to manipulate people and get their way.

Examples are like not wanting to use pronouns- “Why are you so transphobic? You know you could be more emphatic and just do it!!!”

Taking note of the MILLIONS of illegal immigrants that are putting a huge strain on housing, hospitals and schools “If only you could walk in their shoes and acted like a Christian



ok this is super interesting.
as a liberal it feels like it just isn't really an inconvenience to use someone's pronouns BUT i do agree it kind of went to like a weird place. but i think the tension is that the need to do it felt like - quite small, vs the performance of doing it.
but i do think if someone wants you to use whatever pronoun you should just suck it up and do it no? just dont make it into a whole song and dance.


Why do you believe compelled speech is empathetic? I am genuinely asking; I honestly do not understand why liberals believe forcing speech of others is empathetic.


Because it costs you nothing to call someone by the name or pronouns they want to be called. It makes them feel happy and accepted and safe and it's easy to do. Not doing so makes them feel not accepted and not safe and makes it into a much bigger issue than necessary. Refusing to adopt someone's chosen pronouns feels like a lot of effort, where the entire point is to be a jerk and make another person feel bad.

Can you explain why it's so important to you to not give someone such a small thing that is so important to them? Do you care about making people feel happy safe and accepted? Do you specifically want to send the message that they should not feel happy safe and accepted?


Again - we are forced to do many things verbally all the time.
Pronouns are no different.


You wanna actually answer the questions or nah?

It sounds like you're saying you don't want to do it because you think you're being forced. Is that true? And resisting that is more important to you than making someone feel safe and accepted? Is it specifically because the person is trans and thus does not matter to you? Or are you unable or unwilling to subjugate your own desires for anyone?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To us liberals, this is optically very much the vibe. Is this the case IRL? Would love to understand the thinking.


Maybe all Magas - Trump voters - are not all the same, just as all Democratic voters - liberals - are not all the same.


Crux of the issue. In this two party country we are forced to choose one side, but it doesn't mean that we blindly support everything that the party represents or that we are all the same as humans.

I can't understand the simplistic mind that would even ask this question. But it is not a real question anyway, just a provocation.


It’s a real question.
Culturally, contempt for empathy has become quite intrinsic to maga. I’m curious if this is deliberate, if this feels integral, etc.
I get there are some expedient Trump voters but I think most are cultural converts at least to some extent. Trump barely articulated a plan but gained support based in large part on this aspect so it is important for us liberals to understand
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s contempt as much as it is people think that your idea of empathy is overrated.

Some people prioritize sane and logical decision making to empathy.


This. Liberals use “empathy” as a cudgel to manipulate people and get their way.

Examples are like not wanting to use pronouns- “Why are you so transphobic? You know you could be more emphatic and just do it!!!”

Taking note of the MILLIONS of illegal immigrants that are putting a huge strain on housing, hospitals and schools “If only you could walk in their shoes and acted like a Christian



ok this is super interesting.
as a liberal it feels like it just isn't really an inconvenience to use someone's pronouns BUT i do agree it kind of went to like a weird place. but i think the tension is that the need to do it felt like - quite small, vs the performance of doing it.
but i do think if someone wants you to use whatever pronoun you should just suck it up and do it no? just dont make it into a whole song and dance.


Why do you believe compelled speech is empathetic? I am genuinely asking; I honestly do not understand why liberals believe forcing speech of others is empathetic.


Because it costs you nothing to call someone by the name or pronouns they want to be called. It makes them feel happy and accepted and safe and it's easy to do. Not doing so makes them feel not accepted and not safe and makes it into a much bigger issue than necessary. Refusing to adopt someone's chosen pronouns feels like a lot of effort, where the entire point is to be a jerk and make another person feel bad.

Can you explain why it's so important to you to not give someone such a small thing that is so important to them? Do you care about making people feel happy safe and accepted? Do you specifically want to send the message that they should not feel happy safe and accepted?


Again - we are forced to do many things verbally all the time.
Pronouns are no different.


You wanna actually answer the questions or nah?

It sounds like you're saying you don't want to do it because you think you're being forced. Is that true? And resisting that is more important to you than making someone feel safe and accepted? Is it specifically because the person is trans and thus does not matter to you? Or are you unable or unwilling to subjugate your own desires for anyone?


I’m agreeing with you dummy.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No more than progressives have empathy for conservatives (they don't).

Trump is behaving like a conservative equivalent of a progressive president. Funny how hysterical a lot of you are.


Logic fail x2


More bitterness, eh? Show me how progressives have empathy for conservatives and conservative viewpoints. After all, how can they if they believe they are on the "right side of history" and conservatives aren't.

It's why progressives are the most intolerant people around. The concept of empathy and progressives do not go hand in hand.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Empathy can be properly reserved for the truly unfortunate, but can be tempered by a belief that people should help themselves to the maximum extent possible before turning to the government. That perspective results in antipathy to government welfare activities which can be seen as excessive, enabling those who could do better if they chose to but who made life choices which resulted in very low non-welfare incomes. Republicans understandably have little empathy for such people, but can support aid to people who are disabled, or victims of natural disasters - whose misfortunes were not arguably of their own making. There is little empathy for those who claim their situations are the results of societal animus, when it appears obvious enough that such claimants are simply unaccomplished and seek explanations for their own failures, a hidden hand which maliciously works against them which is visible only through statistical arguments which are merely descriptive, not reflective of causation. Similarly, antagonism for illegals is not reflective of a lack of empathy for the poor conditions in other countries which might make people want to emigrate, but reflects instead a belief that breaking U.S. law is not thereby justified.



So this proves that you have less empathy. I personally feel that it is gross to sit in judgement of those in need. I give freely as I can afford to do so. I realize that I am not in a position to judge the worthiness of strangers. It’s more than a little bit hypocritical that so many religious people are so judge mental and stingy with money.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No more than progressives have empathy for conservatives (they don't).

Trump is behaving like a conservative equivalent of a progressive president. Funny how hysterical a lot of you are.


Logic fail x2


More bitterness, eh? Show me how progressives have empathy for conservatives and conservative viewpoints. After all, how can they if they believe they are on the "right side of history" and conservatives aren't.

It's why progressives are the most intolerant people around. The concept of empathy and progressives do not go hand in hand.


No this argument doesn’t work.
Progressives have empathy for people in situations they cannot help. Not for people who make mean spirited choices as a result. Not all bad choices are mean spirited.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To us liberals, this is optically very much the vibe. Is this the case IRL? Would love to understand the thinking.


Liberals have zero empathy for conservatives. Stop lying.


That isn't true.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Isn’t that a sociopathic trait? to lack empathy? 🤔


To lack empathy entirely is, yes. But to have no limits to your empathy and to be blindly used by various groups who take advantage of your empathy because they know you’re soft is a mark of a psychiatric disorder as well.

To draw an analogy to parenting. It’s bad to not have empathy for your kids but it’s worse to say yes to everything, never put your foot down, and be manipulated by their whining, cries of something not being fair, etc.

The former type of parenting usually produces more self reliant children, who might feel unloved sometimes. The latter type of parenting produces kids who live in their parents’ basements until their 35.

Pick your poison.
post reply Forum Index » Political Discussion
Message Quick Reply
Go to: