[US politics]
Semi-capitalist, pseudo-capitalist increasingly-fascist truth-denying Republicans
vs
Semi-socialist semi-capitalist Democrats
Republicans seem to actually think they are full-blown defenders of individual-liberties, free markets and capitalism. Someone needs to call them on this. The Democrats do not seem to be willing to diagnose and call Republicans more of what they are which is not only semi-capitalistic (ok so far, in my view) but also pseudo-capitalistic (not ok in my view), increasingly-fascist (not ok in my view) and increasingly truth-denying (out of touch with reality.... not ok in my view, but very reminiscent of some of the worst we saw from murderous 20th century dictatorships, from what little I recall.)
The Republicans seem anxious to diagnose the democrats as "socialists". I'm ok with seeing socialism as more negative than Democrats do, and saying that indeed the Democrats have some strong aspects of socialism, but it is not the death-defying immediate matter that the Republicans claim and the diagnosis is not fully accurate. In particular, stances such as trying to fight climate change and rising to a rational fight against a disaster like Covid-19 are stances that are rational, recognizing of human rights, and at times quite capitalistic in my view, ... they are in large measure not the pretext for socialist/statism that the Republicans seem to want to claim with their broad brush dismissiveness.
5
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.You've completely neglected the religious angle, which is essential to understanding the Republican philosophy. Christianity turns people into absolutists wherein disagreement is intolerable, and non-believers are evil and guided by Satan. Only a small percent will even consider the truth if they allow themselves to hear it. Theirs is a slavish, juvenile mentality requiring absolute obedience, like the murderous boys in Lord of the Flies. They are unfit to participate in this democracy and have committed themselves to its destruction. Good luck negotiating with that.
racocn8
Level 9
May 9, 2021
0
kmaz:
I was trying to be a bit brief, but yes, I didn't really get into the religious angle, that's good to point up. It was on my mind in a somewhat different way, which is that I think it's been clear for several decades that some forms of religion to tend to make folks' minds fairly mushy and gullible in some areas, and it is classic for a would-be dictator (or two ) to try to cash in on this. For example, I think some Christians in the US watched the way that so many folks were often hating on Trump and part of what they got from this was empathy for Trump for holding his line on some things. They understand the part about holding your line on a stance even if it seems like the "press" and the ivory-tower spawn and others are able to "prove" their points three times Friday. They understand that there is something more important than sloppy or condescending argumentation, and unfortunately they equate this at times with cutting a would-be dictator some slack.
Current world views of capitalism, socialism, communism, etc. are based on perceived models going back at least 75 years. This all gets a special bad rap in America mostly because of the politics of the last 4 plus years. Americans in the 2 party system have been taught to hate each other and they all claim the other party is doing exactly what they are doing. Yes, the pot is calling the kettle black. Those who caused this are elated and those who try to explain it take you back 40 years or more in a distraction that they claim reveals the "right now." If they see little audience the claim is that you have climbed back into your personal rabbit hole. My guess is that many of us are doing that and trying to hide. Our world is not safe and it damned sure is not sane.
DenoPenno
Level 9
May 9, 2021
0
What you're saying (I think) is neither party fairly represents your (and my) political views. How many millions of us think the same way as we do? I envy some of the European governments that have more parties, and most people can find one that more or less represents their views. We are locked into this superficial two-party system that forces most people to vote (a) a compromise and 
against the greater evil. I have friends in Germany who are in the Green Party, which has gained several seats in their Congress and is often able to swing voting on important bills.
mischl
Level 8
May 9, 2021
2
PBuck0145
Level 7
May 9, 2021
0
kmaz:
Well, a little bit of what I'm saying here is that I have a slightly similar posture toward the Republicans (for whom I voted in the 88 Presidential race, though I later regretted it). Some of what they nominally stood for (free markets, individual liberties, fiscal conservation by the government, tough but truly fair laws and law enforcement, etc.) I could get behind, in theory, but they are several parsecs away from that, at this point.
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