I Wish We As Society Would Do Less Criticizing Just For Being a Member Of A Political Party (1 Viewer)

[Max Power]

There is no way in hell this board is 85/15 left. Not even close.

Which direction am I not close? I'd love to hear your guess.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I would say you are a fair-minded centrist/moderate, Joe. I know you didn’t ask me, but that is how I’ve always read you. 

Thank you. 

 

[Rubiobot]

Which direction am I not close? I'd love to hear your guess.

I think it leans left but maybe 60/40.

 

[Max Power]

All those labeled RINO’s (and that list grows every day) strongly disagree with your first paragraph.  

Point taken. I was thinking mainly about social interaction when I stated that. 

 

[Rubiobot]

Middle between a lot of my friends for sure. 

Where would you say I am? 

I would guess right of center moderate but its hard to know from just reading here.

 

[dkp993]

Point taken. I was thinking mainly about social interaction when I stated that. 

Fair. And I’m talking big picture.  It’s hard to deny both parties are being pulled toward extremism.  It’s the exact opposite of the direction it needs and must head.  

 

[Joe Bryant]

I would guess right of center moderate but its hard to know from just reading here.

Thanks. Curious, what specific things you've read here make you think that? 

 

[cockroach]

I've voted for and preferred the Democrat nominee for President going to back to Bill Clinton's first term

You were so conflicted the night before election day that you were talking about voting for Jill Stein.  I remember because I got a 4 month ban for clicking the laughing reaction to it. 

 

[Max Power]

I think it leans left but maybe 60/40.

I think if you look at the polls done in the political forum, I think it's safe to say this forum is easy 75% Democrats. 

 

[msudaisy26]

I think if you look at the polls done in the political forum, I think it's safe to say this forum is easy 75% Democrats. 

I think you are confusing liberals and anti trump for Democrats. A poll was done and it was 85 or 90 percent anti trump. I feel I am pretty liberal and I am in no way a Democrat. 

 

[Rubiobot]

Thanks. Curious, what specific things you've read here make you think that? 

The majority of business owners lean right which factored into my guess (I could be wrong though). You posts are pretty middle of the road. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

The majority of business owners lean right which factored into my guess (I could be wrong though). You posts are pretty middle of the road. 

Thanks. I do find it fascinating how people perceive and filter things. We all do it. Thanks for sharing. 

 

[Max Power]

I think you are confusing liberals and anti trump for Democrats. A poll was done and it was 85 or 90 percent anti trump. I feel I am pretty liberal and I am in no way a Democrat. 

You're right. I sometimes use those terms inchangably when they aren't the same thing. 

 

[GoBirds]

I think if you look at the polls done in the political forum, I think it's safe to say this forum is easy 75% Democrats. 

That would be a very safe estimate based on history. 

 

[bigbottom]

You're right. I sometimes use those terms inchangably when they aren't the same thing. 

Yeah, if you’re talking Anti-Trump vs. Pro-Trump, I’d agree that the forum is probably closer to 90-10. But if you’re talking Democrats/Republicans or Liberals/Conservative, it’s nowhere near that.

As for the 90-10, I think that’s why Joe mentions that this board doesn’t really reflect the real world, where Pro-Trump is closer to 35-40 percent. And I agree with Joe on that. Part of that is because I think this board’s demographics skew heavily toward urban and suburban populations and against rural populations. 

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Part of that is because I think this board’s demographics skew heavily toward urban and suburban populations and against rural populations. 

I know this will come off as condescending but we've done polls here and the percentage of college graduates posting at FBGs well exceeds the national average.  Trump's popularity in that demographic is pretty terrible, I think that's the simplest explanation.

I also believe that the moderation policies here have played a significant role.  Not in the "mods are biased" way.  More in the "Trump supporters tend to like to argue in ways that are not permissible on this board" way.  I mean, Trump himself would have been perma-banned from this board in like 20 minutes tops.

 

[bigbottom]

Maybe the worst  job of all time, come on man. 
 

The only staff member I can think of that posted anything close to “firmly on the right” isn’t with FBG anymore. 

I’ve always thought of Maurile as a conservative. Do you not?

 

[bigbottom]

I know this will come off as condescending but we've done polls here and the percentage of college graduates posting at FBGs well exceeds the national average.  Trump's popularity in that demographic is pretty terrible, I think that's the simplest explanation.

Excellent point. 

 

[BladeRunner]

I’ve always thought of Maurile as a conservative. Do you not?

No.  No way.  I think he's a more of a level-headed liberal, but certainly not Conservative.

 

[GoBirds]

I’ve always thought of Maurile as a conservative. Do you not?

I don’t. 

 

[BladeRunner]

I think you are confusing liberals and anti trump for Democrats. A poll was done and it was 85 or 90 percent anti trump. I feel I am pretty liberal and I am in no way a Democrat. 

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

 

[Caveman33]

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

Well, many people agreed with her so it's a common feeling.  It may be hard to identify as a Democrat if you don't agree with parts of the platform, but if you are voting D 90% of the time then you are a Democrat.

 

[msudaisy26]

No.  No way.  I think he's a more of a level-headed liberal, but certainly not Conservative.

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

 

[BladeRunner]

I have ZERO idea what you're trying to do here.  How about just responding civilly and plainly to my post instead of trying to be all cryptic? 

 

[msudaisy26]

I have ZERO idea what you're trying to do here.  How about just responding civilly and plainly to my post instead of trying to be all cryptic? 

No thanks. You have ZERO interest in speaking civilly. You just want to tell me(us) how we feel, how we are all Marxists, socialists or or communists and how we hate America and are ruining the country. 

I have no interest in that. 

 

[BladeRunner]

No thanks. You have ZERO interest in speaking civilly. You just want to tell me(us) how we feel, how we are all Marxists, socialists or or communists and how we hate America and are ruining the country. 

I have no interest in that. 

It's like the irony is completely lost in you.  I suggest if you don't want people responding to your posts, then don't post in the PSF.  It's the best advice I can give you.

The PSF ain't for the faint of heart. 

 

[dkp993]

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

The bolded is exactly what’s wrong with American Politics today.  
 

*not picking on you Blade, as massive chucks of society feel the same, it’s just a damn shame and it’s what will only continue to divide us

 

[BladeRunner]

The bolded is exactly what’s wrong with American Politics today.  
 

*not picking on you Blade, as massive chucks of society feel the same, it’s just a damn shame and it’s what will only continue to divide us

Let's just say that the Democrat Party has never given me a reason to vote for them.  With them moving further and further left every election I will not be complicit in implementing what I see as Socialism at best, Communism at worst in this country.

Of course, this is all my opinion and you're free to disagree, but I see so many historical parallels from the 20th century Communist movements to what the Democrats are now doing or supporting (cancel culture, group classification, Antifa, etc...) that I see no hope for them.

 

[dkp993]

Let's just say that the Democrat Party has never given me a reason to vote for them.  With them moving further and further left every election I will not be complicit in implementing what I see as Socialism at best, Communism at worst in this country.

Of course, this is all my opinion and you're free to disagree, but I see so many historical parallels from the 20th century Communist movements to what the Democrats are now doing or supporting (cancel culture, group classification, Antifa, etc...) that I see no hope for them.

Oh I’m well aware where you think this country is headed on the left. You never fail to keep us all informed.

Again I really wasn’t speaking about you specifically (it wasn’t an attempted shot or dig at you), was really talking about the broader context of the “never” mindset. I just have a hard time understanding framing everything with such a Partisan viewpoint.  But I’m well aware 10’s of millions do view it this way, be it right or left.  It’s just my personal feeling that nothing good comes of that.  

 

[sho nuff]

The bolded is exactly what’s wrong with American Politics today.  
 

*not picking on you Blade, as massive chucks of society feel the same, it’s just a damn shame and it’s what will only continue to divide us

I agree. Others telling people how they will or won’t vote based on a perception on a message board is a strange thing that seems to happen a lot here.  Extrapolated out to how some treat others “in the wild” (i mean not just how the board is).

There are plenty here that would  claim I would never vote a Republican.  Though i have pretty  regularly in my life.

 

[GoBirds]

I have ZERO idea what you're trying to do here.  How about just responding civilly and plainly to my post instead of trying to be all cryptic? 

I would let it go, isn’t that the poster that said they wanted to split the country up? 

 

[KarmaPolice]

I agree. Others telling people how they will or won’t vote based on a perception on a message board is a strange thing that seems to happen a lot here.  Extrapolated out to how some treat others “in the wild” (i mean not just how the board is).

There are plenty here that would  claim I would never vote a Republican.  Though i have pretty  regularly in my life.

Same here.   But yeah, around here we are complete Commie libs.   

 

[KarmaPolice]

No thanks. You have ZERO interest in speaking civilly. You just want to tell me(us) how we feel, how we are all Marxists, socialists or or communists and how we hate America and are ruining the country. 

I have no interest in that. 

Don't forget that you can't raise a boy to be a man!   

 

[GoBirds]

The bolded is exactly what’s wrong with American Politics today.  
 

*not picking on you Blade, as massive chucks of society feel the same, it’s just a damn shame and it’s what will only continue to divide us

Shocker…..the minority in this extremely lopsided forum is of course exhibiting what’s wrong with politics today and all the echos chime in to agree. 

 

[bigbottom]

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

I’m pretty certain you consider me as fairly liberal. Would it surprise you to know that I fairly regularly vote for Republicans?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Shocker…..the minority in this extremely lopsided forum is of course exhibiting what’s wrong with politics today and all the echos chime in to agree. 

Dude, he highlighted both.   

I think the point was that if you have already decided that you are never voting R or D, that is an issue.   That opinion didn't used to be as popular as it is today, and people's opinions on a variety of different topics haven't been more predicable than now just by telling somebody if you are D or R.   

 

[GoBirds]

I’m pretty certain you consider me as fairly liberal. Would it surprise you to know that I fairly regularly vote for Republicans?

Not surprised, you are usually a very respectful poster that doesn’t take extreme positions and attack those that don’t fall in line with the majority talking points. I could see that. 

 

[dkp993]

Dude, he highlighted both.   

I think the point was that if you have already decided that you are never voting R or D, that is an issue.   That opinion didn't used to be as popular as it is today, and people's opinions on a variety of different topics haven't been more predicable than now just by telling somebody if you are D or R.   

Thank you.  Wasn’t going to waste my time….

 

[bigbottom]

Not surprised, you are usually a very respectful poster that doesn’t take extreme positions and attack those that don’t fall in line with the majority talking points. I could see that. 

Well I could do all those things and still vote Republican when that is the candidate I prefer, but I do appreciate the kind response. 

 

[djmich]

I’m pretty certain you consider me as fairly liberal. Would it surprise you to know that I fairly regularly vote for Republicans?

This is fun.

I consider you a bit more (not much) liberal than me...but super smart and rational (ok, maybe that unlike me).  I actually consider myself liberal on many topics, but it sure doesn't feel that way here. 

 

[BladeRunner]

I’m pretty certain you consider me as fairly liberal. Would it surprise you to know that I fairly regularly vote for Republicans?

Yes it would.

 

[djmich]

I’m pretty certain you consider me as fairly liberal. Would it surprise you to know that I fairly regularly vote for Republicans?

Class President doesn’t count buddy.

 

[bigbottom]

Yes it would.

Well, color yourself surprised!

 

[BladeRunner]

Well, color yourself surprised!

wowee-zowee!  

 

[Desert_Power]

I know this will come off as condescending but we've done polls here and the percentage of college graduates posting at FBGs well exceeds the national average.  Trump's popularity in that demographic is pretty terrible, I think that's the simplest explanation.

There is also a pretty big independent streak here. A lot of poster seems to have fiscal conservative/socially liberal or just more classic liberalism views more broadly. That doesn't fit neatly into either party, but is very far away from Trump.

 

[djmich]

There is also a pretty big independent streak here. A lot of poster seems to have fiscal conservative/socially liberal or just more classic liberalism views more broadly. That doesn't fit neatly into either party, but is very far away from Trump.

The posters you are thinking of (I kinda put myself in that bucket), which socially liberal policies do you think they would  agree with that are “very far away from Trump”?

 

[Desert_Power]

The posters you are thinking of (I kinda put myself in that bucket), which socially liberal policies do you think they would  agree with that are “very far away from Trump”?

Immigration, LGBT+ rights, gun control, and law enforcement policy to name a few broad topics.

His appointment of judges to overturn Roe vs Wade is probably his biggest accomplishment in office. I recognize that there are a lot of people otherwise socially liberal or libertarian who are also anti-abortion.

My comment was mostly thinking back to old things like political compass that used to get posted/debated here. 

 

[djmich]

Immigration, LGBT+ rights, gun control, and law enforcement policy to name a few broad topics.

His appointment of judges to overturn Roe vs Wade is probably his biggest accomplishment in office. I recognize that there are a lot of people otherwise socially liberal or libertarian who are also anti-abortion.

My comment was mostly thinking back to old things like political compass that used to get posted/debated here. 

Gotcha, thx.

I think this illustrates part of the difficulty in putting people in buckets and the "this side" or "that side".  I think most of us are not naturally that way.

Immigration:  I don't support illegal immigration and I support protecting our border from illegal immigration.  There's a lot of grey in between and there are areas where I would disagree with Trump.  But I'm not sure why that opening position around illegal immigration should be seen as ill-liberal but I guess thats the category.

Gun Control:  I'd say I'm in the middle, which is to say I'm probably about as far away from "Trump" as I am from "Biden".  But in general gun control would seem ill-liberal and un-libertarian so if thats the "Trump" view its hard to see it as illiberal (albeit different from the stance of what we now call democrats/liberals).

LGBT+ rights & Law enforcement:  Again, I'd say I'm in the middle between the parties.

All this to say, it just feels odd to say that people who consider themselves socially liberal would be "very far away from Trump" on most issues and certainly these big ones.  I'm disagree with Trump on some, I disagree with Biden on some.

 

[Dickies]

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

I’d say I’m about as liberal as they come and prior to Trump, and to a lesser extent the Tea Party, I would regularly vote for Republicans on the local level. I’ve also voted Libertarian twice for President.

Edit to add: I don’t see myself voting Republican ever again until there is some genuine self reflection. 

 

[IvanKaramazov]

C'mon, this is the kind of double speak we get all the time.  If you're "pretty liberal" you're either Democrat or one of the more extreme versions of liberal.  You ain't ever votin' Republican so for all significant purposes you're a Democrat.

Like me, I'm a conservative and I would never vote for a Democrat.  That effectively makes me a Republican.

The problem with this is that "conservative" is a term that means different things to different people.  I'm a conservative in the Burkean sense, and the Democratic party is far, far more conservative than the Republican party in that regard.  I don't care much for the Democratic party on most issues, but they're not trying to overthrow our government and turn the US into Hungary, so at least they've got that going for them.