Why Are Republicans so Mean?
They're Perfectly Nice in Person, so Why Are They so Mean as a Party?
One of the things that keeps bothering me is that, in recent years, Republicans seem so down-right mean spirited. There is a sort of self-righteous attitude connected to the Republican party that declares, "We are right about things and everyone else is wrong, and therefore we are better than everyone else." They say "liberal" as if it were a dirty word. You won't ever hear a Democrat spit the word "conservative" out as if it were something to be ashamed of. Even "right-wing" and "neo-conservative", while indicating a level of fanaticism, don't have the negative connotation that Republicans have given to the word liberal. What is THAT all about?
Now before you accuse me of bias, let me tell you that I am married to a Republican and I honestly think that he is one of the kindest people on Earth. Furthermore, all of my in-laws are Republicans, and they are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. They are warm and friendly, and would bend over backwards to assist you, if you knew them and needed help.
I think this might be the key to the major philosophical differences between conservatives and liberals. Liberals want to help everyone out. Conservatives want to help out their family and friends, or their neighbors. And it is where they draw the line for where their neighborhood ends and another begins that is problematic. Most Democrats see all citizens of the U.S. as neighbors. Many even believe that all citizens on the planet are neighbors, as technology continues to make the world more interdependent. Democrats have a sense that we are all in the same boat and we should all row together. Those who can should row for those who can't. Republicans, to use the same analogy, feel that only some people even deserve to be in the boat, and if you aren't going to pull your weight and row, then perhaps you should be chucked overboard so that your seat can be given to someone who will make a more meaningful contribution. In short, it seems to me that Democrats believe every human being has some intrinsic worth, whereas Republicans believe that you have to prove your worth before you should be entitled to any benefits.
The rise of Christian fundamentalism has had an enormous influence on Republican politics, because it espouses the same kind of limited benefits for some - but only those who have earned it. While most people believe in a God or higher power who loves his creations, evangelical fundamentalism preaches salvation for the "select few" who have earned the right to get into heaven by declaring Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior. Everyone else can just go to hell.
This difference in perspective springs from a world view based on either scarcity or abundance. Democrats believe that there can be enough to go around for everyone, if everyone pitches in to share and participate. Republicans, on the other hand, believe that there is only so much to go around, and we have to ensure that it is distributed fairly. Republicans, in other words, see life as a zero-sum game: more for you means less for me, whether you are a welfare mom or another nation. Democrats, see life as a non-zero-sum game. Just because you are rich doesn't mean I can't be too. Democrats are trusting (which Republicans think is just naive and stupid). Republicans believe that everyone has an ulterior motive (which Democrats think is cynical and pessimistic).
I don't see that life is so black-and-white. In fact, there are more shades of gray in life than shades of black and white. One man's trash is another man's treasure, and what is wrong for you might be right for me. What is right for the country should be what is right for the majority of the people, and not just what SOME people think is right. That is why they call it democracy.
Published by Theresa
I have lived in 8 countries on 4 different continents. I am happily married with 3 great children and a marvelous dog. I am working for a paradigm shift in the universe. View profile
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Democrats believe they have something in common with everyone, by virtue of being human.
65 Comments
Post a CommentI'm currently reading "Deer Hunting with Jesus" by Joe Bageant which really gets to the bottom of the thoughts behind this article in a sympathetic way.
I have a conservative uncle who is, indeed, a very hard worker... a workaholic in fact. Never spends any time with his wife or kids. He's also an unabashed racist.
Also have a conservative Aunt who was given her job from my grandfather, and now accuses unemployed people of being lazy.
My conclusion is that conservatives either work hard and hate hard, or have had their lives handed to them on silver platters and complain like spoiled brats.
All political parties that become reactionary spread bald-face lies and incite people to violence. Check out the Nazis in 30's Germany, Fascist in 30's Italy, Communists in early Soviet Russia, 70's Communists in Cambodia, Fascists in Chile, Guatemala, etc. The ideology of left or right is mostly irrelevant - it's the reactionary methods and incitement to violence that is the danger to the U.S.
I'm not sure they're all that nice in person. I was trying to have a nice exchange of information, no name calling no finger pointing, just what do you think about this/that point for both parties. One person told me I shouldn't have anything to say about health care because my family gets everything for free because my husband works at a hospital. Are you kidding me? I'd like to know which one does that! When I told them, nicely, that I didn't think any hospital could afford to give free medical care to their workers and families they told me I was a liar.
I just don't know what to do with people to whom you show your actual medical bills and they still don't believe you.
there are plenty of christians that support abortion. Abortion like many issues is not black and white.
I've come to realize that the majority of Republicans claim to be christians, but don't act like christians at all. And Democrats, whether christian or not, seem to act more like christians.
Yeah because Democrats and Christians support abortion lmfao...
I couldn't agree more, Independent Conservative.
I've come to realize that the majority of Republicans claim to be christians, but don't act like christians at all. And Democrats, whether christian or not, seem to act more like christians.
Oh, but there is black and white. Right or wrong. You can't be sort of pregnant and you can be sort of wrong. And it can't be grey either. It is right or wrong. Whatever happens today will be fine. We are a strong nation and have the ability to make good decisions. Our President can't fix things or mess them up without the help of other elected officials. Why do we blame or praise the President? We change from Democrat to Republican every 8 years. Why? We elected them. What a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Theresa-I had to come and read since it was mentioned in your interview by Donald Pennington. Just as I thought, I see most of your points differently than you. I have never been a registered Republican unti this year. I voted in the primary because I felt strongly about getting more conservative candidates back into office. I don't see things the way you say that Republicans see them, and I don't know any Republicans personally that see things that way. I work in a nonprofit organization, helping low-income groups based solely on public donation. Almost all of us are Republicans.
My hope is that people will forget the party thing more and try more often to express what is best for the country, and why, and work toward it rather than expressing what is good or bad about a party. I respect you and your right to express every word, and you write very well.
Examples and sources are necessary to convert me to another way of looking at any political issue.