Re: Have liberals and conservatives always hated each other as much as they do now?
Posted by:
Old Fart Here...
()
Date: November 12, 2012 11:44PM
Thank you for your question.
No - it has never been like this before in my memory. Most striking to me - Democrats used to very 'liberal', but in today's environment they are at best moderate (except for some rare fringe elements). It could be said that back then people had more 'skin in the game'. When you're looking at being deployed against your will to a meaningless war (Vietnam) or having to get an illegal abortion - it tends to focus the mind. But times have changed - there is no draft, abortion is legal, women and black people have equal rights - and our country became complacent, figuring that this would never change.
Republicans have always been fiscally moderate, but they generally used to keep their social views pretty much to themselves. Now the Republican Party has been hijacked by religious fundamentalists, warhawks, bigots, misogynists, extreme social conservatives, and all around bat shit crazy people. These folks believe that the rest of us must adopt their extreme views, and they are willing to hold the country hostage until we do. They are willing to do anything to keep their hold on power.
I believe that the 2012 Presidential election was at heart a referendum on basic ideology and fundamental decency, not traditional issues like the economy. People are not willing to be manipulated and lied to by people who have no core values. Personally, I'm proud of the people of this country for standing up and saying 'no more'.
I've voted in the past for both Republican and Democratic candidates. But I cannot imagine supporting a Republican ever again. Following the election, some Republicans appear to have done a complete about face and have embraced social change and 'diversity'. But they do not mean it, and they are not fooling anyone. This election proved that you can't lie your way into the Presidency. And I am profoundly grateful for that.