Latest example of why my politics can best be described as cynicism at this stage

[Pelado]

The AOC thread had been around for a long time before the MTG/Bobert thread was even created you dummy.

The Trump tactic of name-calling has even made its way to the hallowed halls here, I see.

[FMCoug]

Some good examples of crazy leftists are Bernie sanders and Elizabeth warren. They aren’t as bad as the Trump wing but their policies are crazy and they take every turn they can at using identity politics to further their narrative. I find them both to be despicable and potential harmful to America.

The left is also going all in on an attack on SCOTUS given the recent rulings, which is kind of odd since SCOTUS had plenty of rulings in favor of Biden and against Trump. IMO, the attempt to delegitimize the Supreme Court is pretty bad. It’s not as bad as the Big Lie, but it’s bad and painful to watch happen.

Let’s also not forget that the democrats also didn’t initially accept the results of the 2016 election. Most of them ultimately did, but not before their base had plenty of “not my president” types of people.

Both Bush 2 elections were this way too. The first worse than the second of course but how can we forget hanging chads and the recounts, etc.

That said, the guy I think is most to blame for the beginning of the polarization and lack of civility is Newt Gingrich and the Contract With America. Seems like the Clinton years and Gingrich are when things started to get ugly. And it has just escalated from there.

[Non Sequitur]

Some good examples of crazy leftists are Bernie sanders and Elizabeth warren. They aren’t as bad as the Trump wing but their policies are crazy and they take every turn they can at using identity politics to further their narrative. I find them both to be despicable and potential harmful to America.

The left is also going all in on an attack on SCOTUS given the recent rulings, which is kind of odd since SCOTUS had plenty of rulings in favor of Biden and against Trump. IMO, the attempt to delegitimize the Supreme Court is pretty bad. It’s not as bad as the Big Lie, but it’s bad and painful to watch happen.

Let’s also not forget that the democrats also didn’t initially accept the results of the 2016 election. Most of them ultimately did, but not before their base had plenty of “not my president” types of people.

I don't see a lot of democrats looking at Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders or AOC for party leadership. They are all pretty much marginalized within the party. The ones on the right who are being marginalized within the party are the ones who are not extreme enough.

[Bo Diddley]

Both Bush 2 elections were this way too. The first worse than the second of course but how can we forget hanging chads and the recounts, etc.

That said, the guy I think is most to blame for the beginning of the polarization and lack of civility is Newt Gingrich and the Contract With America. Seems like the Clinton years and Gingrich are when things started to get ugly. And it has just escalated from there.

Agreed

[Jeff Lebowski]

I don't see a lot of democrats looking at Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders or AOC for party leadership. They are all pretty much marginalized within the party. The ones on the right who are being marginalized within the party are the ones who are not extreme enough.

Marginalized? They were both serious presidential candidates.

[Non Sequitur]

Marginalized? They were both serious presidential candidates.

When was the last time you heard anybody talk about Elizabeth Warren? I assumed she had retired, it was so long ago. Bernie hasn't been relevant since 2016, when the democratic party rejected him in favor of the god-awful Hilary Clinton. And AOC pops up now then with the occasional sound bite, but she has no real juice. If those three are the best you can do to cast the democratic party as rife with extremists, you're coming in pretty weak.

[Moliere]

When was the last time you heard anybody talk about Elizabeth Warren? I assumed she had retired, it was so long ago. Bernie hasn't been relevant since 2016, when the democratic party rejected him in favor of the god-awful Hilary Clinton. And AOC pops up now then with the occasional sound bite, but she has no real juice. If those three are the best you can do to cast the democratic party as rife with extremists, you're coming in pretty weak.

Bernie was VERY relevant in 2020. He was so relevant that if Biden hadn’t taken South Carolina, there was the possibility of Bernie getting the nomination. Maybe you don’t remember Jim Clyburns endorsement and some of the moderate lesser known candidates pulling out and supporting Biden to ensure he had a victory in SC because up to that point Biden hadn’t won anything. Bernie was anything but weak in 2020.

[Jeff Lebowski]

When was the last time you heard anybody talk about Elizabeth Warren? I assumed she had retired, it was so long ago. Bernie hasn't been relevant since 2016, when the democratic party rejected him in favor of the god-awful Hilary Clinton. And AOC pops up now then with the occasional sound bite, but she has no real juice. If those three are the best you can do to cast the democratic party as rife with extremists, you're coming in pretty weak.

Yes. The democratic party is so inept that they put up one of the worst candidates in history who went on to lose to Donald Freaking Trump.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It's funny how democrats/liberals/progressives feel immune to criticism. When any nuttiness is pointed out, they just whip out the literal/figurative trump card: "Yes, but that is nothing like MAGA extremism".

Furthermore, any meaningful criticism is interpreted as support for Trumpism. Which is nonsense, of course.

[Non Sequitur]

Bernie was VERY relevant in 2020. He was so relevant that if Biden hadn’t taken South Carolina, there was the possibility of Bernie getting the nomination. Maybe you don’t remember Jim Clyburns endorsement and some of the moderate lesser known candidates pulling out and supporting Biden to ensure he had a victory in SC because up to that point Biden hadn’t won anything. Bernie was anything but weak in 2020.

Does Bernie have power in the current democratic power? Are people rallying around him? Do they look to him for leadership? I don't think so. He's a chuckle. A crazy uncle that is loved but ignored. Do you realize that even if Bernie had any real sway in the party that on his craziest day, he's just a flea on the crazy that is Marjorie Taylor Greene or Matt Gaetz?

[Non Sequitur]

It's funny how democrats/liberals/progressives feel immune to criticism. When any nuttiness is pointed out, they just whip out the literal/figurative trump card: "Yes, but that is nothing like MAGA extremism".

Furthermore, any meaningful criticism is interpreted as support for Trumpism. Which is nonsense, of course.

I'll grant you that there are some on the left that are "nutty". Was Jan. 6 nutty or was it something more? The conversation is about equivalency. Keep up.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'll grant you that there are some on the left that are "nutty". Was Jan. 6 nutty or was it something more? The conversation is about equivalency. Keep up.

Thank you for so perfectly proving my point.

[Bo Diddley]

Does Bernie have power in the current democratic power? Are people rallying around him? Do they look to him for leadership? I don't think so. He's a chuckle. A crazy uncle that is loved but ignored. Do you realize that even if Bernie had any real sway in the party that on his craziest day, he's just a flea on the crazy that is Marjorie Taylor Greene or Matt Gaetz?

Yeah, I tend to agree that Bernie and Warren are losing their relevance. I just wonder if all the crazy on the right is sucking up all the bandwidth right now.

[falafel]

Does Bernie have power in the current democratic power? Are people rallying around him? Do they look to him for leadership? I don't think so. He's a chuckle. A crazy uncle that is loved but ignored. Do you realize that even if Bernie had any real sway in the party that on his craziest day, he's just a flea on the crazy that is Marjorie Taylor Greene or Matt Gaetz?

Bernie and Warren (and to an extent Kamala Harris) were responsible for the race to the bottom in medicare/entitlement/student loan/other spending promises. IN 2020, Bernie's proposed agenda would have cost $60 TRILLION. Warren similarly advocated for absolutely bonkers spending without really ever explaining how she would pay for it. Harris had to make similar bonkers promises just to keep up.

All of this resulted in the comparably "small" $400 billion plan to eliminate some of student debt. That number only seems small in comparison to the fantasy numbers that Bernie and Warren proposed during the campaign.

[Non Sequitur]

Thank you for so perfectly proving my point.

Didn't even realize you had a point.