General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo you understand Republican beliefs?
People disagree on politics, religion, sexual preferences, etc.
In many instances, I can grasp where people are coming from and, to a degree, I can understand their views.
However, ... I can't begin to grasp political beliefs in today's America. The divisions between Americans are greater that I've ever seen in my lifetime.
I'm a liberal. I've know Republicans with whom I've had differences, and I've known conservative Republicans with whom I've had very large differences. But until the past dozen or so years, I've never never ran into the hatred that has been thrown at me by Republicans, nor the hatred I've experienced regarding them.
Something has turned for the worst in this country. It's ugly, it's dangerous and it's not the country I've lived in my whole life.
To one degree or another, it seems like it's becoming a grotesque, barbaric land of misery.
Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)Cyrano
(15,035 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)They believe they are entitled to everything and screw everyone else.
wcmagumba
(2,886 posts)also the growth of Hate/Prosperity religion through rw mega churches (and multitudes of smaller "hate" churches) and cults...imo
Their brains have been turned to mush from the last 35 years of vicious propaganda. All they can do is hate and lash out at innocent people.
PA Democrat
(13,225 posts)Mosby
(16,306 posts)Republicans for the most part are the party of greed and the "I got mine so fuck y'all" mentality.
The average republican has been brainwashed to believe that laws and regulations are bad, liberals are lazy socialists and a little fascism is OK.
The leaders and the rest are just evil.
WinstonSmith00
(228 posts)Their beliefs are to allow people to suffer and die and figure out how to make a profit on it. As Chomsky said Republicans are the most dangerous and destructive organization ever on the face of the earth
moda253
(615 posts)My response these days seems to be fuck you, shut the fuck up, or go fuck yourself.
So Yeah I think I understand quite well.
Initech
(100,068 posts)And it's raw, unfiltered hate. The kind of hate you read about in history books that took place pre-Civil War and pre-World War II. I mean it's truly disgusting and disturbing. When even the Germans are alarmed at our hate and white supremacy you know it's becoming a problem.
world wide wally
(21,742 posts)Love your country
Love your neighbor
Be polite
Be generous
Be honest
Don't lie
Be helpful
Be kind
Do unto others....
Be helpful
Admit when you are wrong
And all the other bullshit Republicans DON'T DO and they end up ruling the world.
Go figure... i guess it was all just propaganda to keep us spinning our wheels and being controlled by them.
Fluke a Snooker
(404 posts)In my old age, I have more and more been despising everything that this country stands for, but ONLY with regard to Republicans. I resent the fact they have subverted the place that I live. As I am a progressive globalist, I've long since disdained nationalist views as they are usually hand-in-hand with repressive and extreme racism, sexism, classism, and anti-environmentalism. The only way I can celebrate our country is when we can finally join the world community in getting rid of all corporate, capitalist, oppressionist nationalism.
Xolodno
(6,390 posts)Group 1.
Believes in absolute free economy, borderline anarchy. They view the only role for federal government is Military and that's it. Everything else should be handled by the State governments. They believe, erroneously, that the playing field is level enough and anyone can get ahead. If you don't its because you are either not smart enough or don't want to work hard enough. Often use the system they fight against for their benefit.
Group 2.
Believes their tax dollars are being siphoned to support people who otherwise could support themselves. Majority of the time thinks "short term ramifications" as in, "I'm fine, my neighbor is fine, why do we need another government program". Lives and reminiscences of the "good ol'e days" and thinks they can return despite serious structural economic change since then. Often is prone to outrage by "media outlets" that show one person taking advantage of the system and think the solution is collective punishment. Media outlets often funded by Group 1.
Group 3.
Religious Nut Jobs. People who erroneously believe their faith is being persecuted by the government and the GOP is the savior to stop it. Often believe the USA is an Xtian nation that tolerates other faiths. Also has conditions of a conflicted mind in opposition. For example, cheer on anti-abortion legislation, but, don't champion more money for adoption, sex education, etc. that would one, prevent the unwanted pregnancy in the first place or two, allow someone to think their child will be well taken care of if given up. This group also prioritizes questionable Christian values (as in they may be nothing more than Dark Age beliefs not rooted in the Bible adequately) while ignoring obvious values that were championed (i.e. taking care of the poor, sick, etc.). Elements of prosperity gospel is infecting this group considerably.
Group 4.
Racists. Main concern is to make it harder on anyone else that is not white. Even if they are on welfare and vote for a candidate that cuts it, they take solace in knowing minorities take the hit to. Also justify the economic loss thinking they are part of the "club" and can offset it via white privilege (To a certain point, yes, but are considered nothing more than white trash by the other groups). Often blame minorities for all their problems and think if they were gone then white people will fill the void and grow in wealth.
Group 5.
The dieing breed. Limited economic government believers who believe the government does have a role not just in military defense, but also fester economic growth and guard some social welfare. Believes it should only get involved when its clear the market isn't working or use methods that incentivize private markets to act. Many have since become the "centrist" wing of the Democratic Party.
Fluke a Snooker
(404 posts)Republicans are the only creatures on Planet Earth that harbor as much hatred, hate modest 90% taxation rates for millionaires, hate non-whites, hate non-heteros, and frankly, just hate hate hate. There is nothing...REPEAT>>>>NOTHING!!!....nothing to understand. Only to despise, and if possible, to destroy. The rest of the planet is progressive. ONLY the Republican Party is absolute garbage, and needs to be destroyed.
hunter
(38,311 posts)They'd sooner watch their own grandma starve than see a dime of their taxes spent on black, brown, or LGBT people. (Except for prisons and war, of course.)
"Prosperity Theology" is another big aspect of this. They think that people who find themselves in rough situations are being punished by their mean, petty, and absurdly tiny gods.
Nwgirl503
(406 posts)I wouldn't be surprised if that time-frame coincides with the time of the rise of Faux News, Limbaugh and other hate "news" groups/reporters/stations. Plus the rise of social media has really had an effect too.
I think those stations/people/whatever has a LOT to do with the current feelings of hatred on both sides. When I was younger I was very active in organized religion, so I have known many repubs. I'm still very good friends with quite a few. But most of them don't watch that crap or listen to it and aren't very active on social media. A couple are politically minded and we've had great convos over the years about many topics we differ on, always without issue. This election one of those people started using the Kilary thing and talked about how many people HRC had killed. I literally haven't talked to him since. I've known him for 25 years. I just can't. I feel like he's....turned. I know that sounds dramatic, but I can't explain it any other way.
There are two types of repubs in my mind. Unfortunately the worst kind seem to be the loudest lately and they're hateful.
(Part of me enjoys it though, cause teeing off on those asshats is a nice outlet for my aggression.)
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)... their positions outlined to some degree so there's a baseline understanding.
MedusaX
(1,129 posts)attracted the most hard-core believers from each faction targeted ....
and created a feeding frenzy for racists, bigots, xenophobes, evangelicals, misogynists, war mongers, white nationalists, anti-semites, etc.
The fervor of the frenzy generated the perception that 'mob mentality' driven expressions of one's beliefs was now acceptable.
And the media carried news of these frenzies to every corner & cave & church.
This attracted those who hold similar beliefs but, until now, had only expressed them in their Safe Zones / bubbles.
The official Red & white MAGA adorned hats & t-shirts created a sense of empowerment & acceptance by symbolizing membership in a like minded peer group.
No different than the basic underlying recruitment philosophies of gangs, cults, religions, sports fans, fraternities, sororities, advocacy organizations, protest organizations....
It is not the organization of nor the existence of like minded peer groups that is dangerous....
But organized groups of like minded people can be dangerous depending on the beliefs they hold and how they choose to express those beliefs...