The cancer infecting the political Left

[Bob Butler 54]

(12-06-2020, 04:23 AM)Classic-Xer Wrote: A group of elites managed to turn MEGA hats into symbols associated with racism and idiots like bought into it.

I think elites and racism were with MAGA and Trumpism from the start.  Trump used these aspects of the cavalier culture, the notion that America was for a few privileged and a lot of racists.  This was a feature to be embraced by Trump, a tool to be used.  I don't think the elites or racists were idiots.  They knew full well what they were associating with.  They were happy to be enabled by Trump.  

If Trump was a blowback to Obama, the protests were a blowback against racism. I guess he who blows back last blows back best?

The Republican Party has always been the party of the Robber Barons and elites.  That dates from way back in Civil War times, when the Republicans were the progressives enabling expansion and he industrial revolution.  The land owning rural aristocracy were the conservatives who wanted things to continue with the existing power structure.  With the Southern Strategy the Republicans finished the switch from allying with the abolitionists to allying with the KKK.

Like it or not, that is the Republican brand.  Being a rabid Trump follower means buying into supporting the dubious benefits of the elites and racists.  Not all conservatives are thrilled with the association, but it is impossible to shake while the Trump hold on the Republican base is solid.

There are some conservative ideas worth keeping and proclaiming, but the affinity for the elites and racists will have to go before the party becomes a viable big tent organization again.  Search the bottom of your shoe.  You know it is true.

(12-06-2020, 04:23 AM)Classic-Xer Wrote: You's guys better be careful about what you go along with because turning your world into a war zone similar to what was seen in Iraq is more possible today.

That is just your obsession with violence and tribal thinking.  America is supposedly for a certain people, and others are oppressed and hated.  It is prevalent in Iraq today.  The Sunis, Shiites, Jews, Kurds and name your tribe are all into hating the other guy.  Seeing it become common in America seems unlikely, at least extending it into violence.  Sure, groups like the Boogaloo Bois, looters,  bad cops, Proud Boys and Wolverine Watchmen took advantage of the protest environment to act out their violent tribal thinking.  If the new administration passes comprehensive anti racism legislation preventing the need for the people to speak even more clearly, the violence goes away and those obsessed with violence can crawl back into their basements.  With the winter turning cold and the new administration coming in, the violence has faded until the warm weather comes back.  By then, enough time will have passed to see if the legislation is going to happen.