They are. But I'm not seeing so much of the passion for individualism. I think, as well as good old fashioned political partisanship, the trend towards increasingly toxic identity politics (and the inevitable backlash) has driven those who would usually avoid identitarianism to form their own identitarian gro…
They are. But I'm not seeing so much of the passion for individualism. I think, as well as good old fashioned political partisanship, the trend towards increasingly toxic identity politics (and the inevitable backlash) has driven those who would usually avoid identitarianism to form their own identitarian group.
It's the age old problem of knowing what you're against but not really knowing what you're for.
One fear I have is that the neo-progressives will stimulate a nasty counter reaction through it's heavy handed overreach.
I recall during George W's time in office, they were running roughshod over the process, and some wise observers said that their hubris and self-righteousness would blind them and cause them to make major mistakes which would bring them down. Now I see the left following that same path, and they are not being aware of what they are stirring up. Trump was surprise #1.
I do NOT want an authoritarian right to come to power, but neither do I want a totalitarian left to take over. Both tendencies reinforce each other, and I oppose both.
I've been a lifelong Democrat and have to date voted only for Democrats or Greens. I was relieved when Trump lost the presidency. But it's clear to me that the Democrats have the slimmest control of Congress, and did not win a mandate from the voters to undertake massive restructuring of the government and society. Biden won because he was not Trump; in the Democratic primaries he outpolled all of the more progressive candidate, because most Democrats wanted the healer and uniter he promises to be, a moderate who would get us back to more less polarized governance. Alas, he has not followed that role; neither those to the left of him nor those to the right of him want any reconciliation. And his administration is acting beyond his mandate, alienating a LOT of people. His poll numbers are remarkably bad (and Harris is doing worse).
I personally think that a second Trump term, or a Ted Cruz, would be terrible for the country. But the Democrats seem to be p*ssing enough independents off (and even Democrats) that they are setting up the stage for something like that.
"Aren't these ... opposites?"
They are. But I'm not seeing so much of the passion for individualism. I think, as well as good old fashioned political partisanship, the trend towards increasingly toxic identity politics (and the inevitable backlash) has driven those who would usually avoid identitarianism to form their own identitarian group.
It's the age old problem of knowing what you're against but not really knowing what you're for.
Good observation, Steve.
One fear I have is that the neo-progressives will stimulate a nasty counter reaction through it's heavy handed overreach.
I recall during George W's time in office, they were running roughshod over the process, and some wise observers said that their hubris and self-righteousness would blind them and cause them to make major mistakes which would bring them down. Now I see the left following that same path, and they are not being aware of what they are stirring up. Trump was surprise #1.
I do NOT want an authoritarian right to come to power, but neither do I want a totalitarian left to take over. Both tendencies reinforce each other, and I oppose both.
I've been a lifelong Democrat and have to date voted only for Democrats or Greens. I was relieved when Trump lost the presidency. But it's clear to me that the Democrats have the slimmest control of Congress, and did not win a mandate from the voters to undertake massive restructuring of the government and society. Biden won because he was not Trump; in the Democratic primaries he outpolled all of the more progressive candidate, because most Democrats wanted the healer and uniter he promises to be, a moderate who would get us back to more less polarized governance. Alas, he has not followed that role; neither those to the left of him nor those to the right of him want any reconciliation. And his administration is acting beyond his mandate, alienating a LOT of people. His poll numbers are remarkably bad (and Harris is doing worse).
I personally think that a second Trump term, or a Ted Cruz, would be terrible for the country. But the Democrats seem to be p*ssing enough independents off (and even Democrats) that they are setting up the stage for something like that.