has right and left ever been so distinct?

[NRaleighLiberal]

Maybe it is the last four years that has really sharpened the distinction...

but whether it is Biden, or Harris, or their cabinet members or staff, or Democratic politicians - they exude intellect, empathy, kindness, positivity. It is about the "us" - the world.

It takes about 1 second to discern who is right wing these days - snarky, sarcastic, selfish, often stupidity or ignorance showing through, tribal. It is "me me me".

trump was like a magnet that drew all of the malevolents to him, and drew the malevolent traits outward.

[Laelth]

1. Liberal Republicans vanished in the 1990s.

Conservative Democrats are now extremely rare. What I think you have described is the “purification” of the parties. The Democrats are very consistently liberal now. From our perspective that means Democrats are sane, reasonable, mostly urban, tolerant, forward-thinking, pro-active, inclusive, empathetic, patriotic, conciliatory, open-minded, and devoted to traditional American ideals as well as our republic.

The Republicans, conversely, are very consistently conservative now. They remain suspicious of the Federal Government. They are NOT now, nor have they ever been, fully devoted to it—perhaps even willing to go to war with it in order to preserve their prerogatives (SEE the Civil War). They continue to be insular, mostly rural, intolerant, predominantly WHITE, predominantly CHRISTIAN, male-dominated, privileged, backward-thinking, short-sighted, unreasonable, dogmatic, unwilling to compromise, belligerent, and barely tolerant of democracy as it operates in our republic. They insist upon maintaining at least a slight aura of “insanity” compared to their opposition.

We have always had conservatives and liberals in the United States. What you have noted, I think, is that they are now pretty-well sorted out by party. Personally, I am very fond of the new Democratic Party. It wasn’t like this when I first got involved in politics.

-Laelth

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. thanks for fleshing out my rantish OP.

You added some facts and data to my emotiinal pop off!

[Laelth]

4. Evidently, I needed to vent as well.

Thank you for the ripe, irresistible opportunity.



-Laelth

[marble falls]

3. Looks like the fifties and sixties to me.

[Under The Radar]

5. Hard to imagine that biggest issue with the right wing used to be Corporate Personhood

And that money = speech. That’s back when Mitt Romney was the opposition. Mitt hasn’t changed his conservative positions but we now consider him one of the gang that stands against the crazy crowd.