Feeling politically adrift, lately
auntblabby
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Not sure about more appropriate, but the centrists joining forces is the scenario more likely to happen.
but something systematically is preventing a third party from forming.
Then there's the usual people who insist they don't support the MAGAs but insist the Left is equally bad insofar as both sides of the political spectrum are in the pocket of Wall Street.
There's some pretty heavy overlap between those types. The type that will tell you how liberal they are while also consistently expressing hostility to any sort of cause that might be labelled as liberal/progressive/etc.
In the US, there are a lot of people who seem to believe that Bernie Sanders would have won the 2016 and 2020 elections in landslides were it not for some sort of conspiracy involving the Clinton's and the Bidens.
The other problem I have with that group is that, although they don't actively support MAGAs, they also don't vote against MAGA candidates as they are convinced the opposition is just as bad, instead they vote for obscure third parties or don't vote at all. A win for the MAGAs. These people are dupes and make me angrier than many sincere, if misguided, MAGAs.
ASPartOfMe
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What all of this proves is that if you have met one autistic person you have met one autistic person, if you have met one queer person, you have met one queer person etc.
Like the OP most people become less progressive/more conservative as they age. Mine has been the opposite. In my teen and young adult years I was for the most part a conservative as it was defined at the time(1960s-1980s), We were going at it the wrong way but our Vietnam intervention was not wrong, the crime explosion was caused by liberal judges coddling criminals that type of thing.
Life experience has taught me things are more complicated then that, that every person and situation is different,
A label I latched onto for loathing both sides is “politically homeless”. While WP rules prevent posting this I am sure many who are familiar with my PPR postings would describe my world view as “political as*hole”. Whatever you want to call it I have been feeling this way since the ‘90s.
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It's possible he would have won in some European countries. Within an American context, his views are seen as being too far towards socialism.
Possibly, he could have had a chance around 1968.
The only time in history that Sanders might have had a chance was in 1976 and the GOP was at its absolute nadir following Watergate. Plus the voters never forgave Ford for pardoning Nixon. Just about any Democrat would have won that election.
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Technically that doesn't mean you're required to be a leftist, it just means some right-wing allies will never tolerate you.
We have queer, autistic right-wingers on here. I don't why someone who would be offended to be called a she wants to enable so many people who want misgendering him to be the norm, but that's his choice.
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
![Neutral :|](./images/smilies/icon_neutral.gif)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I think it's important to remember one can be disillusioned with one bloc without having to support their opponents. Too many people approach politics like it's a binary social club, when really it should be about finding people you agree with and can work with to promote ideals and work on issues that are important to you.
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funeralxempire
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Then there's the usual people who insist they don't support the MAGAs but insist the Left is equally bad insofar as both sides of the political spectrum are in the pocket of Wall Street.
There's some pretty heavy overlap between those types. The type that will tell you how liberal they are while also consistently expressing hostility to any sort of cause that might be labelled as liberal/progressive/etc.
In the US, there are a lot of people who seem to believe that Bernie Sanders would have won the 2016 and 2020 elections in landslides were it not for some sort of conspiracy involving the Clinton's and the Bidens.
The other problem I have with that group is that, although they don't actively support MAGAs, they also don't vote against MAGA candidates as they are convinced the opposition is just as bad, instead they vote for obscure third parties or don't vote at all. A win for the MAGAs. These people are dupes and make me angrier than many sincere, if misguided, MAGAs.
Some of 'em, but certainly not all.
They also have to deal with being nagged by people who hold basically the same positions and recognize the threat MAGA/nationalist types pose.
At least of them talk like they won't vote but then do so anyways, for the party that might win against the threat. They just don't discuss it very openly.
And I get it, I felt disappointed with myself the one time I voted for the LPC over the NDP.
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funeralxempire
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Just so you're aware, that trend has not occurred with millennials.
Odds are Gen Z will follow that pattern as well unless significant economic changes occur that make home ownership, children and marriage more feasible for more people.
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funeralxempire
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![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
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That pressure to pick a side turns politics into something more like sports fandom. We vote this way because the orange team is our team.
Like you say, it's fluid. Sometimes an issue will remain a low priority to the establishment until they decide to prioritize it. Say previously a fringe party was focused on that cause; once the major party starts to care one might find it more useful to support that major party simply because they might actually accomplish the goal.
_________________
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
You can't advance to the next level without stomping on a few Koopas.
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
That pressure to pick a side turns politics into something more like sports fandom. We vote this way because the orange team is our team.
Like you say, it's fluid. Sometimes an issue will remain a low priority to the establishment until they decide to prioritize it. Say previously a fringe party was focused on that cause; once the major party starts to care one might find it more useful to support that major party simply because they might actually accomplish the goal.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
funeralxempire
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Awesome, I'll watch that later on.
_________________
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
You can't advance to the next level without stomping on a few Koopas.
Awesome, I'll watch that later on.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
funeralxempire
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Awesome, I'll watch that later on.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Awesome, I'm glad old posts from here are useful.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
_________________
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
You can't advance to the next level without stomping on a few Koopas.
Awesome, I'll watch that later on.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Awesome, I'm glad old posts from here are useful.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
ASPartOfMe
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Just so you're aware, that trend has not occurred with millennials.
Odds are Gen Z will follow that pattern as well unless significant economic changes occur that make home ownership, children and marriage more feasible for more people.
The oldest Millennials are just getting into their 40s so we will see. If conservative continues to equal MAGA insurrectionists you will probably be right. Trumpism has been going on for over 7 years now that probably not only blunted the trend but reversed it radicalizing people.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
funeralxempire
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Just so you're aware, that trend has not occurred with millennials.
Odds are Gen Z will follow that pattern as well unless significant economic changes occur that make home ownership, children and marriage more feasible for more people.
The oldest Millennials are just getting into their 40s so we will see. If conservative continues to equal MAGA insurrectionists you will probably be right. Trumpism has been going on for over 7 years now that probably not only blunted the trend but reversed it radicalizing people.
It's not just that, it's the economy. People don't become more conservative as they age, they become more conservative as conservative policies start to be more favourable to them based on their living circumstances.
If people aren't any more ahead at 40 than they were at 20 you can assume they'll find more appeal in the same politics one might associate with 20 year olds. After all, they're in the same boat but they've had a lot more time to think about it.
In particular I was always shocked to encounter peers of mine who I knew for being conservative in high school who now sound to the left of me. It's some sort of fancy crossover maneuver and now they're passing me on the inside (aka the left).
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
_________________
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
You can't advance to the next level without stomping on a few Koopas.
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