I also was surprised. However, what passes for the left now has changed and increasingly become a parody of its former self. Now it is controlled by a bunch of ruthless neocons with a nod to extreme isolated social causes like the amputation of healthy body parts to solve a problem originating in the brain. Both parties are largely contr…
I also was surprised. However, what passes for the left now has changed and increasingly become a parody of its former self. Now it is controlled by a bunch of ruthless neocons with a nod to extreme isolated social causes like the amputation of healthy body parts to solve a problem originating in the brain. Both parties are largely controlled by the same string pullers. If you would have told me four years ago that I would come to agree with Rand Paul, de santis, Jordan, or tucker Carlson, on anything I would have thought you crazy. Now I am thankful for them
Once they had their mitts unambiguously on the levers of power, thanks to their complete domination of the media and academia and other influential institutions, they become authoritarian. Anyone would.
I think a great deal of the leftists-to-authoritarians came from a position of "We are nice, and smart, and well-educated, and we know what is good for you better than you know. So we will take care of you like good parents take care of their kids, including firm discipline (and punishment) if you resist our good-for-you rules."
But the leftists in power figured *they* were smart and well-educated enough to make their own decisions about how to take care of themselves.
Meanwhile, I saw smart, well-educated liberals earnestly and good-naturedly and even proudly complying with absurdities. "We are nice, and smart, and well-educated, so of course we will follow the good-for-us rules. And we won't listen to those nasty misinformation spreaders!"
Where I lived in California, my county's public health department employees nicely, caringly wrecked people's lives. I wrote a senryu about them and posted it as a comment on the PHD's Facebook page:
Leftists overrate the effectiveness and beneficence of centralized power and authority whether it is . . .
1) Federal Public Health Programs and Agencies (to promote national health)
2) National Military Departments (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Israel not very helpful military programs)
3) Even large corporations (Apple makes great smart phones, but it can be argued those great phones have also disrupted society and people's well-being)
4) Communist Nations (Stalinist Russia, Maoist China, North Korea)
It's always this way! Every time. Every authoritarian institution in history starts out as something from 'the left'. It is the explicit purpose and function of Leftism itself: subvert the status quo, and gain power.
Same. My eyes started to open 2 years ago, and once you see it, you cannot unsee it. I spent the majority of my life as a loyal Dem, campaigning and donating, and now they all make me sick to my stomach.
I also was surprised. However, what passes for the left now has changed and increasingly become a parody of its former self. Now it is controlled by a bunch of ruthless neocons with a nod to extreme isolated social causes like the amputation of healthy body parts to solve a problem originating in the brain. Both parties are largely controlled by the same string pullers. If you would have told me four years ago that I would come to agree with Rand Paul, de santis, Jordan, or tucker Carlson, on anything I would have thought you crazy. Now I am thankful for them
Welcome to the club! It’s ok to disagree here, no two people are ever 100% aligned, but if there is a 51% agreement we’re allies.
I really wish I could understand how leftists turned into authoritarians, but I cannot.
Once they had their mitts unambiguously on the levers of power, thanks to their complete domination of the media and academia and other influential institutions, they become authoritarian. Anyone would.
If you have all the answers, can't afford to let the unwashed and the deplorables stop you from saving the world.
I think a great deal of the leftists-to-authoritarians came from a position of "We are nice, and smart, and well-educated, and we know what is good for you better than you know. So we will take care of you like good parents take care of their kids, including firm discipline (and punishment) if you resist our good-for-you rules."
But the leftists in power figured *they* were smart and well-educated enough to make their own decisions about how to take care of themselves.
Meanwhile, I saw smart, well-educated liberals earnestly and good-naturedly and even proudly complying with absurdities. "We are nice, and smart, and well-educated, so of course we will follow the good-for-us rules. And we won't listen to those nasty misinformation spreaders!"
Where I lived in California, my county's public health department employees nicely, caringly wrecked people's lives. I wrote a senryu about them and posted it as a comment on the PHD's Facebook page:
public health people
little clay soldiers
salute the absurd
I think that makes a great deal of sense. There are likely other factors as well, but this has to be a big part of it.
Leftists overrate the effectiveness and beneficence of centralized power and authority whether it is . . .
1) Federal Public Health Programs and Agencies (to promote national health)
2) National Military Departments (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Israel not very helpful military programs)
3) Even large corporations (Apple makes great smart phones, but it can be argued those great phones have also disrupted society and people's well-being)
4) Communist Nations (Stalinist Russia, Maoist China, North Korea)
It's always this way! Every time. Every authoritarian institution in history starts out as something from 'the left'. It is the explicit purpose and function of Leftism itself: subvert the status quo, and gain power.
Same!!! This lifelong democrat woke up to all the horrible ways of the left 4 years ago.
Same. My eyes started to open 2 years ago, and once you see it, you cannot unsee it. I spent the majority of my life as a loyal Dem, campaigning and donating, and now they all make me sick to my stomach.