yes, the same as '08 (/s)
yes, the same as '08 (/s)
Fine, I’ll bite.
People have gotten more partisan since 2008. I’m not going to point to any one thing – but I bet the internet has something to do with it. Here are some quick thoughts on Elon’s meme.
In 2008 Democrats supported a more socialized system of medicine, by 2010 they supported it so much they voted it into law (by razor thin margins). In 2022, Obamacare is so popular Republicans run against it but don’t actually want to make any key changes – acknowledging the reality that it’s an extremely popular provision. Republicans have come to the left.
Since 2008 Republicans shut down the government on many occasions to prevent increased spending, during the Trump presidency the deficit (annual spending short-fall) increased 2x over it’s Obama-year lows (pre-COVID). This is not a left / right issue – this is just a hypocrisy issue in my mind. Republicans have always been okay with sacrificing national fiscal responsibility if it meant tax cuts (can’t forget Bush’s tax cuts after we had a surplus). So no movement there.
As recent as 2013 there was a group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers (“Gang of Eight”) working towards creating a system to overhaul the current system of immigration that would give million of undocumented immigrants in the United States a pathway to citizenship. Does that sound like something that would be palatable by today’s Republican party?
Trade – who even knows? Pretty much everyone supported NAFTA back in the day, but now it has opponents in Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. I’ll call that one a wash.
In 2008 we were actively involved in a foreign war – a war that lasted form 2003 until the current administration ended it. Over 6 consecutive terms (half Democratic / half Republican-controlled) – all three Republican terms continued the war. A Democrat ended it – and to much backlash from all sides. Is that that a shift to the left? Ending foreign conflicts? Feel neutral.
And what about foreign alliances? Is it the Democratic Party of the Republicans who are distancing themselves from our internal allies and calling for us to not reaffirm our commitment to NATO (30% of the GOP). Is that reasonable, sane, 2008 thinking?
Gay Marriage? Sure – everyone(?) has moved to the left on that…are you saying Republicans are against Gay Marriage?
Environmentalism? Pretty sure the Republican party has partially come around, but the party still believes Climate Change is fake…so don’t know if we should be giving them credit for still ignoring what seems to me, the general scientific consensus.
Wokeness?
Oh – you mean that thing that’s not an actual policy? That “feeling” that people don’t like you because of what you say? That’s why you feel like you’re alienated from the Democratic party? Look, let me try and express something.
Liberals online are not Democratic Politicians. They’re not making policy! Have police departments been defunded? No. Budgets have increased. Do we have Medicare for All? No. And every Democratic candidate for president (except Bernie) was distancing themselves from it. Do Democratic politicians want to nationalize private industry? Are minimum wages regulated to be $15 / hour? Is Roe v. Wade enumerated into law? Is there some Critical Race Theory law Democrats have enacted that I’m unaware of? Are any of the advocates’ prerogatives of the last decade law? Not really – online pundits are not Politicians. I dislike wokeness, too. But I’m not going to vote Republican because some socialist likes to yell about student loans online.
But conservatives online are very similar to Republican Politicians. The leader of the Republican was openly condemned by Mitch McConnell for “PROVOKING” the January 6th attack. A prominent member of the House has made ridiculous claims ranging from skepticism about the Las Vegas shooting (suggesting it was staged by Democrats) to openly stoking 9/11 Trutherism (not to mention the QANON shenanigans). Even more reasonable Senators like Indiana’s Mike Braun openly push back against interracial marriage and adoption. These people have truly crazy ideas – and they have power.
THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THAT THE PARTY’S OFFICIAL STANCE IS THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS A FRAUD!! Like come on!! How can we be comparing two things when one side can’t accept that there are rules! I…. I just can’t.
I’m not saying either side is perfect – and if you take a long enough view of time – a lot of issues go full circle. Instead of using generalities let’s be specific. What are you disenchanted with about Democratic politics since 2008? Stance on environmentalism? Sexuality? Economic policy? Because when it comes to Democrats they are annoyingly ineffective – so I’d be curious so what they’ve actively done to spark your ire. Republicans on the other hand nominate and elect truly radical figures who add fuel to the culture war fire.
Look, I know he’s just doing this to drive engagement on the site – but I swear if someone tries to make this argument to me, so help me God.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a full spread on Elon.