Not just different things, but whether those things even exist
Like, I’m all about debating the best approaches to fighting climate change. I’m not about debating whether it exists.
You can’t debate solutions when you disagree about what the problem is
So dumb. Also insanely naively hopeful/optimistic.
When I meet magas one of the questions I like to ask is something along the lines of describe your ideal healthcare system. 90% basically describe Medicare for all. I clarify, get more detail (basically make them really think about it as much as possible), and then ask which candidates or party they believe is in line with them. Obvs I want to avoid backing them in a corner so don’t say ‘Aha you’re a socialist!’. Rather, I work though it with them, google candidates and see what their policy is. Bonus points when half the R websites don’t even have policy so they can see that. Anyway we generally get to the point that they think they might be left of both parties on that issue. And then I try to plant a seed that this is a totally normal process for figuring out who to support and get out of there while they feel some mutual respect between us. It’s harder these days when the fascism is so blatant but I don’t know what else to do when I find myself living in a democracy with a bunch of insane people
I recognize you’re doing some form or devils advocate and I appreciate that. I grew up in the ruins of one of those cities and it really helped define my political beliefs. I think it’s important to not suddenly frame NAFTA as this wonderful thing just because trump opposes it. There is a real reckoning we need to have as a country when it comes to rebuilding our industrial base. Are tariffs the answer? Almost certainly not, but that doesn’t mean that the people asking for them are completely delusional. Trump is capitalizing on a real pain that people are feeling, and have felt for a generation now. I wish we had a proper progressive to reframe the debate. It’s not about us vs Canada, it’s about the disgustingly wealthy vs everyone else. You don’t want people to support tariffs? Then we need real left wing populist arguments.
I know it’s stupid. Being right should be good enough. But it’s not. We need to be convincing. And not ‘republican lite’ convincing - more like teddy Roosevelt f’ing come at me unabashed progressivism convincing.
No this reasoning is flawed and used as an excuse for bad behavior. My father justified his alcoholism to himself by pointing out how independent all the kids turned out since he was useless, or how good we were with money because we could sense a scam from a young age as he was always trying to scam/manipulate us.
You can teach someone to cross the road by explaining the dangers and process to them, or you can teach them by driving enough cars into them that they either figure it out themselves (and carry the scars forever) or die. That doesn’t make you a good teacher
What do you mean he never did anything? He was a key reason for that amendment. Also his position on it wasn’t so static, just look at what Fredrick Douglass had to say about him. Lincoln was a key catalyst for helping to move the country forward on slavery and to say otherwise really feels like postwar Confederate speak. He wasn’t perfect, but I’d struggle to think of anyone else I’d take over him as president at that time.
Yup. Often best to use phrases like ‘oh my understanding was x, am I missing something’ or ‘Wait I don’t see how you’re accounting for x, what am I missing?’ or ‘i looked at the source a few times and it seems to be indicating x, not y, am I misunderstanding the impact of z?’. Basically, people are much more willing to admit err when you are. If you start a ‘debate’ by recognizing you could be wrong you immediately soften the ground for both parties. Plus, everyone walks away feeling like ‘we’ won since we ‘beat the problem’ . Also, sometimes you actually are missing something and now when it’s explained to you you don’t feel like a jerk. Good vibe kinda shit
You’re actually giving too much credit. Had not have. Past tense
The people the this amendment was specifically targeting weren’t convicted of anything.
It’s funny cause I’m here as an imigrant but leaving cause the place is going to shit. So, success?
Some damned foolish thing in the Balkans