Why we are asked to understand our opponents.

[plimsoll]

This will be TLDNR, so just ignore me now.

We are asked to show consideration and understanding of our opponents when we win because those are our ideals. Honesty, integrity, fair play things that every liberal and Democrat will say we should be doing. We are asked to live up to our ideals.

When our opponents win they aren't asked to live up to our ideals, nor are they asked to live up to their ideals. This is because their ideals are best kept in plain brown wrappers. Not something to be proud of.

The right can be counted on to live their ideals when they win, and we've seen those ideals in action for the last 4 years. I too am offended by the blatant double standard but I think we need to accept that it is the way it is. The party of "Personal Responsibility" has never been about responsibility but punishment of the other. The party of "Christian Values" has always been the party of Ken Copeland and Jerry Falwell Jr.

It's hard to live up to your ideals after abuse, but that is when you have to struggle to do so. It's hard, but we have to see it for what it is, an acknowledgement that the GOP is at this point utterly devoid of basic human decency. If we desire a return to "normal," it will be on our shoulders because the current GOP can't, even if they wanted to.

[Newest Reality]

1. I see them as manipulated puppets, not opponents.

Cult members follow blindly. They can't be "opponents". An opponent understands what they are doing whereas a cult member does what they are told regardless of the point or purpose.

With that crowd we only have one opponent and we just voted him out. However, the minions are still loyal and true to their Dear Leader. They don't really have a choice and are in too deep to even see it.

[plimsoll]

3. I think you just called them zombies.

That’s a whole philosophical discussion, if they aren’t thinking do they exist? It doesn’t matter in a real sense, they vote and are motivated to oppose us. Where the motivation derives from doesn’t really matter, the opposition is there.

[Newest Reality]

5. Well, I am not saying they don't have functional brain stems and rudimentary reasoning. ;)

I would ask if they are able to think independently at all, though, or do they merely believe they do?

Conversely, from what I have observed, they are functional enough to do what they are told and in that case, they exist. I guess a good question is, if they were presented with options, could they do otherwise?

That may be a larger, existential question that we can all contemplate, I guess.

I know, this ventures off into speculation and thorny philosophical territory.

[dlk]

2. Someone likened reaching out to Republicans like holding hands with your abuser

Not the best idea.

[plimsoll]

4. Yep.

No argument, I’m trying to explain the discrepancy between what we are asked to do and what they are asked.

I view it as a tacit acknowledgement that they have really do “Have no decency.”

[SomedayKindaLove]

6. My thoughts?

Much of this Trump phenomena is fueled by people who have unresolved trauma and are fed a constant diet of American exceptionalism, propaganda and fear. Studies have shown that when people live in fear, they will vote more conservatively. When they are made to feel safe they become more liberal.

[NurseJackie]

8. I, too, am sick to death of "American Exceptionalism" bullshit. We're not. Not really.

[Doodley]

7. We have to understand them in order to devise the best messaging to reach out to them.

And we have to reach out to them if we want them to wear masks, or socially distance or understand basic facts and basic science that the rest of us take for granted.

[Hotler]

9. Why are we asked to understand our opponents when their moto is

"The only good democrat is a dead Democrat."? I've been playing nice since I started voting, those days are over.