Thank you! I would describe myself as a materialist leftie but I think we often demonise people with conservative views and, in the U.K, at least, many Conservative voters would not be out of place at a Democratic convention. We over emphasise divergent views at our peril. Most Conservative voters want an NHS free at the point of use. a majority consistently support nationalisation of the railways. Many are appalled at homelessness and the rise of poverty /foodbanks. They just disagree about how to remedy these societal ills.
I know many American Republicans with similar views, but for some reason the party itself has decided moved towards a Trumpian antagonistic conservatism. I don't know if you are familiar with the terms RINO and DINO, which mean "Republican In Name Only" and "Democrat in Name Only," which are tags that the more exremist of each party use to dismiss centrists in either party. I think it's damaging for running governments effectively because it favors ideology over pragmatic problem-solving.
I have these discussions with son who knows my political affiliations but despairs of me saying governments have to govern for all and not all Conservative voters are evil . He has an excuse , he is young, but actual M.P.s. say this stuff. Polarisation helps nobody. That’s why I wrote my piece on different belief systems and love. I am a “terf” with a trans identified son. Our parent support groups have people from all political persuasions and income brackets. What we have in common is love for our kids and it is enough.
Thank you! I would describe myself as a materialist leftie but I think we often demonise people with conservative views and, in the U.K, at least, many Conservative voters would not be out of place at a Democratic convention. We over emphasise divergent views at our peril. Most Conservative voters want an NHS free at the point of use. a majority consistently support nationalisation of the railways. Many are appalled at homelessness and the rise of poverty /foodbanks. They just disagree about how to remedy these societal ills.
I know many American Republicans with similar views, but for some reason the party itself has decided moved towards a Trumpian antagonistic conservatism. I don't know if you are familiar with the terms RINO and DINO, which mean "Republican In Name Only" and "Democrat in Name Only," which are tags that the more exremist of each party use to dismiss centrists in either party. I think it's damaging for running governments effectively because it favors ideology over pragmatic problem-solving.
I have these discussions with son who knows my political affiliations but despairs of me saying governments have to govern for all and not all Conservative voters are evil . He has an excuse , he is young, but actual M.P.s. say this stuff. Polarisation helps nobody. That’s why I wrote my piece on different belief systems and love. I am a “terf” with a trans identified son. Our parent support groups have people from all political persuasions and income brackets. What we have in common is love for our kids and it is enough.
You write often of your love for your son, and he is fortunate. I think in the long run he will come through whole from his experience, thanks to you.