Wait, if you're a Republican and you're admitting that Republican politicians don't have critical thinking ability, then why are you still voting for having them run a country and affecting the livelihoods of millions (billions) of people?

If the only Republican policies you're supporting are benign ones (as a non-American, I don't know which those are), are they worth all the ones that oppress and take away the rights of others?

And if you're a Republican but not a fan or voter of the Republican party as it stands, then maybe you need to reconsider what your definition of a Republican is, because Republicans themselves today are defining themselves in ever-bolder terms.

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world -3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I’m not a republican. I’m not even American, I’m Mozambican. But I do vote liberal in my country

[–] Sentrovasi@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Then that leads to the even bigger question of how you know that not all Republicans - at least, its uniquely American construction - are bad?

(If you mean to say that in your country, republican is a beautiful-smelling flower, then the answer to that is that in common internet discourse, it has come to mean the American GOP, and people who may be taking the hyperbolic stance that all Republicans are bad are talking specifically about those Republicans. Just FYI.)

And don't get me wrong, I'm a huge supporter of the idea that increased polarisation and demonisation of the other side is only going to push people towards extreme positions and alienate those who only support a small number out of the basket of things that are in that box: things that may be necessary for their continued survival or way of life.

Nonetheless, given what the Republican party has begun to stand for more and more, with its wilful ignorance and inexplicable support for Trump, it is becoming increasingly indefensible to believe that people who will vote for that particular team, regardless of the consequences, are not basically complicit in evil.

I personally don't think all Republicans are bad. But even the good ones have had years to consider if maybe they were the baddies. And if they recognise that there are deplorables among them, then maybe they shouldn't take criticism towards the loudest of them so personally either. And consider moving away from the Republican brand.

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m basing my opinions off the internet. Can’t go anywhere without hearing about it. I’m not completely against the idea of conservation as a way to slow down some things that may be moving too fast and can have unexpected and unintended consequences. Republicans appear to have a funny idea of what conservative means. I think what I’m trying to get across is that as long as it’s an us vs them attitude and the idea that they are always wrong, dumb, brain dead idiots, there’s not going to be a bridge to figure out what the hell they are thinking

[–] Sentrovasi@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's a difference between conservatism and regressivism, and as you yourself keep saying, the Republicans you see on the internet (your source, apparently) are not just being conservative.

Which again, begs the question of why you think you're qualified to claim that this is some "truth".

And again, I'm completely sympathetic to the idea that uncritical hatred and demonising of "the other side" leads to uncritical and one-sided ideas of the "truth".

What I think you're missing is the nuance that someone can consider both sides and still consider that one side is indefensible. The disqualification of the modern Republican from being "good people" does not mean that someone has not carefully thought through their stand.

Now about how you react to bad people: you can give them a chance to be good - the benefit of the doubt that they may not actually be standing for everything that being a modern Republican involves. But like I said previously, it might be a good time for those people to re-evaluate whether they actually are Republicans (an archaic term that has no real meaning today beyond a party affiliation) or feel like maybe it's time to recognise something has gone deeply wrong.

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I like your reply. Do you have any friends or family who are republicans?

[–] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Then you'd do well to get informed before spouting nonsense.

[–] SuckMyWang@lemmy.world -2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Spouting nonsense is a great way to become informed. There’s never a shortage of people who want to correct you