It's not enough to vote against Republicans

[_DoubtingThomas]

This is a deeply pessimistic article, because it offers no real solutions to a crisis it defines well. Sadly, that is the right stance to take.

I believe Science and Technology are the answer to solve our problems, but in the mean time you can sign up to freeze yourself when you legally die with the hope of a superior technology reviving you in the future.

[_DoubtingThomas]

Science is making us more rational and has the potential to end fundamentalism. If we find the cure for STDs, Cancer, Diabetes, psychological disorders, then religion and conservatism won't be needed.

[_Xenophon]

Yeah - It's not enough!

I think we should crucify all conservatives.

Peace,
Ceeboo

Ceeboo, hopefully by now you know that I don't want to crucify you at all, even when we disagree about Raccoons.

I'd be willing to wager that on some level you mostly agree with the premise laid out in the Atlantic article I posted that is referenced in EA's OP. The action may be too extreme for you but you don't seem that far off in your opinions of Trump. You have come out several times against him and you seem to generally dislike most of what his particular brand of politics is about. The base idea is that everyone (especially conservatives and "non-partisans") should abandon supporting the GOP for going along with (and in some cases enabling) this awful behavior by Trump; his tweets, general love of despots, attempts to besmirch the DOJ over Russia investigation, smearing of media outlets, his generally vulgar comments, etc..

Yes there is a more general trend by Republican Politicians (note that this is not you or conservatives in general) of not acting in good faith that I'm sure you would disagree with in the OP but I think that is in some ways secondary. Whether you accept how long this behavior has been going on it is hard not to acknowledge that we are in a crazy position now that needs to be corrected. The only viable way of doing that in our current political climate is to vote, both politically and with a dollar in the free market.

[_DoubtingThomas]

Yes there is a more general trend by Republican Politicians (note that this is not you or conservatives in general) of not acting in good faith that I'm sure you would disagree with in the OP but I think that is in some ways secondary. Whether you accept how long this behavior has been going on it is hard not to acknowledge that we are in a crazy position now that needs to be corrected. The only viable way of doing that in our current political climate is to vote, both politically and with a dollar in the free market.

In 25 years the conservative Republican Party as we know it is going to end. By 2040 whites will not longer be the majority. Republicans are in trouble because Latinos and blacks don't watch Fox News.

I predict the young generations of today will not forget in 2040 how the Republican Party was the anti-climate change party. Over time climate change is going to get more and more obvious, and will significantly impact the US economy by 2050. So yes, the Republicans may not be "acting in good faith", but it is doomed as we know it. Hopefully Trump is the last Republican president we have.

[_Ceeboo]

Yeah - It's not enough!

I think we should crucify all conservatives.

Peace,
Ceeboo

Ceeboo, hopefully by now you know that I don't want to crucify you at all, even when we disagree about Raccoons.

I'd be willing to wager that on some level you mostly agree with the premise laid out in the Atlantic article I posted that is referenced in EAllusion's OP.

You would win that wager!

The action may be too extreme for you but you don't seem that far off in your opinions of Trump. You have come out several times against him and you seem to generally dislike most of what his particular brand of politics is about.

Yes. I have indeed. Yes. Yes.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Ceeboo]

Republicans are pious frauds.

[_Kevin Graham]

[_EAllusion]

Yes there is a more general trend by Republican Politicians (note that this is not you or conservatives in general) of not acting in good faith that I'm sure you would disagree with in the OP but I think that is in some ways secondary. Whether you accept how long this behavior has been going on it is hard not to acknowledge that we are in a crazy position now that needs to be corrected. The only viable way of doing that in our current political climate is to vote, both politically and with a dollar in the free market.

In 25 years the conservative Republican Party as we know it is going to end. By 2040 whites will not longer be the majority. Republicans are in trouble because Latinos and blacks don't watch Fox News.

I predict the young generations of today will not forget in 2040 how the Republican Party was the anti-climate change party. Over time climate change is going to get more and more obvious, and will significantly impact the US economy by 2050. So yes, the Republicans may not be "acting in good faith", but it is doomed as we know it. Hopefully Trump is the last Republican president we have.

First, I think you are underestimating the chance that Republicans set up an enduring authoritarian government. Take a look at states where they've held government with near supermajorities in the legislature while losing the popular vote. I think you are being naïve about the extent to which the system can be gamed to ensure persistent Republican representation in government even without majority support. Implicit in the arguments referenced in the OP is the idea that Republicans are careening off into cultural rejection of liberal democracy into support of something that looks more like illiberal quasi-democracies we've seen gradually rise in places like Poland.

Second, while we've had this conversation before, you still won't acknowledge that demographics shift party affiliation over time and you can't assume that how minorities vote in 2018 is how they will vote in 2040.

Third, Republicans appear to be bending the curve on the majority-minority date through immigration policy.

[_subgenius]

Take a look at states where they've held government with near supermajorities in the legislature while losing the popular vote.

which states?

[_DoubtingThomas]

First, I think you are underestimating the chance that Republicans set up an enduring authoritarian government. Take a look at states where they've held government with near supermajorities in the legislature while losing the popular vote. I think you are being naïve about the extent to which the system can be gamed to ensure persistent Republican representation in government even without majority support. Implicit in the arguments referenced in the OP is the idea that Republicans are careening off into cultural rejection of liberal democracy into support of something that looks more like illiberal quasi-democracies we've seen gradually rise in places like Poland.

Second, while we've had this conversation before, you still won't acknowledge that demographics shift party affiliation over time and you can't assume that how minorities vote in 2018 is how they will vote in 2040.

Third, Republicans appear to be bending the curve on the majority-minority date through immigration policy.

I am trying to be optimistic because nobody knows the future. So yes, it is possible minorities start to vote Republican in 2040, but I don't think it is likely. African Americans have been loyal to Democrats for decades, same for Hispanics even after Reagan gave amnesty. My hope is that Democrats give amnesty to all 12 million immigrants.