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(My Experience) The biggest misconceptions/myths the Right has of the Left

ryzorsden

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As a former prison guard, I have quite a few right wing friends on my social media.

So this post is clearly from my own experiences/perception so take it for what it's worth.

1. Liberals hate America.

Couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I'd say I love America just as much as any conservative out there. My political stances are meant to better America in a manner at which I see could be most useful. You may disagree with my liberal stances/ideals, but that doesn't mean I hate America. Sidebar: Waving a flag doesn't make you a better American.

2. Liberals are all snowflakes.

No. While some can be, especially leftists, I'd say there are quite a few conservatives that truly exposed themselves to be the real snowflakes. Snowflake is a term used to describe someone who feels they are special and let emotions run their political agenda. Well recently, it's been the right that has taken snowflakey positions. The two most glaring examples are Kneeling for the Anthem and the Wall. Trump and their supporters literally made nothing more than a snowflake emotional plea to the nation, citing safety. If Obama had made the same speech, but instead used guns and gun victims, you would be calling him and anyone who agreed with him as a snowflake.

3. We don't support the military.

Absolute bull****. In fact, my liberal political stances show more support for the military than I can think of. I support the military by my stance on pay raises and better health benefits for military personnel. I support the military by supporting candidates that I feel will not put them in harms way for no justifiable reason.

4. We are not patriotic.

Being patriotic can be quite subjective. For instance, my father was extremely hard and critical of all decisions I made in my life. But his end goal was to make me a better person and make sure that I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, and was successful in life. If I had recorded every conversation he had with me, I'd say less than 5% were complimentary. He was hard on me because he wanted me to be better. That's what my liberal stance translates to. I want America to be better. Just because I criticize decision my country has made the past and present, doesn't make me less patriotic.

Also, once again, planting a flag on your front lawn or chanting "MERICA" doesn't make you a better American. From my perspective, it's a veneer.

5. We're all socialists.

Nope. I may support a stronger social safety net. But I believe in capitalism. But I also believe in referees/guardrails to prevent exploitative and harmful behavior (Enron Energy Scandal/2008 financial crisis). I believe that nobody can truly hold you back forever if you put in hard work. Some may have more obstacles than others, but unless somebody specific is actually preventing you from succeeded in an illegal/unethical way, capitalism is the best way to go in terms of running an economy. I also support at-will employment in EVERY facet of work, including government work.

But I also believe that if I have to pay taxes to send other kids to school, and pay the salaries of law enforcement and firefighters, we should have public health as well. If not, no problem. Let's privatize all school and public safety (and everything else). You take care of yourself and your kids, I'll take care of mine.


Thank you for reading.
 
To the right patriotism is putting a flag in the yard, reciting the national anthem at sports games and supporting every war without question that our politicians decide to involve us in.

Real patriotism is what you described: actually wanting the nation to become better and supporting policies and politicians who share that goal. The best way to support the troops is by refusing to support war hawks that will frivolously rip them from their families and send them into harms way.
 
Trump's recent Twitter feed has exposed him as the King of Snowflakes.
 
I'm going to attempt to address each of these and do my best not to be offensive in doing so. Just as you, this will be my perspective on why those on the right (not necessarily me) might embrace the views you have laid out.

1. Liberals hate America.
Right or wrong, that perception is based on many of the things said and various actions that have been taken by liberal/progressives over the years. For instance claiming America was the bad guy during the Vietnam war, siding with the Vietcong during the fighting and claiming the war in Iraq was for oil or was concocted by President Bush to avenge his father. Calling returning Vietnam soldiers "baby killers" and the many instances over the years of burning the American flag during protests. Liberals even nominated and supported someone for president who testified to congress on national TV about how America was the real enemy in the Vietnam war. There are many more examples I could list, but I think you get the idea where that perception comes from.​


2. Liberals are all snowflakes.
The term "snowflake" is derived from the prevailing culture created by liberal students on the campuses of our colleges and universities. They have created safe spaces, trigger warnings and speech codes to protect themselves from being offended. They take actions, often violent ones, to prevent or impede the expression of free speech by anyone they disagree with politically. Just look at what took place a few years ago at Evergreen State College.

As for "Kneeling for the Anthem", that was seen by the right as another example of the left hating America... It wasn't the protest that they found offensive, but the fact it was being done during the anthem, a time when we honor the country, honor the flag and honor the thousand of men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending and protecting our freedom. I also don't understand how you can label those who support securing our borders "snowflakes". The dangers presented by some of the people who illegally cross our southern border is as real as it gets. This isn't about people crossing the border and saying offensive things to us, it's about drug traffickers, human smugglers and murderers being allowed to walk our streets. Not to mention the financial costs to the American people.​

3. We don't support the military.
That perception comes from some of the things I mentioned in point #1.​

4. We are not patriotic.
That perception comes from some of the things I said in both points 1 and 2.​

5. We're all socialists.
That perception comes from a couple of things. It comes from the more radical elements on the left. The self identified communists and socialists who denounce capitalism and heaped praise on dictators like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. I understand that both sides have their radical elements, but there's a difference. The right doesn't accept or embrace the far right radicals. They give them no voice and no seat at the political table. The left on the other hand has done nothing to impede the progress of the radicals on their side. They not only don't voice opposition to their ideas, they're electing more and more of them to public office every year. Right now according to polls, the front runner for the democrats in 2020 is a self proclaimed socialist.

Can you see why many people have such a perception?​



Anyway... If I offended anyone please believe that that wasn't my intention.

.
 
As a former prison guard, I have quite a few right wing friends on my social media.

So this post is clearly from my own experiences/perception so take it for what it's worth.

1. Liberals hate America.

Couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I'd say I love America just as much as any conservative out there. My political stances are meant to better America in a manner at which I see could be most useful. You may disagree with my liberal stances/ideals, but that doesn't mean I hate America. Sidebar: Waving a flag doesn't make you a better American.

2. Liberals are all snowflakes.

No. While some can be, especially leftists, I'd say there are quite a few conservatives that truly exposed themselves to be the real snowflakes. Snowflake is a term used to describe someone who feels they are special and let emotions run their political agenda. Well recently, it's been the right that has taken snowflakey positions. The two most glaring examples are Kneeling for the Anthem and the Wall. Trump and their supporters literally made nothing more than a snowflake emotional plea to the nation, citing safety. If Obama had made the same speech, but instead used guns and gun victims, you would be calling him and anyone who agreed with him as a snowflake.

3. We don't support the military.

Absolute bull****. In fact, my liberal political stances show more support for the military than I can think of. I support the military by my stance on pay raises and better health benefits for military personnel. I support the military by supporting candidates that I feel will not put them in harms way for no justifiable reason.

4. We are not patriotic.

Being patriotic can be quite subjective. For instance, my father was extremely hard and critical of all decisions I made in my life. But his end goal was to make me a better person and make sure that I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, and was successful in life. If I had recorded every conversation he had with me, I'd say less than 5% were complimentary. He was hard on me because he wanted me to be better. That's what my liberal stance translates to. I want America to be better. Just because I criticize decision my country has made the past and present, doesn't make me less patriotic.

Also, once again, planting a flag on your front lawn or chanting "MERICA" doesn't make you a better American. From my perspective, it's a veneer.

5. We're all socialists.

Nope. I may support a stronger social safety net. But I believe in capitalism. But I also believe in referees/guardrails to prevent exploitative and harmful behavior (Enron Energy Scandal/2008 financial crisis). I believe that nobody can truly hold you back forever if you put in hard work. Some may have more obstacles than others, but unless somebody specific is actually preventing you from succeeded in an illegal/unethical way, capitalism is the best way to go in terms of running an economy. I also support at-will employment in EVERY facet of work, including government work.

But I also believe that if I have to pay taxes to send other kids to school, and pay the salaries of law enforcement and firefighters, we should have public health as well. If not, no problem. Let's privatize all school and public safety (and everything else). You take care of yourself and your kids, I'll take care of mine.


Thank you for reading.

Good post. As a thoughtful liberal what do you think of the Democratic drift leftwards? I guess you might find it difficult to support the Justice Democrats who appear close to taking over the party.
 
Broad brushing any group that comprises millions of INDIVIDUALS is a critical error, and patently lazy, intellectually.
 
Broad brushing any group that comprises millions of INDIVIDUALS is a critical error, and patently lazy, intellectually.
Exactly. The core error here is the belief that there is any such thing as “the left” or “the right” and the OP is no less guilty of that than the people he is challenging.
 
To the right patriotism is putting a flag in the yard, reciting the national anthem at sports games and supporting every war without question that our politicians decide to involve us in.

Real patriotism is what you described: actually wanting the nation to become better and supporting policies and politicians who share that goal. The best way to support the troops is by refusing to support war hawks that will frivolously rip them from their families and send them into harms way.

Meanwhile...... Liberals never condemned Obama for not shutting down two ongoing wars that he PROMISED to do during his election.

Meanwhile..... Liberals never condemned Obama for attacking even more countries during his watch without the approval of congress.

Liberals are only happy when there are changes that they approve of and **** everyone else.
 
Meanwhile...... Liberals never condemned Obama for not shutting down two ongoing wars that he PROMISED to do during his election.

Meanwhile..... Liberals never condemned Obama for attacking even more countries during his watch without the approval of congress.

Liberals are only happy when there are changes that they approve of and **** everyone else.

Yes they did. A lot of people complained about that and Iraq was closed out under Obama under an agreement signed by Bush.. Why do you lie about things that can be proven objectively wrong?
 
Meanwhile...... Liberals never condemned Obama for not shutting down two ongoing wars that he PROMISED to do during his election.

Meanwhile..... Liberals never condemned Obama for attacking even more countries during his watch without the approval of congress.

Liberals are only happy when there are changes that they approve of and **** everyone else.

Liberals complained about Obama not immediately getting the US out of those wars constantly over and over again, it was ****ing annoying.
 
Yes they did. A lot of people complained about that and Iraq was closed out under Obama under an agreement signed by Bush.. Why do you lie about things that can be proven objectively wrong?

BS!

Obama continued the wars that he promised to end in after his election.

He said "first thing he would do"

YouTube

YouTube

Then he went on to bomb 7 countries.

Your BS continues.
 
Good post. As a thoughtful liberal what do you think of the Democratic drift leftwards? I guess you might find it difficult to support the Justice Democrats who appear close to taking over the party.

I think the drift leftwards is a response to the Republican's drift rightwards towards Trumpism. Now that most republicans have lost the veneer of the morale high ground, it has paved the way for leftism.

I'm not totally against the Justice Democrats.

And I don't disagree with a lot of what people like Bernie Sanders support, just not all of it.
 
I'm going to attempt to address each of these and do my best not to be offensive in doing so. Just as you, this will be my perspective on why those on the right (not necessarily me) might embrace the views you have laid out.


Right or wrong, that perception is based on many of the things said and various actions that have been taken by liberal/progressives over the years. For instance claiming America was the bad guy during the Vietnam war, siding with the Vietcong during the fighting and claiming the war in Iraq was for oil or was concocted by President Bush to avenge his father. Calling returning Vietnam soldiers "baby killers" and the many instances over the years of burning the American flag during protests. Liberals even nominated and supported someone for president who testified to congress on national TV about how America was the real enemy in the Vietnam war. There are many more examples I could list, but I think you get the idea where that perception comes from.​



The term "snowflake" is derived from the prevailing culture created by liberal students on the campuses of our colleges and universities. They have created safe spaces, trigger warnings and speech codes to protect themselves from being offended. They take actions, often violent ones, to prevent or impede the expression of free speech by anyone they disagree with politically. Just look at what took place a few years ago at Evergreen State College.

As for "Kneeling for the Anthem", that was seen by the right as another example of the left hating America... It wasn't the protest that they found offensive, but the fact it was being done during the anthem, a time when we honor the country, honor the flag and honor the thousand of men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending and protecting our freedom. I also don't understand how you can label those who support securing our borders "snowflakes". The dangers presented by some of the people who illegally cross our southern border is as real as it gets. This isn't about people crossing the border and saying offensive things to us, it's about drug traffickers, human smugglers and murderers being allowed to walk our streets. Not to mention the financial costs to the American people.​


That perception comes from some of the things I mentioned in point #1.​


That perception comes from some of the things I said in both points 1 and 2.​


That perception comes from a couple of things. It comes from the more radical elements on the left. The self identified communists and socialists who denounce capitalism and heaped praise on dictators like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. I understand that both sides have their radical elements, but there's a difference. The right doesn't accept or embrace the far right radicals. They give them no voice and no seat at the political table. The left on the other hand has done nothing to impede the progress of the radicals on their side. They not only don't voice opposition to their ideas, they're electing more and more of them to public office every year. Right now according to polls, the front runner for the democrats in 2020 is a self proclaimed socialist.

Can you see why many people have such a perception?​



Anyway... If I offended anyone please believe that that wasn't my intention.

.

Your response about my take on Kneeling for the Anthem is inherently hypocritical. This country was founded on freedom. And I have the freedom to kneel, burn, or do whatever I want with the flag. That's what those people died for.

I don't want to live in a country in which we are forced to stand at gunpoint for the anthem. **** that.

Also, your claim that the "frontrunner for the 2020 nomination is a self-proclaimed socialist" is once again factually incorrect. Bernie describes himself as a democratic socialist, however, he should describe himself as a supporter of social democracy. Not once has Bernie Sanders stated that all means of production should be controlled by the government.

Show me the evidence that he is a TRUE socialist/communist, I'll wait.
 
Your response about my take on Kneeling for the Anthem is inherently hypocritical. This country was founded on freedom. And I have the freedom to kneel, burn, or do whatever I want with the flag. That's what those people died for.

I don't want to live in a country in which we are forced to stand at gunpoint for the anthem. **** that.

Also, your claim that the "frontrunner for the 2020 nomination is a self-proclaimed socialist" is once again factually incorrect. Bernie describes himself as a democratic socialist, however, he should describe himself as a supporter of social democracy. Not once has Bernie Sanders stated that all means of production should be controlled by the government.

Show me the evidence that he is a TRUE socialist/communist, I'll wait.

You can give up on convincing them that Bernie is not a Communist. Socialism is the new Communism and they believe Hitler was a socialist too. :lol: I Think "Communism" is too associated with the Russia who they now think is hunky dory...ironically.
 
You can give up on convincing them that Bernie is not a Communist. Socialism is the new Communism and they believe Hitler was a socialist too. :lol: I Think "Communism" is too associated with the Russia who they now think is hunky dory...ironically.

Feel free to explain the substantive differences between Communism and Socialism?

If you took the Hitler/Nazis 25 point governing plan and updated some of the terminology you would have a document that would make Bernie Sanders giggle like a girl and jump for joy.
 
As a former prison guard, I have quite a few right wing friends on my social media.

So this post is clearly from my own experiences/perception so take it for what it's worth.

1. Liberals hate America.

Couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I'd say I love America just as much as any conservative out there. My political stances are meant to better America in a manner at which I see could be most useful. You may disagree with my liberal stances/ideals, but that doesn't mean I hate America. Sidebar: Waving a flag doesn't make you a better American.

2. Liberals are all snowflakes.

No. While some can be, especially leftists, I'd say there are quite a few conservatives that truly exposed themselves to be the real snowflakes. Snowflake is a term used to describe someone who feels they are special and let emotions run their political agenda. Well recently, it's been the right that has taken snowflakey positions. The two most glaring examples are Kneeling for the Anthem and the Wall. Trump and their supporters literally made nothing more than a snowflake emotional plea to the nation, citing safety. If Obama had made the same speech, but instead used guns and gun victims, you would be calling him and anyone who agreed with him as a snowflake.

3. We don't support the military.

Absolute bull****. In fact, my liberal political stances show more support for the military than I can think of. I support the military by my stance on pay raises and better health benefits for military personnel. I support the military by supporting candidates that I feel will not put them in harms way for no justifiable reason.

4. We are not patriotic.

Being patriotic can be quite subjective. For instance, my father was extremely hard and critical of all decisions I made in my life. But his end goal was to make me a better person and make sure that I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, and was successful in life. If I had recorded every conversation he had with me, I'd say less than 5% were complimentary. He was hard on me because he wanted me to be better. That's what my liberal stance translates to. I want America to be better. Just because I criticize decision my country has made the past and present, doesn't make me less patriotic.

Also, once again, planting a flag on your front lawn or chanting "MERICA" doesn't make you a better American. From my perspective, it's a veneer.

5. We're all socialists.

Nope. I may support a stronger social safety net. But I believe in capitalism. But I also believe in referees/guardrails to prevent exploitative and harmful behavior (Enron Energy Scandal/2008 financial crisis). I believe that nobody can truly hold you back forever if you put in hard work. Some may have more obstacles than others, but unless somebody specific is actually preventing you from succeeded in an illegal/unethical way, capitalism is the best way to go in terms of running an economy. I also support at-will employment in EVERY facet of work, including government work.

But I also believe that if I have to pay taxes to send other kids to school, and pay the salaries of law enforcement and firefighters, we should have public health as well. If not, no problem. Let's privatize all school and public safety (and everything else). You take care of yourself and your kids, I'll take care of mine.


Thank you for reading.

The fundamental difference between the Left and Right:

Right leaning people have an Individualist mindset.

Left leaning people have a Collectivists mindset.

American was founded and still is rugged individualist nation.

The US Constitution is the ultimate doctrine of Individualism, and why most Leftist don’t really like it.
 
As a former prison guard, I have quite a few right wing friends on my social media.

So this post is clearly from my own experiences/perception so take it for what it's worth.

1. Liberals hate America.

Liberalism is NOT what liberalism used to be. Before Vietnam the generic claim of patriotism among American liberals (the left of center) would have been a fair description. FDR, Truman, John Kennedy, even Hubert Humphrey all represented those generations that saw flag waving and social programs as American as Apple pie, while at the same time not tolerating disloyalty to America. At the time, there was NO cultural divide between the Democrats and Republicans in fraternal organizations, white collar professions, or Church membership.

However, the shift started with the New Left and the nomination of George McGovern. Concerns over class took a backseat to Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and now Transgender obsession. And a large component of that change was an evolving hatred of America's own history, and the rise of grievance studies. More often than not liberals are embarrassed by overt displays of patriotism, derisive of the very working class they once embraced.

San Francisco democrats and silicon valley liberals ARE NOT into love of country; they are into love of the grievance trope as a means of berating white bread working class Americans.

2. Liberals are all snowflakes.

Actually the latest generation of liberals in colleges are snowflakes - they would rather run or shout you down than argue. The other day I noticed that Ben Shapiro was going to speak at some college, and I nearly fell out of my chair when it said that the campus left was going to hold a teach-in to counter his ideas. "A teach-in"? Wow, THAT used to be the common counter-strategy, that someone actually revived it was a unique but hopeful sign. However, it is not the way of the snow-flake. A teach-in requires engagement and ideas, something alien to most of the new liberals.

3. We don't support the military.

I'm sure your "liberal political stances show more support for the military" and that you "support the military by my stance on pay raises and better health benefits for military personnel." You aren't the first liberal to sentimentalize the military as the essence of a socialist institution; quite a few find the structured social order, communal living, subsidized consumer purchases (PX), and sense of belonging to a collective rewarding. It's not unusual to see that translated into a second career working for some government.

BUT liberals didn't support the soldiers in Vietnam, nor for at least a decade or two after (even Hillary was well known for her anti-military attitudes in the White House). So now they support the military when it isn't used (which makes it useless) but they get pretty upset and tepid when someone suggests that it's more than a uniformed flop house.

4. We are not patriotic.

Your father was tough on you, which mirrors a liberal friend of mine who also had a tough father. In his case, I thought his father was an asshole and was he was hard on him for no reason other than his need to dominate his children. That's not my idea of a patriot.

5. We're all socialists.

As nothing in your description is inconsistent with conservatism, and some of it endorses conservative beliefs, I don't think you realize that your not a liberal. But for your affection for more welfare, there would be no question you were a conservative. So you are closer to independent or centrist than liberal.
 
Your response about my take on Kneeling for the Anthem is inherently hypocritical. This country was founded on freedom. And I have the freedom to kneel, burn, or do whatever I want with the flag. That's what those people died for.

Of course you have the freedom to do want you want with the flag... I never said or implied that you didn't.

I was simply pointing out that those are a few of the reasons that give people the impression that liberals hate America.

I don't want to live in a country in which we are forced to stand at gunpoint for the anthem. **** that.

Nor do I... Who has suggested that would be a good thing?

Also, your claim that the "frontrunner for the 2020 nomination is a self-proclaimed socialist" is once again factually incorrect. Bernie describes himself as a democratic socialist, however, he should describe himself as a supporter of social democracy. Not once has Bernie Sanders stated that all means of production should be controlled by the government.

Again, I was just pointing out why some believe liberals to be, or at least support, socialism.

Show me the evidence that he is a TRUE socialist/communist, I'll wait.

I'm not here to debate what kind of socialist Sanders is...

I made a post to try and explain the reasons behind the perceptions you pointed out in your post. I did so honestly and as non-offensively as I could. Those reasons I listed are not up for debate... They simply are.

.
 
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As a former prison guard, I have quite a few right wing friends on my social media.

So this post is clearly from my own experiences/perception so take it for what it's worth.

1. Liberals hate America.

Couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I'd say I love America just as much as any conservative out there. My political stances are meant to better America in a manner at which I see could be most useful. You may disagree with my liberal stances/ideals, but that doesn't mean I hate America. Sidebar: Waving a flag doesn't make you a better American.

2. Liberals are all snowflakes.

No. While some can be, especially leftists, I'd say there are quite a few conservatives that truly exposed themselves to be the real snowflakes. Snowflake is a term used to describe someone who feels they are special and let emotions run their political agenda. Well recently, it's been the right that has taken snowflakey positions. The two most glaring examples are Kneeling for the Anthem and the Wall. Trump and their supporters literally made nothing more than a snowflake emotional plea to the nation, citing safety. If Obama had made the same speech, but instead used guns and gun victims, you would be calling him and anyone who agreed with him as a snowflake.

3. We don't support the military.

Absolute bull****. In fact, my liberal political stances show more support for the military than I can think of. I support the military by my stance on pay raises and better health benefits for military personnel. I support the military by supporting candidates that I feel will not put them in harms way for no justifiable reason.

4. We are not patriotic.

Being patriotic can be quite subjective. For instance, my father was extremely hard and critical of all decisions I made in my life. But his end goal was to make me a better person and make sure that I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, and was successful in life. If I had recorded every conversation he had with me, I'd say less than 5% were complimentary. He was hard on me because he wanted me to be better. That's what my liberal stance translates to. I want America to be better. Just because I criticize decision my country has made the past and present, doesn't make me less patriotic.

Also, once again, planting a flag on your front lawn or chanting "MERICA" doesn't make you a better American. From my perspective, it's a veneer.

5. We're all socialists.

Nope. I may support a stronger social safety net. But I believe in capitalism. But I also believe in referees/guardrails to prevent exploitative and harmful behavior (Enron Energy Scandal/2008 financial crisis). I believe that nobody can truly hold you back forever if you put in hard work. Some may have more obstacles than others, but unless somebody specific is actually preventing you from succeeded in an illegal/unethical way, capitalism is the best way to go in terms of running an economy. I also support at-will employment in EVERY facet of work, including government work.

But I also believe that if I have to pay taxes to send other kids to school, and pay the salaries of law enforcement and firefighters, we should have public health as well. If not, no problem. Let's privatize all school and public safety (and everything else). You take care of yourself and your kids, I'll take care of mine.


Thank you for reading.

Are you going to make a similar thread regarding the biggest misconceptions the left has of the right?
 
Yes, all the self-identified “right-wingers” say that. :cool:



You are in over your head here. Stop wasting everyone's time and go back and retake your Jr. High School English class.


Individual is a noun that describes a single person.

Individualist is an adjective that describes a social theory or mindset.
 
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