Mon May 5, 2014, 03:07 AM

nikto (3,284 posts)

Neither side is perfect, but nowadays, are Progressives/Liberals more honest than Conservatives?

Yes.

Absolutely.

If you encounter a person who holds a philosophy, and that "philosophy" has been distorted to
promote falsehoods, misconceptions, personal attacks and racism in multiple areas to "make its case", then that "side" is morally weaker than another side that has a philosophy built on arguments that are more consistently fact-based and less-dependent on evoking prejudices/bigotry to reinforce their "arguments".

Neither side is perfect, but it is empirical that Conservatism in America relies, far far more than Progressivism/Liberalism, on anti-science (climate and pro-dominionist arguments), racism/classism (hate-talk radio, dog whistle-attacks against Obama, minorities, entitlement programs, etc), extreme over-exaggerations (Bhengazi, Whitewater, Clinton rumours, non-existent WMDs, lies about ACA), etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

With false arguments being an institutionalized bedrock of seemingly most Conservative tactics these days, I believe this has a mass-effect of gradually converting a large population of people (US Conservatives) into less-honest people, day-by-day, issue-by-issue, lie-by-lie, distortion-by-distortion. And their pit seems to be getting ever deeper as time passes.

While either side can be stupid (or miss the point of a particular argument), there is no Progressive/Liberal equivalent for the lies, deception and nonstop use of bigotry and non-rational hateful emotion that is standard procedure for Conservatives/GOP supporters, all the time, every day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

There just isn't.

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11 replies	Author	Time	Post
Neither side is perfect, but nowadays, are Progressives/Liberals more honest than Conservatives? (Original post)	nikto	May 2014	OP
Yes, no doubt here.	defacto7	May 2014	#1
Conservatives are the types to twist EVERYTHING to make it sound as bad as possible...	Spitfire of ATJ	May 2014	#2
There is a basic dishonesty BUILT RIGHT INTO modern-day Conservatism	nikto	May 2014	#3
Google republicanism as religion	mwyn8	May 2014	#4
I heard a man say just the other say that because of his Christian principles,	Arkansas Granny	May 2014	#9
Here's a pertinent article...	nikto	May 2014	#5
Thanks	mwyn8	May 2014	#8
That is the truth	Android3.14	May 2014	#6
In other words	DonCoquixote	May 2014	#7
More RW lies explained	nikto	May 2014	#10
I think there is plenty of empirical evidence that...	nikto	May 2014	#11

Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 03:46 AM

defacto7 (13,485 posts)

1. Yes, no doubt here.

"There is no Progressive/Liberal equivalent for the lies, deception and nonstop use of bigotry and non-rational hateful emotion that is standard procedure for Conservatives/GOP supporters, all the time, every day, week after week, month after month, year after year. "

I think this is absolutely the fact. If there is a realistic argument against that premise, I would like to see it.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 04:22 AM

Spitfire of ATJ (32,723 posts)

2. Conservatives are the types to twist EVERYTHING to make it sound as bad as possible...

Gay people getting married became an attack on the sanctity of marriage requiring a law called "The Defense Of Marriage Act".

It's part of their wearing the superman cape and swooping in to be our heroes.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 05:31 AM

nikto (3,284 posts)

3. There is a basic dishonesty BUILT RIGHT INTO modern-day Conservatism

It's part of its structure.

Honesty, facts and reality no longer support (if they ever did) most Conservative positions/arguments,
whether the issue is taxes, healthcare, foreign policy, trade policy, education, environmental issues,
business regulations, wage and distribution-of-wealth issues, whatever.

The result is that a nation of Conservatives who suscribe to the lies and distortions that are given to defend their philosophy and policies, are systematically, insidiously, being made less and less honest, day-by-day.
Empirics and factual touchstones are swept-aside and an almost religious-like faith (in somehow just being right) is elevated.

The big question is, will this process of making people increasingly dishonest, result in mass-numbers of people being able to eventually do evil, disruptive, violent things to other Americans they perceive as "the (Liberal) enemy"?

Is that the end-game of this process?

Serious food 4 thought.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 05:37 AM

mwyn8 (84 posts)

4. Google republicanism as religion

This first line says it all. From the pulpit one October ‘92 Sunday morn, Mom’s pastor proclaimed, “A vote for Democrats is a vote against God.” I remember that day well. Mom visited and shared those choice words of divine revelation – right from the preacher’s horse’s mouth.

But the Okmulgee pastor wasn’t alone. Thousands of churches across the country echoed his words. Then millions of their followers, in turn, voted straight-Republican ticket.

http://thepoliticaljunkies.org/tpjmagazine/2013/10/20/republicanism-is-a-religion

Facts do not matter, only Faith and Belief. This link gives a brief description. http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2011/09/12/goodbye-to-all-that-the-lofgren-thesis/

A friend of mine is a republican, good grief this year he didn't want Girl Scouts cookies! He loves those thin mints - but this year - girl scouts BAD. Republican party says so. It's just mindless adherence to keeping the faith. Facts are inconsequential.

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Response to mwyn8 (Reply #4)

Mon May 5, 2014, 06:35 AM

Arkansas Granny (30,734 posts)

9. I heard a man say just the other say that because of his Christian principles,

of course, he voted straight Republicans. They are convinced that Democrats and liberals are ungodly and unpatriotic.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 06:03 AM

nikto (3,284 posts)

5. Here's a pertinent article...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/03/when-all-youve-got-is-benghazi-everything-looks-like-benghazi-also-benghazi/

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Response to nikto (Reply #5)

Mon May 5, 2014, 06:17 AM

mwyn8 (84 posts)

8. Thanks

I don't keep up with the Benghazi hooey because I think it's a distraction & waste of time. Fabrication. But I did enjoy that article.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 06:10 AM

Android3.14 (5,402 posts)

6. That is the truth

With the GOP, making shit up is the only way it works for them as a pragmatic practice. With the Dems, it occurs much less, though it still happens. The extreme end of the progressive spectrum has its fair share of kooks and people who believe shit just because they saw it on the internet, but the conservative extreme top willful ignorance off with prejudice, hate and greed.

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Response to nikto (Original post)

Mon May 5, 2014, 06:13 AM

DonCoquixote (13,418 posts)