Hurricane Watcher - The Lady's Not For Turning
13 Jun,
16 tweets, 5 min read
(1) Thread: Left vs right in 2021
If you read Thomas Sowell or any other free markets economist or thinker, you can learn why the left is now on the ascendancy in so many countries.
Where did the "right" go so wrong?
If you read Thomas Sowell or any other free markets economist or thinker, you can learn why the left is now on the ascendancy in so many countries.
Where did the "right" go so wrong?
(2) IMO, when right wing parties fail to get their economic messages across, a lot of ground is ceded, & a lot of damage can be done to a country. During a pandemic or other crisis it's x1,000.
Then add in extremism. (Actually, don't do that, OK?)
Then add in extremism. (Actually, don't do that, OK?)
https://twitter.com/FreedomFriesInc/status/1396410386354622464
(3) The extremist ideology and tactics that were escalated by most of the GOP leadership in the past 18 months has blown away any hope of reaching new voters, or keeping the ones they had.
https://twitter.com/FreedomFriesInc/status/1390097918997143554
(4) Because of the current GOP leadership's deathlike grip on their "#MoveOn from 1/6" false narrative, I can't support them anymore. And I certainly can't get far in challenging Democrats' anti-free market policies, bc the GOP atm is rotten to the core re domestic terrorism.
(5) Which brings me to the main point of this thread.
I'm 50-ish and can remember a USA in which most people trusted the democratic process enough to discuss issues and resolve them peacefully. Pretty much everyone was clear on what terrorism is and what to do about it.
I'm 50-ish and can remember a USA in which most people trusted the democratic process enough to discuss issues and resolve them peacefully. Pretty much everyone was clear on what terrorism is and what to do about it.
(6) Both sides have an extremist wing that needs to be kept contained so that the grown-ups can get on with the job in peace.
For now, the far right is a far more clear and present danger to the US than the far left. (GOP won't even concede this point.) fbi.gov/file-repositor…
For now, the far right is a far more clear and present danger to the US than the far left. (GOP won't even concede this point.) fbi.gov/file-repositor…
(7) While I wait for the proper 1/6 accountability to be sought (largely through the criminal courts) I've brought my attn back to economic, social, & natsec policy. (The latter includes counter-terrorism, led by the DHS.)
Because one day we might all get back to that.
Because one day we might all get back to that.
(8) Discussing economics with the followers of the left in 2021 is very different to say 1991, because there was a higher level of education and understanding of the subject. It's truly alarming to read survey results of college students on this stuff.
(9) I won't do it here very often now. My hunch is that at least among people over 30 years old, there is a lot of emotional and physical exhaustion from the events of the last decade or so, & then the pandemic arrived.
Most are too busy with their lives to care about politics.
Most are too busy with their lives to care about politics.
(10) It's those voters, the moderates & swing voters, that must be reached in order to have a chance at winning elections.
Younger folk tend to have a more B&W view of politics, & now tend to insert it into every aspect of life. That's a known selling tactic of extremists, BTW.
Younger folk tend to have a more B&W view of politics, & now tend to insert it into every aspect of life. That's a known selling tactic of extremists, BTW.
(11) Non-moderates on both sides believe their opponents are trying to change the electoral system in their own favor, because demographic shifts mean "they can't win it any other way."
Seriously. They both use that false assertion. It's sad to watch.
Seriously. They both use that false assertion. It's sad to watch.
(12) So I found a new dimension of the current divide. Not just left v right, it's also young vs middle aged/older voters. (*Yes these are generalizations, deal with it. If you learned about the subject.)
Trust in institutions is near rock bottom in the US. Other countries too.
Trust in institutions is near rock bottom in the US. Other countries too.
(13) Restoring trust in institutions is vital if the US & others are to rediscover the beauty of a truly peaceful transfer of power, & how that flows on to all aspects of having a rules-based country & world.
My perspective is foreign, and I think that adds a bit of value.
My perspective is foreign, and I think that adds a bit of value.
(14) I'm more likely than most to dig in to the political history of many countries, looking for patterns & differences.
Unfortunately there are & were many dictatorships/ authoritarian regimes all over the world. Their actions are more telling than if they're left/ right.
Unfortunately there are & were many dictatorships/ authoritarian regimes all over the world. Their actions are more telling than if they're left/ right.
(15) All authoritarian regimes use similar tactics to seize & maintain power.
Some folk in both US major parties work toward that goal year in, year out. They play the long game (another accusation both toss at their opponent.)
Anti-hypocrisy has never been more necessary.
Some folk in both US major parties work toward that goal year in, year out. They play the long game (another accusation both toss at their opponent.)
Anti-hypocrisy has never been more necessary.
(16) Summary: Don't expect most folk to work on the assumption that healthy civic discourse & institutions are critically important, or even possible.
I continue speaking into the void in case someone out there wants to listen. It helps me, too.
I continue speaking into the void in case someone out there wants to listen. It helps me, too.
https://twitter.com/FreedomFriesInc/status/1386475405578686464
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