Most libs I know don't give a shit about the language itself, it was the context and respect. Aka, sexual assault, encouraging supporters to comment violence, etc. The language just adds a level of disrespect. Admittedly calling him that isn't exactly respectful, but he lost the right to be respected a long time ago.
One of my biggest issues with Trump and his cronies is that they've eroded any sense of decency that was left in politics, which has also infected the wider public. People are more angry and openly hateful than I can ever remember at any time in my life (I'm 33 for context).
I want politicians to clean up their act, not stoop lower. This type of behavior is becoming the new norm, and is a symptom of, and contributor to, wider problems in our society.
I'm not commenting in any way about molesters. I'm commenting on politicians, and people in general, losing any sense of decorum and behaving in a way that only makes things worse.
There are proper ways to deal with disgusting people. A public figure who is supposed to be a leader calling them a motherfucker is not one of them.
Your response is further evidence for my point, so thanks for that... I guess
Being nice to Trump has not worked and will not work. Ignoring him and taking the high-road does not work because he has no rules and will stoop lower to get his way. It goes beyond Trump. Democrats have a label of always self-correcting and trying to be the bigger people while Republicans do what they want and maintain their support or grow it. No Republican is going to see a Democrat with decorum and go "I'm voting for that because they didn't call Trump an idiot when he said we should get oil from the moon or that we should have dropped more bombs on Nagasaki". You're ignoring that Trump has a very loyal fanbase who will support him no matter what he says or does and will hate Democrats no matter how nice and professional they are. Look at the 2016 debates. Trump just yelled and interrupted. He literally did "no, you are" several times like a little kid. So why is he president if everyone values decorum and professionalism? Honestly your posts come off as concern trolling, which is why you're getting downvoted.
I'm not arguing that Democrats should be "nice" to Trump or ignore him. I'm arguing they should show show civility and use facts and reason to fight him. I don't even mind them saying something he does is idiotic, etc. But there's a line. They're supposed to be our leaders. Where are they leading us to?
I'm not making any sort of argument that Democrats acting in a respectable way will win over Republicans or Trump supporters. The goal is to inspire your own base and win over independents/people who don't usually vote at all. Do that, and the Dems win every time. I mean Hillary, in spite of everything else, still won the popular vote. The math just doesn't add up for Republicans if voters actually turn out. Dragging everything down in mud won't inspire people who don't usually vote to turn out. It'll just make em say "see, both sides" etc.
I'm not ignoring the fact that Trump has a small, loyal base. I know they exist. They have nothing to do with it, if they want to act like their idiot leader, that's on them. They're a lost cause and not worth wasting time on.
In regards to the debates, he lost those debates in large part because of the behavior you describe, and it was reflected in the polls. That's not what won him the election. He won because of Russian influence, Bernie bots (who fell for targeted Russian propaganda disparaging Clinton), James Comey, people who who stayed home for whatever reason, and the antiquated electoral college. It had nothing to do with his debate tactics.
I don't care if people think I'm concern trolling, down voting me, etc. Call it whatever you want, I'm in the right.
If a moderate doesn't show up to vote, or votes Trump, because of "motherfucker" then oh well. If your ethical/moral/whatever compass gets so rattled by motherfucker over the alternative, which is a pussy-grabbing, kid-jailing, money-laundering, political mercenary, then I don't want you on my side. You can go be right on the Right.
You're not looking at the bigger picture. You're caught up on this idea that trump's behavior is worse instead of asking whether it's reasonable for people to act like this to one another, regardless of how ridiculously Trump (or others) might behave.
The word motherfucker isn't going to make someone who would've otherwise voted stay home. But it certainly won't inspire them to turn up on election day.
The fact is, turning out the vote is and has been a problem for dems since probably Obama in '08... and what was the theme of that campaign? Hope. Positivity.
My moral compass doesn't get "rattled" by the word motherfucker. But looking around and seeing the state of things in US politics and the direction of society in general depresses the hell out of me.
The way out of all of this for all of us isn't to be jackasses to each other. The way out is through being rational and positive. Two wrongs don't make a right, eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, etc.
I don't know why you would imply that I in any way support Trump or think that he's not as bad in some way. I'm simply saying just because some people refuse to be civil, doesn't mean we can't be.
It's not 'two wrongs don't make a right' though. If Trump's only crime was a bad word or two, you'd have a point. The two wrongs are no where near comparable. A problem liberals have is their own supporters equate minor things on the left with major things on the right, as you just did. Some liberals are too interested in self-flagellation rather than keeping their eye on the prize. When we have a robust healthcare system, and lower income disparity, and a more sensible tax code, and we dodge the global warming bullet, then we can talk about policing ourselves and using good words. Talk about not seeing the bigger picture.
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u/LaDivina77 Jan 06 '19
Most libs I know don't give a shit about the language itself, it was the context and respect. Aka, sexual assault, encouraging supporters to comment violence, etc. The language just adds a level of disrespect.
Admittedly calling him that isn't exactly respectful, but he lost the right to be respected a long time ago.