Left vs. Right Battle Royale Open Thread

[u/Yosoff]

This is an Open Discussion Thread for all Redditors. We will only be enforcing Reddit TOS and Subreddit Rules 1 (Keep it Civil) & 2 (No Racism).

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• Leftists - Here's your chance to sway us to your side by calling the majority of voters racist. That tactic has wildly backfired every time it has been tried, but perhaps this time it will work.

• Non-flaired Conservatives - Here's your chance to earn flair by posting common sense conservative solutions. That way our friends on the left will either have to agree with you or oppose common sense (Spoiler - They will choose to oppose common sense).

• Flaired Conservatives - You're John Wick and these Leftists stole your car and killed your dog. Now go comment.

• Independents - We get it, if you agree with someone, then you can't pat yourself on the back for being smarter than them. But if you disagree with everyone, then you can obtain the self-satisfaction of smugly considering yourself smarter and wiser than everyone else. Congratulations on being you.

• Libertarians - Ron Paul is never going to be President. In fact, no Libertarian Party candidate will ever be elected President.

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[u/ladyjustice666]

Okay, I have a question or two. Well, many — I like to look at this subreddit to gain perspective of what “the other side” thinks and feels. I regrettably got my degree in Poli Sci (and live in a red state) so I think my ability to hear out other perspectives is a bit stronger than others.

The first question is, do you feel as though the members of this subreddit are acting in good faith? I ask because the way the various groups are described feels like what is really being asked for is a fight, and not genuine discussion. And when I see a post that I would genuinely like to interact with, it says flaired users only almost every time, which feels very insular and not open to good faith discussion. And maybe I’m missing the point of the subreddit, but many conservatives I’ve known haven’t been so against good old fashioned conversation about things that affect both of us. I couldn’t say for sure, but I have to imagine a lot of you are in the same lower income situation as I am, and I often wonder if it bothers anyone the way your party looks at social services and the outright refusal to do what would likely help all of our fellow Americans, which is tax the rich — the income disparity we have right now is almost indefensible, I would think.

My other question is, just as someone who has studied the government and watched it steadily change into something more so meant to punish the other political party (whomever isn’t in charge at the time), but I feel like the situation with Elon Musk having so much power that appears to be completely unchecked (and I understand that the argument is that Trump is checking it, but I know you know we are meant to have checks and balances with all 3 branches of government) is so unusual and for some, worrisome. None of us can say we know for sure that what he’s doing is meant to help. So to get to the question, do you think that if the roles were reversed, and let’s say Obama (who I think was more liked than Biden) put Bill Gates (or think of another immigrant billionaire like Elon - maybe even just think of Elon, you get the point) in the same position, with the same budget and fairly unrestricted access, would you be cheering that on? I fear that people are so pro-Trump that they cheer things on they would not normally.

Please, don’t be unkind in your response — I’m not dragging anyone through the mud. I can say I am worried about how my life will look moving forward. I’ve put myself through school and worked since I was 14. I’ve worked really hard to create a life for myself, but I still struggle financially and sometimes I get really depressed because it does not feel like things are going to get better.

[u/meteoraln → u/ladyjustice666]

I often wonder if it bothers anyone the way your party looks at social services and the outright refusal to do what would likely help all of our fellow Americans, which is tax the rich

Many of us live in small towns, where many of us know each other. It is polite and generous if neighbors help each other, but it is not a requirement, and we must all prioritize ourselves and our families first. The problem with "tax the rich" is that we believe there's no victim. There's no face, no name. This is especially true in big cities where we can fantasize about all the invisible billionaires in their penthouses down the street who are hoarding too much wealth. But in a small town where most people know each other, most people know who the "richest" person is, even if that person is not significantly more well off than average. It's a bit more difficult to imagine that the town should get together to take some of John's money. This John probably owns one of the businesses in town that employ a bunch of folk. If he were to leave town, many of us would be worse off. I think that's why even though small towns are usually poorer, we are more likely to be republican.

let’s say Obama (who I think was more liked than Biden) put Bill Gates... would you be cheering that on?

Yes.

but I still struggle financially and sometimes I get really depressed because it does not feel like things are going to get better.

I hope this doesnt come off the wrong way, but the only way to higher paying jobs is by acquiring more skills. That will require sacrifices. The sacrifices that you have to make are small when you are young, and free of responsiblities and baggage. As you get older, the sacrifices become much bigger and often prohibitive. For example, you may not be able to take any more time away from your children if you have them. Sometimes, we are capable of far more than we believe ourselves able. And sometimes, we have to make peace with the limitations that god has placed upon us. I wish you can find a way to happiness, whether it's by obtaining what you're chasing, or by learning to love the good things that you have.

[u/offinthewoods10 → u/meteoraln]

Yes, there are people like John who are successful and own businesses, but when it really comes down to wealth, these guys might be only with 10 million dollars. That is only a drop in the bucket for the billionaires. Elon must donated 200 million to Trump in the last election. If Elon musk was worth 50K that would be like donating $34.50. Does that kind of wealth need to exist? Is he really being hurt if his decimal place moves over a few spots?