聖騎士
[Politics] The parents of the child I watch on the weekend are Republican. I sometimes debate (in a friendly manner...!) with the dad. But I'm kind of heartened by something he said today.
聖騎士
At least it gives me respect for him because overall I've lost...so much respect for the republican party in general.
聖騎士
But anyway, he said that he has conservative values. But that it's him PERSONALLY that has those values. And that he believes women should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies. That he's proc-choice. That he believes the LGBTQ community should have all the same rights as the rest of us.
聖騎士
That the ban on predominately Muslim countries is WRONG.
聖騎士
And that we need to foster a good relationship with our neighbors.
聖騎士
And if more republicans thought like this, I would be a lot more happy.
聖騎士
He's also concerned with all the healthcare stuff (probably especially because his son has a super super rare disorder, that only a few other individuals in the world have)
聖騎士
He doesn't think people should be discriminated against for having a pre-existing condition. And thinks women need access to all the things
聖騎士
So yes thank you for proving to me that not all republicans are shit heads
聖騎士
which is what it's felt like recently OTL
聖騎士
Even though I realistically know that not ALL of them are.
galatine ✶
it's good you experience that! Because being told it is not the same as experiencing it for yourself. I read a really heartening story in the news that happened over inauguration weekend.
galatine ✶
but the problem with politics it that it only thrives as a two way party system by putting opposites against one another. So of course you'll rarely see anything in the news from either side. It's why moderates get so much heat from their parties when they get elected .
聖騎士
TBH it's mostly only moderate republicans that I can somewhat respect.
聖騎士
I don't share the same values that much of the GOP does. But there are some republicans that, while I disagree with them on many things, I can somewhat respect because they--
聖騎士
are genuinely coming from a place of good intentions. Not trying to just line their pockets with money
聖騎士
Even Rubio who I disagree with so many many things... I feel like he MEANS well. That he's not trying to shit on people to prop himself up in the same way that I think Trump
聖騎士
and most the republicans surrounding him are trying to do
galatine ✶
Well you need to understand this guy is also a populist so while you can think he's a "normal" GOP, he's not. Trump was a democrat hardcore up until a few years ago so it's why I try hard not to label Parties of people. Politicians are kind of different to me than normal people too
galatine ✶
I am fiscally conservative and I usually feel like I can't say anything about that because of the blanket of hate for the GOP tbh out of fear my friends are just going to assume things about me
galatine ✶
when they aren't true just because I'm not democrat. :< I'm not republican either I'm independent but
galatine ✶
It's super disheartening because if you really analyze certain issues you'll see past the politicians every day people want the same thing but they come at it from different angles.
galatine ✶
I mean there are totally asshole greedy GOP dudes for sure and racist and etc etc
聖騎士
I think it's fine to take things that you find work on the other side. My main issues with the GOP in general is that many of the values on that side are discriminatory and promote inequality vs the opposite
聖騎士
I used to be independent until last year, when I switched to the democratic side of things in order to vote for Bernie
galatine ✶
don't get me wrong. And I'm easily sure their amount registered as GOP is greater than the democratic. The really sad thing is
galatine ✶
If you go read the platforms for the parties, the GOP you see especially right now
聖騎士
Well, I feel the GOP we see right now are hardcore right wing tea party members.
galatine ✶
is not the same platform 
at all.
at all.
galatine ✶
Of course they are alt. Right
galatine ✶
And trump is a populist
galatine ✶
there's no doubts about that.
聖騎士
If there were more moderates, that would make me be able to respect what I think the party is SUPPOSED to be.
galatine ✶
The problem is that moderates rarely get elected on either side. More likely I think moderate democrats slip through than GOP but I can't quote on that
聖騎士
I'd agree with that I think.
galatine ✶
so it's like... Hard to even tell what some politicians even really feel versus what they say. Def not talking about trump here although I do admit
galatine ✶
I don't know wtf he's thinking/doing. Like the Muslim ban is very racist until you see what he's actually doing and it's like ... I don't know what you'd call it. It's like covered as racist but he's not actually banning all muslims or even protecting the country ??
galatine ✶
Like none of the us is currently safer solely because the six places he has banned people/refugees from have never spilled blood on US soil
galatine ✶
but Saudi Arabia isn't banned. 17 of the 9/11 hijackers wee from Saudi Arabia
聖騎士
TBH I don't think even Trump knows what he's doing
聖騎士
I doesn't have a grasp of reality to begin with though, so not surprised -_-
galatine ✶
Lmfao ugh I would agree there. I'm wondering how much of a puppet he is considering how much validation he needs
聖騎士
I think he's both a puppet and acting independantly
聖騎士
Like
聖騎士
He goes off and randomly does something because he can't be contained
galatine ✶
I'm sure you've read how he can't let go of being super convinced the photos of his inauguration were not accurate to the point he actually called the wildlife park asking for additional photos to be sent to him
聖騎士
but the people above him I'm sure are whispering words into his ears
galatine ✶
Because he was so so sure additional photos would prove to him he was right
聖騎士
YEP. I read all that
galatine ✶
聖騎士
He's ridiculous
聖騎士
I'm just like who the fuck cares.... nobody cares
聖騎士
and it wouldn't be as big of a deal as it is right now if he hadn't made a big deal out of it
galatine ✶
And his huge obsession right now with the fact he didn't win popular vote because of illegal voting and wants to actually spend money on investigating it even though his lawyers have even told him "UHM... no. There is absolutely no evidence that even hints this is something to be suggested"
galatine ✶
Right
galatine ✶
But he can't let it go
galatine ✶
It's like only crap
galatine ✶
Holy^
聖騎士
YEP
聖騎士
It's driving me absolutely insane. But he's so mentally unstable and so narcissistic that he just can't handle the fact that he 'didn't win'
galatine ✶
Yeah and it's like he has presidency but it's not good enough and it's like dude are you seriously... what are you even running for
and it's like he has presidency but it's not good enough and it's like dude are you seriously... what are you even running for
galatine ✶
I noticed how the White House is like a reality tv show right now
galatine ✶
Of trump signing orders. 
聖騎士
He desperately just wants everyone to love him and not question his authority
galatine ✶
Basically yes.
galatine ✶
I mean im still kind of like how are you gonna get Mexico to pay for a wall they refuse to pay for again 
after you build that wall and spend the money even...
after you build that wall and spend the money even...
galatine ✶
"just trust him he'll totally do it." 
galatine ✶
So I'm sure supporters of that wall are gonna be mad when it ends up coming out of their pockets (and the rest of us orz)
galatine ✶
But I'm hoping with all the pressure and people actively pushing back against his policies as well like the lawyers while managed to secure a win to halt deporting anyone already in the states with a green card
galatine ✶
that the GOP realizes if they don't turn on him it's going to be a very very VERY long time
galatine ✶
before any republican gets a chance at the White House again due to the stigma. Which is unfortunate because a lot of GOP politicians that signed they were against trump have been arguably blacklisted for office positions and they are gonna suffer even longer
galatine ✶
so hopefully people speaking out will help them see this sooner versus later and know what to do sooner versus later. But GOP leaders need to grow a background and stop being pussies :c I definitely blame them for not doing more and letting trump get where he is and they need to take responsibility. Will they... Probably not orz
galatine ✶
but if they did I could see that working a lot better for them in the future than what they got on their hands right now. Because trump is literally doing No Good at ANY angle. People who would argue it's to keep America safer can't because he didn't even ban the places that fund and shelter terrorists groups 
galatine ✶
I don't even know if it makes racists happy because he only banned partially.... in happy to say I don't think I know any /psyducks
galatine ✶
I'm *
galatine ✶
(In order to verify that).
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
BLESS
galatine ✶
But my point is keep your head up and try to take comfort and pride in those around you that are showing you first hand that it's indeed not just re democrats who think this guy is wrong and is doing ridiculous stuff
galatine ✶
and needs to stop. Sometimes it helps just knowing that some of the perceived opposition you face actually is on your side when it matters most makes the world look less daunting to face 
聖騎士
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
: RIGHT. I was like thanks, dude. I don't have to feel bad working under you.
聖騎士
secace: Yes. I'm trying to and I agree
聖騎士
It's all daunting atm and just so frustrating I could scream, but I'm going to take good when I can find it
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
Yeah. I feel like there is a lot of common ground to be had so long as people are willing to stop legislating individual choices. In other words, true conservative values and not Christofascists trying to make their religion into law.
galatine ✶
Yes ^
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
We can talk all day about the tax rate and compromise but human rights just can't be compromised on, and the far right is like BUT THE BIBLE and just... there's no middle ground whatever.
galatine ✶
Exactly.
galatine ✶
Omg the Bible
galatine ✶
It makes me furious when they try to use the Bible as an excuse, if because nothing else the Bible is translated and there is so much vagueness in the translations that it's just ... 
聖騎士
TBH it makes me really dislike organized religion, and I believe in christ? But it gives such a bad name to Christians in general when you try and force things on other people, and seems the opposite of Christ like.
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
indeed. And like... they're volunteering to be in a group with literal Nazis, so that looks pretty bad.
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
And I really don't hear enough protest of Republicans saying "I do not want white supremacists in my group!" so make me think they're not okay with it. At the very least they're cool with white supremacists if it forward their cause, which 
Lҽɳα ɘꙅɿɘvᴎI
This is how I feel about Paul Ryan rn. During the campaign he actually impressed me somewhat by standing up to Trump. But now Trump can help him get what he wants, so he rolled over and showed his belly. That isn't leadership; it's self-serving unprincipled cowardice.
聖騎士
YEAH I don't have any respect for him
聖騎士
Because yeah, it's exactly as you said
聖騎士
He's just wagging his tail for the president, and it just disgusts me
K.
Fiscal conservatism is not a bad thing. "Don't spend money you don't have" is a good maxim. It's social conservatism that I can't get on with.
聖騎士
Yep. It's the social aspects that make me nope out