re: Why is the country/this board so polarized?

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I hope the obsession with material things and keeping up with the Joneses is dying off.

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Todays consumerism became grotesque in the 80's. Working class was a positive until then, now it's hated. Obsession with class and status are out of control.

Kids growing up today expect a certain standard of living and it's unrealistic (which is why so many live at home until they are 30)

I applaud the commercial fishermen, construction tradesmen, miners, etc. They deserve a better status than what they are given in many parts of the country.

I was thinking of posting something similar after reading a reference to the 50s to 80s American dream. It was more realistic. Now the attitude seems to be if you're not making a high six fig salary and living in a McMansion you're a loser. A secure blue collar lifestyle is now somewhat frowned upon.

Negative comments and character assassination have been the hallmarks of Democrat campaigns - distortions and outright lies are fodder for the ignorant electorate.

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I agree Roger. Ironically, I think most people would be much happier with downsized expectations.

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So do I. Maybe craftsmanship will come back into style over mass produced merchandise. I know it's a bit hokey, but I always think of this song when discussing the subject.

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart, closer to the heart

The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart, yes closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart, well closer to the heart

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But seriously, would it be out of place to start a thread on the Free Masons on the Poli Board? (I guess that would eliminate my candidacy for membership.)

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I think it would be an interesting thread-go for it.

It first started in the 90s when the Democratic party started slowly moving more and more to the Left. Then W had a bad 8 years in office and Democrats viciously attacked and saw an opportunity to take their party WAY WAY WAY farther left. This Democratic Party has taken this country so far left of center that even a moderate Democrat like Bill Clinton would be shouted down as a bigoted racist, intolerant, women hating, white privileged scumbag by the left in this country. Liberals have poisoned the political well to such a sad degree that they literally forced conservatives to defend themselves and draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.

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In summary, we lack humility and respect for one another... If we can hold up others as better than ourselves, then we can achieve greatness.

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I said the exact same thing the other day.

Of course it is. I was a more or less a centrist most of my adult life but have been constantly demonized by the left that it's impossible not to be turned off by the Democratic party. I actually agree with quite a few political philosophies of liberals but they're so busy blasting and demonizing me for not buying in to everything they believe that it has soured me on the Democratic party. Conservatives certainly aren't perfect either but they at least tend to respect the fact that Democrats may not see things the same way as them. They respect (although they strongly disagree) that liberals have every right to express their political views. Democrats often become outraged that someone dares to disagree with them and they act like those that do not agree with them have no right to a different opinion.

This board isn't really that polarized. Its almost all righties.