Elites

From your article: I've often noticed this as well. I am unimpressed with most of the arguments...primarily from the Right, as they often parrot what other fellow conservatives and media outlets say. There is a lack of original thought and critical thinking in these arguments.

There are people on both sides who dont fit the stereotypes. Does that really affect the overall arguments? Or are there really any arguments apart from sound bytes??

To me, it's about taking sides and identifying who it is whom you think is actually against you and your family interests. Two examples in my own life and circle:
Steve---grew up religious. His Mama "baptized" him in front of her couch when he was 7. They always attended Assemblies Of God churches where people would speak in tongues and pray for hours. Lots of emotional hype. Yet a very poor family. They were clearly pro-Trump in this last election. To Steve, his "enemies" in life are the immigrants who have always taken his jobs and worked for less, keeping him down. Granted he has no education. As an American, he feels cheated by the government...who allowed immigrants to work the low-level jobs for even less than Steve would have done. He also believes in the End Times theology and sees the government as part of a global conspiracy against the people of God. "The Globalists".His conservative church saw a good candidate in Donald Trump...he sold them the idea that they...the poor forgotten masses...would be forgotten no longer.My second example is another man of modest means...an atheist and a frequent poster on EvC. He sees Trump and his wealthy Capitalist Cronies as the clear enemy and is a supporter of a larger working class who helps one another rather than competes against one another. Even though the wealthy 5% are part of the problem, he also sees a competitive middle class who keeps the poor of the world under them as an equal if not greater key to the problem. He frequently calls me out on my claims to Christianity, arguing that the Jesus of the Bible was an early advocate of the system of equality and universal brotherhood that he envisions.Two poor men. Two diametrically opposite views. What do you make of it?Edited by Phat, : No reason given.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Well said. I myself claim to be a political moderate. I vote based on which candidate I feel would help me the most. Obama and the Democrats support unionism more than do the Republicans, and my job pays me $5.00 more an hour due to union contracts than the market value of my position. I am becoming more aware of my own bias as well as the bias of either political party and/or left vs Right Ideology.Got this from the internet...it sums up some key points:

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The fundamental differences between left-wing and right-wing ideologies center around the rights of individuals vs. the power of the government. Left-wing beliefs are liberal in that they believe society is best served with an expanded role for the government. People on the right believe that the best outcome for society is achieved when individual rights and civil liberties are paramount and the role and especially the power of the government is minimized.

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Examples of an expanded role for the government include entitlement programs such as social security and Medicare, Medicaid, universal healthcare, food stamps, free public education, unemployment benefits, strong environmental laws, and other regulations on industries. Right wing ideology would favor market-based solutions to the issues that these government programs aim to tackle. For example, encouraging a freer marketplace for healthcare, driven by consumer choice to drive down costs. Or privately held retirement accounts like 401(k) plans instead of government-guaranteed Social Security.

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Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Why? Just because he has money? That in and of itself is not a bad thing is it?

It all gets back to Andy Warhol.

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In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.

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These days, lots of us want to be seen by the public at large and judged favorably by them. Teens make YouTube videos and post selfies.The fact that we (the public) consume this media only leads weight to the favorable vote that celebrities...conscious or not...reality TV star or not...seek.

Watch this video of Melania decorating the Whie House. Note the images being emphasized---they are things rather than people. One could argue that the Obamas were more about people and the Trumps are more about things.
Trump DecorMichelle Obama 2016 DecorNote the emphasis.