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Main Line Man's avatar

It's unfortunately too easy to see how the lessons learned by the GOP from 2022 results will not be - don't BE crazy, but instead - don't look like you're crazy. Our grading curve for what constitutes passing candidates has been so skewed that if you're not frothing at the mouth claiming election fraud and space lasers at every rally (oh wait, she was reelected), you appear downright normal. DeSantis is downright cruel to immigrants and his use of govt to punish his enemies is really leaning authoritarian, but the GOP is giving him an A+.

There is also the fear that Dems will misread their successes and see their wins as voters wanting more progressive candidates (you already hear this on left leaning podcasts). This will, of course, give the voters all the excuse they need to vote for the seemingly equally or slightly less crazy Republican. If your choice is between two extremes, pick the one in your camp (see, e.g. Wisconsin).

We can still hope and fight for sanity and moderation to be the norm, even though the last several years has done its best to disabuse is of that hope.

Enjoy the family and the getaway!

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Kevin Bowe's avatar

Yes there is reason to be SOMEWHAT optimistic, and I'll add another "good news" data point and that is the brewing political strife (I hope it turns into a civil war) in the GOP. Currently this strife centers on the elections of the House Speaker and the RNC chair, and the probable GOP prep primary, will no doubt continue to fester these divides.

But, let's not forget the new driver of reactionary policies that so-called conservatives seek to imposed on 21st century America: The Supreme Court. It does not appear they are reading the tea-leaves and will pull back on their radical agenda. An agenda based on "established traditions" that must reach back to the 1600's before SCOTUS considers them valid.

Also, the fundamental conditions have not changed, which makes me feel that any valid reasons to feel optimistic is just a momentary reprieve. The classic battle between progressive change and conservative traditions is accelerating in the early days of the digital age and has created a Future Shock affect that is truly dividing us and preventing us from sharing a common national narrative.

Happy New Year...(?)

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