I hear people say things like “if Obama (or anyone left of Republicans) did what Trump did, there would be hell to pay.”
Why isn’t that argument taken more seriously by people on the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker or less effective at wielding power?
If one side “can’t get away with” actions that the other can, doesn’t that suggest a real imbalance rather than moral superiority?
Different standards and playbooks because the democrats pander to largely educated voters who want facts and the illusion of accountability where as republicans pander to uneducated reactionary tribalism and any educated folk who allow themselves to be swept up in it. Some folks just need to be told what to think, others need to be convinced. You can call that imbalance if you like.
Why isn’t that argument taken more seriously by people on the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker or less effective at wielding power?
The issue is not the left being weaker, the issue is with the right being corrupt as fuck and never prosecuting their own, even when they commit war crimes or rape kids. Whereas the left, at least pretends to care when someone from the party does some crazy shit and they do prosecute their own.
When people say that, they aren’t implying the left are are morally superior. They’re implying the right has double standards. That the right is only interested in holding politicians on the left accountable, while giving politicians on the right free pass to do whatever.
It’s obviously true, and it’s a problem for the left, but it’s a problem of the right.
Nah, holding politicans responsible is a strength not a weakness.
It’s seen as a problem for everyone.
If someone wins a sports tournament, and we later discover they had cheated, we don’t ask the other competitors why they weren’t smart enough or strong enough to cheat.
I don’t think people who aren’t cheating get to compete at that level so they wouldn’t get the chance to ask. They don’t get the opportunity
This tells me that you are assuming everyone is cheating, and thus cheating is not only excusable, but necessary.
I disagree. Most people are not cheaters, and more cheating does not create fairness, just more assholes.
Most people are not cheaters. They’re saying most or all politicians on the national level are cheaters. Seems like everyone but Bernie and AOC. idk how cheater-y Romney was.
I think carter was actually honest. That’s why the right hates him so much.
Carter was a a good person and put forth good policies.
That’s why he’s seen as weak by everyone including democrats/left. Good policy and good actions make everyone feel bad about themselves. Carter also asked Americans to make sacrifices and inconveneince themselves for the greater good… which is a huge political no no. Americans love convenience above all else and gladly sacrifice their children’s happiness for lower taxes and cheaper gas.
Part of what makes Trump so popular is his unhinged assholery makes people feel good because he gives them permission to embrace their shittier selves.
I interpret that sentiment completely differently from how you seem to. “Democrats would never get away with this” to me is not a statement about the Republican Party’s ability to wield power more effectively than Democrats, rather it is a statement about how Democrat Politicians and their constituents would never allow their leaders to behave the way Republican leaders do. Respect and belief in the core principles of American democracy, rather than a willingness to use technicalities and loopholes to win at any cost, is required and expected of Democrats by Democrats in a way that is not expected of or by Republicans.
Plus it’s a comment on how performative republicans are with their appeal to “law and order order”, the constitution, states rights. So much drama and spectacle about things they don’t really care about
From where I’m standing Democrats unwillingness to use “technicalities and loopholes” like keeping the government closed sure feels like the Democrats are less effective at welding political power. I’m not saying they need to fight dirty, but when they don’t even try to use the political process to their advantage it sure feels like they aren’t really trying
I read it more that Democrats couldn’t push boundaries because conservative media is much stronger at pushing talking points, and would jump on a democratic Senate removing the filibuster even more than they did with Obama’s tan suit. Fox is powerful enough to influence other news media and the many centrist voters.
The last strong left wing politician America had was Huey Long, he was assassinated.
In America, anyone who is left wing, actually willing to do what is necessary to effect change, and who gets vaguely close to power, either has their reputation assassinated or is assassinated more literally.
That’s a name that you barely hear anymore outside of YouTube.
So like you want President Gavin Newsom to order the Justice department to charge Tucker Carlson with mortgage fraud?
Corruption and abuse of power actually get worse if it’s “both sides”. Don’t you think?
What if it already was both sides already ? 🤷
Why isn’t that argument taken more seriously by people on the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker or less effective at wielding power?
Because the Left doesn’t get to wield any power and the right wing Dems care more about not upsetting their owner donors and their friends than insignificant details like justice and the needs and wants of their constituents.
If one side “can’t get away with” actions that the other can, doesn’t that suggest a real imbalance rather than moral superiority?
It’s both and also a secret third thing:
Republicans are MUCH more brazen and shameless, MUCH more skilled at messaging, AND the right wing Dems in power would rather still get paid the big bucks than do their job, see above.
the left as an implicit admission that the left is politically weaker
That’s not my conclusion from all this. Presidents like Biden and Obama cared about the law somewhat and tried to play by the book, which only seems like their hands were tied when they weren’t. The same goes for other politicians who do get away with a lot of shit. The difference is that Trump likes to make a spectacle out of it.
It’s just a platitude.
The left would 100% get away with any and all of this.
What do you expect them to do? Something? Lulz. They’re democrats!
Americans presidents an get away from everything no matter which party they represent
Tell that to Clinton. Couldn’t even get away with a handie.
It suggests an imbalance in media.
yes, but the left is more interested in infighting and sabotaging itself than building any political unity or coherence like Trump has done with the republicans. They don’t care they are a ‘joke’ because they mostly care that their seats are secure. Imcumbancy is the major issue why Democrats have become so weak, and anyone with new ideas or any political drive is often seen as a threat to the ‘keep my job at all costs’ who make up the majority of democrats.
Democrats used to do things, but that was in the 1980s and 1990s. Remember Bill Clinton, even had a republican house and managed to get shit done. No?
