I am continually shocked at the online vitriolic hatred aimed at conservative voters. Not only Republicans, but Libertarians are now portrayed as racists, white supremacists, and Nazis on an ongoing, continual basis. And it doesn’t matter what your skin color is – California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder was labelled as the “black face of white supremacy” as only one example.
These constant attacks take the place of well reasoned proposals for their agenda. No suggestions to make life better for American citizens, just increasingly caustic rhetoric to attack their ideological opponents. Rather than elucidate plans to effect their agenda (or even identify their agenda,) the voting public receives a constant stream of innuendo and accusations about the ‘other party.’
Where do the talking heads think this hateful rhetoric will take us? The New York Times accused former Alaska governor Sarah Palin of being responsible for the shooting of Gabby Gifford and six others and the death threats toward her started. The Republican Party is called an “Existential Threat” from former Clinton Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and CNN provides “analysis“ with the same conclusion. These are just two examples of the attacks against conservatives.
Despite his promises to bring the people of our country together, President Joseph Biden has recently decided to “rethink efforts to reach across the aisle” and has also recently claimed, “he no longer recognizes the GOP, which he now views as an existential threat to the nation’s democracy.”
It amazes me that threats made against people with conservative views are explained away as ‘deserving’ due to their hateful rhetoric, racism, Nazism, or whatever the script is for that day. It is perfectly fine to threaten members of the United States Supreme Court and raise hell outside their homes. The law against the attempted intimidation of judges (18 U.S. Code § 1507 – Picketing or parading) is not even being enforced.
On the other hand, the fact conservatives voice their opinions is now considered ‘hate speech’ and not-only-extremists are emboldened to take action to silence the threat posed by people with different opinions.
How about everybody dialing down the real hate speech before people get hurt and recognize our shared human existence. Nobody is perfect and everyone should be entitled to their own opinion – even if doesn’t match your opinion. That way, there will be room to present ideas and allow people to make a choice between viewpoints instead of demonizing the opposition as the only campaign strategy.