Iron Bru › Forums › Non Football › Idiot of the Year › Reply To: Idiot of the Year
I agree, but the decision was made in 2021. It would be like listing Farage as an idiot of the year for his campaign during the Brexit referendum because we still have consequences.
It’s clear that he wasn’t referring to all who voted Republican. However, my view is that there is too large a chunk who are ok with such malicious behaviour. Polls consistently show it. I don’t see why I should be politically correct and spare such feelings, because their feelings are precious. Too many were happy with a misogynistic and disabled bashing president and worldview, taking on damaging conspiracies (I mean, hundreds did storm the Capital building and many sympathised). I don’t see why I or Biden should pander to such nonsense because it might hurt feelings (can’t be having that). Unity takes two and the statement was made to show he was willing, so long as the Republicans act in kind. Given their response has been to field more idiots yapping about election rigging and they engage in malicious stunts like jetting migrants off to the north-east, I don’t see it as some big vice not to indulge such silliness. If the Republicans want to radicalise themselves it’s not Biden’s job to pat them on the back to make themselves feel better. Nor is it mine to say their ideas aren’t malicious or dumb. Of course he should do what he sees fit to suit everyone, I am not talking about excluding people from societal benefits or anything remotely like that, but many Republicans would never be happy with a Democrat no matter what. Their extreme conspiracies and demonisation shows that. I don’t know how Biden could possibly unite such people, and they’re not a small chunk of the Republican base either.
If anyone who thinks the likes of DeSantis, Boebert, Cruz and co would genuinely compromise and not act so maliciously, then I have a bridge to sell. We have had years of Republican demonising of Democrats and refusing to work with them, even when they agree (Mitch McConnell was famous for it under Obama). When the Democrats grow tired of such games all of a sudden they cry foul.
As for the analogy. Both a sizeable chunk of Corbynites and Republicans have supported some abhorrent views and conspiracies. I don’t see why I should view one group differently than the other because it might make supporters uncomfortable. People are not their beliefs, I try my best to separate the two when dealing with people, but if people want to get themselves behind silly conspiracies which damage democratic norms and harm others then they can’t escape negative opinions. If people actively engage and excuse the misogyny, as many did and what such deplorable comments was aimed at, then it’s a bit snowflakey to cry about hurt feelings from such.