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[mid83]

I feel completely unrepresented by either the Democrats or the Republicans. It’s a feeling I’ve had that has slowly grown stronger in recent years, but things have sped up drastically since Trump became a front runner in the 2016 campaign. As the country has grown more and more polarized, I feel less and less represented by our major political parties and seem to get shit on more and more by members of both the left and right. Does anybody else here feel this way?

It seems like politics in this country these days requires you to fall into one of two buckets. On one side, you must be Trump sycophant where the President tells no lies and the media makes up everything they don’t like. If you don’t fall into this bucket you are an anti-American liberal commie, especially moderates and centrists.

On the other side you must believe that Trump is a Russian agent controlled by Putin and must support a move to the left where people like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasión-Cortez are the primary thought leaders in terms of where the Democrats should focus on fiscal/economic issues. There is also the social and free speech issues where if you in any way veer away from their views on social issues or don’t support the silencing of the opposition, you are labeled a bigot, homophobe, racist, transphobe, islamaphobe, sexist piece of garbage. In recent months it seems like even centrists and moderates are being labeled as nazis by certain elements of the left.

Maybe I’m alone in this, but I find this polarization to be a huge concern in this country. I don’t think it’s something to be proud of that a majority of people seem to either view our country through the lense of thinking we live in a facist nazi hellhole just like mid 1930s Germany or that we are living in a MAGA MAGA MAGA world where Trump never lies, everything he says is gold and the media is making up everything they don’t like. Those of us who don’t fall into either camp get called all the ist/phobe names (along with nazi and facist of course) from the left, and social commie SWJ anti American from the right.

One thing I’ll mention is that I don’t know what an alternative is. Besides the fact that third parties have no political power in this country, it also seems like most third parties are off their rockers even more than the mainstream parties are in the US.

I just wanted to have a bit of a rant about this, but I’m also curious if I’m alone in feeling way in regards to the current state of US polítics.

 

[Gander]

Democrats aren't perfect but at least they are human. The last two Democratic Presidents saw the country prosper or gain back wealth.

 

[Coffe Time]

I feel like the democrats want for equality is often blown out of proportion and made to think it's worse than it actually is.

 

[Forthefuture]

I too am an enlightened centrist OP. Lets just watch as history unfolds without us. At the end of all things, we will get to congratulate ourselves for saying and doing nothing of actual value.

It is gonna be great.

 

[ProudClod]

I've been feeling this way for a decade now. I've opted out from the circus for the most part.

As a classical liberal (or, dare I say the evil word, "libertarian"), my main political beliefs hinge on treating everyone as an individual, and allowing said individuals to interact in whichever manner they please as long as they're not hurting anyone. Unfortunately, this means that I tend to side with the conservatives on most policies (at least in modern politics). This means supporting policies that maximize free, voluntary interaction, and minimize undue restrictions on things like entrepreneurship.

Because of this, people associate me with Republicans / Conservatives in general, and assume that I hate gay and trans people, am some sort of closeted racist, never had to struggle in my life, and think that poor people should die miserable deaths.

I can't even discuss my classic liberal leanings at work, because I'd be instantly denounced as some alt-right bigot.

So yes -- the public discourse on the topic has become too polarized to have sensible discussion. Thankfully, we have the Internet.

 

[off duty ninja]

I too am an enlightened centrist OP. Lets just watch as history unfolds without us. At the end of all things, we will get to congratulate ourselves for saying and doing nothing of actual value.

It is gonna be great.

Congratulations! You’re well on your way!

 

[JordanN]

I think Trump Era Republicans are the best era Republicans.
There's an actual sense of pride and self worth in wanting America to succeed. And while I'm not into uber nationalism, it's good to see Americans take charge again and not look weak on the world stage.
The alternative is a world run by Russia & China. And both countries don't value liberty and self-determination that America does.

I hated the Bush era Neocon crap. It was way too religiously charged, and cared too much about exporting democracy across the world instead of improving your own country. To think we see Liberals who clamor for Bush back because they hate that Trump wants to put America first, instead of the rest of the world and their problems.

 

[DiscoJer]

You think that's bad? Try being a libertarian when the Libertarian party is a complete embarrassment

 

[It's Jeff]

Yeah, throw me in this group right here.

Having two tent parties means each group has to court sides that do not represent my interests at all. Optimistically, I know that everything changes with time. Just look at the spread of information and ease of access in the past 30 years. Trump is an example that people aren't satisfied with the choices we've been given, and this could lead to new and better things. Could also lead to horrible things.

Wait and see, I guess.

 

[JordanN]

You think that's bad? Try being a libertarian when the Libertarian party is a complete embarrassment

Just save yourself the trouble and just go GOP.

Paying less taxes, protecting your gun rights with right-wing supreme court judges and having smaller government is more freedom than "Dude Weed LMAO".

 

[Gander]

I think we can all agree the GOP under Trump has taken bad deeds to a whole new level. The almost electing Roy Moore, half Trump's cabinet being missing due to scandal, telling kids they are faking about being shot. It goes on and on.

It's not hard to want to stand against them no mater what your affiliation.

 

[diablos991]

Welcome to the life of an independent.

Be prepared for both sides to demonize you as an enemy.

 

[Super Mario]

To think that a "perfect candidate" will exist is one of the biggest flaws in our thinking. Where did we learn in life that the grass is greener on the other side?

The biggest disconnect is the media. The media is absolutely out of control. Projecting images that have no relevance to 99% of America.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Democrats aren't perfect but at least they are human. The last two Democratic Presidents saw the country prosper or gain back wealth.

So, Republicans are not human?

 

[off duty ninja]

So, Republicans are not human?

How can you be human without a soul? You’ve got to keep up here.

 

[Gander]

So, Republicans are not human?

They passed a tax bill moving more money from the poor to the rich and almost gave Trump a parade, what do you call that?

 

[Forthefuture]

Congratulations! You’re well on your way!

I dont want your congratulatory handout. I can congratulate myself. I am a libertarian. I consider myself to be completely free from all social and historical context. History starts with my birth. Not before it. I am here to write and play my own fairy tail.

 

[DeepEnigma]

They passed a tax bill moving more money from the poor to the rich and almost gave Trump a parade, what do you call that?

Don't answer my question with deflection and a question of your own, answer my original question.

 

[Cato]

They passed a tax bill moving more money from the poor to the rich and almost gave Trump a parade, what do you call that?

You realize that you perfectly illustrate the OPs complaint about why he can not identify with the DEMs ?
Aside from that, dehumanizing people like you do here is not beneficial for having a discussion or understand eachother.

 

[120v]

you just have to accept the two parties are more parliamentary coalitions rather than something you'll be able to immediately identify with. back in the 90s and earlier it was easy to say 'pffftt..they're all bad' but i think there's a pretty firm ideological line in the sand now

 

[Punished Miku]

I dont want your congratulatory handout. I can congratulate myself. I am a libertarian.

I am a librarian. I do not affiliate with either party.

 

[Rentahamster]

Anymore?

 

[DeepEnigma]

I am a librarian. I do not affiliate with either party.

I'm looking for a book that your Dewey decimal says it's right here, but seems to be misplaced.

 

[I_D]

Good. Welcome to the real world.

Political parties are one of the primary reasons so many countries are struggling right now. Choosing teams is something children do, and adults should have grown out of.
If parties were abolished today, the planet would see improvement tomorrow.

 

[Nobody_Important]

I feel that way. The Republicans are too bigoted and racist to represent me and the Dems are trying too hard to play nice with the bigots and racists to represent me. They also are trying to bottleneck progress. They don't want too much change too fast because they think it would be bad which is of course ridiculous.


The Dems just need to find their spine. Luckily I think they will do just that when they win the Mid-Terms this year and regain the majority in the Senate.

 

[Ke0]

Not surprised many Americans feel that way, having so many different views on a range of subjects be thrown into one of two parties for representation is a terrible system.

I'm honestly surprised that moderates haven't started to organise and demand a change to the system that allows representational parties to exist.

Good. Welcome to the real world.

Political parties are one of the primary reasons so many countries are struggling right now. Choosing teams is something children do, and adults should have grown out of.
If parties were abolished today, the planet would see improvement tomorrow.

There are countries with no political parties, you wouldn't want to live there.

 

[Forthefuture]

I am a librarian. I do not affiliate with either party.

Good. Come join the libertarian party. We dont really have political power or a realistic world view. But at least you get to be smug about everything and look down on everybody else.

 

[Death Dealer]

I was a registered democrat since 2004. I switched to independent around 2014. I voted for Kucinich in the 04 primary. I voted for Obama twice. They lost me when they started focusing so heavily on social justice issues and calling everybody racist if they wanted immigration laws enforced. 30% of Trump supporters voted for Obama. I'm in that group. I dont' see them winning me back anytime soon.

 

[Gander]

You realize that you perfectly illustrate the OPs complaint about why he can not identify with the DEMs ?
Aside from that, dehumanizing people like you do here is not beneficial for having a discussion or understand eachother.

Most progressives like myself don't even want to be evolved in politics. The GOP does such heinous things we have to pay attention, we have to respond and stand up against what they are doing.

 

[JordanN]

Good. Welcome to the real world.

Political parties are one of the primary reasons so many countries are struggling right now. Choosing teams is something children do, and adults should have grown out of.
If parties were abolished today, the planet would see improvement tomorrow.

The problem with anarchism is that people will always divide themselves into groups and start conquering all those smaller than them.

Even though as a Libertarian I want to see government be made as limited and small as possible, but the complete dissolution of a state means any foreign country can walk right in and impose mob rule.
It's as much as a pipe dream like having 100% government control, like communism.

 

[I_D]

There are countries with no political parties, you wouldn't want to live there.

Eh, I'd argue dictatorships, monarchies, and religious rulerships are all types of political parties, but I get what you mean.

My point is that aligning one's self with a group of people, simply because of various labels like "Democrat" or "Republican" is a major flaw in thinking; especially in today's world.
I'll never understand why the Republican party, the party of small-government, convinced themselves to pass things like the PATRIOT Act. And I'll never understand how the Democratic party, the party of large-government, managed to convince themselves that things like Sharia Law aren't worth arguing against because people deserve the freedom of speech.

They're all the same in my book: Untrustworthy people. To be a successful politician, one must be inherently shady and willing to step on others to rise up the ranks.
I'd love to see examples of genuinely honest politicians who never lie and adamantly strive to achieve their campaigning goals, but I don't think such a person exists.

The problem with anarchism is that people will always divide themselves into groups and start conquering all those smaller than them.

Even though as a Libertarian I want to see government be made as limited and small as possible, but the complete dissolution of a state means any foreign country can walk right in and impose mob rule.
It's as much as a pipe dream like having 100% government control, like communism.

To be clear, I'm not arguing for anarchy. 'Government' is a perfectly fine institution, and it's absolutely mandatory for a successful culture.
I absolutely agree with you that people will always choose sides, though. It's part of our evolution: Side with the person who appears most likely to help you succeed.

That doesn't mean this type of behavior is the best way to go about life, though. We've managed to break evolution in a variety of ways, but team-choosing is still deeply rooted in our psyche.

 

[LegendOfKage]

I was a registered democrat since 2004. I switched to independent around 2014. I voted for Kucinich in the 04 primary. I voted for Obama twice. They lost me when they started focusing so heavily on social justice issues and calling everybody racist if they wanted immigration laws enforced. 30% of Trump supporters voted for Obama. I'm in that group. I dont' see them winning me back anytime soon.

There's something that I believe that fits this thread nicely: One of the dumbest things about some conservatives is that they act like there's no difference between immigrants and illegal immigrants. One of the dumbest things about some liberals is the same thing.

Welcome to the life of an independent.

Be prepared for both sides to demonize you as an enemy.

And now, the independent national anthem:

 

[PonyStation4]

Democrats aren't perfect but at least they are human. The last two Democratic Presidents saw the country prosper or gain back wealth.

This is the kind of backwards thinking that holds progress back. You think of other people as lesser beings than you, simply because their opinion differs. How can you possibly argue that it isn't a bigoted viewpoint?

 

[Gander]

This is the kind of backwards thinking that holds progress back. You think of other people as lesser beings than you, simply because their opinion differs. How can you possibly argue that it isn't a bigoted viewpoint?

Maybe you didn't see the video were GOP members were okay with arming children with handguns, that's not just some differing opinion that's insanity.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Unless you can't and/or won't think for yourself there is probably no single party and/or politician who perfectly shares your views.

When you're in a system where only two parties matter, it becomes a choice of picking the lesser of two evils.

 

[LegendOfKage]

Democrats aren't perfect but at least they are human. The last two Democratic Presidents saw the country prosper or gain back wealth.

This is the kind of backwards thinking that holds progress back. You think of other people as lesser beings than you, simply because their opinion differs. How can you possibly argue that it isn't a bigoted viewpoint?

Maybe you didn't see the video were GOP members were okay with arming children with handguns, that's not just some differing opinion that's insanity.

This is pure conflation. I'm sure you're opposed when people do this with democrats, or feminists, or black lives matters supporters, or Muslims, or other minorities, so why do the same?

 

[pramod]

Immigration is the only thing I cant compromise on...so i dont have any choice but to support Trump.

I would vote for the Bill Clinton era Dems in a heartbeat over Republicans.

The more i think about it though...Dems and Repubs were really not all that different back in the 90s and early 2000s. But the left has totally gone off the rails lately.

 

[Gander]

This is pure conflation. I'm sure you're opposed when people do this with democrats, or feminists, or black lives matters supporters, or Muslims, or other minorities, so why do the same?

Show me the Democrat who wanted to put 9mm in the hands of preschoolers and watch me oppose them.

 

[TheLaughingStock]

Probably 80 or 90 million American adults feel the way you do.

Whether they want the future of America to be more fascist, socialist, libertarian, Third way or moderate is another question.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

They never have unless you are rich

 

[Cato]

Show me the Democrat who wanted to put 9mm in the hands of preschoolers and watch me oppose them.

You saw ONE person say something in a comedy show, and from there you extrapolate that roughly 160 million Americans (half of the population) are not human?

Hysteric exaggeration a lot?
As I said, you are a perfect example on the intolerance in the extreme left and why OP can no longer identify with the democratic party.

 

[AuraFeliz]

The social issues with the identity politics is super divisive. But the main reason I don't like the democrats is all the corruptions.

 

[Nobody_Important]

But the main reason I don't like the democrats is all the corruptions.

The Dems obviously have their own lobbyists and corruptions, but the Republicans are far worse. I mean Trump and the GOP have been doing away with regulation after regulation just so companies can make more money. Even if that means destroying the environment in the process.

 

[Harksteed]

Two-party system is really stupid honestly.

 

[Ke0]

Two-party system is really stupid honestly.

It really is, such a terrible system

 

[michaelius]

Two-party system is really stupid honestly.

It's not unique to two party systems. I've got something like 5 center right or right wing parties in Poland to choose from.

2 of them too small to ever enter into parliament and even if they weren't they are alt-right extreme.
Extreme libertarians who sometimes get close to 5% vote but turned into clowns into recent years
This leaves me 2 choices - one new small party that got into parliament and usually show a lot of common sense - but they tend to also be anti-Ukrainian which I believe is huge mistake as we need to support strong and independent Ukraine.
So that leaves me one choice which is current ruling party - I don't like many things that they do but if they lost power we would shit to left wing option which would bring tons of extremely bad long term changes so I have to vote for them not because they will do something - but because I don't want what other option brings to the table.

 

[i_am_ben]

The GOP has long history of 1) undermining comprehensive health reform 2) cutting education funding 3) exacerbating the budget deficit and 4) deliberately undermining democracy through gerrymandering.

And yet despite all that people seem to care more about trans rights, and feminism! Go figure!

 

[Forthefuture]

Not that I have any symphathy for you guys but I thought you might appreciate this. Or not. Contains moderate S&M and censored male nudity.

 

[BANGS]

Neither party represents me, and they've gone further and further extreme as time goes on, alienating me even further. Fuck the two party system, vote 3rd party in 2020...

 

[Turnip Truck]

Yes, the two party system stinks. As a moderate I can say without hesitation that neither party fully represents my views and values. Candidates often do, but not the parties. I frequently have a mixed ballot.

Both parties have their share of bright people with great ideas and an honest desire to make a difference. Both parties also have their share of crooks and nut jobs. But far worse than the political parties are the super PACs who amplify fringe issues and drown out more practical topics that affect day to day life.

As an example, we had local candidates for state senate last election who campaigned with their ideas in areas like education, traffic and natural resources that were important to me. For at least the month before the election my mailbox was infested daily with glossy cards from super PACs that spoke nothing of these issues. Instead they had apocalyptic warnings about this candidate or their opponent and how they would doom us all because of <insert hot button issue> that was neither relevant to nor actionable by that office. The only way you could learn about the actual issues was to visit the candidate's own websites or attend a debate.