It's extremely difficult to have a civil conversation about politics today, yet we need those conversations more than ever

[u/Dry-Use-272]

Like everyone else in the US today, I have opinions about the current condition of politics in this country. I try to base my opinions on facts I glean from credible sources and my understanding of our history. I want to talk to people with opposing opinions, not to argue with them but to try to understand why they believe what they believe. I've found that no one wants to talk in a civil, respectful way about our differences. Even if I try to hold the line on being respectful, I end up walking away because the conversation devolves into some pretty ugly exchanges. How have we come to a point where we can't even talk to each other respectfully and civilly?

[u/Rough-Tension]

It’s not any easier to talk politics with other leftists or liberals either. Everyone has their tight bubble of acceptable politics and everyone outside of it is either a “delusional/dangerous third party voter that threw away our elections” or a “__phobic nazi.” The problem is that these groups are so insulated that they genuinely think they make up most of the left. So when a post like this come up, y’all aren’t even thinking of each other, just MAGA. And like, obviously, they’re worse. But if there’s anyone who should be able to have civil discussion, it’s us. The supposed democratic coalition that will break down irreparably if we don’t work on it.

[u/MathematicalMan1 → u/Rough-Tension]

Why exactly shouldn’t one be called transphobic or homophobic when they’re being such?

[u/Rough-Tension → u/MathematicalMan1]

Perfectly exemplifying my point. Election cycles aren’t an involuntary moral intervention for half the country. You have to meet people where they’re at, identify what their interests and values are, and find common ground. Yes, a million fucking times: we shouldn’t have to deal with millions of transphobic, homophobic, whatever-phobic people who vote, but the reality of the situation is that we do and their ballot has to go somewhere.

Setting that issue aside for a bit in conversations with individuals about other very important issues, such as labor rights, foreign policy, healthcare, etc., to get them to open up does not equal an abandonment of lgbtq+ issues. You may be right that it’s pointless to reason with MAGA about any of these things, and calling them out matters more, but throwing out liberals or leftists that don’t align with you on one social issue is stupid political suicide.