In the past few weeks to hell even this whole administration I been completely shocked how much fucking shit Trump can keep making worse, hell I knew it will bad but it went from worse to fucking pouring gasoline on the markets and lighting it on fire.
Listen, I’ve always been skeptical of Republicans and Democrats. I dislike the current two-party system, who doesn’t? I feel like the Democratic National Committee and congressional Democrats lack the courage to stand up and call out their opponents when necessary, especially before the tariff topic. I felt like their gun control narrative was too extreme, and their immigration stance was too restrictive. Sure, I disagree with their foreign policy, and I wish European allies would rearm themselves, not completely abandon them, but at least a stronger Europe is coming now at a cost.
But in the wake of trump disaster management of this nation on his second term, what’s the fucking point of even labeling myself conservative? I mean yea I still want stricter immigration and reform, I still believe heavily in gun rights, even slashing the debt which republicans “care about” in name only, I never thought small government would work, sure I read many books from Goldwater to Friedman, but small government is too much of a problem to progress as a nation. I find myself agreeing with the German CDU or center parties more.
I believe Democrats will regain some of us Gen Z men due to these tariffs. Some of us will feel the impact, and even Nintendo will be charging $450 for its new console, with games costing $80-90 each. Taiwan has also been hit with tariffs, and if you want to upgrade anything, you better act fast. We’ll see how these tariffs affect other products as well. Cause it’s not gonna help consumers at all, fuck sake why do young folk get the belt all the time in economic issues
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In the past few weeks to hell even this whole administration I been completely shocked how much fucking shit Trump can keep making worse, hell I knew it will bad but it went from worse to fucking pouring gasoline on the markets and lighting it on fire.
Listen, I’ve always been skeptical of Republicans and Democrats. I dislike the current two-party system, who doesn’t? I feel like the Democratic National Committee and congressional Democrats lack the courage to stand up and call out their opponents when necessary, especially before the tariff topic. I felt like their gun control narrative was too extreme, and their immigration stance was too restrictive. Sure, I disagree with their foreign policy, and I wish European allies would rearm themselves, not completely abandon them, but at least a stronger Europe is coming now at a cost.
But in the wake of trump disaster management of this nation on his second term, what’s the fucking point of even labeling myself conservative? I mean yea I still want stricter immigration and reform, I still believe heavily in gun rights, even slashing the debt which republicans “care about” in name only, I never thought small government would work, sure I read many books from Goldwater to Friedman, but small government is too much of a problem to progress as a nation. I find myself agreeing with the German CDU or center parties more.
I believe Democrats will regain some of us Gen Z men due to these tariffs. Some of us will feel the impact, and even Nintendo will be charging $450 for its new console, with games costing $80-90 each. Taiwan has also been hit with tariffs, and if you want to upgrade anything, you better act fast. We’ll see how these tariffs affect other products as well.
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>Do I bother calling myself conservative at this rate?
I think you should, but it’s difficult to predict how everything will playout.
My best guess is that many Americans will still identify as “conservative”, but will reject Trump.
Ideally, they would then recognize Trump as ‘too far right to be a conservative’ and no longer identify Republicans with conservatism…but that seems a bit sophisticated; I’m not sure we can expect the general public to wrap their heads around that.
Your instinct is correct; the passage does read like AI-generated text. Several clues indicate this:
• Tone and Pacing: The writing mixes casual language and profanity with overly structured political commentary, creating an unnatural blend.
• Repetitive Patterns: It loops back and forth between expressing frustration at Trump and dissatisfaction with both major parties in ways typical of AI-generated opinion writing.
• Unnatural Sentence Structure: Sentences like, “I still believe heavily in gun rights, even slashing the debt which republicans ‘care about’ in name only,” have an odd syntax, typical of AI attempting to combine multiple ideas.
• Awkward Transitioning: Sudden jumps from broad political views into oddly specific issues (like Nintendo console pricing) without smooth transitions are characteristic of AI-generated text.
Overall, this text is likely AI-generated or heavily AI-assisted, particularly given the unusual flow, unnatural language choices, and awkward ideological mixing without coherent narrative progression.
Who in our government most closely represents your ideals?
Have you ever gone to a precinct caucus? Or worked for a political candidate? Or worked on a campaign to get a certain piece of legislation passed or defeated? If not, and if you have no interest in doing such things, then it doesn’t matter what you call yourself.
I really wish the Democrats had adapted to the issues you mentioned before getting to this point. I don’t see how they couldn’t abandon gun control at least long enough to help keep Trump out of office.
My current take is that everything is over-labeled. Labels are useful insofar as they help us categorize and understand the world. I think we’ve gotten to a point now where labels have become increasingly rigid, so now we have to add a million qualifiers before a label to even describe what somebody thinks.
For example, I’m flaired democratic socialist, but i would very much prefer to be flaired as leftist (but that isn’t an option here). People see my flair and instantly assume 10 different things about me, and it makes it very difficult to have conversations. It gets even worse when different people attribute different ideas to the same label.
So, I’d say that you shouldn’t worry too much about the label itself.
I don’t even understand the modern gun rights movement. A glock is incredibly easy to get these days, under Dem and Republican presidents. At most you might need to road trip, use a fake ID, and maybe go black market for retired police weapons.
At a certain point, one must wonder do you just want guns for all? Like we spend taxpayer dollars arming everyone? Before we do anything to keep them out of medical debt?
Well, welcome to the fold!
I mean I want immigration reform and gun rights and I would never call myself a conservative, because at this point they’re actual fascists. After the age of Trump, the far right should never be allowed power again. Hell, any kind of conservative, since they’ve proven that they’re willing to be complicit in destroying America because it’s their “team”.
I mean there is nothing “conservative” about Trump or what he is doing so I don’t see any conflict with that label. Certainly “right wing” is pretty badly maligned at this point and for good reason.
Looking at what Reuters reports as the Germany CDU stances, they’re definitely not the left side of our party but they’re to the left of our most conservative democrats – Manchin and Sinema. Feel like they fits pretty well with the dem party’s tent overall tbh.
Nintendo charging 450 is nothing bro.
The 1977 atari would be 1,000
The ps1 would be around 600
Adjusting for inflation.
Young folk didn’t listen to the rest of us telling you Trump was going to be a disaster. Gen Z men broke heavily for Trump and there needs to be some self-accountability about that and why.
Unless that happens, many of yall will continue to fall for the same snake oil salesman pitches that got us to today. Obviously Trump is not all Gen Z’s fault, but yall played a role and have to own it.
Well, I was long ago a conservative and came to this conclusion before the Iraq War when it was ramping up. My views are economically actually kind of moderately conservative. I liked Romney and McCain in some respects, I liked Obama more. I didn’t want the supreme court going conservative though.
My views are mixed between traditional pre-Trump Republicans and modern Democrats. I have always been a supporter of legal immigration, free trade and globalization and admired a lot of Reagan and George HW Bush policies there in that arena.
I feel like my entire adult life I have seen the Republicans just get worse and worse. The Democrats stay the same but by virtue of not being Republicans they look better. In a perfect world there would be two decent parties. This is not the case right now.
My belief system is not Democrat or Republican, it’s “liberal” the actual historic definition. The kind that pursued enlightenment values, free enterprise, individualism, civil liberties, equality, private property, civil rights, checks and balances all of that. Right now the Democrats are the more liberal party, Democrats are not always the more liberal party. They were the less liberal party for many years. Ultimately my loyalty isn’t to Democrats or Republicans it’s what ever is closest to what I believe.
Your positions are unquestionably conservative. Consider that you might have a much better-than-average sense of right vs wrong, compared with modern Trumpian conservatives. You can objectively recognize the damage this administration is causing, and be a practical voice for those who rightfully are a bit scared of the MAGA cult.
If being at perpetual war with your fellow countrymen sits sour with you, look at some of the ways you are similar to liberal-minded folk. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a liberal who truly thinks the DNC as a whole is a brave organization which is resistant to capitulation in the face of fascism.
When we’re faced with a domestic terrorist like Trump, there is absolutely nothing wrong with standing together and supporting one another against a common enemy without discarding our personal views on various issues.
Worry less about labels. If you thought Trump was going to be good for the country and are now calling this a disaster I would re-examine your biases and sources for why you thought he would be a good president.
I’m actually with you on those points except I’ve never included conservative in my political party, I’ve always called myself independent, though I think I changed my flair because I’ve realized that all of my responses are on the left. I think a lot of people assume that people on the left are anti-gun, anti-immigration, and all want the government involved in everything because that’s what is preached, but most people I know who identify as Democrat have more in common with Republican policies than they think. I personally think it should be easier to get citizenship and I don’t think we should mindlessly be shipping away immigrants just because they aren’t citizens, but there should be some form of control. Make the government more efficient so they don’t need to spend a bunch of money instead of cutting entire agencies because they sound like they don’t matter. Many people I know feel the same, but the us versus them mentality in the US makes it seem like you’re radical if you don’t 100% agree with policies of the other side.
Term limits would help fix the two party system I think. Maybe these people would stand up for their beliefs instead of mindlessly following whatever their party wants so they get elected again and again and again. They don’t HAVE to follow everything because it’s what the president wants, but they do because otherwise they’ll lose votes from people who voted for a Republican (or Democrat) president.
I dunno. People on the right keep saying Trump has a plan and it will get better, but I don’t think it will. I’m on the edge of Gen X and Millenial, so I can’t say for sure, but I think many of the younger demographic (not all!) is seeing how hard it is to get a job right now and someone told them it was because of DEI and immigrants because that narrative keeps getting pushed. The housing market is because of immigrants, inflation is due to Democrat policies, the lack of jobs is because of women and immigrants and off shoring, cetc. despite the fact that there are ups and downs. Many of you came into a yucky economy. My generation came into the Great Recession, but social media wasn’t everywhere spreading as much blame.
There’s a big difference between being conservative and MAGA. The MAGA party are the ones who barely passed high school math. One of my libertarian friends said it best. MAGA is socially conservative and fiscally liberal.
Ultimately, I think it’s up to you what you call yourself. You’re conservative but not aligned with the party. Although I will say that it seems like you’re not fully aware of some of the reasoning behind a lot of popular liberal policy, so maybe if you learn more you might actually shift more liberal. For instance, what is the “immigration reform” that you want”?
If I were you I’d probably call myself a never-Trump conservative. Because just saying conservative currently indicates supporting MAGA, even though ideologically MAGA is further right.
I do kind of find it funny that video games is what’s bringing you to the table, because a) video game prices have not kept up with inflation and a price adjustment to about $80/big game is reasonable, and b) I’m more concerned with how this mess will effect the price of essentials like groceries and housing. But hey, whatever gets you to the correct conclusion.
I’d ask yourself how much you actually care about the things you care about, and why that is the case
What you call yourself doesn’t objectively matter. It should just be a tool to communicate ideas. If what you call yourself is a matter of tribe affiliation, let’s all stop doing that.
I disagree with liberals all the time, and disagree with conservatives. I don’t really identify as anything. I have my thoughts and beliefs, that’s all.
The conservative agenda has always been evil. Your party almost never does the right thing. You never hold your own accountable, you always choose the side that hurts people on every issue, and you fall for every con and scam the trash people you vote for pull on you. That’s the disease, and that’s why we have Trump now. Your party ethics has been a sewer for decades while you’ve cheered it on at every turn, so why stop now? Did you honestly not notice?
If you are an honest person, who cares about people, and wants the best for your country, you’ve never been a real conservative, just another in a long line of people that have been bamboozled by them.
I think you’ll find, at least in this sub, that there are lots of “pro-gun” dems. My personal opinion is that even though I wish no one owned one with some exceptions, if they’re going to be around we should have a tighter control on who shouldn’t own one.
Immigration is… idk man! I grew up in the south, hours from the border, and it’s never ever been an issue in my life. You’ll get very mixed views on that here but most will say that it should be easier to get in legally and we shouldn’t be sending ppl to foreign concentration camps.
If you’re socially liberal but fiscally conservative, I’d figure out which is more important to you and go by that title. My number one belief is treating others with kindness and empathy (social programs, baby!) so I’m obviously liberal. If they are equal in your mind, just say independent.
I use to be a Conservative Trumper. Now I’m an Independent leaning Liberal who wants to be on the right side of history.
Conservative is an internal ideological alignment. Parties are poles of political power. I’m a liberal more than I’m a Democrat, as I assume you’re a conservative more than you’re a Republican, or however you vote. You should call yourself what you think best reflects yourself. The label is subordinate to yourself, not the other way around.
For what it’s worth, MAGA and what it’s doing in my opinion isn’t even conservative, it’s a deeply nihilistic form of populism coalesced around one man’s will to power and the bad actors that seek to profit from that ambition.
Nothing wrong with being a conservative. I actually kinda understand and respect conservative ideology. The issue is that conservatives today aren’t actually conservatives. You seem to be an actual conservative. Conservatives should force anarcho capitalists to call themselves anarcho capitalists instead of hiding behind the conservative branding. Trump is an anarcho capitalist and anyone who supports him is as well.
I think you’re in a similar position to Ancestral democrats from the south. Ultimately, I think you should just look at each individual election and support who you want based on how much you agree with their policies, even if it doesn’t necessarily line up with who people think a conservative would vote for.
Also, the switch prices aren’t due to tariffs. It’s the same price in Canada and the EU.
You’re a boring Democrat.
Democrats are the ONLY party to EVER lower the deficit in my lifetime. Republicans fuck the deficit every time they get power. Republicans aren’t fiscally conservative, that’s just a shitty lie.
Democrats are the ONLY party to responsibly manage the border.
Face it. Democrats are a center right party all over the world. Republicans are just… Far Right.
You’re a boring average Democrat. Keep your label, it’s fine.
>But in the wake of trump disaster management of this nation on his second term, what’s the fucking point of even labeling myself conservative?
I dunno, integrity? As a conservative, you own this. History will largely view you as causing this downturn in our politics. Only thing you can now is vote better.
Yeah Trump just showed off what the conservative movement was all about.
I’m in a similar situation. I sometimes say I’m a “traditional American conservative”. “American” to distinguish myself from “conservatives” in places like Russia and Saudi Arabia, and “traditional” to distinguish myself from Trump followers.
But I haven’t found label that people instantly understand, although my flair (GHWB Republican) is pretty good.
Truthfully, if I had considered myself a Republican or a conservative, this presidency would be the time I started seriously distancing myself from those labels. Pretty much anyone who’s ever read a history book could provide a laundry list of negative outcomes that are likely to happen, and I wouldn’t want to be associated with any of them.
Thoughts and prayers for Gen Z men’s more-expensive Nintendos that a lot of them voted for.
Or, F’s in the chat, fam.
Sincerely, I’m sorry your were mislead by insane leaders. We welcome your vote against the insanity in upcoming elections!
If it makes you feel any better, MAGA isn’t conservative
What you call yourself is up to you, pal.
Calling yourself a conservative isn’t what I would worry about. Consider how many people told you that Trump was a fucking idiot and his policies were bad. You disagreed and voted for Trump, presumably, and now you’re faced with a growing pile of evidence that we were right, and Trump is a disaster.
Why do you still think your policy positions are any good?
You just failed the easiest open book test in history and handed the country to an incompetent gaggle of fascists who’ve crashed the economy in mere months. What makes you think the bullshit those same idiots told you about immigration is true? Maybe you’ve been utterly bamboozled from the jump. Maybe the reason you shouldn’t call yourself a conservative is because conservative positions are either evil or stupid, and usually both.
Even if you complete this come-to-Jesus moment, anyone who voted for Trump in 2024 has committed a vile and unforgivable sin.
You can say you’re a classic conservative that finds this admins too far reich
It sounds like you are a conservative rather than a fascist.
It’s not that the Democrats don’t have courage or conviction, they simply don’t have their act together. I really hope that someone emerges who can sort-of-kind-of unite the party and run a presidential campaign competently. If not then we’re just going to continue in our Trumpian spiral.
I think it is worth trying to understand what conservative means in the context of political psychology. And really ask yourself if that is what you are and, more importantly, what you want to be. Think about the movements that have made people’s lives better throughout history, and those that have not, and decide which ones you would be proud to identify as aligning with.
Far from being distinct, MAGA is literally the single most stereotypically conservative movement this country has seen since the American Nazi party.
Just curious on democrat policies you don’t agree with have you actually researched the position of those policies or allowed conservatives to build the narrative on democrat policies?
Second I don’t believe you become a world superpower and continue to be one while saying your allies should rearm themselves. That strategy leads to more conflict and less influence in my opinion.
You can call urself conservative but bro the Republican Party is a dead they have no beliefs other than what trump wants.
Yall are so cooked smh
People rarely change their political beliefs after a certain age.
They just begin to realize their political beliefs no longer align with the party they used to vote with.
We lived through Trump’s first admin while you were still watching Teen Titans Go or whatever, and y’all didn’t believe us when we told you how shitty he would be if he were re-elected. Congrats. You played yourselves.
Why do you feel like “conservative” is a word you need to identify with anyway?
>I dislike the current two-party system, who doesn’t?
There’s a streamer that I watch and he basically boils it down to this. “Republicans are evil and Democrats are pussies.”
I think he’s 100% right. What we need, literally, is Democrats to just stand the fuck up and run their mouths and talk a massive amount of shit. They need to be mean. I’m really not joking here. They need to be on social media calling Republicans names because apparently that’s what works now. It’s better to be “mean” but seen as strong instead of looking weak and feckless.