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Comment by toomuchtodo | Hacker News Reader

Having spoken with someone today, at length, that thinks any improvement in the current situation is “socialism”, I think common ground won’t be found with some folks (and that’s okay, as long as you can get a majority onboard). You have to do the right thing regardless (go to the mat for overwhelming fiscal policy stimulus firepower short term, and driving towards improved policy long term, increasing the minimum wage, universal healthcare, etc).

With recent political events, I’m hopeful (and it has been some time since I’ve had hope). Just have to keep up the momentum.

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“Some folks” is approaching near 50/50 split of the population of the US who have been led to believe “socialism” is worse than death. I know so, because my friend goes to church and they are now talking about this in their sermons...God is a Republican apparently.

Yeah, it’s really unfortunate the situation has become almost cult like. I have no explanation for these incoherent belief systems. No one said staying ahead of the ignorant and malicious was going to be easy, but it’s necessary for a democracy to function. The most conservative folks are the oldest cohorts, so they will age out eventually. [1] Millenials are also leaving behind religious affiliations due to perceived intolerances [2]: “A majority (57 percent) of millennials agree that religious people are generally less tolerant of others, compared to only 37 percent of Baby Boomers.”

“Apathy is the glove into which evil slips it’s hand.” Stay involved. This isn’t a call to a particular party, but to compassion and empathy, regardless of whom champions it.

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/20/a-wider-par... (first graphic)

[2] https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/millennials-are-leaving...

I think you need data to support that 50% claim. Otherwise you could just as easily claim the other 50% thinks the same way about fascism. Maybe it's just extremists you're looking at.

Don't give up on the people who are so extreme one way or another. We need people in the middle to reign in those on the far outside edges of the political spectrum. It takes a lot of time, energy, effort & listening. Be kind. Don't chase them away. I see to many people chase away anyone who disagrees with them.

Common ground can be found with everyone. I've found you can get those who hate capitalism to suggest capitalist ideas. I've found you can get those who hate socialism to suggest socialist ideas, especially around the ideas of safety nets regarding children, cancer and other health concerns.

Americans hate socialism, but mostly loves socialist ideas like minimum wages, free healthcare etc. Florida who voted strongly for Trump, many thinks because of Socialist scaremongering, voted to raise minimum wage to $15 this year.

Republicans have tried to take away social security and medicaid/care, but their voters will not have it.

"improvement"? The fact that you don't seem to see your own bias shows that you might be part of the "no common ground" problem. Are you willing to accept that changes which you see as making things worse might actually be improvements? Even changes favored by that person you spoke with?

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