The Left Flashcards
Think Republicans are disconnected from reality? It’s even worse among liberals - The Guardian; 2019
Main Idea:
Americans, especially those highly educated and politically engaged, often misunderstand the beliefs of the other political side—and this misunderstanding contributes to greater division.
Key Findings from the Survey:
Democrats underestimated Republicans: Only guessed 50% think racism is still a problem, but 79% actually do.
Republicans overestimated Democrats: Thought 50% believe most police are bad people, but only 15% actually do.
More education = less accuracy, especially among Democrats. In fact, Democrats without a high school diploma were more accurate in their guesses about Republicans than those with postgraduate degrees.
Political engagement increases misperception, not clarity.
Why This Happens:
“Bubble-ism”: Highly educated Democrats tend to live in homogenous liberal environments, limiting exposure to other views.
Ironically, though liberals value diversity, they may experience less political diversity in their everyday lives.
This isolation is intensified by recent Democratic losses (e.g., presidency, courts), leading to grief, retreat, and a desire for safety in familiar circles.
Consequences:
The left’s retreat from engagement can lead to misjudgment, marginalization, and strategic weakness.
Effective change requires understanding the other side—not demonizing them from a distance.
Hope for Common Ground:
Despite deep divisions, there are shared values and cross-party cooperation, such as:
Climate action (both parties show surprising support in polls).
Joint efforts like the After Charlottesville Project.
Bipartisan legislation, e.g., criminal justice reform, lobbying restrictions (e.g., AOC and Ted Cruz teaming up).
Mutual respect: Even conservative Trump supporters may admire someone like Bernie Sanders for his integrity.
Survey Misperceptions (from More in Common’s “Hidden Tribes” project):
❓ Q: How many Republicans believe that racism is still a problem in America today?
Democrats guessed: 50%
Actual percentage of Republicans who agreed: 79%
❓ Q: How many Democrats believe that “most police are bad people”?
Republicans guessed: 50%
Actual percentage of Democrats who agreed: 15%
Additional Polling (from Yale, Stanford, Monmouth):
❓ Should the U.S. set strict CO₂ emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants (even if it increases electricity costs)?
Democrats: 87% yes
Republicans: 56% yes
❓ Should the U.S. participate in the Paris Climate Accord, reducing emissions regardless of what other countries do?
Majority in both parties: Yes
(Exact numbers not given, but confirmed majorities)
Final Message:
Major political change requires bridging divides, listening carefully, and finding common ground. The Democratic Party—and America more broadly—needs to reengage, not retreat, and see the other side clearly, not caricature it.
A reality check for the progressive left - The Hill; 2023
Key Points from the Article
Author’s Background:
Retired FBI agent with nearly 28 years of experience, mostly in financial crimes (e.g., fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes).
Core Observation:
People interpret reality through their own personal lens, shaped by upbringing, bias, and life experience.
Behavior Patterns in Financial Crimes:
Criminals often deny or justify their wrongdoing.
Victims sometimes refuse to admit they were conned — even blaming the FBI for interfering.
Maxim #1 – “People believe what they want to believe.”
Rooted in confirmation bias: people seek out or interpret info that confirms their beliefs.
Maxim #2 – “People want simple answers to complicated questions.”
Many adopt rigid belief systems to avoid the discomfort of constant critical thinking.
Emotional Comfort Over Truth:
Simplicity and ideological certainty offer emotional safety, but limit understanding and self-growth.
Application to Politics:
These human tendencies aren’t limited to crime—they also apply to today’s political divide.
Critique of the Progressive Left:
Progressive left (per Pew: 6% of Americans) is often very liberal, highly educated, mostly white.
Tends to enforce its views with moral certainty and rejects opposing views as “evil” or “disinformation.”
Displays intolerance for nuance and anger when challenged.
Psychological Impact on the Left:
Poll: Liberals aged 18–55 are 15% less likely to be satisfied with their lives than conservatives.
Progressive frustration may stem from lack of broad societal acceptance of their worldview.
Far-Right Extremism Also Criticized:
Examples: Election denial, QAnon, “Great Replacement” theory.
FBI has warned about the potential for violence from far-right groups.
Common Thread on Both Sides:
Rigid ideology, confirmation bias, and rejection of alternative views are present across the political spectrum.
Danger of Self-Created Realities:
People construct their own version of reality, and when it’s challenged, they often respond with rage, denial, or cancelation.
Emotionally Secure People Can Handle Disagreement:
Confident people don’t feel threatened by other views; they don’t need to dehumanize opponents.
Progressives May Struggle to Defend Ideas Not Grounded in Reality:
Example criticized: “Men can get pregnant” — seen as disconnected from objective truth.
Inevitable Collision With Reality:
Like criminals who deny guilt, ideologues will eventually face objective truth.
Clinging to false or overly simplistic beliefs cannot withstand long-term scrutiny.
Final Reflection:
Lasting understanding and progress require openness, humility, and willingness to challenge one’s own views.
