But...so? Lots of other people, in fact basically all of them, have that exact same set of circumstances. Everyone can leverage roads and bridges the same way. Everyone has a free public education (granted, of varying quality). What's the point of bring all of that up, unless it's to tear people down, and demand more from the group that already pays a disproportionate share of taxes, etc?
The point is if you tear it all down, then nobody can do any of the aforementioned things.
That's a good point. I've always thought it was because glorifying the 'self-made man' was essentially implying that everyone else just didn't try hard enough. So then being poor becomes a moral failing and then it's easy to say that some people don't deserve government assistance or are freeloaders.
Maybe it's just differing outlooks. Aside from the social policy of Republicans (which is why I can never make myself vote for them), they just constantly seems so fucking down about shit. Everything is an attack on everything, no one is safe, everyone should be so scared all the time. Bah! Muslims! Transwomen! Liberal Professors! Women! Atheists!
Democrats have their faults for fucking sure, but they honestly never seem anything but optimistic about the future, and positive about our ability to make our world better for more of us. Also, their conventions aren't 90% older white men, which super helps. Also, democrats as a party are generally pro-science whereas the Republicans who speak out are usually.... very much not. In insane ways.
The Democrats will freak you out using the same techniques -- Women's health care! Global Warming! Rich people! The 1%! Black and brown people! And they will either pressure you into feeling guilty for being privileged and white, or you are a victim for being non-white, or a woman.
Lolz. Yea, no one's ever had to explain to me why it sucks being a woman, gay, black, or any other minority. I have eyes, and I use them. It's amazing what you can see when you look, or when you ask people their experience. Also, global warming is a thing, seriously, if you have credibly evidence otherwise you should probably be given a Nobel because wow, just about everyone in the field disagrees.
Do I think there aren't some hysterical Democrats? Of course not, there totally are. Honestly though, I'd rather have some dude lecture me about how my language might not be inclusive enough (because the intent here is positive - creating a more polite and welcoming public space) than have some Christian dude lecture me about the holidays (because the intent here is to claim ownership over things and also to make me conform to Christian ideals, which I do not share but that doesn't seem to matter anyway).
It honestly seems like liberal focus is on space for others (to express their gender, love who they will, go where they will, wear what they will) where as conservative focus seems to be on space for themselves (to control how I dress, who I love, where I go, what my approved gender expression is, etc). I would not rely on the Republican party to guarantee me my right to live free from harassment - mostly because they're the ones doing the harassing.
This is obviously a giant generalization, and is intended only to convey the more prominent (or simply the louder) voices on the conservative side. I'd love to hear counter arguments, because while my experience and reading has led me to this conclusion I find it very uncomfortable and disheartening.
(also, maybe it's because my family is both Irish and previously Catholic, but I think some amount of guilt is good for the soul. White people did some fucked up shit, then fought about it, then did some more fucked up shit, then decided to act like it all never happened (then, some decided it was actually all shitty because Obama, for no sensible reason whatsoever). Removing the blemishes of our past, or acting like they no longer matter, is asking to repeat it. It's dishonest and lacking in both dignity and honor and to be frank - fucking weak. There are limits, but a serious ongoing discussion is not unnecessary in a world where people think it's alright to call the President's wife a fucking "APE IN HEELS". I mean, for fucks sake. It's never okay to call anyone that fucking ever - isn't this shit covered in kindergarten?)