I can say 'Conservative, not MAGA' why can't they say 'Liberal not Leftist'?

How did your week go? Mine? Oh you don't want to know about mine do you? Are you sure? Well ok then!

I took my family downtown Bedford last weekend to eat at The Rusty Gator and ended up going to the Pub instead. While we were there we encountered a small group of people protesting. Protesting anything on the street in this part of Indiana or pretty much anywhere usually means one thing, Left Wing Demonstrators.

It seems like they have a problem with everything right now, it makes you wonder why just a mere four years ago they weren't out about anything unless it was just directed at the right. I can remember a time when I'd personally goto events where both sides had a problem. Gas prices in 99, 9/11 commission protest in 02' 03' 04'. The people I would frequently see in these circles that were 'Democrats' generally would get PO'd about the things I got PO'd about, back then the divide wasn't that bad because despite our differences, we all still adhered to a set of agreed upon social norms.

These norms while some may feel antiquated or exclusive still allow freedom should you choose to live by them. Outside of the circle, you weren't getting a stage or a crowd to listen. At some point the left decided to throw the norms, the contract out the window and adopt this anything goes mentality when it comes to how you can live and still be considered a contributing American.

This includes but is not limited to being an outright advocate for communism, living in a way that shrinks the birthrate and being free to flaunt a lifestyle that is an affront to the conservative conventions that got us one of the longest hi-trust eras of any modern industrialized nation. Conservatism on it's own did not do this. Liberal ideals have done many good things above all else it made banding together in the face of the powers that be a core American concept. Unions, women's right, Nafta (Lol not really, just kidding). You get the gist, there are definitely Liberties brought by Liberals and I freely admit such.

What were not Liberal ideals that I saw shape America for the better was the concept of internationalism that loses sight of our past. The Democrat platform by the mid 2000s attempted to use their American political platform to cater to the world by eroding many societal norms that unraveled our security. Our national security, our financial security and many of the historical beliefs that secured us through National confidence were suddenly taboo.

Naturally the response to an organism infected by a social disease it to weaken a country to the point another forms to fight for whatever life is left in the victim and that illness is of course MAGA, ultra conservatism. Which is the ideological opposite in almost every way. But MAGA's got its own problems, extremes that can damage the country as much as the left's overreach.
For starters, decades of being told their Americanism—pride in nation, faith, tradition—is inherently evil has bred distrust in institutions like government, media, and courts.

 This polarization fuels racial biases on both sides: the right leans nativist, wary of outsiders, while the left pushes identity politics, each claiming justification. It kills dialogue and widens divides. MAGA's rejection of systems it sees as corrupt risks undermining the rule of law. Some flirt with strongman tactics, valuing loyalty over democracy. Conspiracy theories, like election fraud, stir paranoia and can spark violence, like January 6th. Not every supporter, but these extremes threaten the unity we need.

Both sides have ditched the norms that kept us together. Finding a way to disagree without destroying the country is the challenge. Worth trying.

And that is my take on it, as a Conservative, frequently accused NeoCon and it is something I try to keep in my mind when interacting with people on both sides. What I saw in the square in Bedford was not something all that uncommon in my past but the cast of people were certainly different, much more divided and it really goes back to both parties having poisoned extremities. I decided to take a quick picture/video and as I was I had a gentleman who looked to be in his early 20s as what I thought of everything and if I'd be interested in sharing my thoughts for a news project he works for. 

I didn't see the harm and despite having to run to not leave my family in the car, I shared some thoughts. They weren't anything that I would consider remotely provocative, just my personal thoughts on the Liberal platform, not even exclusively Democrat. I wasn't asked for my name and as we wrapped up I reminded him of my name and told him to be sure to put it in. He asked if I was sure, sure and quipped about the local leftist being extremely rabid. Having more faith in my neighbors I didn't think anything of it.

On Tuesday of this week I received a call from my brother-in-law who used to operate a business with me. It appears as though someone, unhappy with my statements on some website I never heard of, decided to call him and warn him that he may have a homophobic racist bigot working for him and wanted to find out if I was in fact the same guy from the article. 

My BIL did me a solid and told the person that I was working the entire weekend. For this I have to say THANK YOU for the cover but in the end it doesn't matter. It was an old LinkedIN entry that I've now taken down all together. I'm semi-retired and can't be touched but even if that weren't the case, I should feel as though I COULD talk to someone publicly about my opinion without fear of being run out of town or my family's security at risk.

I found the article after some Facebooking and my feelings are mixed. My quote was spot on, the entire tone of the article was definitely over dramatized but would be accurate from an outsider looking in, especially a conservative one looking in. I was able to get into contact with ConserviJohn who stepped me through the submission process and I hope I'm allowed to be a reasonable conservative voice even if this may be my only post.

So this entire things is to ask a question, if it is so easy for me to publicly be able to pick out and identify the things I will and won't allow in my public identity as a Conservative, why isn't it the case for Liberals? Where are the hard stops on public harassment, stalking people online, trying to get them fired? Or the other broader issues such as the weaponization of identity politics or intrusive government?

You can claim you are saving our rights and collect a semi full of food for the poor and just like a mobster who goes to confession, it isn't going to be enough to obscure that the group is every bit as intimidating and hostile as MAGA.