Now on that I disagree, because I think you are wildly underestimating how far some of the US right wing are in terms of authoritarianism, illiberalism and nationalism. I mean, people talk about communists, but there barely are any and they certainly aren't in positions of power. Meanwhile, the Republican party and other figures on the right openly heap praise on people like Viktor Orban.
I can't tell. Most conservatives and right wingers do actually believe in welfare, social programs, decent healthcare access etc. The difference between the right and left in this is not whether they exist or not, but the scale they should operate on.
On the contrary, CA is a great place to live: that's why it has cost of living issues. This is the same sort of reason it's more expensive to live in the USA than it is in Mexico.
Again, can we end with the dumbass extremism because we can go back and forth with this all day. The left IMO is currently more authoritarian than the right.
Wait, right-wingers believe in public healthcare? Since when? This extremism is ridiculous, Joe Rogan isn't right-wing. If both sides were for public healthcare, the US would have public healthcare.
The only thing that's nice about California is the physical characteristics of the state itself. When I mean it's the worst state to live in, it's because of the policies put in place. One of the reasons housing cost so much is because there's not enough houses and affordable housing always gets vetoed, it's not just because it's ocean-side property.
I mean, YOU have asked for people to be banned based on your own personal philosophy. Numerous times. On this forum. Sounds like an extreme way to deal with a situation to me.
So... what are we exactly doing to extremists?
In most countries, conservatives are FOR some sort of universal healthcare, welfare, work program and disability pensions. It's normal. Most conservatives are normal. The US is not normal. The Democrats would not be left-wing in most countries. They would be about what the Tories are in the UK. The Dems are conservatives.
Cry all you want about not putting expectations of other countries onto the US but...
See this. What actually happened was the reverse. Eg. Tranwomen have been allowed to play in women's sport since 1970s. By Supreme Court rulings. 50 YEARS. But somehow, NOW transwomen in sport is a problem. No, it hasn't. It hasn't been for at least 50 years.
Here, in Australia, we have had some spill over from this culture war drama. A principal at a private religious school tried to ban homosexuals and transgenders (you know, similar things to what you personally have proposed eg. banning transwomen from sports) from their school based on religious beliefs and was quickly fired by the parents. Because of course that is the proper course. Substitute any other identity in for transgender in that first sentence and see if it's acceptable. Our conservative Prime Minister at the time did try to make a bill that would allow such prejudices, but it never left the cabinet because MOST conservatives here in Australia are interested in banning people
Lefties did not jump way out to the Left. The Right went Right.... (or actually what happened is that they just moved their anger about Civil Rights elsewhere.) Because this is norm for the US
The above meme is a lie. You can tell if you just poke your head out of the collective fart that is US politics
That's... capitalism. Two-tier economy is capitalism. Bill Gates and all the other rich people in California are conservatives.
Are you going to pretend that Carnegie or Rockefeller were super progressive just because they funded social programs and made schools? That would be nonsense. Just because Gates et al hand out millions of dollars does not mean they are progressive. They're guilty of all the unethical things they have done to get their money
When have I asked for people to be banned? I don't even use the Report button. I may have said something like 'based on the forum rules, so-and-so should be banned' at one point or another (which I don't recall if I ever did), I thought most bannings (from the old site at least) were dumb because it was in essence a "3 strike" logic that is pretty nonsensical (I recall short posts could merely get you banned), but never because did I say to ban someone I merely disagreed with.
People aren't calling Rogan right-wing because in XYZ country that is considered right-wing. You have one talking point or guest on that says something in line with whatever republicans are saying and you're labeled as right-wing and basically a reason to be ignored vs heard out. You don't see how this is leading to extremism and tribalism?
The science says trans women is unfair. What's the big deal in competing in your sex?
You don't even live in the US. The far left has moved far more left coming up with asinine policy that sounds nice but is far worse than just the status quo. Hence California is all democrat policy but only causing greater class divide that they say they don't want. Or the claiming they want affordable housing but voting against it every single time. Or the left protesting speakers and literally silencing them from colleges.