I agree with Streamer that Democrats need to re-evaluate party positions, especially with respect to identity politics, to the extent I understand what "identity politics" means. I'm not so sure about the lies; after all, the Rs lie like crazy, and it's working out way better than I expected. Apparently how one lies matters more than just lying. I think Streamer will be disappointed about Boomers dying off because the least informed liberal political views are mostly embraced by the young.

I think the incoming Trump administration will do more to reconnect Americans with the Democratic Party than did the Democratic Party. When prices don't come down and go up even more (thanks Trump tariffs!), and the price of gas goes up even more (thanks Trump tariffs on Canadian and Mexican oil imports!), and the impact of Bidenomics infrastructure, chips and science bill, etc. begin paying off, and Americans discover that government of the people, and by the rice, and for the rich, the ranks of Democratic voters will increase significantly.

I agree that I will be disappointed as liberal and left views are predominantly embraced by the young, however they are still young enough to gain the life experience that shape them to see the world more practically and less idealistically. There is at least hope with them.

Boomers are older and stuck in their ways. Leftist boomers are a lost cause at this point. I still maintain my current opinion that anyone older than about 40 or so (give or take) that still embraces leftist politics is dealing with mental health issues of some sort, and at a minimum arrested development as they lack the lived experience necessary to help them see the world in more practical ways.


Streamer

I just finished reading it. Not a bad book. I don't think there was anything new in there that I didn't already know but it was a decent read at least. Most books are written based on previously written books and I had read the books that were written previously that this book was based on. They did sort of imply that the natives were peaceful when this was far from the case. Especially with the Aztecs who sacrificed at least tens of thousands in a single day, but this book isn't on the subject of the crimes of the natives, it would be more fair to characterize the period as mixed instead of peaceful Indians falling to the Spanish. It repeats this bias later whenever Indians are mentioned, they are always innocent and their crimes are not mentioned, when in fact, they did have some crimes. This "nativewashing" of history is a pretty common bias in contemporary literature but understand that the actual situation was more complex than the idealized stories told here. Sometimes when two groups of people are in conflict instead of one being the hero and the other the villain, often they are both heroes and villains simultaneously. Other than this one bias, it was fairly accurate and unbiased.

I am of Quaker/Borderlander descent, my wife borderlander. They did have a bit about the borderlanders coming across the Oregon trail on wagons to fill in the countryside in the Pacific Northwest where the Yankees came by boat and filled the cities. This Yankee city Borderlander town/country rift is the same as the Democrat / Republican rift in this state. One nice line in there was about how the borderlanders have equal contempt for the Yankee teachers as they do for the Deep South aristocratic slave lords. Yup. I don't know why both the Yankees and Southern aristocrats are so controlling with other people's lives and don't believe in individual freedom like quakers and borderlanders do. There was another part of the book talking about the difference between the idea of liberty vs the idea of freedom. Where I very much have the Quaker/Borderlander conception of freedom as an individual’s ability to pursue their own interests and desires vs liberty as rights and responsibilities due to your place in the hierarchy.

One last tidbit was that in the midwest they use the term "Yankeed" to mean cheated or tricked. I'm going to start using that one. Next time they start their sanctimonious preaching about some social justice issue. I'll say, don't Yankee me bro.

In elections, if the books are correct in their view, then "identity politics" doesn't work because where you are culturally from may be more important than your race or age or suchlike. What struck me, and I still have a ways to go, was that the hispanic members of the Norte cultural group are very different in the political views than the southern Mexico, Caribbean, etc. And yet, the press and likely political parties look at them as having the same views.

Amusing. And, dare I say, prepare to be disappointed.

Maybe?

As to my belief, it is consistent with with the idea of idealism vs. realism. Leftist leaning individuals are idealistic in nature. In terms of life stages, "idealism" often represents a younger, more optimistic perspective where individuals tend to focus on grand possibilities, high ideals, and believe in significant change, while "realism" is associated with later life stages where people tend to be more grounded, pragmatic, and accept the limitations of the world as it is, often prioritizing practical solutions over lofty dreams or ideals.

In early-adulthood, this is often seen as a period of idealism, where young adults may be passionate about social change, pursue lofty career aspirations, and believe in their ability to make a significant impact. Approaching mid-adulthood is where the switch to realism begins. As individuals gain more life experience, they generally transition towards a more realistic perspective, balancing idealism with practical considerations, acknowledging trade-offs and making more calculated decisions. Later-adulthood is when individuals further lean towards realism, prioritizing stability, security, and making choices that align with their current priorities and limitations.

If by mid-adulthood leftists haven’t gained lived experience to shape their views to being more balanced with realism, it sheds light on being behind in developmental milestones. Mental health issues are almost always the reason for this.

So what are your mental health issues Salmo? Or are you such a brainwashed, mid-level IQ that you can’t see outside of your confined, narrow-minded, tribalistic, “never Republican” views?


Streamer

"So what are your mental health issues Salmo? "

My main mental health issue leans toward being too tolerant of those with vacuous intellect and lacking in critical analytical thinking skill. Other than that I remain quite well balanced. Thank you for asking.

Yeah but you chose to marry her and the other ones are your daughters so good on you for being tolerant of the lack of critical thinking in your family. Also what is good for the goose is good for the gander, so we are also, all quite tolerant of your voluminous posts vividly illustrating your lack of critical analytical thinking skills.

"My main mental health issue leans toward being too tolerant of those with vacuous intellect and lacking in critical analytical thinking skill. Other than that I remain quite well balanced. Thank you for asking."

You also have that extra long arm that allows you to pat yourself on the back.
Congrats.

Yeah, I don't worry too much about intellectual skills in the family. The daughters have enough intellect to acquire graduate and PhD degrees. I'd let the results speak for themselves. Where'd you end up on the learning scale?

I learned I'd rather be hiring the book smart types then be one.

Good on ya' for beating the odds. You do realize that ain't how it usually works out, right?

Merry Christmas!