Are you an open-minded libtard? Open-minded enough to seriously weigh the ideas within this text? Probably not. However, if you're reading QR, you are at least a little curious. Let's start with the basics.

 

The progressive ideals of the last few centuries have failed. To see the evidence of this, one only has to look at our current government.

 

Progressives went too far. They began policing speech. They would not tolerate dissent. They held impromptu tribunals because everywhere, they proclaimed, a standard must be set. This was not confined to universities. Social media is the de facto Town Square, and in it, they had built a gallows. Their judgments were swift and merciless, leaving no room for nuance. To expose them to troubling ideas was tantamount to violence. Intent was inconsequential; any perceived offenses were presumed premeditated. There would be no forgiveness. Many of the loudest voices, buoyed by their own importance, drifted out to sea in their quest for attention, clutching at our ankles as they passed.

 

It was only natural that such behavior would affect liberals in positions of prominence. Political and cultural animals are governed by their need for popularity. They are also easy targets. An internet mob is still a mob, subject to the same reflexive tendencies. What liberal wouldn’t join, or at least self-censor, in the face of its wrath?

 

Perhaps you’re wondering how widespread these more extreme beliefs were within the broader liberal population or whether they were amplified by a system that prioritizes engagement. Does it matter? If perception is reality, then in this world of curated abundance, we have happily narrowed both.

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At this point, I’m sure you’re thinking, "Fine, if each side is defined by its extremists, aren't the ones on the right worse? They are literal Nazis and authoritarians." Unfortunately, you have misjudged the character of the nation. America is conservative, so conservative that anything less is suspect. Combine that with the hardiest of our convictions—that the best of us are rugged individuals, scrappy free thinkers—and the result is straightforward: It is okay to judge the left by Fox News but not to judge the right as if they are all Fox News viewers.

 

When Joe Biden ran for office, he didn't broadly slander conservatism or Republicans. He sold himself as a centrist. Joe was bipartisan. He would be a president for everyone. When Kamala ran, she was seen as a radical choice. Yet her short run was spent appealing to "moderates." For a Democrat to win, they must open their arms wide. This is not the standard to which Republican nominees are held. All three times he campaigned, Trump vilified liberals and Democrats. He insulted the opposition, made overt threats, and picked countless fights. The voters were fine with it.

 

The era of diversity, equity, and inclusion is over! No one is saying racism and sexism don't exist (in fact, some of us think they’re science), but broadly speaking, no one cares. Women and minorities had their time in the sun. By my rough calculations, it was somewhere between the release of Iron Man 3 and Thor: Love and Thunder. That's all of Phase 2. And sure, Endgame was good, but people have moved on, and so should you.

 

Still need convincing? Let's examine who really holds power in this country.

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