purity Archives - Politically Incorrect Humor

Political Memes and Funny Pictures

Social Media Post of the Day

Random Thoughts of the Day

One of the biggest problems with America is what I call the “purity factor” of political parties. Everyone must go along with 100 percent of the party platform, or you’re done, gone, out! For example, you have zero chance of winning any election in the Republican party if you’re pro-choice or for cutting defense spending. You’re done in the Democratic party if you’re pro-life or believe manmade climate change is exaggerated. Even if you’re on board with 99 percent, it’s not good enough. Look at Tulsi Gabbard, who’s a solid liberal on almost every issue but has spoken out for election integrity and against tech censorship. She has been completely ostracized by her party, with cancel culture targeting her for destruction. All the purity factor does is lead to more polarization and focus on party loyalty rather than solutions.

Perhaps the worst is the party I most identify with, the Libertarian Party. Most libertarians I’ve met are some of the smartest people I’ve come across, but just try taking a non-libertarian position, or even slightly disagree on a solution to an issue. I’ve never seen people in the same party get so unpleasantly argumentative with each other when one doesn’t pass the purity test. It’s a big reason the Libertarian Party never seems to grow past 5 percent even though I believe 70 percent of the country would definitely favor their beliefs over the two major parties. The vast majority of the country always votes Republican or Democrat, but libertarians carve out their own beliefs that both agree & disagree with parts of each party platform. So when libertarians obnoxiously insist on purity and attack those with whom they disagree, they’re effectively alienating almost everyone in the country.

People have their own family, friends, values, education, and other influences. Any critical thinking individual should NEVER agree with 100 percent of any party platform. If you are, you’re likely falling for the fallacy of confirmation bias and only getting one side of the story. Either that, or you’re getting in line like a good brainwashed party soldier. To win people to your way of thinking, it’s best to focus on areas of agreement. I like to focus on the pros and cons of each issue, even if I think the arguments on one side are weak and ridiculous. Taking a balanced approach in your reasoning opens up people’s minds rather that putting them on the defensive, in which case they fight harder to stick to their current beliefs. An open mind usually leads a thinking individual to the better solution.

The two-party system in America is a disaster. Almost everyone wants other options. The Covid fascism has Americans striving for civil liberties like no time since our founding. It shouldn’t be that hard to carve out a better 3rd party option, as long as we don’t insist on purity of beliefs.