Stop Calling Politicians You Disagree With Bad People

[Young Conservative]

Politicians are people; most were just like us. They were citizens with a passion for politics and the charisma to do something about it. Barring serious corruption or ethical scandals, can we all stop calling those we disagree with bad people? It is part of the problem with tribalism in America today.

[Young Conservative]

Nope. The ruling class is ridden with sociopaths.

1. Implying everyone in office is evil is wrong.
2. Personally attacking people by politics is wrong.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

Semi-related hot take: one of the roots of the "politically incorrect" backlash is the inability of people to separate being accused of bad behavior from being a bad person. That goes for both transgressors and accusers. E.g., an uninformed person who says a racist thing without realizing why it's racist will be much more receptive to criticism if you point out that why what they say is problematic in a way that doesn't imply that they have character flaws. Likewise, someone who receives a reasonable complaint about a racist comment should understand that being told they said a racist thing does not imply that that they are necessarily a racist.

I agree with the premise of OP. Just wanted to add a little bit extra to the discussion.

[Dr. MB]

They're not bad as long as they are being honest about their beliefs and not repeating whatever their donors tell them to say.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

When Washington sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're bringing drugs; they're bringing crime; they're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

[thumb21]

While I agree with the general idea of being polite with the people you disagree with because only then can you understand where they are coming from, but there is a difference between someone I politely disagree with and a politician in power initiating policies that hurt and kill people because they are on the corporate paycheck. If someone makes intentionally bad policies or starts unjust wars, then yes I'm gonna say they are bad people because they are.

[SATW]

Most responses in this thread:

"I know I shouldn't, but it's easier to scream 'you're a bad person who is killing people!' at my political opponents. "

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

Nope. The ruling class is ridden with sociopaths.

Death to the bourgeoisie!

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Nope. The ruling class is ridden with sociopaths.

Check your "not a politician" privilege, citizen!

[Santander]

Republicans are bad people. This should not be a controversial opinion.

[fhtagn]

We should all just agree that everyone is bad, makes things much easier

[publicunofficial]

*starts a forever war over a lie, killing millions*
*votes to take away health insurance in a nation where people literally die if their GoFundMe comes up  $50 short*
*creates a legal system where you can destroy the economy and get off Scott free but if you shoplift baby food from Wal-Mart you get 10 years in jail*

B-but I have a family and a passion for politics....

[RFayette]

We should all just agree that everyone is bad, makes things much easier

"For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God"


I believe that every single one of us falls short, and if we start with this as our baseline, then it's a lot easier to understand how people can do bad things when put in positions of power.  It's not that these people are outliers; they represent the human condition.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Most politicians are bad people, including some of those I agree with (see: Franken, Conyers, etc.).

[Person Man]

Uh... I'm not a diddler or a thief. Yeah, I can be an asshole and an idiot sometimes but I don't think my judgment is unreasonable.

[RFayette]

Most politicians are bad people, including some of those I agree with (see: Franken, Conyers, etc.).

Well, since all of us are bad people, this isn't a surprise, no?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Most politicians are bad people, including some of those I agree with (see: Franken, Conyers, etc.).

Well, since all of us are bad people, this isn't a surprise, no?

True, although some are more bad than others.