# Can right and left agree on anything? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 19, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094 "2017-11-19T19:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/41 "2017-11-19T22:28:41Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Interesting question asked on Townhall: Do Conservatives And Liberals Have Enough in Common to Keep A Country Together Anymore? > > This excerpt lays out several of the fundamental differences and they are big ones. I’m not sure if the bridge can be gapped in my lifetime. > [https://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2017/11/18/do-conservatives-and-liberals-have-enough-in-common-to-keep-a-country-together-anymore-n2411206?utm\_source=thdaily&utm\_medium=email&utm\_campaign=nl&newsletterad=](https://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2017/11/18/do-conservatives-and-liberals-have-enough-in-common-to-keep-a-country-together-anymore-n2411206?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl&newsletterad=) > > So, what’s your answer to the question that Townhall asks? Fuck off. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/42 "2017-11-19T22:33:30Z")
Seems like arguing about an opinion about opinions is just a bit meta. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/43 "2017-11-19T22:34:32Z")
**Clothahump** is a cunt. **Blank Slate** is dick. Is there any hope? A hate fuck for humanity? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/44 "2017-11-19T22:35:31Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Interesting question asked on Townhall: Do Conservatives And Liberals Have Enough in Common to Keep A Country Together Anymore? So interesting that you logged out before the first response. Was it cowardice or trolling? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/45 "2017-11-19T22:38:31Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > I can’t fathom people who are so obsessed with the election and Trump, they seem to think all roads, thoughts, arguments and fantasies lead there. What do you spend your free time on? Lots of us would be happy to go back to the days where we Didn’t have to follow politics. But we are in uncharted waters. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/46 "2017-11-19T22:40:48Z")
And my partner at work is extremely conservative, but he would not agree with the characterization of the views of Right and Left presented in the OP. So the claims that “_conservatives believe. . ._” and “_liberals believe. . ._” posted in the OP are either hysterically silly or deliberate lies. A more serious question might be, “_Why do people pay attention to utter nonsense when spouted by extreme partisans of the Right or Left who deliberately mischaracterize their opponents?_” We have always had people with extreme views, but why are the loudest idiots currently believed by so many people? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/47 "2017-11-19T23:05:31Z")
Okay, I think I’m finally swayed over to the viewpoint that **Clothahump** is a troll, and not merely a true believer/Fox News casualty. Tossed a partisan shit-bomb, almost substance-free but guaranteed to get everybody riled— started a Pit thread outside the Pit, essentially, and skated without a warning or even a mod note. Credit where credit is due: nice work! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/48 "2017-11-19T23:07:39Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > A more serious question might be, “_Why do people pay attention to utter nonsense when spouted by extreme partisans of the Right or Left who deliberately mischaracterize their opponents?_” > We have always had people with extreme views, but why are the loudest idiots currently believed by so many people? The ironic thing is, **Clothahump** himself provides an example of a Cartoon Conservative even stupider and blinder to the nonsense he spouts than even a caricature created by an extreme leftist would be. It would be hard to make **Clothahump** up and have him be credible. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/49 "2017-11-19T23:12:45Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Interesting question asked on Townhall: Do Conservatives And Liberals Have Enough in Common to Keep A Country Together Anymore? [ul] [li]Liberals believe in a “living Constitution” which is fundamentally no different than having no Constitution at all.[/li] [li]Liberals mock Judeo-Christian values.[/li] [li]Liberals believe your race defines you.[/li] [li]Liberals believe in equality of results.[/li] [li]Liberals are fine with silencing people that disagree with them.[/li] [li]Liberals believe in a frighteningly powerful central government dictating your every move.[/li][/ul] Wow! That’s what Liberals are, huh? Thanks for bringing this to my attention, you witless TrumpSucking turd. I must have missed a memo. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/50 "2017-11-19T23:17:57Z")
First things first, now that this bullshit is in the proper forum. Clothahump, you are a brain damaged idiot without peer. > [@Clothahump](#): > > … > This excerpt lays out several of the fundamental differences and they are big ones. I’m not sure if the bridge can be gapped in my lifetime. > … As far as the Constitution, and what people think about it, there is ONE orginization in this country that fights daily to uphold the Constitution, the whole Constitution, and nothing but the Constitution. They are considered to be on the left. The ACLU has had quite a busy and widely successful year defending the Constitution from morons like you and Trump who like to stomp and trample all over it. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/51 "2017-11-19T23:17:59Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So interesting that you logged out before the first response. Was it cowardice or trolling? Both. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/52 "2017-11-19T23:36:48Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > First things first, now that this bullshit is in the proper forum. Clothahump, you are a brain damaged idiot without peer. > > As far as the Constitution, and what people think about it, there is ONE orginization in this country that fights daily to uphold the Constitution, the whole Constitution, and nothing but the Constitution. **They are considered to be on the left.** The ACLU has had quite a busy and widely successful year defending the Constitution from morons like you and Trump who like to stomp and trample all over it. And yet they don’t hesitate to defend(or rather, advocate for) right wing groups whose rights are in danger. Even going as far as the KKK and their ilk. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/53 "2017-11-20T00:58:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So interesting that you logged out before the first response. Was it cowardice or trolling? \*\*Clothy \*\*came back at 3:03 (PST), saw it was in the Pit and didn’t want to face the insults. So, so fragile. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/54 "2017-11-20T01:06:55Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So, so fragile. Sad really. Sad! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/55 "2017-11-20T01:10:15Z")
Judging from what I’ve seen over the course of several years of posting, right and left seem to agree that **Clothahump** is something of a deranged lunatic. So at least there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/56 "2017-11-20T01:26:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So you’re saying (or the article is saying) that conservatives are wonderful loving good patriots, while liberals are terrible evil hateful traitors? I gathered the question was “Can Conservatives and Liberals come to agree that Liberals are terrible people? I mean, it’s like duh-obvious, right? Heck, if Liberals _don’t_ agree that Liberals are terrible people, that just evidence for how terrible they are, y’know? Can’t face reality and junk.” ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/57 "2017-11-20T01:43:44Z")
I notice a few typos in OP. Here is an amended version: > [@](#): > > Just as an example, ask yourself this question: how many of the fundamental questions about American life do you agree with Sean Hannity or Donald Trump on? Think about the basic questions of American life. > > The Constitution? Liberals support its principles, beginning with “We the People.” Conservatives allow interpretations that fit their agenda. They think the First Amendment calls for unlimited political campaigning by corporations. They encourage states to violate the 14th and 15th Amendments. > > Religion? Many on both sides are very religious. But while Liberals are tolerant, Conservatives insist on “Judeo-Christian” and think Muslims should be banned. The brands of Christianity that appeal to Conservatives, e.g. Prosperity Gospel, would be unrecognizable to Jesus. > > What about patriotism? Liberals love their country and humanity in general; they want to avoid useless waste of American soldiers’ lives. Conservatives seem happy to spend American lives pointlessly, and happy to hear their President insult fallen soldiers if they’re black. > > Both Conservatives and Liberals support capitalism, but Conservatives favor the Ayn Rand-style Dog-eat-dog capitalism. Liberals have read Adam Smith and other thinkers who warn against the excesses of joint stock companies but Conservatives like to see power turned over to a few super-rich bankers. Liberals believe people should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, but Conservatives rejoice when white supremacists give a good kicking to brown- or black-colored people. > > Liberals believe in regulations to reduce environmental pollution and mistreatment of workers. Conservatives think all power should be trusted to greedy corporations. If a region becomes uninhabitable due to pollution environmental destruction, the “Invisible Hand of the Market” will lead the survivors to move away. > > Liberals want to provide nutrition and health care to all Americans. Conservatives want to force women to have unwanted children, and then laugh, and deny government assistance, when the single mother is unable to provide for her child. > > Liberals believe in science. Conservatives believe in fringe conspiracies and seem to think that petroleum executives will billions in profit at stake are more likely to be truthful than debt-laden post-grads who passed up dentistry school because they love knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/58 "2017-11-20T02:01:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > \*\*Clothy \*\*came back at 3:03 (PST), saw it was in the Pit and didn’t want to face the insults. > So, so fragile. The delusional fucking idiot will eventually swan in, all butt-hurt, bearing a link to a gif he’s been dying to drop on all the board libruls since some russian trollbot shared it with him on facebook. He’ll derp about it like it’s some clever idea he thought up on his own. But it’ll be as clever and original as every other metal abortion he’s dropped on the SDMB doorstep and ran away cackling, back under his bridge, like the pathetic troll that he is. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/59 "2017-11-20T02:15:40Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > The delusional fucking idiot will eventually swan in, all butt-hurt, bearing a link to a gif he’s been dying to drop on all the board libruls since some russian trollbot shared it with him on facebook. He’ll derp about it like it’s some clever idea he thought up on his own. But it’ll be as clever and original as every other metal abortion he’s dropped on the SDMB doorstep and ran away cackling, back under his bridge, like the pathetic troll that he is. On his school’s website, he has a blog\*. Many articles of living the warrior’s life and having values and honor and courage. Then he comes in here, throws around insults, calls everyone snowflakes and then uses the ignore list to shield himself from the responses. \*Probably written by his wife. Or plagiarized. It sure doesn’t sound like _his_ writing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094/60 "2017-11-20T02:24:32Z")
So we can add “lying hypocrite” to his long list of personal shortcomings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-right-and-left-agree-on-anything/802094.md?page=4)