# Why are Republicans often seen as the "bad guys"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 17, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008 "2016-05-17T16:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/1 "2016-05-17T16:16:41Z")
There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative, or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/2 "2016-05-17T16:21:08Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative, or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney”. It’s kind of hard to refute/respond to anonymous stories you hear, no matter how numerous you claim them to be. Can you give us some real-life cases? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/3 "2016-05-17T16:30:32Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative, or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney”. There is a similar notion in the UK. A nickname for the Tory Party (the Conservative Party) is ‘The Nasty Party’. My view is that it stems from the idea that conservative politics is pro-big business and the wealthy elite, is anti-welfare, and morally judgemental on personal matters. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/4 "2016-05-17T16:31:49Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. . There might be some truth to that, although, “The facts have a well-known liberal bias,” declared Rob Corddry way back in 2004. Some colleges could do better in promoting a free exchange of ideas, but in general, I don’t think we’re in any danger of widespread liberal brain washing in higher education. > [@](#): > > Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative, or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney” I am skeptical. To address you main point, Republicans have brought it on themselves. They were not content to simply be a party of conservative ideas that had, in their view, better policy solutions to our country’s challenges. Instead they want to whip everyone into a frenzy by declaring Obama is the “worst president in US history,” and lie about the state of the economy, the strength of our military, and a million other things. Some are willing to shut down the operation of the U.S. Government to achieve a (minor) policy objective. They are in reality, the “bad guys” of our current political system. Take a look a John Kasich, a man I disagree with on practically every issue. In the current election cycle, he refused to demagogue the issues or pretend we’re in some fake national crisis. He promoted his ideas and proposals, and was largely ignored by the voters. The Republican voters instead preferred a buffoon named Trump, and this Cruz character, whose vision for the future should scare the shit out of all of us. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/5 "2016-05-17T16:41:30Z")
Part of the Republican/Conservative philosophy is to cater to the least common denominator, and that usually doesn’t expose people’s best side. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/6 "2016-05-17T16:44:36Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > **Why are Republicans often seen as the “bad guys”?** Why indeed. > [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. Europe has good taste. But do continue… > [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. I’ve heard stories of Evil Debaters who, having no leg to stand on, try to Guilt people into voting their way. Granted, I’m sure that there is no one like that reading This post… :rolleyes: > [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. I’ve heard there are WMDs in Iraq. I’ve heard that the FBI was sure MLK was a Traitor. I’ve heard that Drumpf is an Honest Businessman and Worthy of the Presidency. My solution? [Ear plugs](http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Reusable-Corded-Earplugs-3-Pack-90716-3-10DC/202195388). > [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative. In my day, the Tom Keane Hacks just gave D’s to A essays until you learned to throw the glurg they wanted repeated back at them. > [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney”. Well, you can’t blame the youth of America for knowing A Good Joke when they see it… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/7 "2016-05-17T16:52:50Z")
And they pull stupid, Cro-magnon shit like NC HB 2. Just because they can. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/8 "2016-05-17T17:22:17Z")
They’re the bad guys because you, and people you talk politics with, are social progressives. The Republicans have been the socially conservative party for the last 50 years. If you think that the changes our society is going through are generally in a positive direction, then the Republicans are going to be on the wrong side of history on most of those changes. Racial equality, gender equality, women’s rights, gay rights, transgender rights, income inequality, etc. On all of those issues, the Republicans are coming down on the side of the old social order. And as the people who most strongly champion that old social order die off, they abandon whatever old wedge issue used to be effective and find a new one. It’s why ten years ago, mainstream Republican candidates took strong stances against gay marriage, but now that the fight is effectively over, they don’t really want to talk about it. They’ve found a new wedge issue in transgender bathroom use. If you’re slightly more progressive than the average person, then you’re going to be opposed to every wedge issue, so Republicans are always on the side of oppressing some minority group. Note that if you were a social conservative, perhaps a religious fundamentalist, you would probably not see the Republicans as the bad guys. You’d see them as noble moral crusaders taking a stand against an increasingly degenerate and sinful culture. Sure, they might abandon some hopeless causes every once in a while, but they do their best to slow the onslaught of societal failure. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/9 "2016-05-17T17:33:37Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Sure, they might abandon some hopeless causes every once in a while, but they do their best to slow the onslaught of societal failure. And prevent the onset of social evolution. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/10 "2016-05-17T17:54:50Z")
Because the Republicans like to say “no” to many liberal positions/priorities. Many liberals don’t like that and consider any disagreement with their platform as “evil.” There is a saying that goes something like “A young person who isn’t liberal has no heart, an old person who isn’t conservative has no brain.” ---
**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:** [May 17, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/11 "2016-05-17T18:00:06Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Because the Republicans like to say “no” to many liberal positions/priorities. Many liberals don’t like that and consider any disagreement with their platform as “evil.” > > There is a saying that goes something like “A young person who isn’t liberal has no heart, an old person who isn’t conservative has no brain.” Republican positions: Clean air and water=evil. Healthcare for everyone=evil. Equality for everyone=evil. Decent wages even for the least skilled=evil. Social safety nets=evil. Safe workplace conditions=evil. Unadulterated foods and drugs=evil. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/12 "2016-05-17T18:10:07Z")
Women - evil. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/13 "2016-05-17T18:13:10Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Because the Republicans like to say “no” to many liberal positions/priorities. Many liberals don’t like that and consider any disagreement with their platform as “evil.” > > There is a saying that goes something like “A young person who isn’t liberal has no heart, an old person who isn’t conservative has no brain.” That certainly isn’t true anymore. Not that it ever was, but at least you could make a case for it. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/14 "2016-05-17T18:17:36Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Republican positions: > Clean air and water=evil. > Healthcare for everyone=evil. > Equality for everyone=evil. > Decent wages even for the least skilled=evil. > Social safety nets=evil. > Safe workplace conditions=evil. > Unadulterated foods and drugs=evil. I don’t think the average Republican thinks any of those are evil. Republicans just don’t want to regulate these things to the degree Democrats do. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/15 "2016-05-17T18:20:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Republican positions: > Clean air and water=evil. OK, let’s start with the first one and work our way down. Cite? ---
**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:** [May 17, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/16 "2016-05-17T18:21:01Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I don’t think the average Republican thinks any of those are evil. Republicans just don’t want to regulate these things to the degree Democrats do. Do you really think regulations are written for shits and giggles? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/17 "2016-05-17T18:28:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > OK, let’s start with the first one and work our way down. Cite? To be fair the EPA was signed into existence by Richard Nixon, a well-known Republican. Forty years on, rank and file Republican voters and/or their congressmen want to abolish the EPA ([Cite](http://www.usobserver.com/archive/july-11/epa-abolished.html)). Someone in my online social group who lives in a Conservative part of the country and keeps posting anti-Liberal propaganda said to me last week, ‘The EPA is shit!’ Clearly these people believe that the EPA is ‘evil’. Since the EPA is concerned with keeping our air and water clean (among other things), and the EPA is ‘evil’, ‘Clean air and water=evil’ by the Transitive Property of Equality. ---
**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:** [May 17, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/18 "2016-05-17T18:34:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > OK, let’s start with the first one and work our way down. Cite? [Senate GOP steeling for battle against EPA.](http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/e2-wire/223398-senate-gop-steeling-for-battle-against-the-epa) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/19 "2016-05-17T18:39:59Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. You only have to look around here: the Republicans are the bad guys because they’re the political opponents. It’s as simple as that. They’re just as idiotic, evil, mendacious, corrupt, etc (contd p.97) as the Democrats, but each side gets a pass from their respective supporters. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008/20 "2016-05-17T18:44:48Z")
> [@R3d\_Anonymous](#): > > Why are Republicans often seen as the “bad guys”? > > There seems to be this notion, like prosecutors in criminal cases as I mentioned in an earlier thread, where the Republicans are considered the bad guys in debates and political affairs. Some people from Europe say that where they live, Democrats are considered the good guys while Republicans are viewed as the evil force. > > I’ve also heard numerous stories of huge liberal bias taking place in college campuses. Some students with conservative leanings have spoken up about being asked to leave a class by a professor because they identified as a conservative, or things like five to ten people in a political science class dropping on the floor laughing because the professor mentioned “Mitt Romney”. Seen by whom as “the bad guys”? The opposition? The Democrat collective? The liberal media? Hillary worshippers? Is there a party of Groupthink-types on college campuses who object to the free speech of others? _You can’t talk to people on our campus because we don’t like your politics. But those other people, they agree with us so we’ll let them speak._ Who are the bad guys? The ones who have a different opinion, or the ones who won’t let people speak their minds? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-often-seen-as-the-bad-guys/755008.md?page=2)