Can you be critical of your own side?

[Anomalism]

I’m not asking what you think about the people you oppose. That part’s easy. Anyone can point out flaws in their enemies. What I’m interested in is whether you can be just as honest about the people you support. Can you look at your own side and call out the weaknesses, the bad habits, the blind spots, the corruption, the parts you wish were better? Most people claim they care about truth, but only apply scrutiny to the outgroup. I want to see how many here can apply the same lens inward. Be specific. Be fair. No whataboutism, no switching targets. Just your side, your critique, your honesty.

 

[Lockback]

I do it all the time. I think Trump overall is exactly who we need in the presidency right now. But his ego drives me nuts. And some of his ideas - 50-year-mortgages?? - are simply absurd.
I'll take him over any Democrat by a long shot, though.

 

[Auld Phart]

I've been critical of them since the 2016 republican convention.

 

[Mack The Finger]

Can you look at your own side and call out the weaknesses, the bad habits, the blind spots, the corruption, the parts you wish were better?

Killing machine is dresses !

I'm glad my grandfather a WW1 VET is arround.

 

[Anomalism]

I've been critical of them since the 2016 republican convention.

Not saying you can't specifically. Just wanted to create a space for it and see who would play.

 

[OODA_Loop]

I’m not asking what you think about the people you oppose. That part’s easy. Anyone can point out flaws in their enemies. What I’m interested in is whether you can be just as honest about the people you support. Can you look at your own side and call out the weaknesses, the bad habits, the blind spots, the corruption, the parts you wish were better? Most people claim they care about truth, but only apply scrutiny to the outgroup. I want to see how many here can apply the same lens inward. Be specific. Be fair. No whataboutism, no switching targets. Just your side, your critique, your honesty.

You go first....what party do you support and whats flawed with it?

 

[mac allen]

Generally better to do it behind closed doors and then present a relatively united front. Same goes for family.

 

[blackhawk]

There are useless corrupt idiots in both parties and their are hardworking decent people in both I don’t pretend like one is all good and the other all bad.

 

[Anomalism]

You go first....what party do you support and whats flawed with it?

I don’t actually belong to either party. I don’t have a side to defend. What I notice, consistently, is that both parties fall into the same parallel problems. Different branding, same psychology. Tribalism. No real communication across disagreements. More identity performance than actual policy thought. A lack of humility. A lack of patience. An obsession with scoring points instead of solving anything.

People talk at each other, not to each other. Both tribes reward loyalty over honesty, outrage over clarity, and certainty over curiosity. That’s not a left issue or a right issue; it’s a human issue amplified by politics.

So I’m not dodging your request; I just can’t critique my side because I don’t play for either team. What I can critique is the shared failure mode on both sides: neither one can admit when they’re wrong without feeling like they’ve betrayed their tribe. That’s the problem I’m trying to highlight.

 

[TNHarley]

My "side" is so small there isnt much to discuss.

 

[JWBooth]

If I had a side I’d be more critical and demanding of them than I am of the various shades of GOPer and Dimocrap.
There’s about five of us here and we are a tidy, self disciplined group.
ETA: It could be argued there are maybe seven of us.

 

[Anomalism]

Generally better to do it behind closed doors and then present a relatively united front. Same goes for family.

I get the idea of unity, but “handle everything behind closed doors” sounds cleaner than it actually is. That approach works for saving face, not for growth. Open, honest communication, even when it’s uncomfortable, is what creates understanding, accountability, and actual improvement.

When everything is hidden for the sake of optics, people don’t learn from each other. They just maintain the performance. Political groups that only criticize themselves in private end up repeating the same mistakes because nobody’s actually seeing or challenging the pattern. A united front is fine for winning PR battles. It’s terrible for becoming better people. Sunlight doesn’t destroy things that are healthy; it disinfects what’s festering.

 

[OODA_Loop]

I don’t actually belong to either party.

Did you vote Trump or Kamala? And what are the flaws of governance under your choice?

 

[Anomalism]

Did you vote Trump or Kamala? And what are the flaws of governance under your choice?

I voted for neither. I can cleanly tell you what I think is wrong with either side without bias though.

 

[mac allen]

I get the idea of unity, but “handle everything behind closed doors” sounds cleaner than it actually is. That approach works for saving face, not for growth. Open, honest communication, even when it’s uncomfortable, is what creates understanding, accountability, and actual improvement.

When everything is hidden for the sake of optics, people don’t learn from each other. They just maintain the performance. Political groups that only criticize themselves in private end up repeating the same mistakes because nobody’s actually seeing or challenging the pattern. A united front is fine for winning PR battles. It’s terrible for becoming better people. Sunlight doesn’t destroy things that are healthy; it disinfects what’s festering.

I get what you're saying, but it depends on the setting. The loud "debates" on tee vee are not a time to engage your opponent with girly feelz. You practice your lines and lay into your opponent. This "bi-partisan" crap is just that--crap. Bi-partisanship is often discussed with the intent of passing more statutes and ordinances. Enough of that crap. Code needs to be repealed.

 

[mac allen]

I voted for neither. I can cleanly tell you what I think is wrong with either side without bias though.

Did you vote for Oliver?

 

[Anomalism]

I get what you're saying, but it depends on the setting. The loud "debates" on tee vee are not a time to engage your opponent with girly feelz. You practice your lines and lay into your opponent. This "bi-partisan" crap is just that--crap. Bi-partisanship is often discussed with the intent of passing more statutes and ordinances. Enough of that crap. Code needs to be repealed.

I guess I was more talking about you and me. The public. Us. Not the politicians.

 

[OODA_Loop]

I voted for neither. I can cleanly tell you what I think is wrong with either side without bias though.

Then you really have no dog in the fight. Why would you care?

 

[Anomalism]

Did you vote for Oliver?

I didn't vote. And I know that's sacrilege. I'm here anyway. Sue me. lol

 

[Anomalism]

Then you really have no dog in the fight. Why would you care?

Why does me not supporting either side mean I have no dog? I still care about the nation.