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Culture War Roundup for the week of November 18, 2024

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I get the feeling that a lot of these people wanted to speak up more loudly sooner, but it was only once progressives were properly on the back foot that they felt empowered to do so.

Agreed. I think this election is essentially the 2012 election for the Democrats. After 2012, the Republicans started shaking off the neoconservatives (Cheneys, Romney). I think after 2024, the Democrats will start shaking off the social progressives.

The problem will be essentially what other good ideas will be shaken off as well. I think the Republicans unfortunately shook off the deficit hawks. I also think nature conservation really should have been a part of the conservative agenda (I genuinely believe the greatest treasure America has is it's beautiful territory, and that the National Parks & National Forests systems are some of the most beneficial government programs for the the masses). Shaking off neoconservatives also means America becomes more insular and in a way less globally charitable (GWB's anti-AIDs initiatives created a lot of good).

With the Democrats shaking off the social progressives, I do wonder if this means shaking off the environment lobby (again, I really want to preserve nature). I do think police reforms are needed (I am in favor of concepts like "police malpractice insurance" though I haven't explored this much). I am generally in favor of urban planning reforms (though again I don't have any specifics other than more mass transportation).

But who knows how things will really shake out.

The Republicans shook off their policy wonks and status-quo enthusiasts in favor of idpol, populists, and shameless accelerationists. Is that really encouraging regarding the Democrat response?

Is that really encouraging regarding the Democrat response?

It would be, if that's what they went with. The left has some pretty good populists on their side, though I guess Trump nabbed a few of them during this election.