My father was a conservative before his death in 2003. He admired Reagan and didn't believe the darker stuff about Nixon.
I on the other hand have always been a liberal. I do think that we each appreciated parts of each other's point of view. I liked Dad's insistence on fiscal responsibility, I think he appreciated my desire for a society where your color or creed didn't define you. He was perhaps a product of white Iowa farm country but the Navy taught him to work across race lines. As for religion he believed in something bigger than himself but was not a dogmatic type. I think his deepest passion, like a religious fervor, was for his country.
We not only saw each others sides we saw the flaws in our own. I know my views on sexual orientation had to change from my youthful views only knowing standard roles and slurs for outsiders. Slowly I came to understand these outsiders were friends, coworkers, and family. I'm a long way from good at life but I'm trying - a big part of that is tolerance.
Lately I'd like to be tolerant, but I'm really stressed by the new populist conservative movement. White power movements, aggression towards immigrants, slavish tribalism, and hostility to science. Led by a game show host with a creepy background funded by a bad foreign dictator. Who seems to have corrupted the good parts of conservatism - such as they were.
The GOP elected by a minority of America is playing the power game beyond all limits. This minority backed party controls all three branches of power and is working on further packing the court with a very dishonest idealogue with secretive track record of perjury and on the record vindictive declaration against half the country. His on the record statements are clear he will rule to keep a permanent lock on power and presidency. Finally for the subjective part about women in general and an attempted assault in particular - having listened to both I believe she is more credible and he definitely has lies in testimony. Again.
It is hard to separate the conservative supporters in my life from the creeps at the top controlling them. I will try.
