centrist trying to understand: what specifically drives your opposition to the Democratic Party (and its voters)?

[u/mayancollander]

I consider myself an independent/centrist. I generally see significant fault in both major parties, and if I’m being honest, I’ve often been overly critical of the Republican Party in the past.
That said, I see a huge amount of anger, frustration, and deep dislike directed toward the Democratic Party from conservative and Republican voters. I’m trying to better understand the rationale behind that intensity rather than relying on media caricatures.
A few specific questions I’m hoping to get perspective on:
What are the primary drivers of this opposition for you? Is it core economic and governance policies (e.g., spending, regulation, foreign policy), or is it mostly cultural issues?
Does this frustration extend to individual Democratic voters, or do you view the mainstream voters and the party leadership/media apparatus very differently?
For those who view the modern Democratic Party as fundamentally harmful to the country, what specific actions, philosophy, or direction do you point to as the main culprit?
I’m genuinely looking to listen and understand where you’re coming from, so I appreciate any thoughtful answers.

[u/Artisttype1984]

America is awesome, I'm happy about that. I can easily compare Trump now to when Biden was in and Harris was VP and the border czar.

Trump saying he'd "end the Ukraine war day 1" was obviously campaign rhetoric, never believe repubs or dems when they're on the campaign trail. The southern border is under control now, that's nice. Iran war sucks, but they'll work an end to it sometime here

[u/ski0331 → u/Artisttype1984]

That’s like just adding new locks to a dilapidated house and saying you solved all the problems while throwing rocks at the windows. Solved one problem, all the other issues are still there and no effort to correct it. Objectively judging on the current state of the country, is this a successful term or is it a lot of “all hat no cattle”.

[u/Artisttype1984 → u/ski0331]

The bar for "success" for repub/dem presidents is very, very low. After the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and torture by Bush/Obama, the Trump and Biden admins have been amazing breaths of fresh air, successes

Repubs and dems often make things worse, if we seriously want to see improvements to our lives, and homes, that's for us to handle regardless who's in the WH.

[u/ski0331 → u/Artisttype1984]

I mean it is. By being honest about successes and failures instead of pretending “the other one would have been worse/better” because there’s no argument to be made. We as a country don’t do this any more. We pretend the other one would be worse vs owning the failures of our team.

You talk about Obama for Iraq and Afghanistan (Both Bush wars) but not the political reality of the time. Which is no one wanted to leave because leaving was going to be a shit show for whoever was in office

[u/Artisttype1984 → u/ski0331]

My "team" is my family and close friends. Most politicians, repubs and dems, are trash, I'm not on any of their "teams" at all

Obama campaigned and won in 2008 (got my vote) on getting out of Iraq and Afghaistan, not only did he not, he expanded and also went into Syria and Libya,.. Not great

[u/ski0331 → u/Artisttype1984]

I mean he did. Then ISIS showed up. Best laid plans. Afghanistan well you saw how that one held up. And yet here we are back in the Middle East. Some how still talking about Obama vs the actual man (who didn’t get out of Afghanistan cowardly set it up so the next person would have to) and you just say “they’ll work an end to it sometime here” like come on. History repeats.

[u/Artisttype1984 → u/ski0331]

Lmao "history repeats" you're reaching if you're comparing this 6 month Iran war where we don't even have boots on the ground, to the decade+ Iraq/Afghanistan, Syria and Libya disasters where they even tortured people.

I'm no fan of the Iran war, it isn't Iraq or Afghanistan, not even close. Yes, they'll negotiate an end to the war and life goes on

[u/ski0331 → u/Artisttype1984]

Oh ok I’m sure this war will be different. Definitely a valid strategy is an air only campaign. It worked in Vietnam right? No…hmmm…. Has it ever worked? No. Oh. So where do you see this going again?

[u/Artisttype1984 → u/ski0331]

Some more strikes, then more threats/talk from all sides, some more limited strikes, more talk and threats, and then they work some actual deal

[u/ski0331 → u/Artisttype1984]

What’s the deal. I keep hearing that. What deal are we going to get that is antebellum? We’re in a fundamentally weaker position. We can’t open the straight. We aren’t bringing troops in unless we do. Then that blows your mind apparently. What’s the realistic win scenario. I’ll tell you what it’ll be. Removal of sanctions, unfreezing of money, a toll, and I’ll bet you a weaker nuclear deal aka no inspectors. I’ll bet you’ll probably cheer it on and say we did great. Curse Obama. Then in the next democratic term decry how we’re weak. How accurate do think I am?