"I believe I'm right, but I could be wrong."

[arbusto_baboso]

This is a phrase that you will NEVER hear a rabid right-winger utter.

Yet, it is a concept that citizens of any polite society (let alone a nation with a representative democracy) must have, if things are to work smoothly.

This is the problem we have with our political opponents right now. They are dead-certain of everything, even - or perhaps I should say ESPECIALLY - when they are wrong. Because they view any admission of error on their part as a defeat in this imaginary "war" they are fighting with us, their "enemies".

This is why the rhetoric on the other side is getting so fevered, hate-filled and violent now. They KNOW they've been completely, utterly, disastrously wrong for the last 27 years, and it is now coming home to roost, and they would like to avoid taking any responsibility for what they have wrought. So, instead, they accuse us of being and doing everything that they have done, and are. They are not going gently into that good night, but into it they ARE GOING - at least for awhile - whether they like it or not.

That's too bad. If the righties would just man-up, admit their mistakes and ask what WE can do as Americans to fix this nation, I could at least respect them again. And I want to respect them. Because we need their differing views (even if it will be a VERY long time before we can trust them with any kind of power again).

(edited for my lame-ass morning spelling)

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Arrogant certainty....never take responsibility and aren't accountable...

It's their hypocrisy that drives me BATSHIT CRAZY!!!!!

[fishbulb703]

2. TO be completely upfront and honest about their mistakes would ruin the party.

If they truly admitted all of the problems Republicans were responsible for, they would lose everything but the core voters.

Although, republican voters are known to stand quite firm in the face of facts.

[arbusto_baboso]

3. I'd settle for an admission of responsibility for just 1 or 2 of the BIG things.

Like the Iraq War, and supply-side economics insanity, to start.

[fishbulb703]

4. The Iraq War will probobly be acknowledged as the disaster it was one day, but

to get republicans to dismiss giving money to the rich with some insane rationalization? Don't hold your breath =P

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Exactly right. If you've never been wrong, you might be a Republican.

They call it cognitive dissonance. They have an unshakable belief that they are right, but all around is proof that their beliefs are fucking up our country. To reconcile this, they double down. Conservatism isn't causing the problems, liberalism is! Stealing campaign signs and hacking the voting machines wasn't enough! To preserve democracy, more aggressive measures are needed! Why that Obama is even a ter'rist! Kill 'im!

At least the Heaven's gate assholes had one redeeming quality.

[deaniac21]

6. All I know is that I'm glad none of us have that unshakable

belief that we are right! Thank goodness.

[arbusto_baboso]

7. I didn't say that no progressives think that way.

In fact, I could find you a bunch of examples on DU. But it strikes me that EVERY rightie I've ever met has this quirk of "thought" going on that he/she has absolute knowledge and certainty.

In fact, they NEED to have that certainty, which is why they gravitate toward the more dogmatic religions, as well.

[deaniac21]

8. Well, there you have it.