Fecteau: The Progressive Democrats’ Bubble
Friday, November 25, 2016
I am perplexed by the latest invectives being hurled at GoLocalProv columnist Russell Moore. Moore wrote an informative article sharply criticizing a local politician, state Rep. Aaron Regunberg, and there has been considerable, unwarranted blowback from progressive Democrats.
I know it is hard to believe, a political commentator censuring a politician, what next?!?! A meteorologist forecasting the weather? How dare he!
If you disagree with someone, okay, understandable, but there is a point where the umbrage becomes completely fruitless. Moore has an opinion, sometimes I agree, and often I disagree, and let him know. With regards to the article, Moore brought up quite legitimate points about Regunberg’s double dealings, and yet is torn to shreds by self-proclaimed progressive Democrats; some calling his article an unfair personal attack – cannot disagree with you more.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOur society is based upon the right to have an opinion. You may not agree with what I say, but hell, I have a right to say it is just like Moore has a right to express himself. You have a right to express yourself. You may not like everyone’s opinion, but within reason, that opinion should be respected, not marginalized, undermined, and definitely not censored.
There is some mind-numbing hypocrisy here. The same people censuring Moore are likely the ones that believe desecrating the flag is protected by free speech. Nevertheless, when a point is made that might conflict with their own (cognitive dissonance anyone?), heresy! Get the pitchforks and torches! Progressive Democrats seemed to have lowered the bar that everything they disagree with should be censored; this is the equivalent of living in a bubble out of touch with the world around you.
This situation is scary. If you don’t fit into this narrow interpretation of what is deemed progressive or liberal, then you need to be destroyed, delegitimized, or merely filtered out. In turn, we are left with a group of supposedly progressive democrat zombies who are almost completely detached from the people they allegedly represent, low and middle-class families such as mine that don’t view all criticism as an unfair personal attack warranting censorship.
Regardless of your political stripes, I dare you to live outside a bubble; have a conversation with someone who has a differing partisan viewpoint. If you are a progressive Bernie Sanders Democrat, have a discussion with a Donald Trump Republican, or add a Republican as a friend on Facebook. Democrats, watch Fox News on occasion; Republicans, give MSNBC a chance. Have the courage to listen to the other side regardless.
With the hyper-partisan political environment, we need to have conversations with people we disagree with, and not censor differing opinions, or merely label them personal attacks to be ignored. Perhaps the person has something worthwhile to say, but you will never know without a sincere discussion, reasonable criticism included. Don’t live in a bubble.
Matt Fecteau ([email protected]) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island was a Democratic candidate for office in 2014 and 2016. He is a former White House national security intern and Iraq war veteran.
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