Do you generally look down on people who don't share your political opinions?

[nightdrot]

Not at all. I have worked in politics for 30 years, including stints as a staffer in the House of Representatives and in the bi-partisan, bicameral U. S. Helsinki Commission.

So here is the dirty little secret, on any given day, on any given issue, you will work with people you disagree with. Not just in the other party, but in your own party and sometimes even in your own office.

Indeed, as a personal aside, I once worked on an issue with a staffer from the Democratic - then minority - side. We have become great friends - although he has since left Washington to return to a career in his home state. (Long hours are not for everyone.)

We would debate politely and take each other's points as we worked to craft a bill on behalf of our respective bosses that could get bipartisan support. In the process, we would joke with each other mercilessly. He was famous for meeting me in the morning and saying, "Okay, so what poor people are you you going to feed to the evil rich today?" To which I would reply, "I can't afford to feed anyone today, you taxed all my money." Things like that and we would laugh.

Believe it or not, even in these partisan times, that is how things pretty much work in DC day in and day out. The differences being amplified by a media that prefers spectacle to thought.

Not that the differences are not real. They are and are often profound. It is just that they are not so deep that they cannot be soothed by good manners and a sense of humor.

Here being that where I draw the line. I do look down on those who wallow in their stereotypes. Those who prefer feeling to thought and who substitute epithets and insults for analysis and reasoned argument. (Those who are on this site who meet that description - you KNOW who you are.)

Someone once said, "Be calm in arguing. For fierceness makes truth an affront and error unpardonable." Suffice to say that I do look down upon those who ignore that simple rule.

[mattdzz]

I look down on people who don't share my political beliefs, but mostly because:
1. They don't know nearly enough to justify such an opinion, make wide sweeping generalizations, and use common misconceptions as proof.
2. They have little life experience that alludes to their comprehension of poverty/ warfare/ etc. is like, and summarily sound like some guy behind a computer screen in their moms basement, talking about how much better the world would be if xyz was done, and how horrible the current system is...
Otherwise, if you're very well educated, but think differently then I don't care.

[Agape93]

No. But certain stances I’ll look down on for sheer stupidity. Like the following:

Thinking the wall trump is building will keep people out is working, despite a $100 saw being used to routinely cut holes in it.

Thinking every little insult is sexist or racially motivated.

Thinking that Islam is above criticism in the name of tolerance.

That trump is an honest man.

That trump does not face impeachment.

That republicans as a whole are knuckle draggers.
Etc

[Sleeptalk]

I do in some cases. For example, if their opinions often contradict, there's no facts to back up their political beliefs, it's extreme and there isn't anything moral or ethical (you can argue that morality and ethics is defined different from person to person) then I will. There's also the people that believe anything they hear and are stubborn to listen to both sides. I don't like that as well

[Randomawkwardness]

It depends. If they believe it because they've looked at facts and come to their own conclusion about stuff, then no I don't look down on them. However, if they're just spouting whatever their parents have said or a post on Facebook, I lose quite a bit of respect for them.

[Jackpot777Returns]

Well here is the thing I am a moderate who leans more conservative I don't like down on someone for being liberal or not sharing my views. The people I do look down on though are the extremists on both sides. Religious people who protest abortions are insane nut jobs and also extremists on the left people who push PC on others are just as insane. I have friends who are Republicans I have friends who are Democrats but if someone talks some extremist nonsense to me I won't be dealing with them much longer.

[ginger_supremacist]

No. Cause I changed countries a lot, so I know what goes through peoples mind in almost any ideology. And when you understand someone's worldview it's difficult to think they're stupid people. (There are stupid ideologies, but there are reasons why smart people are caught in those)

[The1Guy]

You have to take into acount that no matter what your opinions are biased. If it's a polite discussion, two or more people can expand each other's worldviews greatly without having to agree or change their opinions or political leniency.

[0112358]

It depends on the issue. Most major policy issues there are people I can respect on both sides. However I find it hard not to look down on people who are basically cultists for leaders who are often clearly corrupt.

[canadiancoloursky]

I'm not unless they make extreme judgements//stereotypes directed towards me, then I know that they are just disrespectful and want to be dictator like

[WalterRadio]

I don't look down on people who don't share my political opinions. I look down on people for being stupid when it comes to political policy.

[Daisy007]

No, I don't generally unless they're COMPLETELY CLOSED off to hearing the other side or discussing on things (:

[Effably]

Not at all. Among my four closest friends not a single one of us share political views to any major extent.

[andreasderjuengere]

I only look down on those with 'beliefs' that lack a sense of reality, or that disrespect the 'rights' and 'dignity' of others.

[Somethingwittty]

I may think they may need to read up on a few things but I won't mock them for their beliefs.

[diamondz777ariesgirl]

No. Never look down at nobody. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs. I respect them.

[Pipeliner87]

I do because I really wonder if they are basing their ideals off emotions or fact. Facts stand up and having a sob story for a rapist for a democrat to let off the hook is funny.

[anube]

Let's be real for one moment. what do you say to the person attempting to belittle and worse a liberal. oh by the way our constitution is the most liberal document I've ever enjoyed understanding

[NerdInDenial]

If you study a person's life, it makes sense why they believe what they believe.

[FakeName123]

Only if they can't make a coherent argument for their stance. Which more often than not is the case.

[Scarecrow13]

I sort of used to but generally, not so much anymore, except for the politicians, I do tend to look down on them.

[wankiam]

i pity some peoples ignorance but that is not dependant on political beliefs and its about time the words libtard and republicunt were taken out of circulation

[JimboGB]

No, I genuinely enjoy seeing another perspective. Just don't expect me to agree lol.

[MoscowMitch]

Only if they're brainwashed idiots. If they're reasonably intelligent I can explain to them why they're wrong.

[purplepoppy]

I look down on people who base their beliefs along political lines rather than factual evidence.

[Anonymous]

I look down on all people who belive democracy is freedom lol but that is just me

[Phoenix98]

No I don't, look down on them, well no not true I do look down on the extremists on either side. But I don't look down on the moderates.

[Anonymous]

I generally dont look down on people for their political beliefs. Unless they are extreme fringe ideologies like socialism or communism or anarchism.

[IAMNathanael]

No, because there is more to people then politics

[Anonymous]

No, I don't. I think they are just like me, with different beliefs.

[tartaarsaus]

When their views aren’t extremist, no I do not.

[Wildmanjohn]

I don't fault someone for being wrong

[Shamalien]

Yeah but that's everyone so it balances out

[i_am_tbjxii]

You must always come to a middle ground

[zaharaa]

no, I dont know shit about politics

[NickiB]

No...

[Iron_Man]

I try not to

[Rangers]

Yes, because those people are straight up wrong🤣

[kymb3r]

Absolutely not.