I am developing an increasing worry that with the way society is atomizing, that our progressive side is going to collapse under the tendency to make "everything I don't like = conservatism and nazis" and I know that sounds a lot like the conservative complaint that the left calls everything they don't like "nazis" but there is truth to it and the term "nazi" is just one word in a growing list of ideals and tools of power that are being discarded because "the other side" uses them.

For example: the US flag. It has become a stereotype in the US that if you fly an American flag on your house or car, you are a conservative/right-wing nationalist. "America bad" is a lefty stereotype for good reason.

Meanwhile, until we get to that post-scarcity Star Trek universe, we're all still just tribes. And groups of nationalists have been the number one strongest force for change and power on our planet since we started drawing borders. It's pure political capital to have the support of armed groups of "patriots" and this is why everyone in politics is so deferential to our orange clown president, because he commands a political nuclear weapon in the form of history's oldest power source. January 6th was a weapons demonstration, not a real attempt at coup.

You simply do not get the massive global political machine to move with finger-wagging and lectures. You need force to back up your demands.

I wish I could get the left to reclaim the flag. I know America isn't a source of pride for the people harmed by America, but if you're here and you want to make the place better, you should show that you support at least it's potential and promise.

Don't get me started on guns.