I'm sorry but no. Just no is my response to republicans being easier to empathize with. These are the ones banning abortions for raped ten year olds. I am an older progressive woman (I was here before Roe) and what I believe is that people who are the poorest, the most damaged, ill, or oldest among us should be cared for by the rest of us. This isn't just some free-for-all where everyone is out for themselves. As far as I can see the Republican party doesn't stand for anything but getting rich. I have not heard any of the more extreme things you mention coming from the left. Yes, political correctness can definitely go too far--And I do agree with you on the the tearing down of statues--these people are part of our history. But if it helps African Americans feel better about their terrible history here then those statues should be removed.

In my opinion we have collectively lost our minds and our ethics and our moral compass are in the toilet. Conspiracy theories about Biden's legitamacy that refuse ot go away no matter how many times they are debunked, insurrectionists holding office--these are Republican values now. Our little experiment in democracy ended with Citizen's United. As far as hate speech--I think when it gets to the level it's reached now it should be regulated...too many people are running around with AR's. And hate speech takes them that one extra step. And don't get me started on the 2nd amendment--it was never intended to be what it's become--men could have them, but muskets were not to be taken out of the home...there was no military back then so a 'well armed militia' has no meaning in modern times. But try to tell them that and look forward to a screaming fight. We need better education and then perhaps we will have a populcae who can think critically and vote for what they need rather than voting to support a bombastic idiot.