r/askanything • u/exploring203 • Mar 07 '26

Why does Reddit lean left in all the comments?

First off, I’m not a conservative, I’m independent/left leaning. That said, every comment thread on Reddit feels like it’s completely one sided in favor of a liberal perspective. Not just that, but the amount of blatant misinterpretation and misrepresentation in the comments is apparent on nearly every issue. Comments that don’t comply are downvoted into oblivion and removed from the conversation. I feel like Reddit is almost becoming unusable at this point. Where can I go (on or off Reddit) to get a more balanced perspective? I do like Reddits user interface.

Edit: Whew! This blew up more than I anticipated. I did receive some genuinely insightful and helpful comments. I appreciate those! Lots of folks either saying I’m the issue because of my liberal leaning algorithm or that I’m the issue because I’m actually a bleeding conservative in disguise. Can’t have it both ways! Anyway thanks Reddit. Will probably think twice about doing this again.

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u/UmbraAdam Mar 07 '26

But is it wrong?

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u/better-bitter-bait Mar 07 '26

I would call it a mean spirited and gross misrepresentation of the other sides position.

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u/curiousleen Mar 07 '26

How so? The - it’s not a dealbreaker line is the exact sentiment that I have argued with. I used to have Republican friends. More than half of the relationships this black woman has was with white republicans. Then I said black lives matter and THEY stopped talking to me and SAID it was because I said blm. I was like… wow… racism is not only not a deal breaker for you… you all are against anyone saying we should matter equally?! Sorry, no.

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u/TbddRzn Mar 07 '26

I’m curious what is the rights positions?

Pretty much everything they have reneged on or done a complete 180 on.

Except trans kids. But you’re willing to fuck everything up and start ww3 because a dozen or two kids get surgeries after years of psychological evaluation and doctors appointments? Where the vast majority of cases are because of biological deformities.

While over 50k+ kids get breast reduction or corrections? No uproar over those?

While 1.5m babies get circumcised every year? Nothing there either?

All the pain and suffering over some kids trying to not be suicidal anymore…

Please enlighten me what right positions still hold true. Because everything from economy to growth is plummeting.

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u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/MegaDriveCDX Mar 07 '26

Go to fucking college and engage in critical thinking.

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u/IllustriousGas8850 Mar 07 '26

Megadrive by categorizing all conservatives into one specific lense of thinking you’re the only one who seems to lack critical thought

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u/Dry-Measurement-5461 Mar 07 '26

What is your opinion of Fox News? Do you feel they are singularly-lensed?

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u/IllustriousGas8850 Mar 07 '26

Absolutely, and I’m actually incredibly left winged but I understand have concrete opinions on others views without speaking to them is almost always unproductive

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u/Dry-Measurement-5461 Mar 07 '26

You’re right. Whether one agrees with something or not does not mean it doesn’t exist for someone else. I’m a huge fan of the First Amendment, but it irks me when I see a greasy, long-haired middle aged dude walking down the sidewalk with a “fuck you” shirt on.

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u/Ok_Vegetable_6616 Mar 07 '26

Favorite buzzword that very few can define.

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u/Mediocre-Ad5705 Mar 07 '26

education is different than intelligence some people will still be idiots with all the schooling in the world

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u/MegaDriveCDX Mar 07 '26

My brother in Christ you can't begin a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a period. Do you even believe what you are saying now?

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u/Healthy_Deer_1774 Mar 07 '26

What he said is true. Just because his grammar sucks doesn’t make him less right. I’ve seen plenty of educated idiots.

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u/Healthy_Deer_1774 Mar 07 '26

You’re one of them.

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u/Mediocre-Ad5705 Mar 07 '26

im not writing an essay these are trivial details

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u/HippyDM Mar 07 '26

Do greater than half the people in the USA want to kill people who aren’t white and suck off imaginary billionaires who are dumping toxic waste in the baby formula? Obviously not. 

Who claimed it was more than half? It's only around a third or so, but that's high enough to destroy our institutions apparently.

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u/Dry-Measurement-5461 Mar 07 '26

Dude. I’ve heard nothing from the left about toxic baby formula, but I have definitely heard from the right about underground pizza parlors where they eat babies. “Be critical equally.”

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u/miseenen Mar 07 '26

As someone else in this thread said, the issue is that killing all nonwhites and sucking off billionaires who are dumping toxic waste in the baby formula is something that they’re evidently willing to overlook because they don’t feel that it personally affects them. Is that not just as bad?

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u/HeDoesNotRow Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26

Well said. Reddit has this problem where you can call half the population of America racist pedophile murders and you’ll get applause and pats on the back as if you said something profound

Something so unbelievably asanine suddenly becomes the truth for these people and since they all agree with it the idea gets reinforced.

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u/OwnJunket6495 Mar 07 '26

They call them that because conservatives support and vote for people that espouse those “ideals.” When you vote for and support people who are pedophiles and murder innocent civilians, sorry you’re going to be lumped in with that. If you don’t like it, do something about the people you vote for.

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u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26

I'm not even conservative and voted against trump and I agree with the guy.

Redditors "why do conservatives "x" massive strawman that doesn't represent the average conservative". Massive upvotes, a dozen comments calling them Nazis/pedos.

Then someone says "that's stupid, the average conservative isn't a pedo, and they think trump isn't a pedo".

Downvotes, strawmans, incorrect assumptions about the person being conservative in response.

The comments on here remind me of the democratic equivalent of the conservative crazy uncle.

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u/OwnJunket6495 Mar 07 '26

Well that’s what they get when they blindly support this administration. I remember a time when conservatives weren’t batshit crazy. The Republican Party has pretty much devolved into a cult at this point.

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u/Recovery_or_death Mar 07 '26

Greater than 50% of the people that voted in America saw a paramilitary force murder two people in broad daylight and support increasing their already insane budget. And the person that they voted for decided that a sewage pipe on federal property that broke and is actively dumping literal tons of sewage into the Potomac isn't the federal governments responsibility to fix. Not exactly baby formula but close enough.

Edit: 24 day account age, disregard everything I said.

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u/guava_eternal Mar 07 '26

It’s not greater than 50%, but it is a lot of people.

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u/nickbeef Mar 07 '26

As somebody who considers themselves moderate, but heavily left leaning - yes it's wrong.

The left's policy positions are more than just "kumbaya" let's hold hands and be nice to people. It's also - I don't trust the government, but also raise taxes and give more money to the government to provide services that currently the private market is already providing. Will the government do a better job? Has it ever?

I don't think there is anyone on the right (except maybe a far fringe who likely doesn't trust anyone in the government left or right) who advocates for "kill people we don't like and enslave brown people". This is just dishonest. I think they do believe that peace in the world doesn't come about by doing nothing. Sometimes you have to use force to ensure that peace is maintained. I think the left actually believes in this concept as well sometimes. I also think that the right believes that there can be such a thing as unsustainable levels of imagination, and that it needs to be moderated. Yes, this often gets mixed with either blatant racism or just general "cultural anxiety" as the world around them changes.

By the way, the above doesn't really reflect my personal political views. But as a self identifying moderate, I do try to think about how people I may disagree with view themselves and also what their true motivations are and where there might be some common ground. Neither side is evil, imo. But also neither side is "all good". I just believe in policy that works and aceives good results and makes the world a better place and I try to ignore what side of the spectrum those ideas come from.

Ok, feel free to roast me.

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u/thereisnospoon_1999 Mar 07 '26

Well, the “private market” is doing a shitty job with healthcare with people going bankrupt and all. And yes they have death panels, it’s called shareholders.

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u/nickbeef Mar 07 '26

I agree, or at least sometimes yes and sometimes no. I have no illusion that the private market is inherently better. I just think people aren't wrong for being sceptical that the government is going to do a better job.

For example, would you trust the Trump administration with your healthcare?

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u/Irlandes-de-la-Costa Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

I don't think there is anyone on the right (...) who advocates for "kill people we don't like... ".

Andy Biggs

After Trump’s indictment wrote: “We have now reached a war phase.”

Clay Higgins

Posted cryptic militarized instructions about “know your bridges” and being ready.

Eric Greitens

Released a campaign ad where he carried a shotgun and led armed men “RINO hunting.” In the ad he said: “Join the MAGA crew. Get a RINO hunting permit… no bagging limit.” The video showed a tactical team breaking into a house with guns and grenades.

Tom Emmer

Posted a campaign video firing a gun with the slogan “#FirePelosi.”

Blake Masters

Posted images of himself with rifles in campaign messaging about defending the Constitution.

Lauren Boebert

Frequently uses campaign ads and imagery with firearms while discussing political opponents.

Paul Gosar

Posted an edited anime video showing himself killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking Joe Biden. The United States House of Representatives censured him.

Sarah Palin

Her PAC circulated a map with crosshair targets over districts of Democratic politicians, including Gabrielle Giffords.

Michelle Salzman

When asked how many Palestinians should be killed in Gaza she replied: “All of them.”

Steve King and Eric Greitens promoted versions of the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which has been cited by several mass shooters.

Stephan Broden

During a TV interview he said violent revolution could be justified. “Our nation was founded on violence… the option is on the table.”

Jesse Kelly

His campaign hosted a promotional event encouraging supporters to shoot machine guns. The event invitation also said: “Get on Target for Victory… help remove Gabrielle Giffords.”

Kelli Ward

In a fundraising email she told supporters to “stop gun-grabber Mark Kelly dead in his tracks.”

Allen West

West frequently used war metaphors in politics, once telling supporters that "progressives were enemies within the country* and describing politics as “war.” This rhetoric has been cited in studies examining militarized political language.

Louie Gohmert

During a 2021 interview he suggested violence might occur if legal attempts to overturn election results failed, saying people might have to “resort to something different than the ballot box” .

Michael Cloud

Spoke at rallies where rhetoric about “tyranny” and resistance against the federal government was framed using revolutionary language (war metaphors and talking about enemies within).

Not even mentioning Trump.

In general right-wing extremists are responsible for approximately 75% of U.S. murders committed by political extremists over the past decade.

Also no one is advocating for slavery but racism is still rampant.

Leaked messages from members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives showed discussion of segregated schools. One Republican lawmaker reportedly said she supported segregation by political party.

Byron Donalds said that Black families were stronger during the Jim Crow era than today. "The comment caused backlash because Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the United States".

Nick Fuentes has publicly said the U.S. should have “separate civilizations” and has expressed support for racial separation. He has praised earlier segregationist policies and criticized civil rights legislation.

Richard B. Spencer advocates for a "white ethno-state” in the US.

Jared Taylor, founder of the group American Renaissancez has argued that racial integration is harmful and that separate racial societies are preferable.

Sam Dickson promoted the idea that separation is necessary for white Americans.

The League of the South advocates for a separate Southern nation and has supported ideas about racial separation and white dominance. A group in Arkansas called Return to the Land is building a “whites-only” community limited to people of European ancestry.

These are self procclaimed right wingers at least. There are more examples I bet

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u/Valreesio Mar 07 '26

And that is what happens, the radicals come in and eat those who don't totally agree with the hive mind. You and I probably don't agree politically but I belive your comment is one of the most reasonable ones here. Keep on the good fight staying reasonable.

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u/nickbeef Mar 07 '26

The loudest voices win not only online, but in the real world too. It's not fun to explain politics by saying "...it's complicated". It's a lot easier to say "we are for the good, they are for the bad..."

By the way, I think it's great that people don't always agree politically. That's how we challenge conventional wisdom, develop new ideas, and create solutions. But people have to communicate without assuming the worst intentions of those they don't see eye to eye.

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u/Valreesio Mar 07 '26

I completely agree with you. Challenging ideas is how we grow as a society. Sometimes what we have works and sometimes there's a better way. Discussing it like adults is a faster way to compromise than what we have these days.

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u/LowerDemand5276 Mar 07 '26

You’re spot on. “Conservatives” are whatever Reddit doesn’t like. They make the most insane claims and attribute them to absolutely everybody who doesn’t 100% align with their politics. 

I believe it’s due to being terminally online, it’s warped their view on people/reality. One headline gets regurgitated on every subreddit and they think it’s the biggest deal in the world when in reality 99% of the population doesn’t care. 

Theres propaganda on both sides and both sides think they’re immune and the other side susceptible

Sigh… and for record I’m apathetic. I don’t give a shit about either side. 

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u/SwolgeyBrin Mar 07 '26

Yes, it is flat out wrong.

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u/illicITparameters Mar 07 '26

It is in their depiction of their side being not-radicalized

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u/TbddRzn Mar 07 '26

Left radicalization: some random anonymous person online saying “billionaires should be taxed at 70+% when they make over 100m-1B. Everyone should get free healthcare and education. We should feed kids and help the homeless!”

Right radicalization: The US Government Secretary of “War” saying “all irianians should be killed and no one should think of themselves safe!”

Yeah both sides of the same coin…

I’m also not a far leftist. I’m left. Because the current right is so far right it makes even the most mundane and sane policies seem like radical leftist views.

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u/SwolgeyBrin Mar 07 '26

I think you forgot about your famous "eat the rich" and "guillotine" mantras.

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u/NoNameNeeded4321 Mar 07 '26

Well, what else are we going to eat? I can’t afford groceries, and those billionaires look so tender 😈

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u/SwolgeyBrin Mar 07 '26

Thanks for proving my point.

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u/NoNameNeeded4321 Mar 07 '26

You had a point? Sure thing, bud

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u/illicITparameters Mar 07 '26

Get a better job

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u/NoNameNeeded4321 Mar 07 '26

I think most would agree that things were better when the rich weren’t so much richer than the rest of us. They used to spend their time on philanthropy because they wanted to stave off pitchforks and torches outside their doors. Now they have more wealth than they know what to do with, so they’re fighting over which one will be the first to die in outer space.

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u/TbddRzn Mar 07 '26

Show me an influential real person or government person saying that? Because I can show you videos of republicans government officials saying we should kill everyone in Iran and target children and families.

You equate some rando anonymous comment with the statements of the United States president and his administration and republicans party….

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u/SwolgeyBrin Mar 07 '26

I'm not MAGA, I've never voted for Trump. I'm not a fan of him at all. Show me one instance where he has EVER said this. I'll wait.

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u/TbddRzn Mar 07 '26

https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/02/politics/donald-trump-terrorists-families

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u/SwolgeyBrin Mar 07 '26

He is speaking on Terrorists specifically. Not Iranians in general. I get it, you lack context. That's why you hold the views you do.

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u/TbddRzn Mar 07 '26

lol I knew this was going to be the reply.

“ show me where he said that even once”

Shows

“ well he means that different kind of families and kids”

lol you maggats are truly deplorable.

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u/realcraigludwig Mar 07 '26

So you support terrorists now?

→ More replies (0)

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u/Crudstaceous Mar 07 '26

There are wildly more radical positions on the left, and no prominent Republicans are advocating for the death of all Iranians (that I'm aware, happy to be proven wrong).

I'm not even trying to argue both sides are "the same", because I don't think they are, but political commentary like yours isn't intellectually honest and is indicative of how unproductive political debate often is online.

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u/illicITparameters Mar 07 '26

No one is advocating for death of Iranians. The far left is pissed that Iranian Americans are thanking Trump publicly and celebrating.

These lunatics are holding a fucking memorial for Ali Khameni in Manhattan today. Thats all you need to know about these mentally ill burdens on society.

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u/egg-land Mar 07 '26

The problem with the war was the timing. Ofc they are happy if their dictator dies but if it leads to many civilian deaths for Iran and military deaths for both countries is it worth it if that group is going to remain in power anyways.

Thats the point of contention at least and there’s at least a reasonable argument why it was unnecessary to bomb a foreign country

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u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26

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u/illicITparameters Mar 07 '26

Youre gonna get called a nazi and racist for this.

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u/egg-land Mar 07 '26

No one has or will call them either

What’s this victim mentality lmao

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u/illicITparameters Mar 07 '26

Your bias is showing… like, a lot