How Democrats Lose More Than They Gain With Their "Big Tent" Nonsense episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 20, 2025 · 6 MIN

How Democrats Lose More Than They Gain With Their "Big Tent" Nonsense

from Walter Rhein Podcast · host Walter Rhein

So the Democrats come along and they say, “Hey, we are a party of inclusion. We want everybody to be involved. It’s going to be a great time. There’s space for everybody. When we all embrace this idea, we’re sure to gain the numbers we need to implement better ideas. Come and join us!”The critical thinkers hear this and think it sounds like a good idea. So they say, “Yeah, why not? I mean that sounds perfect. We’re a group that’s dedicated to the betterment of humankind. We like to discuss ideas and find flaws for the benefit of all. That’s the scientific model. Count us in!”Democrats say, “Welcome, welcome, it’s so good to have you.”But then they go back out on the road and and they meet up with the flat Earthers. They say, “Hi flat Earthers, would you like to join our party? It’s a Big Tent party and we appreciate and enjoy all viewpoints.”The flat Earthers say, “Yeah, I mean, it’s really offensive to us that people don’t like to listen to our theories about how the Earth is a flat disk instead a sphere. Thanks for being so tolerant. We knew we could count on you.”The Democrats smile and say, “Absolutely! A ‘big tent’ is what we’re all about. All viewpoints are welcome. You’re not going to find any prejudice or hostility here! You’re welcome to join and we’ll be sure all the children of America have the opportunity to hear about your flat Earth theories! After all, who are we to say what is right and what is wrong?”But then the scientists who are already in the big tent say, “Hang on a second. I mean, we appreciate the idea of theories. That’s our whole gig after all. But we cannot support the idea of telling children about a ludicrous notion that’s verifiably false. That’s going to be a problem for us.”To which the Democrats respond, “But we’re the ‘big tent’ party don’t you know? We have to be tolerant! What you’re saying is fundamentally opposed to our basic ideology. If you start alienating those flat Earthers over there, you’re going to erode our voter base. I mean, get with the program! We need them in order to win back control of the levers of power!”The scientists say, “Well, I hear what you’re saying, but the problem is we can’t tolerate lying to children.”At this the flat Earthers say, “Hold on now. Don’t go calling us liars! You need to respect all viewpoints. What happened to being the party of tolerance?”The Democrats say, “Yeah, yeah, there’s room enough for everybody. The scientists can sit over here with their idea of a spherical earth. The flat Earthers can sit over there with their disk theory. We can agree to disagree! We can win elections, and we’ll all be happy!”But the scientists start shaking their heads. “We can’t agree to disagree. They’re wrong. We know their wrong.”The Democrats, growing more desperate, say, “Well, maybe we can find a compromise. You know something in between the two beliefs that’s respectful to all. Maybe we can say the Earth is like a half-flattened balloon. We can teach the kids that and everybody can be happy.”The flat Earthers go, “We’re okay with that.”The scientist go, “Absolutely not. That’s just as wrong as saying the Earth is a disk. It’s not a disk. It’s a sphere.”Now the Democrats start getting annoyed. They turn to the scientists and say, “Why do you have to be like that? If we subject everyone to a purity test, we’ll never be able to form a coalition.”Meanwhile the flat Earthers are muttering, “We were willing to compromise.”But the scientists say, “We are absolutely not going to stand by and let flat Earthers teach lies to children. The Earth is not flat. It’s not ‘half’ flat either, whatever that means. That’s just wrong. There’s no compromise. There’s no two ways about it. The simple reality is that some viewpoints are valid and other viewpoints are not. If you tell lies to kids, you disempower them. If you insist on subjecting them to a false representation of how the universe works, we won’t have things like satellites or trips to the moon or any of the technologies that are derived from working off a foundation of truth.”The flat Earthers take this opportunity to say, “So much for the tolerant left.”Now the Democrats aren’t even trying to hide their anger. “So, what you’re saying is that you can’t accept a compromise? You refuse to form a coalition?”The scientist reply, “We refuse to make a deal with the devil.”The Democrats say, “But can’t you see that your stubborn attitude is going to cause us to lose? It will all be your fault.”The scientists answer, “Why is our fault, why aren’t you blaming the flat Earthers?”The flat Earthers say, “Hey, we have a right to believe what we want to believe, this is the land of freedom after all!”The Democrats say, “And we stand with them because we’re committed to our ‘big tent.’”The scientist start packing up. “Call us when you’re willing to stand up for truth.”The Democrats cry, “But you can’t leave! Without you we can’t form a coalition. Why are you being so selfish?”Now the scientists start to get annoyed too and they say, “Haven’t you noticed that there are a hundred of us for every one of those flat Earthers you’re cozying up to? Haven’t you noticed that by appealing to them, you’re driving your own base away?”The Democrats say, “What don’t you get about this? We’re a ‘big tent.’ Everybody is welcome!”“Not us,” say the scientists. “We’re not going to be a part of a group that refuses to show a spine and stand up for what is right.” They leave.The flat Earthers turn to the Democrats and say, “Don’t feel bad. You’re better off without them. Look at how intolerant they are. They refuse to allow us our viewpoint. That just doesn’t align with the ‘big tent’ philosophy.”“Yeah,” say the dejected Democrats, “we’re really frustrated with how intolerant the scientists turned out to be.” The flat Earthers just grin as the Democrats go on to lose election after election.They go on to pat the Democrats on the back and say, “Well, the important thing is that you continue to show to the world that you have space in your big tent for everyone and anyone who refuses to come in is part of the problem.”This is the reality of what’s going on.To understand this even better, read the dialog again but replace flat Earthers with White supremacists.You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI’m so happy you’re here, and I’m looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe

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This episode was published on November 20, 2025.

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So the Democrats come along and they say, “Hey, we are a party of inclusion. We want everybody to be involved. It’s going to be a great time. There’s space for everybody. When we all embrace this idea, we’re sure to gain the numbers we need to...

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