"Policy."

Any specific policy that you think caused a rise in gang violence?

"Rhetoric."

Well, maybe a bit. The "super predators" thing was ugly.

"Victim mentality."

How would you say the Democrats promote a victim mentality? I have never seen a higher level of promoting "victim mentality" than I have from the Republicans in every absolutely crazed claim that people are coming for their guns, to kill their babies, poison the minds of their children, immigrants are coming for their jobs, Democrats are coming for their wallets, and their religion. Basically, the Right operates almost entirely on the idea that they are victims. It's really kind of insane and has been a fairly large reason this madness has descended on the country.

"And the nexus between some parts of hip-hop culture and gang activity."

I have no idea how you are connecting this to Democrats.

"I'd add racism, but in my experience, that's about equal between the right and the left, only the left can't easily recognize where it manifests itself in them."

Not sure what you mean by this. I think race is obviously used in politics but I don't think how it is used would always be racism. I think when it used in openly negative ways that creates more issues. I don't think you can say though that people on the left don't recognize how racism manifests in them as now you are attempting to say that you know how a large group of people think.

I have over the years here tried to go back and forth with Pat or Marc because I am trying to get them to explain what it is they think. I know I don't know what is going through their heads.