[ObserverNeutral]

Not really. I mean those who bet on proper lines and on financial markets that Republicans will win after 8 years of Democrats and vice versa

Also those who automatically assume the political leaning of the person they are interacting with.

If I am with a hot college girl who is a Bernie supporter, you bet I'd be strongly and passionately arguing for the redistribution of wealth and a 95% income tax because that creates empathy and increases my chances.

If I am pitching to a VC in Texas, you bet I'll be strongly pro-Trump and pro 2nd amendment, because it creates empathy and increases my chances.

Politics is a tool to improve your quality of life, and I mean by acquiring friends and allies while talking about it, the trick is to not have a political opinion and polish your acting skills and suddenly the sky is the limit

[woleium]

At the risk of sounding rude, that all seems kind of sociopathic?

[ObserverNeutral]

How so? You are telling people what they want to hear, you make them relaxed and chill.

[sigmaprimus]

I kind of get what You are trying to say but it is dishonest, deceitful and generally antisocial behavior to pretend that you believe in something that You really don't just to get what You want from others.

That is also a trait of most Sociapaths, Politicians, Date Rapists and Internet Trolls.

[skinnymuch]

Doesn’t seem to be that bad of a thing. The OP is just being honest and taking things a bit further out loud for things people do any way. Especially in other ways. Replace politics with how people are nicer and more fluid with people of their own class (studies back this). We don’t have people spending time trying to correct this behavior that can have bad consequences. And have had bad consequences. Keeping the status quo in tact is awful. Most people are a part of that. Yet OP being honest about being opportunistic without actually oppressing any one is the sociopathic behavior?

Don’t forget this site is filled with people making six figures who spend how much time worrying and helping fix the world’s plights?

I don’t readily condemn them for not doing whatever enough would be. Just like I see no reason to condemn someone for using social opportunities that our society has allowed to be beneficial so easily.

[woleium]

Not all relationships have to be transactional, in fact the best ones are not :)

[skinnymuch]

Yes. I was not arguing against that being the case :)