And of course, it doesn’t help that the liberal mentality is very paternalistic, they have to constantly feel like they’re the only adult in the room.

I agree with you, and I keep thinking about this part of your comment. I feel like this is definitely one reason it’s nearly impossible to have a good discussion with anyone in liberal spaces. It’s like a constant stream of condescension that can easily devolve into attacks on the person’s ability, mental health, class, education, language, ethnicity, race, country of origin, or gender. I’ve witnessed it so many times.