Last Man Standing: Has the Current Political Climate Changed Mike Baxter?

Let's talk about politics and television. More specifically, if the current political climate has changed the character of Mike Baxter on Last Man Standing.

Politics have played a significant part in the show since it premiered in 2011.

Conservative Mike was not shy about sharing his views and opinions during a Barack Obama administration. He made it quite clear what he thought of Democrats, liberals, and those he referred to as "whiny babies."

There was no shortage of Obama administration jokes thanks to Mike. But that was during a different time in our country.

Now that the political climate has drastically changed, the character has been somewhat altered.

The Fox revival has shown a softer, less harsh, more loving side of the Baxter patriarch.

Yes, Mike is still conservative, still thinks liberals are whiny snowflake babies and never misses a chance to take a jab at Hillary Clinton or Obama.

However, in a time when the country is being torn apart by political beliefs, instead of putting his conservative view front and center, Mike is more aware of his opinions.

Now that doesn't mean he isn't speaking his mind. He is Mike Baxter after all.

But he is doing it a more constructive and conversational manner, as opposed to a shutting down your opinion way.

In Last Man Standing Season 7 Episode 1, the state of the country and the current political administration were hot-topics for the entire Baxter family.

Eve and Mandy argued about it, while Ryan contemplated moving his family back to Canada.

While there was a lot of fighting and discussion about the country, Mike was the one who stepped up to get his family to listen.

Instead of expressing his thoughts and opinions once again and further dividing his family, Mike decided to unite his clan.

He even showed Ryan some love by giving him an application to become a U.S. Citizen, so that Ryan could vote in future elections and help implement change.

Honestly, Mike as the person to start the conversation on how people need to listen to each other was the first sign of change in the character.

He has always come across as if his opinion is right, and other people's views were not.

Although he still has deep-rooted views, the first episode on Fox introduced us to a more tolerant Mike Baxter.

He saw how politics were driving apart his family and affecting his grandson at school and decided to do something about it.

At that point, he started listening -- not a quality for which the family man is known -- as opposed to shoving his thoughts down the throats of his loved ones.

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The political climate has changed the character of Mike Baxter, but I think it is in line with how many people are dealing with the divide.

Mike's more understanding side is showing that people can have different views and discuss them without starting World War III. He is using his actions to help change the climate, even if it is only with those around him.

The lessons I think Mike is sharing with viewers is that small changes make a difference and we can all come together despite our beliefs.

Mike’s softer, more caring side is getting explored more now, and that is a significant change in the character. Not that he was cold and unfeeling before.

I think that Last Man Standing Season 7 is focusing less on Mike's political opinions. The writers are showcasing the many layers, even the vulnerable ones, to the character.

It makes sense that in this political state, there is less focus on a specific set of opinions and more on politics in general.

Let's be honest, the show was a hit at ABC, and its cancellation was shocking. The network declared it was because the show was too expensive.

However, it was pretty coincidental that it got canned not long after the new administration took office.

Fox would be idiots not to realize that and make some adjustments to the outspoken conservative lead.

Mike Baxter and Last Man Standing have definitely changed during the new political state of the country.

There is still the bashing of liberals but never a joke about the current president or administration. It is quite a big difference from the show's debut during the last administration.

Regardless of the political impacts on the character of Mike and the show, viewers must remember one thing.

This is a television comedy that is genuinely about a family dealing with family issues using humor. Political views have never been what is at the heart of the show.