Polarization of America

[whell]

Folks in this forum often like to accuse the Tea Party of pulling the Repubs to the right, while suggesting that most Americans - and themselves - are more centrist or center-left. That's never rung true from my perspective.

I believe both parties, and those that support them, are moving further away from the center resulting in more political polarization. I think that's what accounts for the political gridlock, as representatives of both parties and their constituents have less incentive to proactively seek common ground.

Now comes a Pew study which seems to lend credence to the view that Americans are increasingly polarized. It impacts who everything from who they socialize with to where they choose to live. To me, if this is true, it explains a lot: from our increasing political polarization to our increasing intolerance of individuals and institutions that may not reflect our points of view.

Food for thought.

http://news.yahoo.com/growing-partis...lTxE0Amk3QtDMD

[Oerets]

My personal experiences are that if going over core beliefs most will agree on 80% it's the other 20% where the continual divide exists. Taxes, guns and abortion the big three.




Barney

[Dondilion]

The Tea Baggers were the ones who first oppose everything on the other side
and used their organizational skill, especially at the primary level, to reinforce this opposition.

However the President lack luster leadership has lost him support from
people in the middle.

[whell]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

The Tea Baggers were the ones who first oppose everything on the other side
and used their organizational skill, especially at the primary level, to reinforce this opposition.

However the President lack luster leadership has lost him support from
people in the middle.

Didn't read the article?

Not surprisingly, the report also says that “the rise of ideological uniformity has been much more pronounced among” political activists on the left and right. “Today, almost four-in-ten (38 percent) politically engaged Democrats are consistent liberals, up from just eight percent in 1994…” Meanwhile, 33 percent of consistent conservatives almost always voice conservative opinions, “up from 23 percent in the midst of the 1994 ‘Republican Revolution,’” said Pew.

In other words, you can continue to play the "blame the other guys" game, but the data suggests that while polarization on the right is a more recent phenomenon, the right still hasn't caught up with the level of polarization that exists on the left.

[merrylander]

I guess we don't fit his study as the only thing that protects Democrats where we live in Western Howard County are the game laws.

[BlueStreak]

Makes sense to me. The more we argue and fight, the further apart we get. However, I still blame politicians and sycophant media organizations who deliberately stoke the fire.

It has become a game. A game that I fear may turn deadly. And, you could accurately say this is me showing my bias, but I only see one side arming themselves and openly brandishing their weapons to any significant degree.

And, it aint PETA or the LGBT community.

Dave

[whell]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

And, you could accurately say this is me showing my bias, but I only see one side arming themselves and openly brandishing their weapons to any significant degree.

And, it aint PETA or the LGBT community.

Dave

One could also suggest that if a bunch of gun-hating, gun-grabbing liberals decided to arm themselves, they'd probably end up shooting themselves by accident.

I'd also suggest that leftist violence isn't uncommon. We don't need to debate that issue again, but both the left and the right have had their violent outbursts in our past.

[BlueStreak]

Yes, absolutely.

Just stating my point of view as it relates to current affairs.

Leftists with pipe bombs acting up in the 1970s are much less of a concern to me than rightist ammosexual weirdoes parading around with their Bushmasters at Chipotle' last week.

However, I agree. Let's not get into that again. It's distracting.

Resorting to violence is a stupid and often counterproductive way to address issues.

Dave

[barbara]

Have to agree with you, Whell, both the left and the right have had their violent outbursts.

I think what frightens me about the most recent batch of extremists is how technology fuels their agendas.

With a couple clicks of a mouse one can find whatever ideology that fits their needs. And, the hype is instant.

I was morbidly intrigued with the extent this recent killer couple used social media and how they used it (according to a couple of articles I read).

Who will read their Facebook and be inspired to take their fight to the next level?

I hope it's not the teenager who lives next door.

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by barbara

Have to agree with you, Whell, both the left and the right have had their violent outbursts.

I think what frightens me about the most recent batch of extremists is how technology fuels their agendas.

With a couple clicks of a mouse one can find whatever ideology that fits their needs. And, the hype is instant.

I was morbidly intrigued with the extent this recent killer couple used social media and how they used it (according to a couple of articles I read).

Who will read their Facebook and be inspired to take their fight to the next level?

I hope it's not the teenager who lives next door.

It's said that people tend to believe what they see in print. Now with the advent of social media and blogs, way too easy to put extremist ideas in a print format.

And Whell, 38% die-hard liberals vs. 33% hard right conservatives is not a lot of difference;probably very near the polling error. Your point is very well taken.