NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been thinking for months about this, and it seems to me that what the politicians and American people need right now is compromise. Everyone seems to think it's their way or the highway. You have extremists on both sides and no one will give an inch.

What happened to the days where if one side wanted something, and the other side was against it, they'd go for a partial decision?

Is it those idiotic special interest groups? Is it the "post 9/11" frame of mind? Is it some nationwide hormonal imbalance?

What is it? I think it's a lack of either side to compromise that's the cause of our nation's hatred of the other people in it.

You don't agree with someone totally now, they would just as well sue you as look at you.

I've got a suggestion. How about the nation remove the stick from it's ass? Or if it likes it's stick in there, we could COMPROMISE and just break off the bit of it that's sticking out.

Most of the differences between the Democrats and Republicans are imagined, not real. Their supporters are far more polarised than the parties themselves. Prime evidence is the unanimous support for the PATRIOT Act.

Americans have been conditioned by pundits like the guys on crossfire, rush limbaugh, and others to choose a political affiliation and view the other side as subhuman fascist or communist scumbags. Kinda hard to compromise with someone you've been taught to view as pure evil.

Americans have been conditioned by pundits like the guys on crossfire, rush limbaugh, and others to choose a political affiliation and view the other side as subhuman fascist or communist scumbags. Kinda hard to compromise with someone you've been taught to view as pure evil.

Yes, but I asked my parents, and they said it wasn't like that before the late 80s, which is, I guess when CNN came around. They said that the parties did work together though they had their differences.

So all of this is because of CNN?

I'd be willing to give an inch.

I hate the polarization and the lack of cooperation on the part of the parties. And it makes me respect men like John McCain even more.

If history has taught us anything, it's that cooperation can accomplish anything in the ammount of time it would take for us to fight over it.

Yes, but I asked my parents, and they said it wasn't like that before the late 80s, which is, I guess when CNN came around. They said that the parties did work together though they had their differences.

So all of this is because of CNN?
Not so much CNN in general, but the rise of guys like Rush Limbaugh on the right, and to some extent Noam Chomsky on the left. While Chomsky isn't as cartoonish as Limbaugh, he still portrays the political opposition as soulless evil overlords bent on enslaving the masses.

Not so much CNN in general, but the rise of guys like Rush Limbaugh on the right, and to some extent Noam Chomsky on the left. While Chomsky isn't as cartoonish as Limbaugh, he still portrays the political opposition as soulless evil overlords bent on enslaving the masses.

Is Chomsky a racist with an addiction to painkillers?

Is Chomsky a racist with an addiction to painkillers?
I didn't say they were identical, only that they each foster a view that the political opposition is evil and not to be compromised with.

I've wondered this same thing. I would guess that it has a little bit to do with some of the Conservatives who always say "Compromise means rolling over and letting the other side have their way with you". Most Gay liberals liek that kinda thing. :p Edit: to put in inappropriate joke.

I didn't say they were identical, only that they each foster a view that the political opposition is evil and not to be compromised with.

Agreed. I was simply pointing out that Limbaugh was the greater of two evils, which, unfortunately is something that people often resort to in politics.

Most of the differences between the Democrats and Republicans are imagined, not real. Their supporters are far more polarised than the parties themselves. Prime evidence is the unanimous support for the PATRIOT Act.
way to ignore my post!

I don't see how one can place blame on any one person or organization, kind of nonsensical to me personally. I see the cause of this simply steming from years of political turmoil and overall sociocultural change. The atmosphere right now is incredibly polarized (socially and politically), I can't say exactly why - maybe because of Bush, 9/11, or 1'000 other things - and this is why you are seeing extreme views geting alot of traction. I can't even have a conversation with some of my friends because if I mention I voted for Bush, they see me as an idiot and a horrible individual. There is no rational behind it, they just go from center field to the parking lot in no time. You have to do a double take to try and see how they went from A to X. Being so polarized, moderate or compromising thinking is seen as a weakness or not being strong enough to take a stance on anything. Some see McCain in that light, I sure as hell don't, but he's a bit different because we know how strong an individual can be. I don't see most of McCain's moves as political, but instead trying to compromise to get things done, that's why I like the guy. This is just the time we are living in -- think of the 60s, turbulant decade with extreme stances being taken with little or no middle ground. That's not to say this is the 60s, but I believe it to be another big social, political, and cultural climate change over the next decade (if things keep going the way they are going).

I'd be willing to give an inch.

I hate the polarization and the lack of cooperation on the part of the parties. And it makes me respect men like John McCain even more.

If history has taught us anything, it's that cooperation can accomplish anything in the ammount of time it would take for us to fight over it.


I think it's amazing on how both sides talk dirt about the other side giving into special interest groups. Do they not look in the mirror? They both need to ditch them.

Let's work on living with each other, rather than pointing out others relative shortcomings. We're all faulty.

The voters aren't doing their job well. That, and the blurring of the line between news and entertainment. The average guy can only work with the information he's been given. It's a lot of work to stay informed, and people are working hard.

The present American political situation cannot be categorized as extremism... especially in government.

Extreme would be when members of the far right and far left political wings begin shooting each other and assassinating politicians... Or in the decade prior to the Civil War where members of Congress notably partook in fisticuffs on the debate floors, would exclude each other completely, and degenerate into things such as the caning of Charles Sumner, the caning being quite popular in the South. When things begin boiling over toward violence or implied violence, that is when things become serious...

Right now the tension is more personality-based rather than ideological. Odds are soon that once the electoral dusts are settled and some major issues calm a bit, things will go back to the usual partisan bickering with some notion of mutual respect.

I dont remember things being this way for Clinton or the first Bush. I wouldnt blame the media. I think its the black or white, with us or against us mentality that Bush brought to the white house with him. Im sure it will go back to normal when he leaves.

I dont remember things being this way for Clinton or the first Bush. I wouldnt blame the media. I think its the black or white, with us or against us mentality that Bush brought to the white house with him. Im sure it will go back to normal when he leaves.

I thought it started with Clinton, but it's probably because I didn't like him or his policies. Seems reasonable that our perception on this matter is about who's ox is getting gored, eh?

I still don't think the media is helping any, to say the least. But I offer no solutions.