What major political influences have caused such a polarization of the American public?

Question

I am not interested in events such as the Iraq war or Hurricane Katrina, but rather individual people and their stategies that have resulted in such strong sentiments such as right and wrong, left or right, with us or against us, or loyalty vs treason.

Answer 1

ONE WORD.....BUSH!

Answer 2

The marriage of Christian fundamentalism with big business and big government ( a type of plural marriage usually frowned on in civilized society) has led to a lack of accountability. As you may have noticed, the leaders and talking heads in this group will say anything. Pat Robertson claims he can leg press 2,000 pounds. Yes. He really does claim this. Religion and religious leaders always ask that people believe the most outlandish things in order to prove their fidelity to the church. Unfortunately, in the public sphere, the secular space where we can have a reasoned discussion, this approach doesn't allow much of a debate or a discussion. This is the same pattern and approach has been used by the religions and other despotic institutions throughout history. If you're on the side of God, then everyone else is an infidel, just as the Taliban or Jerry Falwell, or George Bush for that matter.

Answer 3

America is such a large continent with so many nations and so many cultures that no one issue or person ever polarized the entire continent. Keep in mind there are 850 million Americans, that's a lot of people over 40,000,000 square kilometers 1/4 of the world's land mass.

Answer 4

This attitude is one that comes directly from the top. The dissension in this country is scary. As a rule when the elections are over the person who wins tries to bring Congress to a general consensus on things to get the business of running the country off the ground. Not this time. This time it's" my way or the highway".The majority party who control both houses don't care about this country and it's people. They want to be RIGHT!! And the people are as polarized as the Congress is. Name calling abounds! Nothing is getting done, it is a sad state of affairs and we can only hope that the next election will bring us a person who can reunite the people and get things accomplished.

Answer 5

I am convinced it has 2 origins. "Bush bashers" are trying to get back at those who favored going after Clinton and having him impeached. The second reason, many "Bush bashers" feel that Bush "stole" the election of 2000. Of course some would assert that the Republicans started it by going after Clinton. Unfortunately, the real lesson from Clinton is that you should not take responsibility for yourself but rather place the blame on others. "Bush bashers" learned that lesson well. Clinton obviously did not subscribe to Truman's view of "the buck stops here". Unfortunately, many have forgotten Truman's lesson. Also, some of the terms you use are simply political rhetoric.

Answer 6

I believe began within our own families. We don't work to resolve our own differences or openly commit to work for the success of the family unit. Then it progressed outside the family units to the political arena at which point exploded into not what we as a family or a community want to achieve but rather what they as "leaders" can push onto us what they feel we need. I think the whole concept of basic right from wrong has left our society in a large segment. We need to regroup at home then face our nation and world.

Answer 7

to name individuals I cant however the types
of individuals I can they are lawyers,politicians,
justices,
and financiers.
we might include ministers,rabbis,movie
stars,and the working poor.