Why are they like this?

Question

I am no authority or scholar on this subject, but I cannot help but notice that defining people as either republican or democrat actually affects the ways these people think and react to eachothers ideas. It seems to me the only real conservatives and liberals are the far left and far right. Those in between who share many ideals and beliefs and are open minded enough to talk and debate rationally, really should not be called rep or lib, because it causes seperation between them as soon as they do. Is there room for a party in between republicans and democrats, or should they just be called the better, nameless americans? I would like to think of myself as fitting into this group. I mean, I hear people like Sean Hannity on the radio talking about far lefts and far rights, yet he consistently insults all ranges of the left, which to me makes him a far right. Do you understand what I'm saying? Isn't this bipartisan?

Answer 1

I have no idea why. I think it goes back to that high school cliche thing, are you a jock,cheerleader,prep,druggie,greaser,etc,etc... Maybe it is a need to feel strong by uniting is some sick way. Me personaly I'm none of the above just one opened minded individual willing to listen and see it threw to the truth of the matter.

Answer 2

I've been noticing a lot of this too. It's sort of the same way we approach sports, you choose a team, and stand by them come hell or high water. The parties have their own colors, nicknames, even mascots! While I admire team loyalty (how bout them Seahawks?!), I don't for a minute believe that it has any place in politics- because national policy is not a game. The polarity between the parties was designed to make sure that both sides of every issue were heard, but that doesn't end up mattering when people don't listen to the other side. It also guarantees that both parties will occasionally be wrong about one issue or another, but people still stubbornly stand by their team, no matter what. In football, that's respectable. In choosing leadership and lawmakers, it's foolish.

Answer 3

You have very clearly identified how most of America thinks and feels, and that is temperate and moderate - pretty much in the middle of the two extremes you mentioned. However, the politicians, pundits and miscellaneous talking heads don't have much to talk about when people agree (no show, no sponsors, no money), so they take the extreme views in order to garner a dialog. The problem is, good intentioned people get all riled up and begin to adopt extreme views because certain topics are inflammatory by nature (abortion, Welfare, Medicare, war, Gay Marriage), and these pundits are adept at manipulating people's emotions more toward their perspective. Furthermore, these topics are frequently used as smoke screens to other less-visible concerns that people really SHOULD get riled up about, and herein lies some of the problems we find ourselves in today. We as constituents owe it to ourselves to be critically minded when reading about our elected officials, as well as all the topics of the world that concern us. That means, going outside of the corporate controlled media and distilling facts from independent sources. Not an easy thing to do, but crucial if we are to be an enlightened public, deserving of the Democracy we inherited.

Answer 4

Well, it is a little bipartisan. But there are many other choices other than just "republican" and "democrat" people can choose from. They choose those because they fit their ideals the best. Other parties would include "independent" and "whig" are some examples (though "whig" is a little old-fashioned). So therefore, people choose for their country to be this way.

Answer 5

Definitely. What does it make you if you don't feel strongly either way?? Americans have a really annoying habit of dragging everyone into things they strongly believe. Some people just don't have a particular standing view but if you make one stray comment people overanalyze it and fit you into some kind of box that says whether you are conservative or liberal. Just don't listen to them. If you say something about this to them in a very intellectual way they will realize how close minded they're being and leave you alone.

Answer 6

I'm in the same boat as you. I swing more left then right, but I most definitely have right opinions. And I've noticed that during Yahoo! 'conversations' I get called a dirty liberal....blah blah blah....when in fact what a liberal is now and what it was originally are such two different things. I like to think of myself as a true liberal, not the spin of what was placed on that label. Just as there are true conservatives out there, not the spin on what was placed on that label as well.

And one more thing, people put way too much emphasis on these labels, like it really makes a huge difference in the real world.

Answer 7

I agree I think people should be careful to label them selves you never know what the next big thing is look a German history for example. Those Germans went along with it all but guess what... They weren't terrible people just normal people like you and me tired and hard working. Be careful with what you label yourself it might be better to think for yourself on all issues not an agenda..

Answer 8

Vote Libertarian.

Answer 9

smash smash smash goes the war
ring ring ring goes the money

Answer 10

i wish i understand what u meant. I'm american LOL! Just kidding