Why is American politics so personality driven?

Question

There is personal abuse of Bush or Kerry or Hillary Clinton all the time... The real issues of disarmament, poverty, ecology, sustainability, the impact of wars, even domestic issues of basic concern, of health, education and livelihood don't seem to be part of the debate. It is always and only pure slur!

It seems more like backing a football team blindly because it represents you. Is this how American public is or is one just coming across badly educated juviniles?

Answer 1

American politics has traditionally been personality driven and that is it's down side. We live in a democratic republic where we elect representatives to go to congress and enact laws, etc for us. If the two parties can't win on ideas, as you suggest, then the politics of personal destruction are brought into play. This atmosphere of personal politics has turned many away from the polls. In effect, elections in this country have become popularity contests and with opinion polls becoming the barometer of how the candidates should run their campaigns. It comes down to whether or not you should vote for the guy who showed up in the Oprah Winfrey show or David Letterman. The whole world watches us and it is utterly embarrassing. I still vote, but I wince when I do.

Answer 2

Because making it personal is the best way to control the people.Many look no further than what the controlled media tell them ...sad sad sad

The more advanced countries just invent their own terror and then identify it where they want it to be, so they can then attack to achieve their agendas.

You cant fight terror it is an idea "the war on terror" is just buzz words to keep the sheeples happy at home and not thinking too much.

http://www.antiwar.com/roberts/?articleid=9381

have a read get informed or just go back to the TV...most do anyway.

Answer 3

It probably because of the primary system. In most other democracies it's the small percentage of people who are party members who choose the candidate they think best represents their party and is electable. So they tend to choose someone who is issues orientated because obviously they don't want to air their party's dirty linen in public.

In the US every candidate basically has to run twice. So the politicians who are successful are the ones who can whip up interest in the primaries by appealing to the lowest common denominator. Just ask Joe Lieberman about kissing GWB, or John Mcain about his black baby!

Answer 4

It's easier than actually thinking about the difficult issues or trying to solve them. After you start looking through the fog, you realize what a mess health care, poverty, etc are in.

Answer 5

American politics is showtime.

America would rather elect an "action hero" like Aaahnold, than someone business savy who can eliminate the nation deficit, like Bill Gates.

Unfortunately, the American people have become as superficial as "Entertainment Tonight."

Answer 6

Canada has no intense problems. no one needs maximum of Canada while you evaluate that's basically too chilly so as that they do no longer ought to guard themselves from enemies as lots. And in the event that they did get attacked, the U. S. could intrude. so some distance as Liberal/Democrat issued are in contact, there somewhat isn't that fairly greater Canada can do to Liberalize itself. So it basically sits and talks approximately its modern left state without going everywhere.

Answer 7

What a bunch of meat heads.

Answer 8

I'm with you, great question. We should fire them all and start over. It can't get much worse....

Answer 9

We have sold out.