Do all Republicans hate all Democrats (and vice versa)?

Question

Please understand, I have no agenda with this question, I am not trying to start a fight or prove a point.

I have noticed a trend that people cannot seem to identify with their chosen political party without having to resort to the "well at least I'm better than the sissy scum-sucking Dems/evil oppressive Pubs" tactic.

I am interested in hearing from people that can understand and identify with both sides of the issues, that DON'T think the "other side" is evil incarnate, but have chosen a side anyways, and why. For example, I am interested in learning:

-Why you have chosen to identify with a particular political party (WITHOUT resorting to bashing of the alternative)
-Are there any issues you are "on the fence" about, or that you outright disagree with the stance your party has chosen?
-Do you think the leaders in your particular party are furthering that party's ideals, or are they furthering their own agenda first and foremost?

Thoughtful answers only, PLEASE

Dapixelator, that reminds me of another thing I'm interested in: is there anyone commonly associated with your party that you really wish WEREN'T? As a dem, I can think of a couple--Jesse Jackson and Michael Moore come to mind.

answer_dude, you have provided an example of exactly what I am talking about.

Answer 1

I vote republican most the time.
I have chosen to do that because they are stronger on defense and gun rights than the Dems. I also find their fiscal policies to more to my liking(well usually).

I completely disagree with my party on abortion and gay marriage. It's a matter for the individual and should not be controlled by law.


Every politician furthers their own agenda which is gaining money by catering to the ones who dangle it in front of them. Usually I would rather have them cater to defense contractors and business than to people who do not want to work.

And no we all don't hate eachother, but it can be amusing to pretend just for kicks. I actually like Jim W. He's fun to banter with.

Answer 2

I am a registered "Pub" as you say, but I don't agree and relate to all the party has to offer. For example, I'm probably more socially liberal than the folks on the far right. But I think that the most important factors are economics and defense and in those issues I believe that a free market is best, that the government can't possibly make the best decisions with investment and therefore lower taxes are better, and that we need to be diligent against all the bad guys out there in the world.

As for your top line question: no I don't think all Republicans hate all democrats and vice versa, but I do see the growing polarization that you note.

This will be an interesting thread to read. :-)

Answer 3

I choose the dems because there policies most agree with mine, but I do favor many republicans policies toward illigal immigrants. Within the parties many politicians disagree with their leadership I like the democrats better because they don't ostrazice a person from the party when they have a different view point such as they are not even supporting many of there candidates that are coming out against the war and are supporting independants how low is that.

Answer 4

please understand, i have come to my political positions honestly.

i have noticed a trend that many people are so used to the idea of definitions, that they think they can define opinions as reasonable or unreasonable, based on the way someone has chosen their team.

the words democrat and republican are practically meaningless at this point in time. so much so, that i refuse to use them anymore. the parties were never any more than an assurance that your opinion had multitudes behind it.

here's my point: a multitude behind your opinion doesn't mean it's worth having. truth is not determined by consensus outside a court of law. but courts have standards for evidence and argument that they maintain so that truth might be determined.

political truths are different. is pro-life better than pro-choice? is marriage sacred? how could i prove such a thing to someone who does not already believe it?

it will not be by force of arms of by will of the masses... but by impassioned discussion between two individuals. there are no sides here, because reality is always filtered through prisms of our own design. to distill such a rainbow to two shades does us all a disservice. you can see these two sides have stopped discussing those things we can see plainly, because it would show us how far they have wandered from reality.

Answer 5

Why do we have to like someone we do not agree with. Of course we hate each other. That is how it works. I bash because I Have a sick mind and enjoy making up new and more hateful things to say about the other side. Screw the political correct BS. In real life people hate for different reasons and sometimes for no other reason than someone has a different point of view.
I for enjoyment of making them cry

Answer 6

I think it is a matter of respect. I grew up with my Mom being a liberal democrat and my Dad being a conservative republican. My own views are quite mixed - I call myself a republicrat (which really means I am more independent with conservative leanings). However, I married a conservative republican.

It is all about how you express your views and how you treat those who disagree with you. In my opinion, everyone has the right to think the way they do, and we need to respect each other. It would be so boring if everyone thought the same.

To finish answering your question, I am more liberal on social issues and more conservative on defense and fiscal issues.

And I think all the leaders further their own agendas first and foremost.

Thanks for your thought-provoking question, and have a great day!

Answer 7

I think as time goes on we are only becoming further divided by clinging to one side. So yes, evenutally at least, all democrats will hate all republicans (and vice versa). It is a sad state of affairs that we are starting to define ourselves by our political affiliation.

I think George Washington was right in thinking we should not subject ourselves to labels and political parties. But what do ya do?

Answer 8

I am a libertarian because I think both parties are dedicated to fleecing the taxpayers and do not care about freedom. I think the two parties are in the game together and their worst fear is the rise of a third party. But I believe most Americans fall for the fake left/right thing...

Answer 9

no, its only the extremists on each side that cause all the problems, many dem's and rep's (moderate) feel the same about the majority of issues and if they could just band together and run the extremists out then both parities would get along fine and make this country better too.

Answer 10

I'm a dem and don't hate republicans in general. I intensely dislike some of them - on both sides -- but that is based on their positions, rhetoric and behaviors not their political affiliation.

I tend to be like Itsjustme above-- social liberal, fiscal conservative, strong beliver in the constitution-- all of it.