Is the American public really as non-tolerant as it appears?

Question

Just curious, because it seems like more and more, the American public (in the general sense) is becomming increasingly religious and non-tolerant of anyone who is of a different race, religion, sexual orienation, etc. Is this an accurate depiction, or is it just that the right wingers are far more vocal?

I'm not saying you're right or wrong in your opinions, just trying to see what the feeling of the general public is.

Any non-Americans feel free to weigh in with your thoughts as well, maybe it's just me.

Answer 1

Please do NOT judge the people of the USA based on the very vocal right wing MINORITY. They do NOT speak for the majority of us who go about our lives outside of the public eye.

As a rule, we are religious but not fanatic, tolerant, compassionate and hard working.

Answer 2

It's not necessarily a Religious swing. The current administration uses Religion as a standpoint and a way to get support from some Americans. Non-Tolerance has always been an issue, but depending on the views of the current administration, it shows more. Live and let Live.

Answer 3

I think this is the minority of us. At least I hope it is. I think what you are seeing is what is being broadcast by the news networks. People getting along, accepting each other, and just working to make their own lives better makes for lousy TV news.

Our politicians are simply whores to getting more face time on TV so they spew forth whatever it takes to get airtime. Sadly, the majority of Americans do not get out and vote to express their opinion and actually choose our leaders. We manage only around 50% turnout for presidential elections and less than 40% for national elections that do not have a presidential race going on. They would rather ***** about it after it happens. Politicians target likely voters and those are the ones who make the most noise.

Answer 4

I think that it's just the right-wingers who are more vocal - it's like that in any group of people, and it doesn't help that our president is a very vocal right-winger either. The vast majority of my friends are very open-minded and accepting of just about any way of life.

Answer 5

People with extreme opinions are always loudmouths. I don't think that has anything to do with what country you live in. I assume you are European, so you are aware that there are people with racist, homophobic, etc. views there as well. I suppose one difference we have is that we don't have laws against hateful speech here.

I suggest you visit the United States and talk to average people before you make assumptions based on what you read in periodicals and see on television. I think you'll find that most of us are moderate in our views.

Answer 6

Tolerance goes hand in hand with stress. These are very stressful times right now and people get on the defensive. You yourself have attacked right wingers (who ever that is). See how it works?

Answer 7

The extreme right wing group American Liberals , have taken their right to Freedom of Speech to the extreme .
They think they can justify anything they say or do , by claiming their American born right to Freedom of Speech .
it basiclly gives them the right in their view to say or do as they please .
Fortunatly this is not the case for the wider poulation .Unfortunatly this breed of American , whilste being a minority group, is highly out spoken , and in the spot light .

Answer 8

I don't think so. I think that it just appears to be that way because the squeaky wheel get s the oil so tho speck.. The more you vocalize something the more people think it is the majority.

Answer 9

its the exact opposite.

We are expected to be 'way to tolerant'.

We are literaly up against the wall on so many issues, it may seem like 'intolerance' to some...but its not.

Answer 10

I see the complete opposite.
I feel it is more tolerant than ever.