Have we become so polarized that we can no longer debate important issues without insulting each other? Has the right wing stooped to calling everyone aginst bush a terrorist and the left calling the right baby killers. Why can't we have an intelligent debate anymore?
2006-10-09 05:15:24 · 10 answers · asked by cosmiccastaway 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
The problem isn't the people debating, it's the people listening to debates. We can't have intelligent debates anymore because it doesn't help politicians win elections. Politicians just want to get re-elected, and they do what wins them seats in Congress. If the voters continue to vote for people whose only purpose in life is to verbally assault the other side, then politicians would be crazy to do anything different.
Nike used sweatshops because there were no consequences and they made money hand over fist. When consumers got their act together and made a statement by not buying Nike shoes, Nike moved its manufacturing. When voters get their act together and make a stand against partisan party politics, the politicians will get the message.
2006-10-09 05:27:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mark 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because people are no longer exposed to intelligent debate in the media. Everything is just about sound bites that never get challenged. We're to the point where what someone SAYS is news, not whether what they said is right or wrong. And reporters don't even challenge those people with questions to see if they can support their viewpoints.
Look at any article about a politically charged topic. You'll get some quotes from some politicians on one side, and opposing views on the other side, and that's it. No one has to defend their own ideas. The uneducated masses just choose whichever side they think sounds best - without trying to figure out which is correct.
2006-10-09 12:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by Hank 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Debate is not always civilized and never was. Ideas are important, expressing them is the only way to identify issues and attempt to gain consensus. Name calling and finger pointing is destructive and serves no purpose. However it is easier to try and discredit your opponents rather than learning the actual facts for many. The vast majority of people are not polarized and they are looking for solutions to issues. These are not the people you hear the most from though. The disenchanted scream the loudest on both sides and in turn get the most attention. This gives the false impression that they represent the majority. The best tactic will always be the highroad. Try to stay above personal attacks, state the facts as you see them in the most truthful manner possible and let the chips fall where they may.
2006-10-09 12:28:23 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We live in a society with a horrible education system where we are taught to blindly memorize things that are incorrect in the first place by people who were taught the same way. We punish the free thinkers and label them with ADHD, or whatever the current fad to not take responsibility is.
After all this, we wonder why the sheeple just follow each other and can't think for themselves. Well, you told them for 20 years not to!
2006-10-09 12:31:05 · answer #4 · answered by Truth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the American public has not gotten on its hind legs and refused to allow these kind of debates. The advertisers would sure pull out of televized debates if the people let the station know they would not be watching. Only takes a few letters and E-mails to make your opinion known.
2006-10-09 12:22:12 · answer #5 · answered by beez 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you answer your own question. It seems to me that the moment people are considered "right" or "left", negative associations are attached to them, and quite often assumptions are made about how they think.
It seems to me that it's best to just ask the question, and assume there will be some (particularly on this forum) who don't have the skills to argue without name calling, or stereotyping.
2006-10-09 12:20:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because we all know that debating in a polite and proper manner is ridiculous, it only matters who actually wins. Meaning, going from point A to point B regardless of the path taken to get there.
2006-10-09 12:19:14 · answer #7 · answered by bloop87 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are all to buisy watching Football, playing fantasy football, planning our next vacation, and eating at Ruby Tuesdays, and working till 10PM (to pay more war taxes) to concern ourselves with such matters. We can't change anything anyway, Right???
2006-10-09 17:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by Kricknit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to match wits with nits.
2006-10-09 12:18:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, maybe not.
2006-10-09 12:19:41 · answer #10 · answered by only p 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋