Why do people hold these misconceptions about the political parties?

Question

I am a Conservative yes but not always a Republican supporter they have many evils and skeletons of there own. But it still amazes me why the perceptions that people hold about the parties exist.

As a historian it amazes me why people get caught up in the political rhetoric spewed by both parties. For instance, the common view is that the democratic party is the champion of the poor, the worker and Afro-Americans.I ask why is this perception perpetuated in the face of the facts? some facts please.

Teddy Roosevelt Republican- did More for the working class and unions than any presidents since. Unions are largely a reality today because of his efforts.

Abe Lincoln Republican not only freed the slaves but forced through congress amendments giving them full rights, including voting rights under the constitution.

The KKK was largely established and funded by the Democratic party to fight re constructionist in the south and deny voting rights to Afro-Americans

The Civil Rights reforms in the 1960"s to protect voting and other civil rights was largely supported by both Democrats and Republicans. The primary opposition to these reforms was from the Democratic party of the south.( g

Answer 1

I think that there is indeed one huge misconception about the political parties, which is the believe that a democratic country must have them at all. I believe we have to do away with the party system completely and set up a system under which politicians run as individuals and only individuals. No, I don't think it is impossible. But it may take some civil disobedience effort, because politicians for the most part will oppose the idea extraneously and will boycott attempts to pass laws that implement elimination of parties from the political process, despite the demands of the voters, and the supreme court will say it is unconstitutional, anyway. Unfortunately the judicial branch is not as independent from politicians as it should be. Yes it is almost engraved in our minds that political parties is the only way to go, but it is not true.

Answer 2

The big riddle is why people think there is any difference in the parties. They are all in the pockets of the same big corporations. Neither one will stand up to the insurance industry and fix our health-care system. Both were all for the war. Both trample over each other to thump the bible and hate the Muslims. And all of them know you only have to fool 30% of the people all of the time because that's all that vote.

Answer 3

It's not really a misconception. We KNOW they're not the same. We associate because that's USUALLY what the case is! If you're a repub, I automatically slash you with conservative. If you're Democrat, I go "/liberal." Duh. The beliefs are just so similar. Of course, I myself am a liberal, but I'm not a democrat; I'm independent. *shrugs* But you can see that I identify more with the Dems than the Repubs just based on my being liberal.

Answer 4

I don't know what misconceptions you're referring to so I can't be specific. In general, people get their info from the mainstream press. The press does an incredibly bad job providing accurate info to people.

Answer 5

theres to much money in politics to trust either party. I likethe "ideals" both parties supposedly represent, but the politicians only care about their own pockets

Answer 6

Remember, when your head swells up your brain stops working.

There are just too many swelled heads walking and talking at this ttime of year.

Answer 7

A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

Answer 8

But there are those on extreme ends who fit those misconceptions.

Answer 9

Could you be more specific?

Maybe you have misconceptions about other people having misconceptions...