Is the rhetoric regarding political ideology more pronounced today?

Question

Politics has always been a touchy subject. Thus we have have sayings like "Two things you don't discuss, religion and politics". It cannot be denied that political rhetoric appears to be dialed up and in your face today. However, has it really become more pronounced and widespread? or Is it more due to the fact that there is more access to information (Mass media and Internet) than ever before?

Answer 1

More access to information and mis-information! I totally agree.

Answer 2

Oh, political rhetoric and opponent bashing has been an American sport since the Constitution was ratified.

Don't idealize the past - the rhetoric was probably more dirty, heinous and libelous than it is today.

Here's a quick image of the 1860 campaign:
[from http://www.americanpresident.org/history/abrahamlincoln/biography/CampaignsElections.common.shtml ]

His opponents countered by making fun of Lincoln's limited experience as a statesman and his "slang-whanging stump speaker" style, which they said reflected a limited intellect that would be an embarrassment to the nation should he be elected President. The Charleston Mercury ridiculed his looks, depicting him as a "horrid looking wretch . . ." unfit for office. Cartoons showed Lincoln dancing with black women and championing "amalgamation" and "miscegenation" (mixing of the races). One widely distributed picture showed Lincoln steering a ship with a thick-lipped black man embracing a young white girl sitting at his feet on deck. Other pictures were much cruder and even more blatantly racist, of a type never before so prevalent in a national election. One secessionist in Georgia warned that Lincoln planned to force the inter-marriage of black and white children, and that within "ten years or less our children will be the slaves of Negroes."

Today's politics seem almost tame by comparison. But the Democrat rhetoric seems to be unchanged - they're still attacking GOP presidents' speech, intelligence and looks. Man, that's an old playbook. LOL!

Answer 3

Before I even finished reading your question, I was ready to answer 'it's the internet'. There's never been a moment in history like this moment now. And an entire generation(exceptions of course), believes that you must provide a 'link' to somehow 'prove' your point. I could go on and on, but that last statement covers it.

We have a whole generation that hasn't been taught or learned, how to REASON. Their ability to reason is centered on- 'what website can you provide for proof'? As though having a 'link' proves anything. Yet many, many seem to 'think' it does.

Then just add to that, the fact that soooo many 'think' they're smart because they can make-up new words, such as, - libtard, repuglican, democrap, repukelicans, demoRATS, etc. etc. It surely makes 'true-thinkers' sick to see their ignorance. I wish I knew of a solution. I don't. It may take more truly horrifying events to put a stop to this 'notion'. And I'd rather they just find another less dangerous way to awaken to reality.

Answer 4

Yes the fact of mass media has brought more "out" about the political scene. The political game hasn't changed it just wasn't out in the open as today.

Answer 5

I think it's more due to the fact that there are more people unhappy with the direction things are going at the moment. When things get settled down again and the Iraq war begins to wind down, the political discussions will settle down.

Answer 6

Because of access to technology,it has magnified and spread the two Western cultural extremes of religiosity and sexuality.
So yes,this has in effect turned up the volume on the rhetotric.

Answer 7

Thats just it, a lot of empty words, spoken by insincere people, who commit to another agenda when they aquire power. Not an agenda for the common everyday person either. we vote these parasites into office, give them half of what we earn, and in return we get fear, repression, hate and ridiculed. It cannot continue like this. We deserve better.

Answer 8

No! it is just more hate filled at this point.