OK, enough bickering what can we do to heal the rift between Democrats and Republicans?

Question

I am a conservative, but short of abandoning Iraq to fend for itself, what can we do?
Please give me honest feedback, this is still a great country if we can pull together. I would prefer to hear something that isn't just party bashing on either side.

Answer 1

I agree with you, abandoning Iraq is NOT a viable alternative at this time.

A good first step for getting to some middle ground is to stop pounding the mistakes that we have made in the past (mistakes from BOTH sides of the isle) and concentrate instead on the present and immediate future. We need to separate the facts from the opinions and conclusions.
Fact: We are in Iraq.
We don't need to keep rehashing why, or if Bush lied, or whether alQeada was there or not, or where the WMDs are or any other past aspects of the war - we need to determine what we do NOW.
Fact: Despite the constant negatives, we have made significant progress in Iraq. We don't need to rehash why everything didn't go as planned, or why it's taking so long and so forth. Will the end justify the means?

We must come to a consensus as to how serious a threat the Islamic terrorists present to the civilized world. Until we can do that - there can be no middle ground. Some say we are creating terrorists, others claim they already existed - it can't be both.

In short, we have to stop second guessing every decision and every policy change with 20/20 hindsight and develop bipartisan policies which will provide America and her people with the security and safety we need to prevent any future 9/11s.

It must be realized that the future security of America is not a birth right of the democrats or republicans - it is in the absolute best interest of both parties.

Answer 2

Bush should send a lot of troops there and probably more than 20,000. The terrorists are waiting for us to cut and run, and they thought that they were close to it. Some terror groups even said that the democrats being elected to congress showed that America was going to leave Iraq and that they could fill the vacuum of power. This latest troops surge probably has them shitting their pants and scratching their heads. Despite all the terror attacks and blood shed, instead of running away, America is sending more troops; it is this, not shock and awe, that demonstrates America's resolve.

On the other hand however, we must issue the Iraqi government a time table. It's said that a time table is a bad idea because all the terrorists have to do is say "hey, lets just stick it out until their stupid little time table runs out". The reality is that they're not going anywhere anyway, but by issuing a time table you've lit a fire under the Iraqi governments *** to get in gear quickly. If they're not ready by the time the time table has expired, then extend the time table. We can do what ever the hell we want, and if we want to do a time table bluff, then we can do it; that will really piss the terrorists off.

Answer 3

I've asked that a few times and received the anticipated flurry or smart remarks and insults.

Recently, one participant - an adult - explained this forum as "fun." So, you see, for the most part, the intent/purpose is not to actually accomplish any intellectual dialog; just fling ephitats and slurs.

If you scan the pages on any given day, you'll likely find that anywhere from 50-80% of the postings are just hateful/flippant exchanges.

Lately, I've pretty much written off the Politics section and gone to other categories to give accurate, helpful answers to (what I hope are) sincere questions.

Answer 4

I think its a shame that our politicians are so swept up in the," lets get the Republican or lets get the Democrat" that they forget its not suppose to be about that. Its suppose to be about lets do whats best for the people of this country. Who in fact pay their salary's.
I do not agree with everything Bush has done, but I don't agree with everything my friends do either. I listened to his speech tonight and agree we should give it one more try and not leave the good people over there, at this point to fend for their selves. All will be lost and it will leave our country more vulnerable then ever.

Answer 5

Don't heal it. Intensify it! One side, liberal or conservative needs to win the hearts and minds of the people and win decisively to rule. They need to convince us they have the right ideas to lead us.

The Republicans blew it badly. They did that in 1994, and for a short time followed up on it, but by the time Bush won the Presidency 6 years later, they had forgotten they were elected to reform the system, and instead became part of it, doing everything they had complained the Dems did.

Bush was no better as he truly never embraced conservatism, other than tax cuts to grow the economy. His other programs like immigration reform and the senior prescription drug benefit are right out of the liberal playbook.

Answer 6

bashing is wrong, but our country was founded on the hope that our government wouldnt be the same and differ from each other to have the most diverse government for the best total out come

Answer 7

Yeah! Let's get Independent or REFORM! It is always good to have a multiple opinions!
the best you can do is Elect whom you know and not of the Party list's recommendations.

Answer 8

Cannot be done. Impossible because of 2 different metalities. Repubs view the federal government to just protect the people from threats domestic and International. Libs think the government should control everything-big business, taxes, healthcare, etc..

Answer 9

I'm sure the Iraq's wont mind if you leave them to fend for themselves lets face it they cant do a worse job than the coalition.No disrespect to the troops but you cant win an unwinable war not matter how many young soldiers die, they have done their bit now bring them home.

Answer 10

You know what. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. I JUST WROTE MY OPINION, AND THEN WAS ABLE TO DEBATE MY OWN OPINION. WE ARE DAMED IF WE DO DAMED IF WE DONT.
We just need to vote for presidents that have NO AFFILIATION WITH THE BUSH FAMILY.

*recall when daddy Bush was president and all the crap going on with Iraq. Then is wasnt as much with Clinton. Now look at baby Bush. They both say "weapons of mass destruction" bull crap...they never found any....there are LOTS of hidden motives with the Bush family*

OR.....lets just do what we did to Hiroshima....now Japan has brilliant people.