Why do most people feel the need to ask political questions using radical partisan rhetoric?

Question

Words like "libtard" and "wingnut" add nothing to political debate, and is guarenteed to stir partisan anger and generate stupid repsonses.

Do people who do that usually realize what they're doing, as in "trolling", or do you think the level of ignorance in America is so high that the average person is oblivious?

Answer 1

I think there are quite a few people who ask questions with or without the radical words, who do it for the pleasure of seeing people get upset. Some days it seems like the Internet is overflowing with TMS. (Troll Madness Syndrome)

But I think that for the most part it's just the average person who has seen sharp catchy phrases get positive feedback, and that use it without thinking in a one line response.

Answer 2

I think it's a little of both, but I think it's mostly trolls.

I will admit that sometimes I get caught by one of them and end up answering in kind. That just makes me feel as stupid as they sound.

But sometimes, I give thumbs up to people that I don't even agree with just because they keep their cool answering people like that. The name callers just make me so mad that sometimes I can't react with any more intelligence than they used.

Thanks for the question. If there's really anyone who doesn't realize what they're doing, maybe the will finally "get it."

Answer 3

Personally, I think people have a need to feel superior - which is a way to compensate for something that's lacking in their lives.
It's such a shame to, these people who do this, make a mockery of political issues - serious issues- and seem to be unaware of the embarrassment they bring to their party, let alone their country. Patriotism, is that what they call it?

Answer 4

It's simply a waste to respond to that type of partisan rhetoric-I think we should just keep repeating facts as calmly as possible and ignore those who simply name call. You can't debate or convince someone who doesn't have the tools/facts at their disposal. I agree, half & half-mostly because they don't have facts so they namecall-so much easier. Both should be ignored-if possible!

Answer 5

It's the last ditch effort, if not the only effort, to insult the other side. These are the people who know absolutely nothing about politics, often due to immaturity, other times to lack of mental capacity. However, many are just angry at the time.

Answer 6

well if it was to actually get answers, they would overlook the opinions and actually pick an answer based on facts, not just pick a person because they are reiterating exactly what they are saying so i suppose it's to score political points, but one must ask, who are they scoring them for?

Answer 7

Most people do not want to debate reasonably. They want to inflame those who oppose their view. This is human nature though, and is worse on the internet where we're anonymous and will never meet the people we insult.

Answer 8

It just makes it all that much more interesting. I don't think that intelligent people really are offended. I don't care if people refer to me as a Neo-Con, Libtard or racist. I do know what pisses people off, and that is making comments about Bubba Clinton and BJ's.

Answer 9

I think it's split about 50/50. Half are doing it to get a rise out of people, and half because they really think that way.

Answer 10

Yeah, I'm tired of it. Sometimes there are important points made that I agree and disagree with.

Good assessment Justin!