Why are americans so polarized intheir opinions.?

Question

it seems to me that the american user of this site seem to just bash each other.You categorize each other as liberals or conservatives-and u seem to be equally dogmatic about your beliefs.You offend those of opposing opinions.
Why?
I also get the impression few of you know what is going on around the world.I feel sorry for u guys.You must get highly propagandized information.You need to use the BBC.It is the closest u can get to unbiased news.Also watch repeats of 'Question time' on the internet.You will learn about proper debat and questioning from the public to members of parliament,journalists and political actvists.

Answer 1

Because the capitalists have used psychological warfare on us to keep us locked in a Liberal/Conservative, Democrat/Republican paradigm while they agree with eachother and work against the People of the United States for thier own gain and thier own control.

It is a useful tool preventing us from organizing against the bi-partisan Washington Concensus and keeps us isolated and divided just as they need us to be to carry out thier plans.

Answer 2

The information we receive from our news outlets tends to have discernable slants, but this is generally confined to matters of emphasis, and we can read the opinion columns of commentators of various political persuasions and can count on them to point out facts that that been ignored or glossed over by the major news media, so I don't think a lack of accurate information is the problem, nor do I think the BBC, although always an interesting source, is a paragon of objectivity.

Do you mean to say there is proper debate and questioning of MP's, journalists, and activists in whatever country you come from? This place is so huge that the federal and state governments seem to be quite unresponsive to logic and debate. It all seems to be about how to get and keep power. Whether the petitioner can sway many votes or can make how large a contribution that will enable the politician to chant his slogans over and over again on the TV at election time is what determines political positions here. What's the point of debate when it is money that determines political outcomes?

Proper questioning? The Clintons were big on town meetings, but by all reports the questioners were screened and the events carefully controlled by the Clinton handlers. If our politicians were answerable to the common citizen, there wouldn't be over a million new illegal immigrants streaming over our southern border every year. We don't feel that we have any meaningful access to any but our local politicians.

And when we debate here on the Internet, even when you filter out the irresponsible teenagers from your attention to the conversation, when you make a telling point in debate, it usually makes no difference. People with the opposing view will very often simply ignore the point. It's as though you never said it. No one will concede anything when everyone's goal is to win the argument rather than to discover the truth.

When you achieve a sufficient level of "diversity" and balkanization of the population in your country rather than the relative homogeneity it sounds as though you now enjoy, you'll see how it works. There's the Latino vote, the black vote, the angry white male vote, the soccer mom vote, the retired persons vote, the environmentalist vote, the business vote and so on, and the politician can throw sops to the various groups to encourage their particular hobby-horses in order to put together a winning coalition. You'll see. Your day will come.

Answer 3

There seems to be an element of self-righteousness among some of the people who answer questions on Answers, and this may be typical of Americans more than those in other countries. But don't count on it! There are lots of self-righteous people all over the world. If we had more people from Muslim countries on here, you would probably get the same sort of responses, and that's not to bash Muslims, most of whom are just as sane as most Americans. Reality is not often a black-and-white situation - there are many shades of grey in between. However, many people see everything in a dichotomous manner.

Answer 4

Well many are actually Republican and Democrat!

I don't consider 2/3 of the people in the US being against the war as polarized!

I do use the BBC and I use the Irish Daily Independent, which Victoria Guerin worked for until she was murdered!!

I have listened to your parliament! Now that is something to behold!

Answer 5

You seem to have a set of rules that 'must' apply to all.Many americans who utilize this sight do so in the name of "LOVE". We recognise the fact that we are in a unique positition and that it is in our best interest to effect real change among the most despondant. We are human in that we try. Trying sometimes entales a level of failure. Do not judge us for our failures,but for our triumphs in improving the human condition. Onward and upward is the universal crie that binds us together.

Answer 6

This is not a scientific answer. But, I often wonder why we are so polarized, too. Just off the top of my head, I tend to scowl at high school football. Them against us. There's a nugget of truth there.

Answer 7

I couldn't agree more. Like there is a rhetorical question and it is not even answered except with name calling and bashing. I wonder sometimes if they have the mentality of a 10 year old.

Answer 8

Human nature. People love being bashed and bashing others so they have something to talk about and a challenge. McDonald's and Starbucks just pump up Americans more.

I'm American... I'm willing to bet an American will get mad at your question and bash you for asking.

Answer 9

I tend to agree there is a lot of bashing I try to argue reasonably without namecalling however there are some only here for a laugh A computer allows them to hide & we will never know who they are

Answer 10

Because Bush is a uniter and not a divider and he has united us against each other. I hope not to offend you if you are of an opposing opinion. I merely wish to offend Bush.

Thank you for your suggestions.