How bad does it have to get in America before Democrats and Republicans start to bridge the divide?

Question

International terrorism, domestic terrorism, acute poverty, a sky-high crime rate, deep and entrenched political and social divisions, corrupt politicians and governments, corporate control of government, pervasive racism, secular enmity toward religion (and the other way around), ... and on and on.

As the political factions get more and more entrenched, American society sinks into the abyss.

I hate to break it to you folks... but it's not supposed to be like this. In most modern countries it's not like this... nothing to this degree and nothing that has so thoroughly woven its destructive effects throughout the culture.

How bad does it have to get before people start to wake up and start working on the problems, instead of just adding to them?

Will Democrats and Republics insist on their diametric opposition to each other until there's nothing left to fight for?

Answer 1

When I walked into the gymnasium at the local elementary school to cast my votes this past November, I noticed something interesting. Everyone was treating people with respect. I would even go as far as to say they were being outright nice. It occurred to me this was how people really thought of each other deep down. After all the fighting, hateful words, in the end we were still Americans that respected each other.
I'm not saying it couldn't get bad. But I think that Republicans and Democrats have more in common than we acknowledge. There is little sense in fighting over things we agree on. That's why we spend so much time on the disagreements. It gives the false impression that we are more divided than we actually are.
I have Republican friends. We disagree on politics. But their still my friends. Still human. Still Americans. I think we will be alright if we remind ourselves of that.

Answer 2

The U.S. Government and Employers in America have kept sixteen(16*)+ million American Workers in Poverty since 1997 by denying an increase in the Minimum Wage!! The actual increase they are proposing amounts to 17.6cents an hour for waiting 12yrs for an increase in the Minimum Wage!! 1997=$5.15 2010=$7.25!! Because it is on a graduated basis we will not receive the full amount until 2010!! Would you work 12yrs for a 17.6cent increase in your paycheck?? Thats Insane!! Are we suppose to be grateful now for this so called increase?? It is disgusting and revolting to allow the U.S. Government and American Employers to keep these workers in perpetual Poverty!! This is a Crime against Humanity!! If they want to improve the lives of People working for Poverty Level Wages then they will have to pay above Poverty Level Wages!! An honest days pay for an honest days work is not much to expect from any Employer!! Pay them a fair and equitable wage!!! An honest days pay is long overdue by the U.S. Government and American Employers in this Country!! You cannot enrich others without enriching yourselves!! The value you place on your Employees is the value you place on yourself!! What would they do if sixteen(16*)+ million American Workers working for Poverty Level Wages walked off the job tomorrow until they were paid above Poverty Level Wages?? How much longer are these workers going to be Enslaved by American Employers and the U.S. Government?? The gulf between Rich and Poor in the U.S. is yawning wider than ever, and the number of extremely impoverished is at a three(3*) decade High!! Forty-five Million have no Health Insurance!! WORKERS OF THE WORD UNITE, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR CHAINS**!! 17.6cent an hour increase in paycheck for working 12yrs!!!!!!! Is this a great Country or What?????

Answer 3

Well the message is the same that you get what you work for ,and if all things where equal then I could agree . We have women who routinely earn less then a man ,minorities that do not have the same opportunity although the fortune 500 companies sport a 3% representation of women 1% african american at the highest level . This nation does not treat all people without any prejudice regardless of our laws .

Answer 4

Great question, and I am afraid pessimism is the prudent position here. So long as self-righteous idealogues of the same stripe continue to dominate mass media and prosper by the use of demogogery, theres little hope.

The media drives everything....politicians for the most part are populist puppets dancing on the strings of the NY Times.

Answer 5

I think that is a fantastic and timely question. I am from a country where political lines define personal choice. I am always stunned to read people's comments here, where political lines define one's personality and identity, and fill them with hatred for the other. I agree that so much energy, money and international prestige is wasted on politiking and one-upmanship, so much more can be accomplished.

Answer 6

The problem seems to be that we all lack the thinking skills to see that we were sending our tanks into the wrong country, as in Iraq. We are all being conned into blaming Mexicans for crossing the border when it is the corporations who illegally hire them with govt. cooperation to drive down all our wages. We are pitted against each other all the time, and we fall for it every time because we can't see the forest from the trees. Those who con us believe "If God did not want them sheared He would not have made them sheep," and as long as we go "baa" it will continue.
Perhaps when the power is turned off for two months at a time, people will turn off desperate housewives long enough to ask "Whats wrong with this picture?"

Answer 7

See, the thing is, I don't WANT to see how bad it has to be. There was a bridge right after 911. All the demos jumped on the fear and terror bandwagon. They've long since jumped off again, even taking some Republicans with them.

But if it takes another pointless stupid cruel greedy war to get both sides to the table, give me partisanship any day.

Answer 8

So how to compromise on Iraq? Pull half the troops out but leave the other half there until stability is achieved?

Could we limit affirmative action to just black Americans somehow?

Both parties do agree on one thing already - amnesty for illegal aliens.

Answer 9

I do not understand why,,you are either for the decider OR against him,,,so for a few years more and a few dollars more,sounds like a movie to me...duba doo...decider,,,by the way i gave you the thumbs up,,,I will break bread with you on the matter...

Answer 10

As long as there is POWER and the quest for it - you will have people who only do what is necessary to attain that power.

Politicians put the good of themselves and their party above the best interests of this nation all the time.

We should make our borders more secure but we don't due to the Hispanic VOTE! My sister-in-law is Mexican (a US Citizen for 5 years) and SHE wants illegal immigration stopped...she will vote for whoever stops it - NOT allows it and I think she is the silent MAJORITY that no one listens to.