Do you think the polarization of politics is good for the United States?

Question

Does having two vocal and divergent views engage, or alienate the "center" from the political process?

Answer 1

Having different points of view is a healthy thing.

However we need to start working together.

The future of America demands it !

Answer 2

There is no problem at all with differences of opinion over politics. The problem comes when hate is used as a political tactic. The impeachment of President Clinton was ridiculous, it cost $65 million and never had any aim other than embarassing him. Routinely Republicans state that Democrats are not patriotic, like terrorists, etc--that is not just absurd, it is evil. It is much more truthful to state that Republicans go to Washington only to steal all that they can, the record proves this quite clearly--the drug industry wrote the senior prescription benefit so that the government ended up paying half a trillion dollars more for the program than it needed to. Yet there was a time when the Republican Party offered constructive alternatives to Democratic Party policies. There was an era of mutual respect--there were fine Republicans like Everett Dirksen, Dwight Eisenhower, John Lindsay, Tom McCall--fine people who made the country better. The same cannot be said of Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, or of Republican mouthpieces on talk radio such as Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or the rest of that smarmy lot.

Answer 3

A Cartesian view of divisive politics is aggravated by intense media coverage.
Most other developed countries enjoy far more diversity.
Limited choices and dense discourse do not offer a wide spectrum of options to diverging demands.
The more concentrated the mass, the wider the gap. It offers little choice to the voting public. Either or? Black or white? when reality is more complex.
In the French preliminary elections, the center lost by a few points, but the weight is now equalizing between center left and right.
Fence sitters are healthier because they exercise their thoughts more often to maintain balance.

Answer 4

it has forced the realization on me that most americans don't share the same values that i do, including: Ending the illegal war in Iraq. Many americans have compromised their morals for energy needs. Balancing our budget. This means cutting out the bureaucracy that is crippling this country, also see above. Obama and McCain have no solution to this issue, which brings me to another point Americans don't care about our sovereignty. With the value of the dollar plummeting and warmongering continuing on, the North American Union is becoming an inevitability. Many americans simply don't care about politics as long as it doesn't affect them directly. I believe for our government to work in the way that it was envisioned, all people from all aspects of our society need to be involved. our system is now rife with corruption, an essential plutocracy. americans simply are selectively ignorant. all i see here anymore is identity politics, false rumors and perception about the candidates. they don't know how they are funded, what they stand for, so it's embarrassing and depressing to read. for example, i always ask obama supporters how they can stand for a guy who says he is against the war in iraq, yet voted to fund it. says he stands for the common man's interests, yet voted yes to renew the patriot act, and most recently yes on the expanded wiretapping bill.

Answer 5

Actually if both sides are equally represented, or should I say all sides are equally represented and heard, then both sides will tend to become more centered in the process. This happens because all have to give up for the common good and what each side is willing to give up is determined by those affected instead of being decided by some disassociated individual(s).

Answer 6

This is an excelent debate!!! I feel as if the two polar aspects of the country has alianiated the ones like me in the center!! If only there were a platform for that, I would sign up in a New York minute!!!

I wish you well in your quest,,,,

Lonnie

Answer 7

I think polarization is necessary for a democracy to function. I am leery of any large government where over 70% of the population agrees on anything. it shows lack of independent thought.

Answer 8

It's got it's ups and downs. Almost all of the questions here are proof of it. Most of them seem to be divided between Conserative Zealots and Liberal Crusaders. Leaving poor independents like me stuck in the middle.

Answer 9

It's been good for the Republican Party, for winning elections. But divisive politics have prevented us from recognizing and working on problems which affect all Americans.

Answer 10

Yes, We are the best nation and the most powerful. The fact that we can do what needs to be done in Iraq with everyone against us, and still we are doing everything we can to help Iraq, shows that we are not only the most powerful, but a very generous and caring nation.