Question for Liberal-Haters from the US of A...?

Question

I hear a lot of talk from US right-wingers about how liberals are to blame for all of the problems the USA has. However, the Republican Party has been in the White House since 2000 and for most of that time it has also had control of both Houses. Anyone who might be described as a liberal barely got a look-in at all.

So why do such people blame liberals? Have they aligned themselves with one particular party and are apologists for its inadequacies (or rather the inadequacies of the people currently leading it)? Or is there something else going on?

I am not criticizing the USA, a country I have respect for. I am merely trying to understand a political phenomenon that baffles me. In my own country (UK) the Conservative party's been out of power for ten years, yet no-one in the present Government, contemptible though they often are, or the present Government's supporters, blame the Conservatives for Britain's problems.

Your comments?

Thank you for your answers. In the interests of furthering worldwide freedom and democracy, even if it is only on the internet, rather than pick a Best Answer myself I shall let the voters decide.

Answer 1

Now that is the million dollar question!

Answer 2

You're forgetting that the Democrats held sway in power since WWII so they had 60 years head start on making things crummy.

Only been in the last 15 years Republicans have been more or less in charge. Had their shinning moments with Reagan but really only have had the big voting block for 7 years.They were so used to not having any say or very little, that it took them a number of years to wake up and use their power.

I think the Republicans wasted too much time on being bi-partisan when it never comes that way from the Dems. Repubs just got walked on and still didn't understand why.

Answer 3

The general reason why american conservatives and liberals blame each other is because each party always has relative strength. While its true that there was a republican president and majority republican congress for about 7 years, the minority party still retains significant power, especially in the senate. In the U.K. as you know, the majority party in a parliamentary govt. can call all the shots, so they get the credit and the blame, if applicable.

Answer 4

it is part of the game. Liberals bad mouth Conservatives, Conservatives bad mouth Liberals.

Honestly the main basis for what you have observed is the effects Clinton had on the US and what it's results have caused.

For example right at the beginning of the Iraq war people complained that we did not have the right equipment for our troops. Well equipment doesn't grow on trees, you need to order and develop that equipment before you can put it in to service. Any equipment you have today is generally equipment you had in storage for a few years. Clinton had cut out military spending, so the equipment that we needed, he had not provide the money to buy it. But who do the liberals blame? Bush...

The Economy, The Internet bubble was already in decline at the end of Clinton's presidency, that's a fact. the Bubble had burst and the rest of the economy was holding on using credit. When 9/11 happened the economy flopped hard. So despite the fact Bush had only been in office a few months and had almost no impact on the economy up to that point he received the blame despite the fact the collapse started about two years before Clinton left office.

is it childish? of course. And both sides do it.

But you should understand why some Conservatives are particularly vehement about giving blame to the liberals, it was a liberal president who caused many of the problems, but it is the conservative president who gets the blame. Many Liberals on the other hand want to shift all the blame to Bush.

Is it right? Well, I guess it depends on who or what you want to believe.

Answer 5

Well, the fact of the matter is: Republicans have been in the majority in congress, since I believe, 1994 - not quite certain on year. Republicans opposed the efforts of the Clinton Administration to move our country forward. Had Clinton not been so distracted by his silly sexual exploits, and the Congress' determination to get rid of him, because of it, he could have actually done some long-term good. In as much as he opened the 'Free Trade' w/ other countries - he could have worked to make it a 'Fair Trade" agreement, as well. If, the Congress then, had not been so determined to undermine his good work, at every turn - we wouldn't be in the mess we are in, now.
Since the Republicans became the Majority, we have experienced a whole mess of things ...
Election Fraud, (since 1998 - now, our electronic voting machines are owned by Diebold - NOT America.) Bribery Charges, and imprisonment of congress members) "kick backs" for votes, etc., WAR in a country in which we have never had any business.
Presidential advisers, staff, etc., Justice Dept., being involved in partisan politics - instead of serving the American People, giving votes for favors and money to their 'lobbyists, large corporations, allowing "no bid contracts" for their BIG Corporate buddies, and so much more...
Now, Democrats are the majority once again - without enough majority votes to enable appropriate legislation and bills to pass, and unable to stop this administrations' abuse of our Constitution and Laws. When and if, the Democrats finally get a true majority, we will begin to see some heads roll!
Now, does this help you to understand what the fighting and divisions are about? For a president who claimed to be a "...Uniter, not a Divider..."
I have NEVER seen so much division in this country, in my lifetime! In essence, we are fighting for our very lives!

Answer 6

The world must think america is full of nuts.
The answers you got here are amazing.
I've never seen anything like this before. This Administration is into blame game..... and the right wing wackos like Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill O'reiley, etc, feed the neocons their daily dose of hate.
I'm a republican and republicans don't HATE democrats. And democrats don't hate republicans. We don't always see eye to eye about issues but we have always worked together.
Now the mentality here is, It's my way or you're the enemy.
Neocons are dripping with hateful venom. They NEVER admit they are wrong.
To be honest I don't think there are many supporters of Bush that aren't mentally ill. I'm not saying this to be a smart@ss.....I don't think they honestly know the difference between right and wrong.

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Please don't judge all Americans by some of these answers. I'm so embarrassed by some of them. The ignorance is astounding!

Answer 7

I am sorry that I cannot provide an answer, since I am one of those liberals. I think that extreme religious conservatism has a lot to do with it...and they have had a lot of the power. I feel I am considered unpatriotic if I don't go along with their rhetoric. I love my country, but no one administration is ever perfect, and I was under the impression that that is what "freedom of speech" means.
ps I don't "go along " with the rhetoric, so it's just as well I don't work for the government ...

Answer 8

Sad when someone not even American can see what's happening here but the republicans can't. Six years after 9/11 with complete control of government our borders are still open. Our jobs are leaving, we import most of our goods from communist China, energy cost have skyrocketed and our debt is astronomical. This is what we got for electing conservatives and making them the majority here. What's even sadder, they rally round the President and cheer these things. I will never cease to be amazed by the republican party, they do have one helluva' propaganda machine.

Answer 9

It is really the Religious Right who bemoan the liberals hold on the country. It doesn't matter which party has been in power. The conservatives are clueless on to run things. They are too busy preaching, pious c....The Republicans are such hippocrites- everyone knows the hookers' best customers are the repressed religious cons.

Clinton was a great Prez and he could certainly get it up-so to speak.

Answer 10

A well put question. The side in power always blames the ones not, and reverse. As a so-called liberal, It's been all my fault since 2000, so now it's time to blame the ones out of power....the Bush Republicans!...hee hee hee

Answer 11

While not in power, the minority party can still raise some hell. Don't think they sit quietly and knit. Ask the Democrats how they feel about the Republicans blocking bills they want to send up or find a Republican from 2005 who is upset about Democratic opposition thwarting thier best laid plans.