Why do most people here put being a Democrat or a Republican above being an American?

Question

I can not stand these people who ask such hateful questions such as "Two Liberals moved into my neighborhood...how do we get rid of them" or "Why do Conservatives hate this country" or "Why do liberals hate this country" . They make random accusations that seperate us and create hate. Why can they not remember that we are all AMERICANS, that should came first.... before party? I mean it is ridiculous....people make the other party look like they are not even human or as if they are the enemy of America when in reality it is just that everyone has a different opinion of what would make America a great country. How are we supposed to solve problems in this country if many people are completely denying that other Americans want what is best for their country? Isn't being an American first respecting the opinions and ideas of other Americans and not making them look look they are the enemy? What do you think?

Answer 1

It is foolish to bash others because they belong to a certain political party. America is about being allowed to think what you want without punishment and George Washington warned America to never be divided over political parties.

People should LOGICALLY debate about political parties, but nobody should be bashing another person because of what they think.

Answer 2

George Washington warned us of the party system.

It is terrible for the country, everything goes downhill via polarizing the issues, diverting attention from what is actually going on, causing incessant fighting, geting people to respond emotionally instead of intelligently, etc.

Just look at the answers given by Dark S and You Asked specifically. Both made illogical statements. Yes, there are Libs/Dems that claim to hate America, but they typically mean the policies and the like-cant say I blame them since Bush seems to be modeling more and more of his policies after socialist leaders who turned into dictators--dont forsee that happening here, but there is still no cause for presidential directives giving those powers. Same thing for the insanely secretive gov't being created. These are two people who I am sure are anti-Chavez, yet they ignore that Bush and Chavez have quite a bit in common, theyre getting closer everyday. You see, the people who 'hate America' dont actually, theyre just frustrated with the direction. Theyre still here, and theyre trying to help steer the country in a way that they think is better. Theyre trying to use the standard methods of voting for what you believe in, protesting, letter writing, etc.

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Look at it this way though: we are pretty much just mimicking our politicians at this point. We have GWB as our President. He does not allow opposition in most of his public appearances, you either agree with him or you stay home. We very rarely see the President sitting down with someone of the opposing view and dealing with a problem. When Dems took control of Congress by too small a margin to override his veto he just started vetoing for 'pork' which was an obvious lie considering it didnt matter until he was looking for an excuse to kill a bill (pork was a-ok when it was a bill he wanted). Then you have his reaction to unfavorable questions from the press-he rudely insults the people. Yes everyone laughs, but it is horribly inappropriate. I dont allow my children to watch him with the press anymore because of his actions. At least when Clinton made jokes to the press they werent insulting (though the lies got old quite fast).

On the other side youve got Kerry and Gore recently. Both have made themselves into jokes. Gore whined until we were tired of him refusing to admit he lost the election (which he legally did, he ran out of recounts and every body that was supposed to be involved got involved to determine the outcome-he'd have been better off trying to make a deal between the parties like they did the first time one person won the popular vote and another won the electoral. Then when he finally stopped whining he got Brown, McKinley and a few others to continue. I dont let my kids watch him either, the man is a liar and a whiner. He manipulated the Global Warming information to a disgusting extent (I think that and I actually support legislation to reduce global warming).

Kerry has inadvertantly insulted our troops while trying to deliver a joke, then refused to apologize for it. Again, not a role model. Even if you did something on accident, you are still responsible for it. What was the big deal in apologizing to the people dying for their country? They deserve it, and a war vet ought to know that instinctively.

Throw in the media and we're really screwed. They want us to have a poor view of politicians. We have very few politicians who are adequate role models. As soon as we have one that might work-Guilianni or Obama for instance, the media goes around digging up all the dirt they can find on them. Obama smokes-how is that relevant? So does a rather large percentage of the country.
Guilianni wore a dress-again, not relevant to politics.
When FDR had a mistress it was common knowledge to the media in Washington, but it wasnt reported.
We need that distinction back between personal and private life. Until it returns we wont have respectable role models in office (sorry idealist, but no one in the world is actually respectable all the time, you cant expect it, and the over investigation of this only diverts attention from the important stuff).

Answer 3

I like to have fun and enjoy Y/A. To rant and posit ribald rhetoric is super. I don't take this as seriously as some and I get a smile and laugh as well as get some dander up from time to time but I don't hate anyone though it sounds like it from my diatribes sometimes. I disagree with the divided as a nation baloney. That's the excuses of low self esteem and the poison of the proletariat. We ARE one nation but we disagree and in these arguments and spirited disagreements shines our liberty . YOU"RE BEING DIVISIVE by not acknowledging a world community and focusing so much on national unity.

This is the human race and not a divided planet into which warring factions remain in separatist ignorance. Lighten up!

Answer 4

People are going to have different worldviews and this needs to be accepted. Every democratic society has some form of an ideological division. Accepting these divisions is necessary.

The problem happens when these divisions become hostile. Its ok to have ideological divisions and respect those with a different vision. It becomes problematic when the divisions turn into a hostility.

I wonder whatever happened to respectfully disagreeing?

Answer 5

I agree with you totally, and I admit I am guilty. For the most part, however, I'd like to think I question their motives or reasoning. For example, "If you voted for Bush then you MUST enlist and go to Iraq" "This soldier was killed because he's in a war started by lies" Statements like this make me upset and make me more loyal to my party because I just don't see the reasoning. Of course I get name calling and harassing answers when I question the statement. Well, here I go proving your point.

I do wish that people would look past certain interest and just be an American.

Answer 6

i don't think they do..it is just that is hard sometimes to cut through all the rhetoric and the rants of the misinformed or uninformed.

i think that when people got into the voting booth, they really try to think of who is best, or in actuality who is least likely to scews us up more. at least i hope this is true.

most Americans are moderates, in the center, they just aren't as verbal as those of us who like to rant. i count on the majority of us really trying to chose the right person who will represent the majority of us.

Answer 7

Instead of yelling at the two sides that are acting like the spoiled brats, yell at the third parties that so far have made no headway in breaking through the American Process. There is a solution, are you willing to use it.

Answer 8

I am an equal opportunity truthsayer!

The Clintons and the Bush family are BOTH bad for America!

The only thing that has mattered to the White House leaders in the last 50 years is economic globalization and doing whatever is required to accomplish those goals with America at the helm!

There are many involved in this movement both Republican and Democrat!

Answer 9

Because this country is deeply divided on what it means to be an American in the first place.

Answer 10

In many ways, I completely agree with you. Like it or not though, we're stuck. We have a system that stymies us and won't allow a third party into power.

I don't agree with many things that my own party and the present administration has done. The fiscal irresponsibility, run-away government, more control over it's people and not less. I hate every bit of that. Yet, I simply can't support the other side. In my mind, they propose even larger government, more taxes and more control.

That leaves many of us stuck supporting one side over the other. Yes, it's not good. And maybe it's in the plans, because it certainly keeps us divided as a nation.