I notice a tendency of people on both sides to attack any opinion which doesn't agree with their own, even when the question/answer is designed to promote understanding of a particular mindset or position and does not denigrate counter opinions in any fashion. With such a prevailing mindset present in so many is it even possible to find middle ground on which to begin to agree on issues of interest to us all?
2007-08-01 14:05:41 · 16 answers · asked by Bryan 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
lily-of-the-valley: Wow! Now I find that statement just a bit disheartening. I am conservative on many issues, but I have many good friends who are liberal. While we do not agree politically on some issues we respect each other's right to hold our own opinions and we do not let that get in the way of good friendships and other shared interests.
2007-08-01 15:01:51 · update #1
It's possible, but in order for it to happen, everyone would have to understand everyone else's opinions and why they feel the way they do on issues. It's kind of hard to get everyone to put themselves in everyone else's shoes however, because everyone's so comfortable with supporting their own biased beliefs and bashing what doesn't go along with them. Same can be said for all of politics, and other things like religion.
2007-08-01 14:09:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, it IS possible, but not with the current political polarization towards extremism at both ends. Anyone in the middle is basically a target for "soft on X " attacks from BOTH sides. It doesn't pay to be a moderate these days. Part of the problem is the Voters, as they are going to extremist views as well. Until some compromising spirit is reached, there won't be much getting along by either side, and with the Middle, which can't catch a break.
As I see it, the Left suffers from letting feelings get in the way of facts on issues, and the Right suffers too much from "values" allowing some compromising. If anything, though, the Conservative side tends to "bend" a little more in spirit, like they let Bill Clinton put his liberal appointees on the court without much oppostion, expecting the same treatment later, but when it was GW's time, the whole Liberal Left sprang up to crucify any of the choices. One reason I believe the Right has hardened it's beliefs and values to oppose the looniness on the Hard Left. No more compromise with those who refuse to themselves. You can argue otherwise, but BJ was given very little opposition to his court choices, in expectation that when it was the Conservatives turn in office, they'd be given the same polite treatment. No dice, and now you see the results of that, and other choices, in that if the Left won't compromise anymore, neither will the Right. Since the Left can't seem to win with Voters or laws anymore, they need the activist Liberal court system to try to enforce their beliefs and values on others, as that's the only venue left to them.
The Gremlin Guy
2007-08-01 14:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many people who consider themselves "conservative" or "liberal" but will consider a specific issue on its merits. Also there are a lot of people who still respect other people's right to their own opinion.
At the edges of conservatism and liberalism, however, there are people who are fanatical. These people seem to believe that if they can't persuade others of the rightness of their opinion, they can somehow win by talking longer and louder. For these people who "stick to their guns even when they are out of ammunition" there is no compromise, no middle ground.
2007-08-01 14:19:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
of course, every day the vast majority of americans get along just fine.
in my own family - i have five brothers and sisters pretty much evenly divided politically and not once has it ever come up as a substantive issue.
only in the hallowed halls of government are people so petty, childish and small that they let differences of opinion stop them from doing the things that need to be done.
could be that the wrong people are running the country...
2007-08-01 16:05:08 · answer #4 · answered by nostradamus02012 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. This is a war not only against Islamofascism, but also against a larger evil - Liberalism. That is why our President Bush will be forced to cancel the elections and arrest the liberal leadership, then crack down on liberal dissent in the streets with mass arrests and permanent incarceration in labor camps.
2007-08-01 14:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Outside of posting an an anonymous forum, yes. Just as long as politics are kept to a minimum.
2007-08-01 14:13:32 · answer #6 · answered by JohnFromNC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's easy to be superficial in a "convenience" type of America. People don't take the time to point out the flaws and credability in others statements.
2007-08-01 14:09:13 · answer #7 · answered by Glen B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isn't that what democracy is about, the right to disagree. The day the both get along and agree we will have a dictatorship.
2007-08-01 14:19:10 · answer #8 · answered by Jose R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. Some of my best friends are conservatives. I listen to them and they listen to me. Sometimes we get pretty heated, but ultimately we have a common goal...a bright American future.
Only a fool allows his politics to alienate him from the other people around him. In the end we are all of us full of horse hooey.
We are stronger together than apart.
2007-08-01 14:49:04 · answer #9 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's called compromise. Whether we'll ever be able to do so is beyond me, but in a perfect world there'd be a balance.
2007-08-01 14:09:07 · answer #10 · answered by theskyis_blue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋