Why is that Republicans/Conservatives and Democrats/Liberals often resort to name calling?

Question

It seems that rhetoric is all that is accomplished on the Hill today and the country in general. With so many issues that need addressing like health care, environment, education, campaign reform, immigration reform, foreign policy, and domestic economy, it seems like all that gets done is name calling on BOTH sides. How is government suppose to get anything done? It is the country as a whole that suffers when nothing gets done. Is there any hope?

This is a serious question and I'd appreciate serious answers please!

Answer 1

I don't think there's much hope with this administration. Between Bush's rubber-stamp and a loyal Republican stance, we're not getting much passed through Congress.

I really don't mean that as a slam. But a veto does override everything when there aren't enough opposition votes to stand up against it.

All the name-calling and stereotyping on here certainly doesn't help though either- it just makes people even angrier.

Answer 2

It happens on both sides but I do believe that there are many, MANY more right leaning shows on the radio especially. So everyone who is so inclined listens in the morning and on the way home from work and gets their dose of conservative hate for the day. THis is then applied liberally :-) to casual conversation to sound like they know the issues. The problem I have with this, and this counts for libs and cons, is that the average person doesn't do any thinking for themselves. Instead, they are reduced to parroting what the morning radio or TV shows said. Some times it is verbatim, with zero original thought. It is so profoundly disappointing to see political platforms reduced to one or two words, or, at best, a sound byte that is a sentence or two. This shows that people don't do their own due diligence and really look at all the options, understand them, and decide for themselves. Instead, they get their opinions infused into them from the airwaves. I honestly considered moving to Canada and Europe when W was elected the second time. I figured the country made a mistake the first time, but we can't really be manipulated by the media and the respective political machines...right? Well, yeah, I was wrong and I continue to be disappointed in Americans because of the lack of fee thought. Although, it does seem to be getting slightly better now, but I do think that is also a result of more liberal media coverage and not actual free thinking and judging of facts. Long answer, but I don't get disappointed in too many things, so the loss of consciousness by my fellow Americans is a big deal to me. Please think before you vote people - know the candidates and what they stand for and start thinking for yourselves.

Answer 3

Human nature. And by the time they get that far on the poles
they are exhausted literally, mentally and physically . Usually the big business gets heard and dealt with after election. This has been going on for ages. Some are able to stick to the agenda at hand. They need a referee to stop the name calling, downgrading. That is supposed to be done by investigations before they go to the poles.

Answer 4

It appears that people can't answer your question without doing exactly what you have stated. The conservatives in this country are not made up of the elite and religious only, nor do we all try to impose our religion on anyone else. It is as illogical to state that all of the elite in this country are conservative as it is to state that all liberals are on welfare. There is just a lot of hate going back and forth, as this country is more divided than it has been since I have been alive. People are insulted that the opposite side doesn't hold their same beliefs, and it is definitely not just Christians. The atheists have a geniune hatred for Christians. It is rather amusing to see.

grumpy, I think I made my point. I don't have to include all of the stereotypes. I was speaking more in terms of social status than religion at that point.

Answer 5

It is called the watch dog affect. When one party is in power, the other party will find anything to discredit the other party. Take the Bush administration for example, you really don't hear about the mistakes the liberals have made, the only thing you hear about is what the republicans are doing. you have probably heard more about the republicans that aren't backing up Bush, over the Liberal senator that is having an affair on his wife.

Answer 6

I believe it to be suicide for a politician to pledge or even
suggest a platform dealing with any of the issues -- there's
vultures stompin the sidelines just waiting to tear up the
statesman quality public service folk. Thus rhetoric and
back biting and you vote in your opinionated "best of
the worst". Pessimistic about hope until something
serious/disasterous gets the "American Way" tuned back in.

Answer 7

There are two opposing forces. One, the rich elite and corporate culture, these guys have all the money, media and advertising, they want the American people to be indebted to them and maintain high profits for them. The religious right is only concerned with forcing their religion onto others, such as no gays, or pre-marital sex. These two combine and lead America astray from the goals of freedoms and opportunities for success for every man,,,,

Answer 8

I completely agree with you... To be honest, anyone (lib. or con) that does nothing but resort to name calling is a waste of space and is only hurting this country. I know I'm guilty of doing the same, most people are.

Answer 9

Because one starts and the other retaliates. And they lean so far right or left they are radicals, not politicians.
Note: I noticed lilconservative that you failed to mention all Democrats are not liberals and Godless. Ended up being a one sided observation huh?

Answer 10

Don't know

but I have never been called Uncle Tom by a conservative

as of yet

or a "good little Sambo"