Why do Republicans and Democrats hate each other so much?

Question

I have some friends who are Conservative and some who are Liberal. Should I say I'm Conservative [which I'm not] to the Liberals, I'll get a mouthful. Should I say I'm Liberal to [which I'm not] to the Conservatives, I'll also get a mouthful.

It isn't just me. This melodramatic attitude is everywhere, and I think people take it way too seriously. I also think they're just trying to put on a show.

I disagree with a lot of people about a lot of things. For one, I hate anything but sauce and cheese on my pizza. You don't see me going around and sending death stares at people who get 200 toppings on their pizza. While pizza isn't the same as politics because politics involves running a country, they are parallel in that they both involve opinions.

My question: Why can't all of these immature and bratty politic-hounds accept each others' differences and MOVE ON? Why is everyone so dramatic?

rainman,
on the contrary i know someone who is republican and is FILLED to the brim with hate towards ANY democrat, and not for the reasons you would give. they hate them [they give this long explanation that is just a big circle with no point] because of some tax thing and some economy thing. it is not a one-sided answer. two sides of the same coin.

Answer 1

Well, I have friends on all political sides, but I don't have the same problems that you seem to have. Of course, I try to steer clear of politics if I know that my Liberal views will upset someone, but, still, things do come up. We will usually argue a bit and then move on to whatever else we were doing. Or, if I make some "Bush is a jack@ss-type" remark, and the person I'm with doesn't agree, they usually ignore the comment, or just say, "I don't think so."

Maybe that is because we are older now. (I'm 60) I remember politics being the HOT, HOT topic in the 60s and 70s--especially because of Viet Nam, the draft, abortion, Watergate, protests, SDS, etc. In those days, I could lose my voice arguing a point--with friends, enemies, professors--anybody! I said a lot of things then, that, when I look back, were pretty harsh and unthinking. My political stance remains pretty much the same, because it is directly correlated to my moral compass. But, I think a little more before I say things now--I don't want to hurt feelings, and I want to understand "why" other people think the way they do.

I think that, right now in America, there are some really, really bad things happening--and people feel very strongly about them. For years things just went on pretty much the way they had been....then we got Bush, and 9/11, and a hotly contested "war" that no one seems to understand, and this leads to a lot of political dissention once again.Add to this the fact that we now have nasty, loud-mouthed media "personalities", and it just seems to give people the idea that they have a "right" to be as loud and nasty as they please--without respect for other's rights.

On Yahoo! Answers, you are not very liable to come up with any well-thought-out political answers (there ARE exceptions, of course...)Most posters here just bait and slam, make up stereotypes, and blabber.....

But, do you realize that the very "top" Reps and Dems in Congress actually lunch together, party together, and oftentimes call each other "friend"???

Answer 2

I think you may be making a judgment by what you read on these postings. I don't hate any member of any other political party. I don't even know what party most of my friends belong to, nor do I care! We have the right to belong to any party we choose or none at all. We can vote anyway we choose come election time. I can tell you I'm going to vote for so & so, but when I enter that booth you don't know who I really voted for, do you? I doubt that many of the people who make such nasty remarks on Y/A mean the things they post, don't you? I think a lot of the postings are just to snipe at others & they really don't have a clue as to how others really feel, even though they may get some real smart answers but the person answering may not feel the way their answer makes them appear! Many times I feel that the answers are to chide the person asking the question!

Answer 3

Because the populace has been twisted by the activists and politicians into believing that the two sides are all there are when in fact the vast majority of us travel all over the middle regions of the spectrum and have both liberal and conservative positions on different issues. People are like sheep or lemmings and have allowed themselves to be used by the activists and politicians.

Answer 4

I believe these squabbles are due to the irritation caused when someone doesn't agree with you or, see 'things' that to you are so 'obvious.'

When it comes to politics, we place a much higher importance upon our opinions and values than is usual and the irritation we feel is greatly magnified.

In the end, it is oftentimes best to simply not discuss politics with others once it's been established that you don't share the same viewpoints.

Answer 5

Because the democrats decided to follow the more liberal path during the civil rights movement, which further alienated the southern democrats who were mostly conservative.
The southern democrats joined the ranks of the republicans making the republican party a more ultra-conservative, right-wing party, denouncing anything they see and don't agree with, as being liberal.
Pretty much the same situation that was present when you were 6 years old, and your parents didn't buy you something you wanted. "I HATE YOU! YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME WHAT I WANTED!"

Answer 6

This is all nothing more than political bullshitt for public consumption, designed to win votes so they can all be re-elected and coninue slobbering in the public rough. It is all an act, and they have certainly impressed you, but none of it means anything. They are all buddy-buddy back in the cloakroom out of camera range where they slap each other on the backs and roar with laughter over their last show for the cameras.

The whole spectacle is a pathetic joke on American taxpayers, who are getting reamed up the behind by these jokers.

Answer 7

{Claps and bow to you}

That's what I've been trying to tell people every time they want to argue about that.Nobody is going to change their opinion,so why even bother to argue with them? I think nobody is closed-minded.Relatively speaking everyone is because they're all fixated in their own political views.Closed-minded doesn't mean being conservative, is not being respectful and try to see things other ways.
People shouldn't go around hating people because they don't have the same opinion.Ridiculous behavior.I agree with you, and great question!

Answer 8

Because, repub's do nothing but lies and Dem's try to set them straight. Not to mention, repub's are behind their PC's 24/7 defending the war and how heroic bush is!!!!
while people like me wondering, why they're not going to Iraq and fight their leaders war? instead of yapping our head off!

Then, of course i remember, THEY LIE. A lot!

PS. I'm independent and against the war and of course Adolf bush.

Answer 9

people are frustrated and scared. things appear to be changing rapidly and 'someone' is to blame. someone to be the scapegoat. it is easier to call names than make suggestions for solution. if they do make a suggestion and people voice differ opinions, they get irate and call those people names or reticule them for disagreeing.

there are a lot of frustrated hostile people..but some who are sincere and really want ot learn how and why others think as they do.

Answer 10

well this question is truly a one sided answer and problem. its the democrats who are always mad and angry. they claim the republicans stole the 2000 election which is bogus and with a state wide recount which ended still in a bush victory. so to answer it its the democrats who are full of hate and discontent for anything republican or conservative. there the sad party there party of hate and greed.