Does anyone else notice how hatred is eating at some people?

Question

I'm 52 and have been watching politics since the 60's. Never in my life have I see so much hatred as I have now. I had always been told how it would eat at a person and make them do and say strange things, but this is the first time I have witnessed it and on such a large scale. Amazing.

Answer 1

New age, I am 50 and overwhelmed by what I have seen and heard. My best guess is the computer age gives more avialable opinions they create hostle feelings and then to defend each has to attack the other. But this country still rocks.

Answer 2

I've noticed the hatred and I am tired of people pointing fingers and mud slinging. So far the political ads have all been dredging up what political foes have done in the misty past in order to prove how evil or deviant they are to the voter. What about the issues and what politicians stand for or do they not even bother to have a platform anymore? It's pretty sad when you see the Republicans trying to prove which one is more conservative to the voters. What next? I am sooo conservative that I don't believe in fire! I haven't seen any of the Democrat debates yet and I assume that it is pretty much the same thing: candidates telling the voter why the other candidate is awful and not to be trusted. This childlike behavior isn't doing a darn thing for the voter!

Answer 3

Agreed. Imagine if Rush Limbaugh had not opened Pandora's box of hating the other side.

Until the relentless attacks on Bill Clinton, people were much more respectful even when they didn't agree with the president. Then eight years of relentless insults by the "Christian Right" lit the powder keg. Meanwhile Fox News gives Ann Coulter a platform to spew her venom from sun up till past sun down.

Now left wing radio shows are striking back in an endless cycle. Be honest, which party first went on national TV and called whomever disagrees with invading Iraq of being a coward, a traitor, and a commie?

Answer 4

I noticed that several posters immediately jumped on Limbaugh. I do not remember Limbaugh even being around when the Democrats were demonizing Republicans during the Vietnam war. I don't remember Limbaugh being there when they kept telling the North Vietnamese to wait about making peace until a Democrat is elected, you will get a better deal!
Clearly, the problem is that Democrats no longer get their way and they are p**sed!
No President has tried harder to be bipartisan than George W. Bush, unless it was his father. Both of them tried and tried to get Democrats to work with them, but, no, the Dems ALWAYS refuse.
Little Johnny Democrat tells his mother, "It ALL started when Billy hit me back!"

Answer 5

Much of the discussion lately seems premised on the idea that since an individual's reasoning process has led them to a particular political conclusion, that all other conclusions cannot be the product of reason. Therefore, the other guy is an idiot, evil, greedy or involved in a conspiracy, and needs to be told so. And the anonymity of the web allows people to liberate the inner jerk as never before. I find that I can take this place in only small doses, and it often leaves me feeling disheartened.

Answer 6

And...that "hatred" is coming from both sides of the political fence, isn't it? At least as far as posting in this forum are concerned?

But that's what one gets here, where grown adults choose to post adolescent questions, slurs and generally inflammatory statements.

Very few are actually attempting to foster discussion or solutions to issues.

It's all "why do Libs," and "why do Cons," not to mention the usual epithets.

For what it's worth, three or four "major" participants here have been offered the opportunity for a live, real-time chat debate, and all have declined...with the usual insults.

Yeah, there's hatred, and I don't see it improving any time soon...

Answer 7

Yes I have and it sickens me. I am in my 60's and have many democrat and republican friends. I have had them for years and didn't know what party they belonged to nor did I care. I also am not sure what religion they are and I don't care. Everyone went to the polls and voted and that was all that was important. Let the winner prevail. Your free to vote for whomever you want to in America and it should never be controlled by who yells and rants and raves the loudest or has the most money!

Answer 8

Divide and conquer.....not a new concept, but a timeless one....It is still as effective today and in past centuries.

But, read the answers thoroughly, you will see while you have attempted to bring some sanity to our world today....there are still those who blame a select few...and never look at themselves as the problem.

Answer 9

Exactly .

Hatred Blocks Rational Thought .

Not to make this a biased post but it's quite obvious that the folks on the left hate President Bush (I've flat-out asked them many times). . .and Cheney. . .. and Foxnews. . .. and Rush Limbaugh. .. . and O'Reilly. . . .. . and Hannity. . . . . . and Savage. .. . . . and Newt Gingrich. . . . and Ann Coulter(Hard to blame them for that one , although she is right about several issues). . . . . and , and , and, and !!

And Yes , I have asked them many times . And Yes , they do admit to the Hatred . And when I respond by pointing-out that 'Hatred Blocks Rational Thought' , it rarely awakens even one of them . Sad but true .

Answer 10

It is sad. Especially with the facists who hate the idea of peace who will say anything to justify sending more American troops to Iraq. Amazing indeed.

Started with Rush Limbaugh and his insane tirades against Bill Clinton,who he envied with a passion. same theme on this site with the liberal bashing, which is itself a form of denial.