Do Americans really just want a communist country?

Question

I bet half of you clicked on this just to tell me what a stupid, absurd idea that is, but think about it. If you have strong political views, are you guilty of insulting or attacking people who disagree with them? If I'm a republican I can call all democrats anti-American tree hugging socialist hippies, and I'll get a bunch of thumbs up from other republicans, even though I clearly just insulted an entire group of people. If I'm a democrat, I can call all republicans war mongering gun toting hillbilly neocons, and get a bunch of thumbs up from other democrats, even though, I just insulted an entire group of people.

So why do we say we want the freedom to choose, but then we attack people who disagree? Why cant we just learn to accept that we're in a country where people are going to have different political views, and we're free to do so? And if we are going to get into politics, why cant we discuss them maturely? Why do we have to get so pissed, and resort to personal attacks?

Answer 1

I like your question. But, no, Americans do not want a communist state. Those on Yahoo who insult each other do not represent the views of the countries they come from, as most people in democracies are a lot more tolerant and easy going.

Freedom of speech is a great thing, and something to be treasured, even if it means that you disagree.

And freedom of speech does not exist in right wing dictatorships either, treasure it, and cherish your right to have a different view to others.

Answer 2

The concept is good as long as at the end of all the arguing, everyone wants to preserve America as our founding fathers envisioned it - a country of self reliance and rugged individualism, a capitalist system tempered by morality. Either you have Republicans who believe in globalization with a religious fervor.... as long as it makes the rich get richer, they think it's good for the country. Then you have Democrats who hate capitalism and want to turn straight to socialism, which ironically is another system that further empowers the elite and super-wealthy.

Both views are terrifying to the average American, we want something more in the center. And that's why you see so much bitterness and arguing in the political discourse.

Returning more power to the states rather than an increasingly powerful centralized federal government would be really good for this country. Stop the lawsuits and legislating from the Supreme Court bench. Supreme Court judges have no clue what being 'one of the folks' is all about so they are incapable of making decisions in the public's best interests.

Answer 3

It's funny how so many answers end up answering the question - by showing how quickly people shift from arguments to insults and/or misrepresentations.

Do people even realize when they are insulting other people and misrepresenting other people's views?

If you want to know what socialism, or any political/antipolitical philosophy, is, you probably shouldn't go to an opponent of socialism, you should go to two or three or several socialists of different traditions, and the same goes for each political philosophy: you should go to liberals to understand liberalism and conservatives to understand conservatism.

Answer 4

YA is not a good forum for real discourse. Typing doesn't lend itself well to the nuances of conversation. There is no body language to help with softening an edgy statement or indicating that statements are being made ironically or with humor. Plus...you and I might be reasonable adults and able to disagree cordially and pleasantly, but there will always be little partisan trolls (see some of the posts you've garnered thus far) from either side spoiling the conversation and dragging it down, which make even reasonable, mature people angry enough to post insults. It all spirals downwards from there.

Answer 5

We sure do, that's why we keep trying to buy everything from China, unfortunately no matter how much we spend on China, we'll never own the country. It's really as simple as this, one party is more for equality the other more for personal gain. Religion and politics tend to get people a bit hot under the collar. Part of our freedom is to disagree, vehemently at times.

Answer 6

When other people choose, we are all stuck with the results. If we just made all taxes voluntary, there would be no problem. We would have the size government we the people actually want. Same with the programs the liberals want to stick us with. Make socialized medicine voluntary. Those that want it can have it. Those of us who don't will be free to not participate. And free not to pay for it. Until then, I will fight the leftists to my last day. Freedom cannot exist in a socialist country. And I like freedom.

Answer 7

If you would've read her entire question, Scott B, you would've seen where she said why cant we discuss them maturely?? as in, without insults. I agree with your question but the truth is, 2 of the touchiest subjects are politics and religion. Someone is bound to get insulted or offended when those subjects are brought up.

Answer 8

Not everyone on this forum "attacks" those with opposing views. Some of us are here because we have an open mind. The personal attacks are a huge part of this forum which is unfortunate because I've read some good posts from opposing views, they're just far and few between.

Answer 9

Its not the american people,,, Follow or google george bush sr,s New world Order. Jrs doing the same,, Beware of who he supports for president,, Hillarys probably being paid to run, Jewlianiai, i dont think the muslims would care to much for a muslim, Osama,s got roots to muslims, but im going to guess bush will back fred thompson,...

Answer 10

About the only worthwile thing in that tripe was the first line where you say "what a stupid absurd post...". It is. Let me re-word what you are trying to say... because we argue over political differences, that makes us akin to communists? The ability to debate politics is our expression of freedom, something people in communists countries can't do.