Why do we insist on demonizing the other side?

Question

We are unable to rationally discuss major issues (e.g. Health Care, Global Warming, Outsourcing, Tax Policies, Immigration, etc.) without labelling the opponents as "Socialists", "Fascists", "Radical Right", "Ungodly", etc.
Labels avoid discussion. When did we loose the ability to rationally discuss issues? We need to work together as a society without the rhetoric and anger that currently exists. Republicans do support business, believing that is good for America. Democrats do support social change, believing that is good for America. We need to avoid labels-anger-character assisination and work together to solve our problems, not fragment ourselves into angry camps that are unable to try to solve the problems that confront us. Who agrees?

Answer 1

Only neuroscience can really answer this one. It seems as though the human mind hasn't evolved to be flexible in its thinking. Once a brain settles on a world view, very little reasoning or logic can reshape it.

I was thinking about this earlier in the week. I was wondering if organized religion assassinating all "infidels" from their societies along the way purged logic and reason - flexible thinking, from the evolutionary human tree. The Enlightenment (the scientific revolution) has allowed the traits of logic and reason to reemerge by protecting free thinking people from zealots, but it still seems these traits are a minority in the human population.
It would make an interesting study to examine how the Romans thought about and debated politics and compare this to the modern political milieu. I suspect that the intervening years of religious fundamentalism and persecution have altered the brain's ability to be guided by reason rather than a stubborn, non-empirical faith.

Answer 2

You say, "When did we loose the ability to rationally discuss issues?" Never. We never had it in the first place. That's why we have had Inquisitions and witch hunts all through history.

So much for history. Now let me talk about prehistory: Throughout the Stone Age, there was no discussion between liberals and conservatives because there were no liberals OR conservatives.

Rather, there were invaders and predators. Survival did not depend on listening to the facts and weighing the pro's and con's. Instead, it depended on busting the enemy's head open.

Civilization is a fast process and Evolution is a slow process. Here we are skyscrapers sprouting up all around us, and here we are, stuck with tail bones for wagging, appendices for digesting tree bark, and paleomammalian
brains which tell us that we are still living in the Stone Age.

Consequently,. whenever a liberal is confronted by a conservative or vice-versa, that person confuses the other person for an invader or predator. And sure enough, that person acts accordingly.

I am participating in a discussion thread on Evolutionism and Creationism. At present, the Evolutionists are arguing that Hitler was a Creationist and the Creationists are arguing that Hitler was an Evolutionist. Of course, that question sheds no light whatsoever on whether Evolutionism and Creationism is true, but it's a good way to act mean and hateful.

You think we're all animals? I should say so!

Answer 3

Oh, gee whiz, I thought your question was about demonizing Serbia, Bielorussia or Venezuela. What I can answer, though, is that, as far as global warming in concerned, what causes more global warming then depleted uranium, or the bombing of fuel dumps and petro chemicals? Is there a grater Chutzpah then for a former US vice president who did this to preach to others about global warming? Well, like it or not, I regard Ali Gore as a hypocrite.

Answer 4

Of course I agree.
Most of us do not understand the meaning of debate. Think of our examples for the last few years. The Jerry Springer show did allot to redefine debate for our people. Many honestly believe that debate is decided by shouting and insulting. No one has taught them anything to contradict this. Watch a talk show on one of the cable news networks. The speakers interrupt each other constantly and are never allowed to complete a thought. They shout and insult and make a mockery of discussion.

Theres an obscure movie I recommend for you. Watch "Idiocracy" made by Mike Judge. It makes a compelling argument about who we are becoming.

Answer 5

I insist on demonizing vast company as a results of fact is inherently evil. by employing its very nature it undermines capitalism by employing squashing opposition. companies have been initially communities who have been given together for a particular artwork, then disbanded-they did issues like construction a bridge, then went on their way. That replaced into corrupted into company companies that use it as a thank you to unethically combine forming monopolies and oligopolies that have almost countless administration of a single industry (ie. Oil, autos, drug companies). Theyre then secure by employing regulations initially meant to coach to the guy fairly than company entities. The worst element of all this although, is that to maintain their carry of their industry they are compelled to purchase their way into politics. vast company and closet politics pass hand and hand and have constantly. on each and every occasion they get too lots ability the persons lost all voice interior the gov't. The centers can stay without the extensive industry, they existed till now them. Edit:: Ken, large statistic. how a lot of those sixty 5% are like me. Im employed by employing a company of under 20 people who's a wholy owned subsidiary of yet another company of a pair thousand that a sub of ... on up the line to between the biggest interior the country. The state then contracts the tiny company that I artwork for which shows their help for small company. Bunz: Agriculture is a difficulty, no question there. yet asserting that the all of us is hypocritical isn't assisting as a results of fact the persons arent-theyre uneducated. Dem politicians have finished a large activity of no longer letting human beings be responsive to that for the period of FL the sugar industry makes use of human beings as in actuality slave exertions basically like the beef industry does out West. You cant blame the persons for this although, it isnt mentioned interior the papers, politicians and companies spend tens of millions preserving it quiet. placed the blame the place it belongs, on the politicians-of the two events as a results of fact the GOP isnt available letting it relatively is standard (as a results of fact it may harm them to boot and theyre no longer approximately to harm the DNC if it is going to harm them additionally) and the industry itself, no longer the persons who're in basic terms uninformed.

Answer 6

Because the corporate media turns us into good little consumers by reducing complex issues to the "good guys vs bad guys" formula of WWF wrestling or Batman cartoons. As long as we involved in out identity as a "fan" of our "team" instead of focusing on the fine nuances of complex issues, we have a false sense of being politically involved, informed and active, but without being truly, meaningfully engaged in the process. In the absense of a meaningfully engaged populace, there is little to check the influence of corporate and private wealth.

I urge concerned people from every facet of the political spectrum to rebuke their own for indulging in devisive name calling and oversimplifications and set these misguided souls a good example of engaging and searching for common ground instead of sinking to the level of rival rabid rioting European 'football' fans. United we stand, divided we fall. The "other party" is mostly made up of good hearted and good minded people; they are not the enemy -- the enemy is a system that puts business interests before the interests of workers and consumers. Capitalism works best when it is required to work in ways that are benificial to consumers and workers as well as to stock holders.

Answer 7

When democrats realize that national security as well as homeland security are essential to the pursuit of happiness there may be a chance for dialog. Until that happens all bets are off.

Answer 8

your right that is why I deleted my prior post