What's with the Republican Democratic divide obsession on here?

[Deleted]

Perhaps I simply don't really see it much IRL but I notice the 'us them' attitude prominently on here regarding political affiliation... Is this exclusive to online communities or a common occurrence? Perhaps I am just boring but whenever any topic of politics arise in casual conversation I usually tune out because I found 90% of political conversations is usually two sides just barking fixed opinions. Perhaps because I avoid political conversation IRL my observation is skewed

[Keyboard Champion]

Because the differences between them are very obvious.

Republicans: conservative, close minded, intolerant, somewhat racists, sexists.

They look like something from a Twilight Zone episode and it's astonishing how there are so many americans that support them in this century.



[Infracted]

[ringpriest]

The state of the US political system is high polarized right now. From taxation to the minimum wage, women rights, minority rights, gay marriage, abortion, Climate change, etc. A lot of these are personal things. And one side is generally pro-change, and one side is anti-change. So there is a tug and pull going on right now... And it's being fought on forums, and facebook pages by cyber warriors on both sides.

I think the "polarization of the political system" is fake (although the polarization of the voters is quite real and deliberate). You'll note that although the shouting heads on either side seem to be in complete opposition, what government actually happens is almost all moderate, status-quo propagating technocracy. Bush and Obama are very similar, and whoever succeeds Obama, be it a Hillary-style Democrat or a moderate Republican who somehow makes it through the primaries, will govern basically the same. As the US government becomes more incompetent, and the wealth disparity in the US grows, the ever-louder, ever-more-shrill rhetoric is necessary for both the Republican and Democratic wings of the Establishment Party to keep their constituents from realizing how corrupt, incompetent, and evil both sets of politicians are. (Or, even worse, acting on that knowledge.)

[Zoranon]

Well according to one poll, 45 % of republicans and 36 % of democrats would be angry if their child found a partner with the opposite party affiliation...

Sadly, the rising polarization in Washington only reflect the deep divide between the voters.

[TZK203]

Because politics is fun to argue about.

Also, I always laugh out loud when we have Canadians and Europeans here arguing about US politics (generally aiming their dislike of politicians towards Republicans/conservatives)--as if they even lived in the United States. And no, work visas don't count as "living" here unless you're planning to work here for the long term.

[Mistame]

The state of the US political system is high polarized right now. From taxation to the minimum wage, women rights, minority rights, gay marriage, abortion, Climate change, etc.

And it's important to note that in the world of politics, those things are merely campaign fodder. No politician (on either side) actually gives a shit about those issues or those who do.

Because the differences between them are very obvious.

Republicans: conservative, close minded, intolerant, somewhat racists, sexists.

They look like something from a Twilight Zone episode and it's astonishing how there are so many americans that support them in this century.

This is what ignorance looks like. It's like saying that because there are a few militant/anti-men feminists, that feminism is inherently evil.

I would say that its a small minority. I think the majority of conservative mindset is fear of change. They have an idealized view of the 1950's, and think that it was a perfect era that we should go back to. So any progress that deviates from that utopia, they really dislike.

As there are on both sides, a very small minority are extreme/fringe and the opposing party highlights those cases in order to bathe the entire party in that putrid light. It's disingenuous to group "conservative" and "Republican". And your perspective on the conservative mindset, while understandable, is skewed. No one gives a shit about the '50's. And no one minds good change. The difference is whether or not one thinks particular changes are good or not. For example, I support abortion, but from a logical perspective; It's shittons cheaper. I couldn't care less about it otherwise.

[lockedout]

Because the differences between them are very obvious.

Republicans: conservative, close minded, intolerant, somewhat racists, sexists.

They look like something from a Twilight Zone episode and it's astonishing how there are so many americans that support them in this century.

I like how you give your ass backwards view of republicans but not one of any other party.

[zorkuus]

It's a two party system. What did you expect?

[Kalis]

Perhaps I simply don't really see it much IRL...

You're unlikely to see a Democrat/Republican divide in your everyday life, for one important reason.

[Melkandor]

Because the differences between them are very obvious.

Republicans: conservative, close minded, intolerant, somewhat racists, sexists.

They look like something from a Twilight Zone episode and it's astonishing how there are so many americans that support them in this century.

I could say the same thing about Democrats.

- - - Updated - - -

You're unlikely to see a Democrat/Republican divide in your everyday life, for one important reason.

What, that they're basically the same?

[Mistame]

I think any change that gets us farther away from their idealized view of Mayberry USA, is bad to conservatives. Which view change in culture as bad. Any change, I cannot think of any big change that conservatives actually liked. They had to be pulled screaming and kicking to accept it.

And that's your opinion. It's wrong, but you're entitled to it nonetheless. Most conservatives focus on actual policy and find the social aspect of politics irrelevant; until they start seeping into policy.

[zorkuus]

What, that they're basically the same?

People tend to hang out with likeminded folk.

[Deleted]

It certainly is difficult for non Americans to grasp, you will rarely hear a Labor voter and a Conservative voter going at it like a Republican and Democrat.

[Sledfang]

You're unlikely to see a Democrat/Republican divide in your everyday life, for one important reason.

Why is that?

I shame liberals in real life from time to time. Its pretty easy when they find so many things offensive and yet are extremely hypocritical, especially when it comes to the environment.

[Deleted]

Why is that?

I shame liberals in real life from time to time.

I think he is saying that Adam lives in the UK and therefor will never see it.

[jugzilla]

I think he is saying that Adam lives in the UK and therefor will never see it.

I thought were lots of Republicans in Northern Ireland though?

[Deleted]

I thought were lots of Republicans in Northern Ireland though?

Nope, they are a minority hence why they are not a republic.

[TZK203]

Nope, they are a minority hence why they are not a republic.

So we should rename them to Minoriticans.

[jugzilla]

So we should rename them to Minoriticans.

How about Irations?

[Kalis]

I thought were lots of Republicans in Northern Ireland though?

We do have quite a few Irish Publicans, though their numbers are dwindling.