What Will it Take to Bridge the GOP/Dem Divide?

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by nononsenseguy
This is absolutely ridiculous. There is a reason for "partisanship", and it isn't a bad thing. It's good.

Thre reason there is such a divide (if you haven't figured it out, and apparently you haven't) is that there is a vast difference in ideology.

We (as Conservatives) do not want what they (the liberals; i.e. Democrats) are selling!

This business of "crossing the isle" has got to stop. It is precisely why McCain lost the election.

Someone said recently that now that the election is over, McCain should "cross the isle ... and sit down!"

For fear of having another post deleted, and another "warning", I cannot comment further, as it would surely be seen as "straying off topic". But I have a lot more I could say on this. I will refrain, however.

I don't think ScranBarre (or anyone here) is saying that partisanship is inherently bad. In politics, you're going to have partisanship, but there's an unhealthy attitude of "allegiance trumps goodwill" that is prevalent in this country. I myself blame talk radio (left and right) and other biased media for fomenting division in the country.

I myself have deep respect for John McCain because he's a "cross the aisle" kind of guy, unlike his supporters on election night who jeered him for mentioning Obama's name (And the same goes for the left wing nutcases who went overboard on Bush. This isn't just limited to the right) Neither he (and apparently, Obama) let blind ideology trump goodwill. In sum:

Healthy partisanship: I'll argue with you till the cows come home on policy ___________; but at the end of the day, you're a decent person, and we're all americans.

Unhealthy partisanship: I'll argue with you till the cows come home and you're a filthy, worthless person who doesn't deserve to speak. I hate you! Go away and shut up!!!!!


The latter, my friends is what ScranBarre is complaining about. And I completely share his frustration.

[doc1]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

..... My question is if my fellow 18-24-year-olds can disagree with civility, then why do people twice our age foam at the mouth, twitch their eyes, hurl expletives, and otherwise act like such uncivilized beasts when someone from an opposing political party approaches them?
:

You post is well stated and I agree with your premise.

However, I don't agree wth the assertion re 18-24 year olds. I've seen enough vids of what 18-24 year olds do when a conservative or right wing speaker is invited to speak on a college campus.

It ain't always pretty free speech-wise.

Incivility over social and political issues has no age boundry.