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We can't agree because the liberals attitude its "my way or the highway".. we can't agree because of the nitpicking by the republicans... when you add it all up, you have disagreement... looking at the liberal and republican extremists on here... its now wonder that these same extremists in the Congress can't agree.. liberals claim wanting "bipartisanship" but do NOTHING to get it and insult the other side at the same time... repubs want "bipartisanship" but keep nitpicking at minor details to ruin it and then insult the other side at the same time... most the CD posters here are as guilty as those in Congress... Try to give them a voice of reason and they scurry with name-calling... "right wingers" and "socialists"... but you know what? Its true.. they are "right wingers" and "socialists" and they make no apologies about it... that's what's ruining America...
We can't agree because the liberals attitude its "my way or the highway".. we can't agree because of the nitpicking by the republicans... when you add it all up, you have disagreement... looking at the liberal and republican extremists on here... its now wonder that these same extremists in the Congress can't agree.. liberals claim wanting "bipartisanship" but do NOTHING to get it and insult the other side at the same time... repubs want "bipartisanship" but keep nitpicking at minor details to ruin it and then insult the other side at the same time... most the CD posters here are as guilty as those in Congress... Try to give them a voice of reason and they scurry with name-calling... "right wingers" and "socialists"... but you know what? Its true.. they are "right wingers" and "socialists" and they make no apologies about it... that's what's ruining America...
Do you mean "democrats" (not "liberals") and republicans"...."liberals" and "conservatives" ...."fascists" and "socialists".
What bothers me is two things: the right wing media, which misleads its viewers/readers, and the qualities in those same viewers/readers that make them such suckers for it. I dont believe a single "left winger" on C-D goes to DailyKos for their news, or Keith Olbermann or the Daily Show. (Well, maybe the DS.)
Do you mean "democrats" (not "liberals") and republicans"...."liberals" and "conservatives" ...."fascists" and "socialists".
What bothers me is two things: the right wing media, which misleads its viewers/readers, and the qualities in those same viewers/readers that make them such suckers for it.
I agree with the first part. Democrats and Republicans. Or party hardliners who support party no matter what. They are the folks who can never agree and do resort to low blows and cheap shots.
As for the media. It would seem that they all have an agenda and reporting actual facts is a low priority. They report opinion and agenda.
The funny thing is my neighbor a 72 yr old man and an old school Democrat and I a former Republican now Libertarian can discuss politics without an issue. Old school used to be able to find a way to compromise. Its the new school who seems to feel that it is an all or nothing game.
LOL, don't worry. I've gotten MANY infractions & also temporary bannings. It's kind of a hazing ritual.
I don't know about that. In over ten years using internet forums, I've never been banned from anywhere and have received so few infractions I cannot even recall what they were for. I don't even bother to read TOS agreements any more because they all boil down to two principles - treat others the way you want them to treat you and follow copyright laws when you must copy.
And, to get back to the topic of this thread, one of the things I've seen is that two people can see the same picture (or paragraph or even a single word!) and interpret it in entirely different ways. But, at the same time, no one seems to be willing to take the time to even TRY to see what the other person is seeing or hearing or understanding. People no longer seem to 'get' the fact that everyone's beliefs about any given subject are determined from each person's individual circumstances and/or point of view. We need to learn that debate doesn't mean screaming at the other side until they see things our way, but each of us taking the time to actually attempt to understand the other side's points. Only then will we ever learn that compromise is not a 'dirty' word.
Last edited by linicx; 09-06-2009 at 04:17 PM..
Reason: Color text reserved for moderatiors
I agree with the first part. Democrats and Republicans. Or party hardliners who support party no matter what. They are the folks who can never agree and do resort to low blows and cheap shots.
As for the media. It would seem that they all have an agenda and reporting actual facts is a low priority. They report opinion and agenda.
The funny thing is my neighbor a 72 yr old man and an old school Democrat and I a former Republican now Libertarian can discuss politics without an issue. Old school used to be able to find a way to compromise. Its the new school who seems to feel that it is an all or nothing game.
I think it's a mix of poor education, a basic incuriosity, and racist fear. I really, really do.
All or nothing game - that's a good way to put it.
That's excellent, that your family has done so well using the tools for achievement available in this wonderful country. This country would be a "Utopia" if all families were able to do this -- that's why LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act, for example. Does the federal government not take taxes under Republican leadership, or apply your money only to projects you approve of?
Delusianne: Do you realize you just created a divide with your prose? I really enjoy posting with you, but by immediately shifting the discussion to DEM vs. GOP . . . you pitted folks against one another.
What the poster was saying . . . that DEMs stand for bigger government and govern through taxation that is redistributed to the poor thru/ entitlements is correct. Every major entitlement program created in this country was created by a Democrat President. This is a FACT - I am not trying to start a flaming war. And I am not saying all entitlement programs are bad, either! Really, Medicare and Social Security are entitlements, even tho the recipient has paid tax $$$ into the system. The system is out of money so tax money is fulfilling the obligations of these programs.
So it is absolutely true that the philosophy of the DEM party has been, historically - to "tax and spend." The philosophy of the GOP has been, historically, to contain government spending and create jobs within the private sector, which then means there are jobs for all Americans. Small business runs America - that is where the majority of jobs come from.
Now I realize that is an over-simplification, but still - it is founded in truth.
If we can have a discussion without the zingers getting thrown around:
1. I think all of us can agree that the Republican party has been hijacked. Surely even the most conservative amongst us will agree to this. Republicans are now considered, by the MEDIA and PUNDITS to be right wing zealots. This is unfortunate as folks go into discussions immediately armed, ready to fire, at the Christian Fascists (please - I am just using this as illustration - I do not approve of labels - this is what pundits do - label the right as religious nutballs).
2. I think all of us can agree that the Democratic party has an internal struggle going on b/n the most far left liberals and the centrists. Hillary Clinton represents someone more towards the center; Ted Kennedy and Obama represent someone on the far left. This is causing division within the DEM party itself. Then, it causes a rift with GOP b/c both sides come to the table "armed to shoot bear." The GOP sees the far left liberals and screams "SOCIALISTS!!!!!" and the DEM sees the GOP and yells "Christian Fascists!!!!"
Do you see where I am going with this? The minute we start seeing each other as labels . . . we can't have a conversation. We just start throwing accusations!
3. Starting with FDR, every piece of legislation that created an entitlement came from a DEM administration. Now that is a fact. I am not saying all these programs are BAD. No responsible person would! A society that does not provide for its children, the sick/frail, its elderly, and its incapacitated is a society without a soul. There are ways to take care of the drain that disenfranchised folks have on the rest of society - it is called euthanasia, and in some parts of the world, it is accepted. So let's get that straight - no one is advocating letting folks starve or go without healthcare. The question becomes . . . how do we equitably meet the needs of those who are unable to meet their own needs? And what is fair? And where do we draw the line?
4. Every worthwhile program that has ever been developed did not come from one party. Compromise and negotiation has to be part of the process! We must stop DEMONIZING each other!
? What was demonizing, labeling, or dividing about my post? The poster I responded to was expressing a fiercely divisive POV that is rooted in demonizing and labeling.
? What was demonizing, labeling, or dividing about my post? I'd say the poster I responded to was expressing a fiercely divisive POV.
I explained what I saw as divisive.
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