Why are we so polarized?

[Richard-H]

An interesting article from BBC. I think sites like this, Brietbart, Daily Kos and the likes of Fox and MSNBC are first and foremost among the culprits. The internet has allowed us to accomplish a great deal, but the drawbacks are becoming more apparent with each passing year. Also, much of MSM has dropped it's impartiality in favor of gaining ratings with those who want news spun their way. I don't know if it will ever get better.

Well, now I see that I have to have 15 points (whatever the hell those are) to post a link to other sites. Kinda silly. Anyway the article is on BBC's web page and is called "What happened to America's community spirit?", if some one with this ponderous posting privilege is inclined to link it.

I wonder if I can say that.

Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest. It's a replacement for civil war.

We've mostly been divided.

Since the 1960/70s Democrats have shifted from being the labor party to being the socially liberal party. In the eighties the Republicans shifted from being pro-management party to the socially conservative party.

We may have had a love fest for a while after WWII, but before that we had plenty of fighting between management and labor.

And before that we had a Civil War.

These days passions run high over mostly social issues - perhaps more passionately than is justifiable. Economic issues are important, but I think it's the social issues that really get us going.

Anyway, like I said, Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest.

 

[sealybobo]

An interesting article from BBC. I think sites like this, Brietbart, Daily Kos and the likes of Fox and MSNBC are first and foremost among the culprits. The internet has allowed us to accomplish a great deal, but the drawbacks are becoming more apparent with each passing year. Also, much of MSM has dropped it's impartiality in favor of gaining ratings with those who want news spun their way. I don't know if it will ever get better.

Well, now I see that I have to have 15 points (whatever the hell those are) to post a link to other sites. Kinda silly. Anyway the article is on BBC's web page and is called "What happened to America's community spirit?", if some one with this ponderous posting privilege is inclined to link it.

I wonder if I can say that.

Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest. It's a replacement for civil war.

We've mostly been divided.

Since the 1960/70s Democrats have shifted from being the labor party to being the socially liberal party. In the eighties the Republicans shifted from being pro-management party to the socially conservative party.

We may have had a love fest for a while after WWII, but before that we had plenty of fighting between management and labor.

And before that we had a Civil War.

These days passions run high over mostly social issues - perhaps more passionately than is justifiable. Economic issues are important, but I think it's the social issues that really get us going.

Anyway, like I said, Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest.

Good post. What bugs me is conservatives have conned working class people into voting against their own financial interests by using wedge issues like god, gays, guns, racism.

When the economy was booming in the 1990's everyone was doing well financially so politicians used wedge issues to win people over. Today if you aren't going to be able to retire at 65 or 67, you need to stop worrying about gays in the military and worry about how you and the middle class have been left behind. And the middle class is disappearing

The Middle Class Might Nearly Disappear In The Next Decade

I'm upper middle class so I should be ok except for if the GOP cut into social security and medicare so much even I won't ever be able to retire because healthcare will be too expensive for seniors.

Slip Slidin' Away: America's Shrinking Middle Class

in the nearly 20 years from 1991 to 2010, the portion of American adults living in middle-class households fell from 62% to 59%.

It defined middle-class households as those with incomes of anywhere between two-thirds and twice that of their country’s median disposable household income. In the case of the U.S., that meant a range of roughly $35,000 to $106,000 a year for a household of three.



Read more: America's Slowly Disappearing Middle Class | Investopedia Slip Slidin' Away: America's Shrinking Middle Class
Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

Survey Finds 42% of Americans Will Retire Broke — Here’s Why

65% of Americans save little or nothing—and half could end up struggling in retirement

 

[Wry Catcher]

Government spending is 100 times more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.


Let me repeat that for anyone who missed it.


Government spending is 100 X more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.

What has changed in America? The use of force of government to take from some to give to others in exchange for votes.

Leftists are gutting and destroying America.

the answer to why are we so polarized is simple, people like you, Sniperfire.

The most recent person to have created a rift in the fabric of America, is in my opinion, Newt Gingrich.

His leadership has to markers which continues to be rules for the Republicans:

• Don't comprimise
• Don't every admit a mistake (blame it on Democrats, leftists, liberals, Hollywood, the MSM, Minorities, etc. etc.)

 

[Correll]

Government spending is 100 times more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.


Let me repeat that for anyone who missed it.


Government spending is 100 X more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.

What has changed in America? The use of force of government to take from some to give to others in exchange for votes.

Leftists are gutting and destroying America.

the answer to why are we so polarized is simple, people like you, Sniperfire.

The most recent person to have created a rift in the fabric of America, is in my opinion, Newt Gingrich.

His leadership has to markers which continues to be rules for the Republicans:

• Don't comprimise
• Don't every admit a mistake (blame it on Democrats, leftists, liberals, Hollywood, the MSM, Minorities, etc. etc.)

What about the way you constantly ridicule those who disagree with you? DO you think that is helpful?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

An interesting article from BBC. I think sites like this, Brietbart, Daily Kos and the likes of Fox and MSNBC are first and foremost among the culprits. The internet has allowed us to accomplish a great deal, but the drawbacks are becoming more apparent with each passing year. Also, much of MSM has dropped it's impartiality in favor of gaining ratings with those who want news spun their way. I don't know if it will ever get better.

Well, now I see that I have to have 15 points (whatever the hell those are) to post a link to other sites. Kinda silly. Anyway the article is on BBC's web page and is called "What happened to America's community spirit?", if some one with this ponderous posting privilege is inclined to link it.

I wonder if I can say that.

Hey Malaka. Who's the most polarizing President? Would you be surprised to learn it's the guy you worship?

RANKED: The 15 most polarizing US presidents, according to political scientists

You becha.

You are too dumb to realize who's doing the polarizing and how it benefits your side. God you're fucking stupid.

Life: Get one today

 

[sealybobo]

An interesting article from BBC. I think sites like this, Brietbart, Daily Kos and the likes of Fox and MSNBC are first and foremost among the culprits. The internet has allowed us to accomplish a great deal, but the drawbacks are becoming more apparent with each passing year. Also, much of MSM has dropped it's impartiality in favor of gaining ratings with those who want news spun their way. I don't know if it will ever get better.

Well, now I see that I have to have 15 points (whatever the hell those are) to post a link to other sites. Kinda silly. Anyway the article is on BBC's web page and is called "What happened to America's community spirit?", if some one with this ponderous posting privilege is inclined to link it.

I wonder if I can say that.

Hey Malaka. Who's the most polarizing President? Would you be surprised to learn it's the guy you worship?

RANKED: The 15 most polarizing US presidents, according to political scientists

You becha.

You are too dumb to realize who's doing the polarizing and how it benefits your side. God you're fucking stupid.

Life: Get one today

Should I send you a pic of the half naked girl I had on my boat last night or should I post the pic of the 65 acres I spent time on all weekend. What did you do?

Get a life. LOL. That's a hoot. Half you cons don't believe I live such a great life. That's because you are all a bunch of fucking losers.

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

 

[WaitingFor2020]

Government spending is 100 times more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.


Let me repeat that for anyone who missed it.


Government spending is 100 X more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.

What has changed in America? The use of force of government to take from some to give to others in exchange for votes.

Leftists are gutting and destroying America.

I think you're missing out on the biggest Gilded Age since 1900.
It's happening right under your nose.
.
.
.

 

[sealybobo]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

 

[jc456]

.

We're so polarized because many who have a significant vested interest in keeping us divided are doing their jobs very well. Add to that many in the populace who blindly buy into it, and there you have it.

.

and then there are people like you!

 

[Wry Catcher]

Government spending is 100 times more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.


Let me repeat that for anyone who missed it.


Government spending is 100 X more redistributive than it was during the JFK era.

What has changed in America? The use of force of government to take from some to give to others in exchange for votes.

Leftists are gutting and destroying America.

the answer to why are we so polarized is simple, people like you, Sniperfire.

The most recent person to have created a rift in the fabric of America, is in my opinion, Newt Gingrich.

His leadership has to markers which continues to be rules for the Republicans:

• Don't comprimise
• Don't every admit a mistake (blame it on Democrats, leftists, liberals, Hollywood, the MSM, Minorities, etc. etc.)

What about the way you constantly ridicule those who disagree with you? DO you think that is helpful?

It's not helpful. But I don't back down from bullies and assholes, and those are the ones I ridicule, mock and laugh at.

 

[Richard-H]

An interesting article from BBC. I think sites like this, Brietbart, Daily Kos and the likes of Fox and MSNBC are first and foremost among the culprits. The internet has allowed us to accomplish a great deal, but the drawbacks are becoming more apparent with each passing year. Also, much of MSM has dropped it's impartiality in favor of gaining ratings with those who want news spun their way. I don't know if it will ever get better.

Well, now I see that I have to have 15 points (whatever the hell those are) to post a link to other sites. Kinda silly. Anyway the article is on BBC's web page and is called "What happened to America's community spirit?", if some one with this ponderous posting privilege is inclined to link it.

I wonder if I can say that.

Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest. It's a replacement for civil war.

We've mostly been divided.

Since the 1960/70s Democrats have shifted from being the labor party to being the socially liberal party. In the eighties the Republicans shifted from being pro-management party to the socially conservative party.

We may have had a love fest for a while after WWII, but before that we had plenty of fighting between management and labor.

And before that we had a Civil War.

These days passions run high over mostly social issues - perhaps more passionately than is justifiable. Economic issues are important, but I think it's the social issues that really get us going.

Anyway, like I said, Democracy is not supposed to be a love fest.

Good post. What bugs me is conservatives have conned working class people into voting against their own financial interests by using wedge issues like god, gays, guns, racism.

When the economy was booming in the 1990's everyone was doing well financially so politicians used wedge issues to win people over. Today if you aren't going to be able to retire at 65 or 67, you need to stop worrying about gays in the military and worry about how you and the middle class have been left behind. And the middle class is disappearing

The Middle Class Might Nearly Disappear In The Next Decade

I'm upper middle class so I should be ok except for if the GOP cut into social security and medicare so much even I won't ever be able to retire because healthcare will be too expensive for seniors.

Slip Slidin' Away: America's Shrinking Middle Class

in the nearly 20 years from 1991 to 2010, the portion of American adults living in middle-class households fell from 62% to 59%.

It defined middle-class households as those with incomes of anywhere between two-thirds and twice that of their country’s median disposable household income. In the case of the U.S., that meant a range of roughly $35,000 to $106,000 a year for a household of three.



Read more: America's Slowly Disappearing Middle Class | Investopedia Slip Slidin' Away: America's Shrinking Middle Class
Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

Survey Finds 42% of Americans Will Retire Broke — Here’s Why

65% of Americans save little or nothing—and half could end up struggling in retirement

I've often said that the problem is not with the 1%. The problem is that the 99% are a bunch of dumb asses...or at least enough of them are that the ones that are not can't convince the dumb asses what is really going on.

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

 

[sealybobo]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

Clinton’s extramarital affair led to his impeachment, yet Trump seems immune to similar allegations. A panel of experts gets to the bottom of the double standard

Donald Trump v Bill Clinton: why don't the sex scandals seem to stick?

But the roots of the double standard are no mystery, according to experts, who identified for the Guardian at least four key factors distinguishing the Trump era from the Clinton era:

• Political tribalism has increased since the Clinton years, discouraging party defection even in extreme circumstances.
• Democrats don’t care as much about sex scandals, or decline to pretend to care as much, as Republicans have done – and it turns out Republicans don’t actually care either.
• There are too many scandals in the Trump era to get caught up on alleged extramarital sex.
• There’s something unique about Trump that scrambles our collective moral compass.

The president has denied the various affairs in question, including with the pornographic actor, Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels, and with McDougal. He has also denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by at least 20 women.

We now know Trump lied about Stormy. You don't care how much he lies as long as he's not under oath? Interesting.

He got caught lying about Stormy. Probably broke some laws too. So why would you think he's telling the truth with the other 20 women? And why don't you want to impeach him?

 

[sealybobo]

If Trump were a democrat he'd be impeached already. “Today we live in a world where Republicans, no matter how hypocritical, no matter how opportunistic it makes them, will not stand up for what they believe if they don’t find it strategically advantageous,”

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

Clinton’s extramarital affair led to his impeachment, yet Trump seems immune to similar allegations. A panel of experts gets to the bottom of the double standard

Donald Trump v Bill Clinton: why don't the sex scandals seem to stick?

But the roots of the double standard are no mystery, according to experts, who identified for the Guardian at least four key factors distinguishing the Trump era from the Clinton era:

• Political tribalism has increased since the Clinton years, discouraging party defection even in extreme circumstances.
• Democrats don’t care as much about sex scandals, or decline to pretend to care as much, as Republicans have done – and it turns out Republicans don’t actually care either.
• There are too many scandals in the Trump era to get caught up on alleged extramarital sex.
• There’s something unique about Trump that scrambles our collective moral compass.

The president has denied the various affairs in question, including with the pornographic actor, Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels, and with McDougal. He has also denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by at least 20 women.

We now know Trump lied about Stormy. You don't care how much he lies as long as he's not under oath? Interesting.

He got caught lying about Stormy. Probably broke some laws too. So why would you think he's telling the truth with the other 20 women? And why don't you want to impeach him?

When did the Stormy encounter take place? Was he under oath?

 

[sealybobo]

Referring to the people who bashed Bill but defend Trump: “It’s hypocrisy among people who told us that personal character matters now telling us essentially we’ve been lying to you the whole time, that personal character was a convenient attack that we utilized, but it doesn’t really matter to us when it’s someone on our side,”

 

[sealybobo]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

Clinton’s extramarital affair led to his impeachment, yet Trump seems immune to similar allegations. A panel of experts gets to the bottom of the double standard

Donald Trump v Bill Clinton: why don't the sex scandals seem to stick?

But the roots of the double standard are no mystery, according to experts, who identified for the Guardian at least four key factors distinguishing the Trump era from the Clinton era:

• Political tribalism has increased since the Clinton years, discouraging party defection even in extreme circumstances.
• Democrats don’t care as much about sex scandals, or decline to pretend to care as much, as Republicans have done – and it turns out Republicans don’t actually care either.
• There are too many scandals in the Trump era to get caught up on alleged extramarital sex.
• There’s something unique about Trump that scrambles our collective moral compass.

The president has denied the various affairs in question, including with the pornographic actor, Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels, and with McDougal. He has also denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by at least 20 women.

We now know Trump lied about Stormy. You don't care how much he lies as long as he's not under oath? Interesting.

He got caught lying about Stormy. Probably broke some laws too. So why would you think he's telling the truth with the other 20 women? And why don't you want to impeach him?

When did the Stormy encounter take place? Was he under oath?

Like I said, you don't care that he lied to you as long as he's not under oath? That's interesting.

Hillary wasn't under oath yet you cons go on and on about her lie that she was under sniper fire. Why do you care that she lied? She wasn't under oath.

The truth is, you didn't really care. Let me repeat: “It’s hypocrisy among people who told us that personal character matters now telling us essentially we’ve been lying to you the whole time, that personal character was a convenient attack that we utilized, but it doesn’t really matter to us when it’s someone on our side,”

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

Clinton’s extramarital affair led to his impeachment, yet Trump seems immune to similar allegations. A panel of experts gets to the bottom of the double standard

Donald Trump v Bill Clinton: why don't the sex scandals seem to stick?

But the roots of the double standard are no mystery, according to experts, who identified for the Guardian at least four key factors distinguishing the Trump era from the Clinton era:

• Political tribalism has increased since the Clinton years, discouraging party defection even in extreme circumstances.
• Democrats don’t care as much about sex scandals, or decline to pretend to care as much, as Republicans have done – and it turns out Republicans don’t actually care either.
• There are too many scandals in the Trump era to get caught up on alleged extramarital sex.
• There’s something unique about Trump that scrambles our collective moral compass.

The president has denied the various affairs in question, including with the pornographic actor, Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels, and with McDougal. He has also denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by at least 20 women.

We now know Trump lied about Stormy. You don't care how much he lies as long as he's not under oath? Interesting.

He got caught lying about Stormy. Probably broke some laws too. So why would you think he's telling the truth with the other 20 women? And why don't you want to impeach him?

When did the Stormy encounter take place? Was he under oath?

Like I said, you don't care that he lied to you as long as he's not under oath? That's interesting.

Hillary wasn't under oath yet you cons go on and on about her lie that she was under sniper fire. Why do you care that she lied? She wasn't under oath.

The truth is, you didn't really care. Let me repeat: “It’s hypocrisy among people who told us that personal character matters now telling us essentially we’ve been lying to you the whole time, that personal character was a convenient attack that we utilized, but it doesn’t really matter to us when it’s someone on our side,”

I asked you two questions. Answer them LOL.

 

[sealybobo]

We are not polarized. The GOP are bible thumping primitives and the Leftists are brainless socialists!

He he he he he.....

It's hard to not be polarized when the right for years called Clinton a rapist then they go an elect a rapist

These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment - CNNPolitics

You were so sure Clinton raped every women who accused him of rape but you don't believe one of the women that accuses Trump? That's interesting don't you think?

No one accused Trump of anything until he ran. He was a rich celebrity. Interesting don't you think? WJC had relations with an intern and lied under oath about it. Tough for him to be credible. Don't you think?

I don't think you think. LOL

Plus my post was a joke.

Clinton’s extramarital affair led to his impeachment, yet Trump seems immune to similar allegations. A panel of experts gets to the bottom of the double standard

Donald Trump v Bill Clinton: why don't the sex scandals seem to stick?

But the roots of the double standard are no mystery, according to experts, who identified for the Guardian at least four key factors distinguishing the Trump era from the Clinton era:

• Political tribalism has increased since the Clinton years, discouraging party defection even in extreme circumstances.
• Democrats don’t care as much about sex scandals, or decline to pretend to care as much, as Republicans have done – and it turns out Republicans don’t actually care either.
• There are too many scandals in the Trump era to get caught up on alleged extramarital sex.
• There’s something unique about Trump that scrambles our collective moral compass.

The president has denied the various affairs in question, including with the pornographic actor, Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels, and with McDougal. He has also denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by at least 20 women.

We now know Trump lied about Stormy. You don't care how much he lies as long as he's not under oath? Interesting.

He got caught lying about Stormy. Probably broke some laws too. So why would you think he's telling the truth with the other 20 women? And why don't you want to impeach him?

When did the Stormy encounter take place? Was he under oath?

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's admission Thursday night that President Donald Trump reimbursed attorney Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels exploded the White House's narrative on what Trump knew and when he knew it.

It also raised questions about whether Cohen, Trump or anyone else in the campaign orbit broke federal election laws governing contributions and expenditures.

There's a 'very high' likelihood that laws were broken in the Stormy Daniels fiasco - CNNPolitics