Polarization of America

[whell]

Originally Posted by mpholland

I was replying to your comment:



The political "center" is not a true center. It is farther "right" in this country. The right will never catch up to the left in polarization. There isn't room. The right leaning centrist can only go so far before becoming a conservative. The left leaning centrist can go a long way before being considered liberal. I think PEW probably cuts their definition of liberal way before soshulist or communist.

I know. And your comment doesn't match with Pew's methodology in their study.

[mpholland]

Originally Posted by whell

I know. And your comment doesn't match with Pew's methodology in their study.

My comment doesn't match your interpretation of Pews study. My interpretation reads that more people from the center are moving farther to the left, and I believe it is because the far right are pushing them in that direction. The only reason their values and associations are changing is because the political structure of America is now built on extremism. If you don't have an extremist view, you don't count and therefore don't get heard. The center is where the next generation of politicians is going to have to come from to get anything worthwhile accomplished, otherwise you can just look forward to the same ol' same ol'.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by mpholland

My comment doesn't match your interpretation of Pews study. My interpretation reads that more people from the center are moving farther to the left, and I believe it is because the far right are pushing them in that direction. The only reason their values and associations are changing is because the political structure of America is now built on extremism. If you don't have an extremist view, you don't count and therefore don't get heard. The center is where the next generation of politicians is going to have to come from to get anything worthwhile accomplished, otherwise you can just look forward to the same ol' same ol'.

I know I have and so have some of the people in my life as so many others continue to march dutifully to the right.

I can only speak for myself, however, and the more I hear from the right the harder it gets to not despise them.

Dave