Polarization of America

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by whell

Folks in this forum often like to accuse the Tea Party of pulling the Repubs to the right, while suggesting that most Americans - and themselves - are more centrist or center-left. That's never rung true from my perspective.

I believe both parties, and those that support them, are moving further away from the center resulting in more political polarization. I think that's what accounts for the political gridlock, as representatives of both parties and their constituents have less incentive to proactively seek common ground.

Now comes a Pew study which seems to lend credence to the view that Americans are increasingly polarized. It impacts who everything from who they socialize with to where they choose to live. To me, if this is true, it explains a lot: from our increasing political polarization to our increasing intolerance of individuals and institutions that may not reflect our points of view.

Food for thought.

http://news.yahoo.com/growing-partis...lTxE0Amk3QtDMD

What a load of complete unmitigated CRAPOLA.

The Republicans have been moving farther and farther to the right for my entire lifetime. They are now a wild eyed, foaming at the mouth, right wing extremist party, And the damned Democrats have been following them to the point that they are now a center right party. Today's Democrats are to the right of where Eisenhower was in the 50's. There is no left in America, and that is the problem.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

What a load of complete unmitigated CRAPOLA.

The Republicans have been moving farther and farther to the right for my entire lifetime. They are now a wild eyed, foaming at the mouth, right wing extremist party, And the damned Democrats have been following them to the point that they are now a center right party. Today's Democrats are to the right of where Eisenhower was in the 50's. There is no left in America, and that is the problem.

Several years back a friend of mine said; "It's like the GOP has turned into a seething lunatic asylum and the Dems haven't noticed yet. They're still playing the same old dull tune as the people on the other side of the aisle look back at them and see the legions of the Satan."

Dave

[whell]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

What a load of complete unmitigated CRAPOLA.

The Republicans have been moving farther and farther to the right for my entire lifetime. They are now a wild eyed, foaming at the mouth, right wing extremist party, And the damned Democrats have been following them to the point that they are now a center right party. Today's Democrats are to the right of where Eisenhower was in the 50's. There is no left in America, and that is the problem.

You are, as usual, far from correct. Mainstream Dems are correct that the political climate in the US has been moving to the left for some time now. Consider:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...5f6_story.html

The country is getting more diverse, and as the proportion of white voters shrinks, so, too, does the conservative base. As demographics shift, so do political preferences — in this case, toward the left. A close examination of U.S. attitudes in the past decade-plus reveals that the United States is steadily becoming more progressive.

Now, speaking as we are in this thread of polarization, even Obama observed a polarizing approach that Dems have taken to dealng with their political opposition in this "new progressive era":

In order to beat them, it is necessary for Democrats to get some backbone, give as good as they get, brook no compromise, drive out Democrats who are interested in "appeasing" the right wing, and enforce a more clearly progressive agenda. The country, finally knowing what we stand for and seeing a sharp contrast, will rally to our side and thereby usher in a new progressive era.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/0...ocratic-Party#

Does that sound like an approach for exploring common ground and compromise? For his part, Obama's response to it isn't suggesting that they compromise. Obama is simply suggesting that they be nicer about not compromising.

[merrylander]

How can Obama compromise with the GOP and their attitude "It's our way or the highway". He actually did try it once and got mugged.

[whell]

Originally Posted by merrylander

How can Obama compromise with the GOP and their attitude "It's our way or the highway". He actually did try it once and got mugged.

Obama has taken the same strong position with the GOP.

Rep. Eric Cantor presents a recovery draft that doesn't meet the demands of Obama and Democrats. Obama responds, “I can go it alone but I want to come together. Look at the polls. The polls are pretty good for me right now. … Elections have consequences and Eric, I won.”

Also:

Cantor and Obama had their differences, too. In one meeting, Woodward writes, Cantor told the president the two parties were truly diverging on taxes and spending cuts — and Obama replied, “I promise you, Eric, don’t call my bluff on this. It may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this.” The president then immediately left the room, according to the account.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/80809.html

In other words, Obama's definition of bi-partisanship would seem to be: "I want my political opponents to agree with me."

[merrylander]

After being mugged who would not tell the muggers to bugger off.

[whell]

Originally Posted by merrylander

After being mugged who would not tell the muggers to bugger off.

Sorry, but the events described in my post above happened before anyone was even talking about a "tea party."

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by whell

Sorry, but the events described in my post above happened before anyone was even talking about a "tea party."

9/5/12 is before the tea party?

Well, one way to 'win' an argument (and be impervious to all counter-argument) is to make up your own reality...

[whell]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

9/5/12 is before the tea party?

Well, one way to 'win' an argument (and be impervious to all counter-argument) is to make up your own reality...

That's may be your territory, but it's not mine. The "I won" exchange took place in January 2009. Try again.

[bobabode]

Maybe Mike's just a little bit confused in his conflation? IIRC, it was a certain Kentucky snappin' turtle that proclaimed that the 'pubbies sole purpose was to ensure that Obama was a one term president in '08.