'Partyism' Now Trumps Racism

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I beg to differ that this site has mostly right wing extremists. Virtually every left leaning comment here gets +1'd to the max. It is almost automatic, and it is indicative of bias -- I do not see that reflexive back patting on the other side.

I would also like to say it is my opinion that there are very, very few true independents.

Sounds like the 'waaahmbulance' needs to be called ;-)

[B_J 2,752]

Overall, this board definitely leans left.

However, if you're looking for extremes, there are more here on the far right than on the far left.

[Curmudgeon 227]

Again don't agree. You do have a bias - you never acknowledge that some on the left are guilty of the same things as some on the other side of the aisle. For examples, one could never disagree with homosexual marriage without being painted a Neanderthal. One could never be against illegal immigration without being attacked as heartless. Although I don't like polarization either, it works both ways. Be realistic -- both sides see the other side as a threat. And there is nothing new about that.

What's the rational argument against homosexual marriage? If there is one, I'd like to hear it. The only people I know who are dead set against it are people who think that homosexual relationships are sinful. That's not a rational argument, that's an argument based in pure bigotry. It's not really surprising that anyone who argues against homosexual marriage is viewed as having a, let's say, old fashioned view on sexual relationships and marriage. That you seem to think there is a perfectly acceptable argument against homosexual marriage rather belies your 'middle of the road' stance.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

We haven't had a gay marriage thread in a while. Always good to see the bigots crawl out of the woodwork.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

What's the rational argument against homosexual marriage? If there is one, I'd like to hear it. The only people I know who are dead set against it are people who think that homosexual relationships are sinful. That's not a rational argument, that's an argument based in pure bigotry. It's not really surprising that anyone who argues against homosexual marriage is viewed as having a, let's say, old fashioned view on sexual relationships and marriage. That you seem to think there is a perfectly acceptable argument against homosexual marriage rather belies your 'middle of the road' stance.

unsmiley has claimed to be middle of the road? That's even funnier than NB making that claim.

[Curmudgeon 227]

unsmiley has claimed to be middle of the road? That's even funnier than NB making that claim.

Well, he claims he's an independent, which isn't actually the same thing. I stand corrected

[Nikita2Charles 33]

what people don't realized, the line between the 2 parties is almost nothing, it's mostly psychological, both parties answers to the lobbyist and big corporations, specially after the Supreme court decision Citizen United where corporation has to be treated the same way as individual, only difference most average folks, the middle class doesn't have millions to buy or rent politician to represent them, it's not about the american people folks. If me and you have an idea to turn into law it only has 37% of passing but if a corporation has the same idea it has a 68% chance of becoming law, so what does that tell you?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Again don't agree. You do have a bias - you never acknowledge that some on the left are guilty of the same things as some on the other side of the aisle. For examples, one could never disagree with homosexual marriage without being painted a Neanderthal. One could never be against illegal immigration without being attacked as heartless. Although I don't like polarization either, it works both ways. Be realistic -- both sides see the other side as a threat. And there is nothing new about that.

Perhaps you should do a little bit more reading here. I have most definitely disagreed with people on both sides of the political aisle here depending on what the issue is.

As for your two examples, I am split 50/50. I have no problem whatsoever with gay marriage, what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home, is their business. If two people love each other, whether they be two men, two women or a man and a woman, they should be allowed to legally marry. I am against illegal immigration and feel that something needs to be done quickly to stop it. Not sure how much more bipartisan one can get given those two issues.

I believe in the right to bear arms but think we need much tighter gun control. I think we need welfare reform with time limits on how long a person can collect and also get people to perform services for their welfare checks, no free rides. I am pro choice and have no problem with gov't funded abortions. I would rather pay for an abortion now than to pay for an unwanted child on welfare for the rest of it's life. I believe in having a strong military and doing whatever it takes to keep our country and it's people safe. I am for the most part fiscally conservative and socially liberal, but I am not a Libertarian.

Nothing I have described here fits directly into either party platform. It is a true Independent./Moderate/Centrist mindset.

[unsmiley 111]

unsmiley has claimed to be middle of the road? That's even funnier than NB making that claim.

I do not believe I have ever made that claim. Do not believe what another uninformed poster posts.

Well, he claims he's an independent, which isn't actually the same thing. I stand corrected

Ditto. All I said were there were in reality very, very few true independents. That is not the same as claiming to be one.

Perhaps you should do a little bit more reading here. I have most definitely disagreed with people on both sides of the political aisle here depending on what the issue is.

As for your two examples, I am split 50/50. I have no problem whatsoever with gay marriage, what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home, is their business. If two people love each other, whether they be two men, two women or a man and a woman, they should be allowed to legally marry. I am against illegal immigration and feel that something needs to be done quickly to stop it. Not sure how much more bipartisan one can get given those two issues.

I believe in the right to bear arms but think we need much tighter gun control. I think we need welfare reform with time limits on how long a person can collect and also get people to perform services for their welfare checks, no free rides. I am pro choice and have no problem with gov't funded abortions. I would rather pay for an abortion now than to pay for an unwanted child on welfare for the rest of it's life. I believe in having a strong military and doing whatever it takes to keep our country and it's people safe. I am for the most part fiscally conservative and socially liberal, but I am not a Libertarian.

Nothing I have described here fits directly into either party platform. It is a true Independent./Moderate/Centrist mindset.

Teddy I cannot figure you out. I happen to agree with you on many things, the majority of the time. And I am not sure having differing beliefs makes you or anyone else an independent. (You would probably be surprised that I happen to have strong beliefs supporting some left leaning issues, and some leaning right, but I don't think that fact qualifies me as independent because overall I lean right). I am still thinking about what I consider the definition of an independent.

My examples were just that - examples. I was not stating my point of view on these subjects, only mentioning them to demonstrate there are certain "hot button" issues that many cannot discuss rationally and reasonably. And it certainly and predictably triggered a few nuts on this site (not you) to attack for it, proving my point.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I do not believe I have ever made that claim. Do not believe what another uninformed poster posts.

Ditto. All I said were there were in reality very, very few true independents. That is not the same as claiming to be one.

Teddy I cannot figure you out. I happen to agree with you on many things, the majority of the time. And I am not sure having differing beliefs makes you or anyone else an independent. (You would probably be surprised that I happen to have strong beliefs supporting some left leaning issues, and some leaning right, but I don't think that fact qualifies me as independent because overall I lean right). I am still thinking about what I consider the definition of an independent.

My examples were just that - examples. I was not stating my point of view on these subjects, only mentioning them to demonstrate there are certain "hot button" issues that many cannot discuss rationally and reasonably. And it certainly and predictably triggered a few nuts on this site (not you) to attack for it, proving my point.

No worries Unsmiley, my wife can't figure me out either.

An Independent/Moderate/Centrist is someone that has views that agree with both sides of the spectrum depending on the issue, a combination of both the left and right. It's pretty much what you described in yourself. A person can lean one way or the other yet still be considered an Independent. Political parties can be painted with a very broad brush. A person who considers themselves a staunch Liberal or Conservative will vote the party line no matter what the issue.

I used to consider myself a Republican and was registered as one for quite a while, but in my opinion the Republican party has gone off it's course if not off the rails. In recent years it has allowed the extremists and gun lobbies to take over. I still agree with many conservative principles, but definitely not the party as a whole.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Race mattered ... But partisanship made a much bigger difference. Both Democrats and Republicans selected their in-party candidate about 80 percent of the time.

Even when a candidate from the opposing party had better credentials, most people chose the candidate from their own party. With respect to race, in contrast, merit prevailed.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-09-22/partyism-now-trumps-racism

Thanks for sharing.. The us/them attitude has always been there but the unwillingness to compromise and looking at politics as a game requiring winners and losers - and real honest to good "hate" - has changed. I don't know when it became personal for politicians but for me I first noticed it with the republicans in congress and Clinton. All the gloves came off.

Edited October 7, 2014 by OnMyWayID

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No worries Unsmiley, my wife can't figure me out either.

An Independent/Moderate/Centrist is someone that has views that agree with both sides of the spectrum depending on the issue, a combination of both the left and right. It's pretty much what you described in yourself. A person can lean one way or the other yet still be considered an Independent. Political parties can be painted with a very broad brush. A person who considers themselves a staunch Liberal or Conservative will vote the party line no matter what the issue.

I used to consider myself a Republican and was registered as one for quite a while, but in my opinion the Republican party has gone off it's course if not off the rails. In recent years it has allowed the extremists and gun lobbies to take over. I still agree with many conservative principles, but definitely not the party as a whole.

You were never a real Republican. You were a RINO.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You were never a real Republican. You were a RINO.

You're right (pun intended).

[unsmiley 111]

No worries Unsmiley, my wife can't figure me out either.

An Independent/Moderate/Centrist is someone that has views that agree with both sides of the spectrum depending on the issue, a combination of both the left and right. It's pretty much what you described in yourself. A person can lean one way or the other yet still be considered an Independent. Political parties can be painted with a very broad brush. A person who considers themselves a staunch Liberal or Conservative will vote the party line no matter what the issue.

I used to consider myself a Republican and was registered as one for quite a while, but in my opinion the Republican party has gone off it's course if not off the rails. In recent years it has allowed the extremists and gun lobbies to take over. I still agree with many conservative principles, but definitely not the party as a whole.

Another point: Many here confuse strong particular opinions with extremism. But that is only true if all those opinions are on one far side of the aisle. It is possible to have a smorgasbord of strong opinions.

Edited October 8, 2014 by unsmiley

[decocker 7,198]

PROOF.