Meeting America: The Deep Political Divide

This morning I sat down at my computer with a cup of coffee and a tasty cigar and began scouring the internet for the latest news. On the political front......the same ole thing. This side bashing that side. Finger pointing and name-calling.

Then I came across a NBC news video called Meeting America: The Deep Political Divide. In the video we learn about a Wisconsin town that is literally divided by it's politics. On one side of the road, Republicans. On the other, Democrats.

The divide is so great that a discussion on politics or ideology is frowned upon and avoided. I encourage you to watch the video as I believe it highlights a problem we are having all across this nation.

We are divided as a people. We have become so entrenched in the partisan left vs right mentality that we forget that we all have something in common. We all recognize that there is something wrong in our country. There is something wrong with our political process. But instead of meeting in the middle to work on a reasonable solution to our collective problems, we focus on whom is to blame for the problems.

If we are ever going to fix our broken system, we will have to close that divide by shoving our political allegiances aside and working together for a reasonable compromise. The rhetoric and finger pointing will have to stop. Otherwise, we continue to divide this nation...and come one step closer to it's demise.

It doesn't matter who is to blame. It doesn't matter which party is right or wrong. What matters is that there is a problem that needs addressed.

Are you willing to toss your political allegiance to the side to find a solution?

Political allegiance is for static idiots and the elderly.

a reply to: sheepslayer247

How can truth succeed in a culture that glorifies ignorance and rewards bullies?

I'm not divided at all. I think both sides are stuffed full of bull pucky.

Leave my guns alone and we can talk about anything else.

a reply to: sheepslayer247

The idea that the political problem of division can be addressed without the causation of the problem or any problem and it's causation for that matter, will never solved without finding that cause and keep it from repeating. The idea would be eliminating the cause and not have the problem. ie. If you can stop the government from using race to create division at every turn it would reduce division and ill will among its citizens.


"Political allegiance is for static idiots and the elderly."

I deal with the elderly regularly and find them with the utmost amount of class, something your post seriously lacks in appreciation to what they have done for America. Static idiots can best be described as a "Turd in the punch bowl"

I am glad Sheep to see an attempt to deal with the division, it is what will be the public downfall as I see it, and why the Government keeps us that way through policy and the rhetoric of race.

a reply to: MarlinGrace

Yes, we do need to address the causes of our problems. Once we do that, are we going to be able to move forward without pointing fingers and placing blame?

Also, are we willing to compromise and set aside certain beliefs to come to a solution?

a reply to: sheepslayer247

I'm willing but a lot more hesitant to try. Some people are so programmed to believe that Socialism is evil that I actually feel like my safety is at risk to discuss politics with someone that just automatically HATES Socialists, face to face.

American politics.

The desire to plan the lives of others and to obtain a monopoly of force necessary to impose that plan on unwilling subjects.

Bipartisan was once celebrated in American politics, now its vilified and is shown as a sign of weakness.

Labels:
Republican, Tea Party, Libertarians, right wing = your either for us or against us George W Bush

Democrats, Independents, Progressives, Liberals, Socialists, Communists, Seldom do these groups attack each other, nor label themselves as listed. Just respond to a obvious right wing propaganda piece here on ATS and they will label you soon enough.

Media:
Foreign owned Fox News (a news entertainment company) Am radio Rush, Hannity, and a host of other "news" broadcast trumpet the same "news" stories over and over all day long. They also spend alot of time attacking other conservatives labeling them Rinos (republican in name only) while pushing there scripted news entertainment. They and right wing politicians have made it clear that they would rather shut down the government than work with the other side for compromise, in fact they view compromise as a terrible thing.

Under GWB there was plenty of conspiracies and corruption and crimes up to and including treason (cheney) but did Fox news break any of these stories? Or did they just act as a extension of the white house under Bush? CNN on the other hand often accused of being a Obama puppeteer broke the story on the VA scandal.

But the problems arose when we got rid of the Fairness Doctrine and this has lead to where we are at today:

The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, that required the holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was, in the Commission's view, honest, equitable and balanced. The FCC eliminated the Doctrine in 1987, and in August 2011 the FCC formally removed the language that implemented the Doctrine.[1]

The Fairness Doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented.[2]

The main agenda for the doctrine was to ensure that viewers were exposed to a diversity of viewpoints. In 1969 the United States Supreme Court upheld the FCC's general right to enforce the Fairness Doctrine where channels were limited. But the courts did not rule that the FCC was obliged to do so.[3] The courts reasoned that the scarcity of the broadcast spectrum, which limited the opportunity for access to the airwaves, created a need for the Doctrine. However, the proliferation of cable television, multiple channels within cable, public-access channels, and the Internet have eroded this argument, since there are plenty of places for ordinary individuals to make public comments on controversial issues at low or no cost at all.

WIKI

Getting rid of this rule elevated radio personalities like Rush Limbaugh to the heights he is at, with no objecting opinions presented all you hear on AM radio today is one side of the story, one political ideology.

Political leaning media, political parties and one sided messages has got us to where we are today.

a reply to: Kali74

You've highlighted another important aspect that needs to be addressed. Modern McCarthyism.

Certain ideologies and beliefs have been so demonized that you cannot even discuss it without being blasted as un-American or unpatriotic.

We need to throw everything on the table, including socialism, communism and capitalism, and pick through to find the best solution.

American politics in a nutshell:

American #1: "My lip service party is better than your lip service party!"
American #2: "Nuh-uh, your lip service party is crap, mine is superior!"
Person of minority political party: "Maybe if you approach the problem dif--"
Both Americans: "EVIL TERRORIST! Stuff it, commie! You don't like it, then you can leave!"

So yeah, it's like arguing with a brick wall stateside, not much of anything of merit is accomplished (discussions, ideas, etc) via the everyday Joes & Josephines anymore.

a reply to: LDragonFire

Please excuse me if I came across as too political, but I see propaganda for what it is.

Here is a link to the video mentioned in the op:

MSNBC

a reply to: LDragonFire

While some of us may feel that the propaganda is a bit one-sided, it's important that we all agree both sides use propaganda to sway opinion. If we all can agree on that, we can work to change that by holding our sides accountable for it and tell em that enough is enough. Stop the propaganda and let's stick to the facts.

a reply to: sheepslayer247

Oh I agree 100% I normally don't view Fox or MSNBC because there are ideological talking pieces. I have also witnessed CNN go conservative on one issue then liberal on another, but I feel I have the intelligence to recognize when this happens then to search out the same stories to get the whole picture.

But in general Americans are being mislead.

a reply to: LDragonFire

Media:
Foreign owned Fox News (a news entertainment company) Am radio Rush, Hannity, and a host of other "news" broadcast trumpet the same "news" stories over and over all day long. They also spend alot of time attacking other conservatives labeling them Rinos (republican in name only) while pushing there scripted news entertainment. They and right wing politicians have made it clear that they would rather shut down the government than work with the other side for compromise, in fact they view compromise as a terrible thing.

Under GWB there was plenty of conspiracies and corruption and crimes up to and including treason (cheney) but did Fox news break any of these stories? Or did they just act as a extension of the white house under Bush? CNN on the other hand often accused of being a Obama puppeteer broke the story on the VA scandal.

See what you just did there?

Why didn't you have the courage to admit some wrong doing and corruptness of the Democratic party?

Both parties have plenty of examples of how they are corrupt and have more important interests to take care of before the people who elected them get thrown a bone or two.

But I guess in your eyes, it is only the fault of the Republican party?

You provided a great example of what this topic is all about!

The definition of insanity is doing the same experiment over and over again and expecting a different result! Why can't the American people see that we are being played by BOTH parties? Isn't what gives them the power to do nothing for the benefit of the people but everything to pay back the big money that gets them elected, enough to nip the bi partisan BS in the bud once and for all; or is it just too much fun to argue with each other over political religion when we all know, deep down that we are merely pawns in a game of chess that is detrimental to our freedom and survival?

a reply to: sheepslayer247

The difficulty lies in polarizing issues.

I think most of us agree on 90% of any given issues.

It's that final 10% that everyone focuses on.

You and I may disagree on any given topic, but we've spoken at great length in the past and while you are a commie-pinko, (lolz) we agree on a multitude of issues.

If focus is off the 10% then we'd get along much more.

The prevailing government, the media, however, focus on nothing BUT the 10%.

Just my humble opinion, but if you disagree, then you hate bunnies, cats, and liberty.

a reply to: seeker1963

I think Liberal laws that limit drink sizes, or bans of certain foods and drinks are insane.

Patriot Act
NCAA
Anything that gives the government more police, arrest, and violation of privacy or search and seizure powers I'm completely against but the republicans vote en mass for all of these things, including the right leaning supreme court. Obama signed these laws also so he sucks as well.

Look up the voting records of both parties on these issues and 95% or more republicans vote for, and around 50% of dems vote for.

They both suck for turning the US into a fascist police state, but I feel the republicans pushed this more than the dems, but the dems should have defended the constitution, but thats not the goal of government anymore.

Why when the original patriot act came up for a vote the press was silent, and there was no political opposition? Did the Anthrax attack after 9/11 shut them up?

Yes I do blame republicans for destroying the USA first Reagan destroyed the middle class, then gwb turned us into a police state and Obama now is continuing what they started just like the next president if they are a member of either party will continue. At the same time Democrats did nothing to stop or change what the ones before them did.

a reply to: beezzer

Great point Beez. We do agree on most issues and people do tend to focus on the hot-button items that further increase the political divide.

But eventually we will have to work together to address that polarizing 10%. Are we willing to compromise on issues like abortion, separation of church and state, gay marriage...etc?

That's what I believe we need to focus on.

you are a commie-pinko

Ya, so? What you gonna do about it? Come at me bro.

The division is mostly caused by the function and role of government in people's lives, so it would seem to me that the proper solution would be to get rid of government to the point where it ceased to be a cause of so much anxiety to people on all sides.

If the government can't compel you to do things or take from you then there is no reason to argue or be divided by it.