What is wrong with the current state of political discourse?

[Isthmus]

I'm I the only one who is annoyed by the current state of political discourse? You know, where people are expected to espouse one of two extremes of any one topic, while leaving no room for anyone with any other opinion. It seems like civility and honest research and questioning has been replaced by insults, half truths and seeing who can scream the loudest and come up with the catchiest soundbyte. I suppose it is to be expected of politicians, and perhaps even of media personalities who get paid to do this, but when did it become OK for normal every day people to make attacks and insults the basis for discussing and solving their problems? When did ideology in this country become so rigid that there was no room for any dissenting opinions. When did it become OK for dissenting opinions to form the basis of scorn and ridicule and questioning any one person's dedication to a cause or party (or their exclusion therefrom)?

It would really be nice to see a more cooperative spirit take hold, where ideology was replaced by perhaps more pragmatic approaches and mutual respect was the norm.

I mean, at least as I see it, politics is not a competition nor should it be treated as such. it is definitely not some zero sum game where there is only one answer. It's a real shame that the average person seems to think these days that mutual respect research and analysis are not desirable characteristics of our political discourse.

Please chime in with your thoughts.

 

[byteware]

The actual problem is a little different. The politicians are either Democrat or Republican. They are playing to their base. So, what you hear coming from the pundits and from the politicians is all extreme. They are trying to satisfy their base. The reality is that neither party can get elected without independent voters. They make up the majority of voters. This is why party control has start flip flopping between Republicans and Democrats. Neither party really represents independent voters, so they stick with a party until they get fed up, and then they switch.

For those of us who aren't part of either party's base, it can be extremely frustrating.

 

[Isthmus]

Yes you bring up a good point. It would be interesting to see some organized voice and outlet for the voices of the middle.

 

[copestag]

Yes you bring up a good point. It would be interesting to see some organized voice and outlet for the voices of the middle.

the problem here is that there is no true "middle" in the sense that there are 2 extremes 'right' and 'left' and there are millions of different opinions that dont fall into the extremism......... youd be very hard pressed in fact Id say its impossible to find a voice of the "middle" because theres no 1 person or group of people who can reflect every opinion of every person who isnt on the extremes...... if any of that rambling makes sense LOL

in other words you cant find 2 people who agree on everything (or even enough) unless they belong to one of the extremes

how does that old saying go....... you cant please everyone all the time

having said that....... I would definitely agree that its sad to see our current system the way it is......... regardless of which party is in office it seems they do everything they can to divide us further apart....... its been a very long time in this country since weve seen either party do whats best for the nation instead of whats best for the party

 

[Crude]

Neither party is playing on what their party stands for. It's politics has become like 2 sitcoms. Neither is going to give you any information worth retaining. Both will do anything to steal viewers from the other to increase their ratings. Both of them cater to the idiots in our society.

 

[byteware]

Neither party is playing on what their party stands for. It's politics has become like 2 sitcoms. Neither is going to give you any information worth retaining. Both will do anything to steal viewers from the other to increase their ratings. Both of them cater to the idiots in our society.

That is the best description I've heard in a long time. I'm going to steal that...