Do you really think our country is divided

I've been reading in the paper and watching on TV this whole notion of our nation being polarized. I think this is more a myth than fact. What really defines a liberal and a conservative is closer than our media and politicians would care to admit.
Fanning the flames of "Us vs. Them" rhetoric sells newspapers, airtime on talk show and magazines.
My guess is the things we disagree on are fewer than those we agree on in this country.

What do you think?

[SexyRedXterra]

If you're talking the people of the United States, I think we're not as divided. If you're talking Hollywood and people in the media, I think we are polarized from them. Unfortunately, their opinions are all that we see and hear, so we think that's popular opinion.

You make an interesting distinction regarding the entertainment industry.
They're the ones saying the nation is polarized though.

[Big Dog]

There are serious and recognized cultural differences between Big City dwellers and Rural folks. Even stronger cultural differences between those of the North and South, which has resulted in political turmoil for many decades.
Now, we have some serious differences in philosophy between those of the Right and the Left (Democrat and Republican aren't that much different these days . . . ). It's unfortunate that the political world has allowed the Far Left and Far Right to influence the parties so much. Then we have the Media Elite fanning the flames even more, to further their own agenda. The Media should restrict themselves to entertaining and objective reporting - not trying to enfluence the whole of American society.They should reflect society, not create it. They should report the news, not make it.

End of Rant . . .

[Rufus Rhastus J]

It was a good rant, though. Shame, we all know what the right thing is....too bad those elected don't. Why do we tolerate it? The right, the left.....it's almost the same. I agree, the media should all be sent to iraq, then start with a new batch. What ever happened to jeraldo? Has he finally been killed or taken hostage. i'd like to see his head lopped off. I never liked him, I cheered when he got his big fat #$%^%$# nose broken!

[Sniper[MI]]

Originally Posted by SexyRedXterra

If you're talking the people of the United States, I think we're not as divided. If you're talking Hollywood and people in the media, I think we are polarized from them. Unfortunately, their opinions are all that we see and hear, so we think that's popular opinion.

You stole my thunder! Excellent post young lady!!

More to that point, I think after the McCarthy hearings the commies went underground and infiltrated the Democratic party, as well as Entertainment and news mediums and overtook the educators in higher learning, thus churning out the Liberal/PC bbs we see now...

They are the true enemy.

[Shaun]

SRX your one of few college students who is in her right mind and not been indoctrinated into liberal speak commonly pushed on your age group.

[Lord Shrike]

Yah well thats because if memory serves she attends a christian college. I personally feel that this nation is as divided as it has ever been since the Civil War. You can see the split almost everywhere. The electorate is no longer 35 35 30 its now 45 45 10. The amount of money pooring in to polotics is amazing and its not all big contributors. People feel they have alot at stake in this election. You see it in the media. Print and broadcast tv are dominated by the left. The internet AM radio and Nashville are dominated by the right. If you ask me the finiancial air is ripe for a conservative alternative to Hollywood to be formed. Look at the success of Gibson's the Passion. I live in a battleground state. Gore won it by a few thousand votes under allegations of massive DNC vote fraud. (which ofcourse the democratic DA declined to investigate) I have been apart of and witnessed numerous polotical conversations amoung freinds that dang near ended in blows over the last year. I think this nation is a powder keg waiting for the spark of another razor thin election to set it off. SHTF may be alot closer than most of you think.

[dhermesc]

Originally Posted by Lord Shrike

I personally feel that this nation is as divided as it has ever been since the Civil War. You can see the split almost everywhere.

I agree with BIGDOG. I don't think it's that divided - especially when the differances between the two major parties is so small. The media has so over blown the us -vs- them story that they have forgotten what true divisiveness is. When one senator beats another senseless in chambers or a group of construction workers kicks the sh** out of a couple hundred pro or anti whatever marchers then I'd say we have a little bit polarized.

Look back at the 60s and 70s, when there was violence in the street as leftist groups planned and carried out bombings and robbies to support their causes. Eventually it all died out, todays marchers are like the dumbasses that try to reinact Woodstock, not knowing it wasn't that great when it happened the first time and todays version is a pale shadow of even that.

It has been said fat people make lousy revolutionaries, and right now nearly all of America is fat.

[Big Dog]

Actually, Derm, my point is that we ARE highly divided - in many ways, on many levels. It will ultimately come to a head. There are too many different views in this country, to stay intact for much longer. The danged Media is using the dichotomy to it's advantage - widening the splits. Who knows if we end in Civil War, or simple socio-economic melt-down? Too many cooks in the kitchen. The pots are starting to boil over . . . :insane:

[SilverRun]

Liberal media is the biggest problem.

On a related note. Mel Gibson for President? Just a thought!

[Rufus Rhastus J]

Interesting suggestion. Maybe his hollywood "connection" would help, his like it did with Ronnie! But, Ronnie never was "labeled" like Mel and his Dad. Still, it might be fun to hear the whineing and the medias out-rage!

What are the things that divide us so starkly?
I just don't see it.
There is a lot of hot air running around (not here) but little evidence that as a nation we are falling apart at the seams.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

watch the news, read the papers, look and listen to those around you. America is not falling apart but there sure is a clearly defined line as to what is needed for America. Personally, Kerry ain't what's needed but, some folks don't agree!

[Lord Shrike]

What are we divided on well. We are divided on weather or not we as a country have a right to act premptively to defend ourselves or weather we need the UN's permission. We are divided on weather the money we earn is ours or if its the governments to divided amoungst us. We are divided on weather the Second amendment applies to the people or weather it was just for the national guard. We are divided over weather a fetus is a live human being or weather its just annoying flesh to be disposed of. We are divided on weather God has any place in public life or if its something to be mocked and bannished for government. I could go on and on and on.

I don't think we are so clearly divided on the issues you bring up in your post. Who does it serve to have division? Who gains from that senario?

[SexyRedXterra]

Originally Posted by Shaun

SRX your one of few college students who is in her right mind and not been indoctrinated into liberal speak commonly pushed on your age group.

I know I go to a Christian school that's conservative, but I put up with being in a liberal environment for two decades. I do live in NJ afterall.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

The evil ones! They plot our slip into the abyss of communisum! Incrementalisum! I know, spelling sucks....it ruins a perfectly good rant!

[Lord Shrike]

Well I live in Wisconsin home of Madison, the liberal MECCA of the Midwest so I sympathize Red. Mr. K. I know we are fiercly divided on the issues I listed before and many others. What purpose does it serve to be divided? Well I don't know that anyone sought division so much as it just happened. Eventually people with different points or view are going to run out of compromises. Conflict of some kind is inevitable. Who gains is whoever wins the conflict.

I lived in Janesville, WI during the Carter administration.
What is it with Madison?