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Originally Posted by snoozan  you don't think dialogue-- even arguments and senseless ranting sometimes-- isn't a good thing? is that how you think important decisions should be made-- with no discussion? the reason why this election is all over everywhere is because it's important to people because the US is in the middle of costly a war where people are getting injured and dying every day and our economy is trashed. this election should be on everyone's minds, because we have serious problems in the US. we need to have a national dialogue on where the US is heading because it directly affects our quality of life. the unwillingness to openly discuss and exchange ideas combined with the apathy of our young people is how our country elected george bush and why the religious right has dominated US politics for so many years. |
I was generalising, but my problem is more to do with the
type of dialogue.
There are some good discussions and debates going but unfortunately they seem to a vast minority. The focus so often seems to be on what's negative about the other party, rather than what's positive about ones' own party.
If we move the analogy from politics to friendship, then people who try and find the flaws in others for them to look down upon so they themselves feel better, usually don't have many friends at all. That's precisely what I see from all political camps. As notorious as political mud-slinging can be, I've always found supporters to partake in much more embarassing behaviour than the administration they're supposedly supporting. (Though usually having an opposite affect than what they intend.)
Case in point:
Obama LOSES Another BIG State. Clinton must win 70 percent of remaining pledged delegates to match Obama The Obama "has won more states" argument doesn't fly, or the has more delegates etc Obama comment re guns and religion Obama & American Idol SICK of the Obama-Preacher write off excuses Sick of the Obama Godlike bandwagon Hey Trinity...remember your gloating about Wright and Obama? Obama: the candidate of change! Little girl in "3:00 AM" ad is an Obama supporter Barack Hussein Obama http://www.lpsg.org/80175-obama-took...-michigan.html Obama Blows His Nose Obama really shows his inexperience Hillary, Hillary, Hillary... what you still doin' 'round girl? Hillary Clinton cares nothing for democracy Hillary wins 6 delegate votes!!!! Hillary Lies On Youtube Wonder if Ann Coulter is still going to campaign for Hillary? Would you punch Hillary in the face? Is this how HILLARY intends to unite the country? Heil Hillary!!! I just got a call from Hillary Clinton.. These are all threads made about candidate/party A, created by supporters for candidate/party B. They do nothing but attack the opposition, and consequently damage their
own candidate. None intended to be reasonable
or respectable debates. (Off the top of my head whilst searching LPSG, that's around 65-80% of all threads with "Obama" or "Hillary" in the title.)
While some do contain within them reasonable discussion for brief periods, they have unfortunately been
against the intention of those threads.
It's embarrassing behaviour, most often fueled by fear of the opponent's strength or the fear of their own [candidates'] weakness. It often comes accompanied with a narrow-minded anger that not eveyrone is of the same opinion, too. If someone's opinion will not be swayed by their own researching and reading of each candidates' policies and reputation, then chances are that petty forum fueds won't either.
On a personal note, if I see people behaving in this way who are in favour of a candidate that I am, it can sometimes cause me to rethink my allegiance; if by my endorsing a candidate it makes me rub shoulders with those kind of people it's not something I want to be a part of.
Look what happened to Ron Pauls' momentum after the whole neo-nazi/white power debacle(whether it was 'true' or not).
If I had a vote and was to choose the lesser of evils (which an election
always is) it would probably be Obama; I don't like Hillary's view on healthcare. I don't like admitting that around here with the behaviour of other pro-Obama members, though - it makes me ashamed to be associated with them in any way.
