why do grown ups act like kids when it comes to talking politics?

[Dancing Fire]

it don''t hurt my feelings if you don''t agree with me.

 

[kenny]

Maybe because politics (power) returns us to the role of children.

 

[jewelz617]

I am rubber and you are glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I try as much as possible to limit my involvement in political discussions, online and in my real life. I vote with the issue, not the party, but I find that's not good enough for some people. They feel like if you don't align yourself with one or the other then you just don't care. There's so much judgment thrown around when it comes to politics and I'd rather maintain my friendships. I know a lot of my friends would judge me or think I was a brainless dolt if they knew my true feelings about certain subjects. My opinion or view is no less valid than theirs just because they're in the majority.

ETA: and since when did Liberal and Conservative become political parties? I have a friend who (literally) classifies herself as a Conservative when she answers the "what party are you" question.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 3/22/2010 12:55:28 PM
Author: PinkAsscher678
I am rubber and you are glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.

Ya, totally.

I think a lot of people just have a problem with others who don''t agree with their POV.

 

[noelwr]

as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.

my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

 

[princesss]

Date: 3/22/2010 1:08:39 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I try as much as possible to limit my involvement in political discussions, online and in my real life. I vote with the issue, not the party, but I find that''s not good enough for some people. They feel like if you don''t align yourself with one or the other then you just don''t care. There''s so much judgment thrown around when it comes to politics and I''d rather maintain my friendships. I know a lot of my friends would judge me or think I was a brainless dolt if they knew my true feelings about certain subjects. My opinion or view is no less valid than theirs just because they''re in the majority.

ETA: and since when did Liberal and Conservative become political parties? I have a friend who (literally) classifies herself as a Conservative when she answers the ''what party are you'' question.

Yup. I had one person flip out when I was joking around about my political beliefs - somebody asked me a question, and I gave a mostly-joking answer, and she overheard it and flipped out yelling about how we could NEVER talk about politics. I''d rather just not talk about it and continue to vote the way I choose (like you, HH, based on issue not on party). I have very few people I know that I can have a reasonable discussion with because they don''t see me stating my beliefs as either a challenge (for them to change my mind, I guess) or treason (

). I''m not trying to change minds - I want to collect data, analyze it, and make my decision.

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:25:47 PM
Author: noelwr
as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.


my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

Because the government controls so much here. And a lot of what they are controlling is in many people''s eyes, very mismanaged.

 

[HollyS]

Why do some people just feel like opening cans of worms?

 

[HollyS]

Date: 3/22/2010 12:38:54 PM
Author: kenny
Maybe because politics (power) returns us to the role of children.

Uh, what?

If you mean Big Daddy taking care of you, I guess.

I prefer telling my Congressman how to vote, not my Congressman telling me what''s good for me, thank you very much.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:25:47 PM
Author: noelwr
as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.

my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

And this is a good thing?

 

[Ella]

Please keep responses respectful and polite or this thread will be closed.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 3/22/2010 1:08:39 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I try as much as possible to limit my involvement in political discussions, online and in my real life. I vote with the issue, not the party, but I find that''s not good enough for some people. They feel like if you don''t align yourself with one or the other then you just don''t care. There''s so much judgment thrown around when it comes to politics and I''d rather maintain my friendships. I know a lot of my friends would judge me or think I was a brainless dolt if they knew my true feelings about certain subjects. My opinion or view is no less valid than theirs just because they''re in the majority.

ETA: and since when did Liberal and Conservative become political parties? I have a friend who (literally) classifies herself as a Conservative when she answers the ''what party are you'' question.

I don''t suppose your friend is from the UK, by any chance? Here, we have the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. Just a thought!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 3/22/2010 3:02:38 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell

Date: 3/22/2010 1:08:39 PM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

I try as much as possible to limit my involvement in political discussions, online and in my real life. I vote with the issue, not the party, but I find that's not good enough for some people. They feel like if you don't align yourself with one or the other then you just don't care. There's so much judgment thrown around when it comes to politics and I'd rather maintain my friendships. I know a lot of my friends would judge me or think I was a brainless dolt if they knew my true feelings about certain subjects. My opinion or view is no less valid than theirs just because they're in the majority.


ETA: and since when did Liberal and Conservative become political parties? I have a friend who (literally) classifies herself as a Conservative when she answers the 'what party are you' question.

I don't suppose your friend is from the UK, by any chance? Here, we have the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. Just a thought!

LOL, sometimes I wish she lived across the pond! No, she lives here in the states. Admittedly she's not a great friend, more of an acquaintance, and she's the type who just regurgitates what she hears without forming her own opinion or really understanding what she's talking about. So when her husband says "I'm a conservative" she immediately thinks conservative with a capital C versus conservative in his beliefs. She doesn't necessarily think he's saying "I'm a conservative Republican", or "I'm a conservative who votes independently."

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:32:36 PM
Author: PinkAsscher678

Date: 3/22/2010 2:25:47 PM

Author: noelwr

as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.



my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

Because the government controls so much here. And a lot of what they are controlling is in many people''s eyes, very mismanaged.

If you compare our governmental system to that of most other countries, you''ll find that our government actually controls very little of our day-to-day activities/choices.

 

[jewelz617]

Ok then. Trying NOT to get into it...

 

[kenny]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:37:44 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 3/22/2010 12:38:54 PM
Author: kenny
Maybe because politics (power) returns us to the role of children.

Uh, what?
If you mean Big Daddy taking care of you, I guess.
I prefer telling my Congressman how to vote, not my Congressman telling me what''s good for me, thank you very much.

No that''s not what I mean.

 

[yssie]

well... the healthcare thread has gone off topic, but I reckon I'd be summarily banned if I said what I actually think of the bill itself.


so I'm not acting like a kid, I'm walking away instead of diving right in on the warpath

 

[megumic]

Because just like kids, we all think we''re RIGHT!

 

[PumpkinPie]

this thread is soo doomed

 

[jas]

Why should we behave any better than the politicians?

Aaaaand...I''m out.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:35:44 PM
Author: HollyS
Why do some people just feel like opening cans of worms?

no,not opening a can of worms. i already know whom are liberals and whom are conservatives here. i just don''t understand why we can''t act like adults.

Hollys S for President in 2012.

 

[packrat]

b/c they never learned to play nice with others? b/c they have such an overinflated sense of their own self that they feel their *opinions* are in fact, fact? b/c of a gigantic ego that causes them to believe they are always right and people who don''t believe what they do are idiots?

 

[HollyS]

Date: 3/22/2010 4:02:18 PM
Author: kenny

Date: 3/22/2010 2:37:44 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 3/22/2010 12:38:54 PM
Author: kenny
Maybe because politics (power) returns us to the role of children.

Uh, what?
If you mean Big Daddy taking care of you, I guess.
I prefer telling my Congressman how to vote, not my Congressman telling me what''s good for me, thank you very much.

No that''s not what I mean.

Okay. So, care to explain?

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/22/2010 7:21:35 PM
Author: packrat
b/c they never learned to play nice with others? b/c they have such an overinflated sense of their own self that they feel their *opinions* are in fact, fact? b/c of a gigantic ego that causes them to believe they are always right and people who don''t believe what they do are idiots?

Yeah, that''s pretty much it.

 

[kenny]

Date: 3/22/2010 8:05:32 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 3/22/2010 4:02:18 PM
Author: kenny

Date: 3/22/2010 2:37:44 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 3/22/2010 12:38:54 PM
Author: kenny
Maybe because politics (power) returns us to the role of children.

Uh, what?
If you mean Big Daddy taking care of you, I guess.
I prefer telling my Congressman how to vote, not my Congressman telling me what's good for me, thank you very much.

No that's not what I mean.

Okay. So, care to explain?

Children are under the power of their parents.
Adults are under the power of their political leaders.

If you think you have power over senators, representatives, the president, governors etc. thats fine.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 3/22/2010 7:21:35 PM
Author: packrat
b/c they never learned to play nice with others? b/c they have such an overinflated sense of their own self that they feel their *opinions* are in fact, fact? b/c of a gigantic ego that causes them to believe they are always right and people who don''t believe what they do are idiots?

This pretty much sums it up

 

[katamari]

I feel like many people in my non-virtual life just don''t know how to articulate their beliefs well enough to engage in effective political discussion. I actually enjoy talking to people across the spectrum, and learn a lot from talking to people who believe differently than me. The problem is that we don''t learn enough about our political system often to enable this, unfortunately.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:25:47 PM
Author: noelwr
as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.


my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

According to wikipedia...
Holland: ~16,000 sq. miles (~41,500 sq. kilometers)
USA: ~3,794,100 sq miles


There are more people in our largest city than your entire country, so our two countries'' perspective on the need for government is different.

 

[galeteia]

Date: 3/22/2010 11:30:23 PM
Author: Guilty Pleasure

Date: 3/22/2010 2:25:47 PM

Author: noelwr

as a non-American, I wonder why Americans are so passionate about politics. if there is one thing foreigners know not to discuss with Americans it''s politics and religion.



my country (Holland) doesn''t even have government right now. they resigned because they couldn''t agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. this is the 4th time we''ve had no government with our current prime minister. elections aren''t until June. but no one cares and our country just keeps functioning as though nothing happens. so makes me wonder what the point is...

According to wikipedia...

Holland: ~16,000 sq. miles (~41,500 sq. kilometers)

USA: ~3,794,100 sq miles



There are more people in our largest city than your entire country, so our two countries'' perspective on the need for government is different.

This is so true for Canadian vs American politics, too. After 2 years of living in the US, I am struck by how my native land''s small population allows it to focus on policy over hyperbole. We can afford to try out different things and experiment with the status quo, because we do not have a juggernaut of a population that takes tremendous momentum to sway. A complete overhaul of our political system, while a PITA, is not impossible. The small population allows for a luxury that I do not think Americans have.