Liberals and Conservatives ideology are so vastly different and the political infighting and polarization becoming so bitter, is it possible for these two sides to continue to co-exist side by side? Will eventually the gulf between these two groups become so wide that Americans  will fight with eachother, not through the ballot box but through open violence?
201179
I highly doubt it....the people that argue the most would run the fastest if bullets were to fly...Don't forget that they are really not that different after all.  Some policy differences, but at the end of the day, they are all rich guys/gals in suits who love to argue.
134547
Definately the ultra left wing extremists...but neither Democrats or Republicans...there's just a WHOLE lot of IDIOTIC name calling going on by people on the SAME TEAM lately.  And by same team I mean AMERICANS.\n\nTry balance.  If you need a fight, try watching sports.  But keep the stupid polarization out of politics.\n\nI WOULD ADD:\n\nMost of you get your political "expertise" from Comedy Central making this obviously rigged question as stupid as every answer but mine.\n\nToo bad their's no Soviet Union anymore for all you lemmings to wallow home to.
30689
i agree completely.what has happened to our country politically has occurred slowly and now we have to come together quickly.but,can we?i am as a firm believer in my politics as are the others on the other side.but we must stop this petty bickering and show a united front.no one has to change their beliefs.but just as we did in WWII fight the evil ones together and defeat them.then we can get back to fighting within the family.as any kid with siblings knows.i can pick on my brothe or sister but everyone else better leave him/her alone or you'll have me to fight too.
659847
There's nothing particularly "bad" about either one, it's just that some individuals see things more in "black" or "white" than others, which would put them on one end of the spectrum or the other as far as politics.  The irony of the matter though is the answer to a lot of issues that "conservatives" and "liberals" often fight over is often in the middle of all this clamoring.  In the end, this is part of what makes America great...the fact that you CAN have any opinion you want about anything, regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on.  There are many other nations around the world that having an opinion outside of the majority or what is in the government's interest isn't even a remote thought in the minds of the people.  I'm thankful to be here whether I agree with everyone about everything or not.
202909
Well, I consider myself moderate- leaning conservative, but I don't think there's a problem with having the liberal point of view.  There's nothing wrong with being conservative or liberal, but no matter where you are on the spectrum, there is something wrong with intolerance toward another person's point of view.\n\nI will agree that there are some on both sides that are an embarrassment both to their ideologies, as well as the United States.  But remember that single events (such as Jane Fonda's trip to Hanoi during the Vietnam War) may not be characteristic of all people holding that point of view.\n\nI would like to close with two of my favorite quotes regarding differing ideologies:\n     1.  I may not agree with what you have to say, but I would fight to the death for your right to say it.\n     2.  Just because we don't see eye to eye doesn't mean we can't stand side by side.\n\n\nI hope this helps.
499668
Truman and he was a democrat.  That was a long time ago, before Vietnam.  It's interesting how times have changed things.  Most conservatives today would be considered left wing fanatics by Turmans standards.  Liberals today would seem to be from a different planet all together.
646873
The Lbierals and Conservatives may not argue so much, but Bloc Quebecois does with the other parties. Canadian parties argue a lot, you jsut dont' see it if you're not in Quebec lol.\n\nOh, and Liberalism and Cosnervatism is a belief, which is why Democrats are Liberals, and Republicans are Conservatives... Because Dems believe in Liberalism, and Republicans believe in Conservatism. In Canada, the Conservative party is called the Torries, and I think the Liberals have their own name.. they are just preferred to be calles Libs and Cons. \n\nAmerica isn't like Canada, with 4 major parties.. Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc. We have 2. They are both exactly different, and at times about 50% of the Americans liked the Republicans, and 50% liked the Democrats. \n\nBush has made some terrible decisions, and Democrats are tired of it. I know I am. I used to be a Democrat but hated the bashing. Now however, I have almost been written up in school for bashing so much. I have had people cry because I have bashed mr. bush, lol. \n\nAlso, in Canada you have more agreeing.. Take the NDP. They will almost vote for everything that the Liberals do. They are an alternative party however, because of scandals and such.\n\nIn Canada, you also have a minority government. There is no majority. At anytime, the NDP, Liberals, or even Bloc  can call for an Unconfidence vote, and within weeks, Harper could be out. It's not like that in America.\n\nI like the arguing, because the Dems always win! :)
510814
Yes, you are confused.\nBoth sides have their radicals.  The right-wingers (Republican) and the left-wingers (Democrat).\nThe majority fall somewhere in the middle (conservative).  Meaning their views are more moderate.  \nWhether you would label yourself as Republican or Democrat, would depend on how you feel on a number of social issues.  Nothing more.  Neither side is more inherently evil than the other.\nThe only difference is in how you would approach those issues, with the majority taking a common sense approach.
448833
THANK YOU!!!  Finally, something we both agree on!!  I understand both sides stating their opinions, but at what point will everybody realize that fighting and calling each other names is getting us nowhere and that in the end, no matter the outcome both sides will be unhappy with the results??!!  Lets act like adults and discuss solutions, we all know the problem already, why keep making it bigger??!!
611850
There really isn't a political affiliation calculated for Democrats and Republicans. You can have a Democrats that's conservative or a Republican that's liberal. It depends on the person's politics. These days though, Republicans are branded conservative and Democrats liberal. If you look at history, there are points of time when the affliation for Democrats and Republicans were reversed.
598854
This whole Liberal vs Conservative debate does nobody any good. All that happens is more polarization.\n\nThe differences come from basic assumptions about life, government and the country's role in the world. But no one discusses the assumptions, only the differences.\n\nBasic assumptions such as help someone going through hard times vs. self reliance. These ultimately lead to arguments regarding welfare, medicare,  social security, etc.\n\nPersonal liberties and state's rights vs. government involvement in regulating business, security, etc. Which is causing much of the bashing on both sides at present.\n\nLabeling other's as Liberal, Conservative, weak minded, etc. does not help anyone. It just leads to more bashing. And laying the responsibility at the feet of one side ignores the fact that the blame goes both ways. Rush Limbaugh is just as much of a Liberal basher (he says liberal in a way that suggests the very word dirties his mouth) as Ted Kennedy is a Conservative basher.\n\nHonest debate over issues without resorting to labels, name calling, mud slinging and all other tactics to confuse the issues is what this country needs. The national debate we need to be having is what does this country truly stand for, what is the role of government at all levels and what is the role of this country in the world. Assumptions have to be made clear and understood. Etc. etc.
104519
Conservative and Liberal are terms only describing your tendency towards one side or another on certain issues.  It really has nothing to do with party affiliation.  There are a number of conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans, but the majority of Republicans tend to be more conservative and the majority of Democrats tend to be more liberal, which is how the words have come to be used as pseudo-insults from one party to the other.
162122
It is true. Our political parties are extremely divided. "Like the sands of an hour glass", they are on opposing side of the sand stream.\n\nThe past two elections, I believe, have set the stage for division. Both parties are mimicking the American voters, who in both of the last two elections, Bush vs. Gore and Bush vs. Kerry., reflected a feeling of division resulting in two very, very close elections. There is what I believe to be a lingering feeling of resentment among Democrats for the way Bush won in Florida.The fact is, brother Jeb was and is the Governor of Florida, I am sure played a role. All-in-all, George Bush was not elected, he was handed the Presidency by the Supreme Court. Remember, Gore won the popular vote.\n\nOur Government works best when there are checks and balances. However, when you have a Republican Administration and a Republican controlled Senate (or visa verse) the opposing party has little chance to make a difference. This very frustrating position for the Democrats may be responsible for some of the back-stabbing and name calling. \n\nAside from the fact that name calling and attacks, personal or otherwise occur, please be cognizant that this pattern has become the norm over many years. It is nothing new to politics in todays world. Both factions have adopted the phylosophy that by denegrating the opposition opportunity and popularity are created for the attacker. Moreover, deciding for whom we vote, usaully boils down to whom we think is the "lesser of evils". They spend too much time bashing and too little time promoting their platforms. \n\nMohammed Ali never called his opponents names, he simple said, "I am the greatest" and then proved that he was. Mohammed Ali, although a braggart set out to reinforce his declaration, positive declarations. In truth, was he bragging or forcasting. \n\nBoth parties should concentrate more on forcasting their platforms and less time drawing attention to their opposition. \n\nI'm sorry to tell this, Dems. & Reps. are very much like gangsters. Better get used to it. I don't think it will change in our lifetimes.
631573
You forgot one group they champion; al queda.  Sadly they are finding themselves politically alligned with the most radical group in Islam.  Afterall both the liberals in America (and abroad) want the same thing as al queda - for the US to lose.
559915
No. But most people who have any political interests fall somewhere along that spectrum.\n\nHowever, it is not the only spectrum. In fact, some models don't even consider it a single spectrum.\n\nFirst, you have the question of federal-vs-state. Conservatives originally believed in a small federal government and maximum states rights, while liberals wanted a strong centralized government. The Republican party has pretty much abandoned that conservative goal in the past decade, but it remains a significant aspect.\n\nYou also have the question of group-rights vs individual rights. This is where civil liberties versus community/national interests conflict. A conservative wants to afford protections for society, including strong national defense and homelands security. Liberals may value these things, but not at the expense of individual civil rights and liberties. That's another spectrum.\n\nThere are other spectrums, but you get the idea.  Democrats are big-government, individual rights. Republicans (nowadays) are big-government, group security. Federalists are small-government, group security. Libertarians are small-government, individual rights. Just to name a few.\n\nOf course, how fanatic you are about any of these goals is yet another wholly different scale. Moderates are those who are still willing to listen to other people, and haven't become trapped fanaticism.\n\nPersonally, I think the world needs more moderates, and less fanatics.
574636
I experience the same from the Left wing.  Cuts both ways...there are hateful people across the full spectrum and our job is to recognize it on both sides (so we don't become subject to marginalizations for showing subjectivity) and ignore them.\n\nI have received death threats from pacifists for editorials I have written about 9/11.  I have received physical threats in my classes for speaking against various topics.  The e-mail...never ending.  That is just the way some people think.  They are not smart enough to hold a debate and think that what they are doing will intimidate the other side enough to silence the other side.  The fact is this shows they do not know WHY they believe what they believe and thus are unable to intelligently defend what they believe.
25259
Not in the event of war ,i.e. (War on terrorism).. The liberals are really trying to get this one to stick, but I'm tellin' ya right now.. This dog ain't gonna hunt.. The lefties need to go find another pseudo-crisis to whine about..