How is it the two competing ideologies in America are so evenly divided?
929189
I was just about to ask the same question. It is interesting that it is so evenly divided. Both sides think they are right. What keeps it from tilting one way or the other?
712048
Republicans And Democrats Are But One Beast\nWith Two Heads\nFeeding From The Same Trough\n\nRepublocrats\nDemublicans\n\nSomethin Like That\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe fact of the matter is \nthat America as we know it (or knew it) \nis being systematically destroyed, \nand the politicians from both political parties \nare making this possible.
299163
Good question!\n\nThe line between the two parties is a lot more blurred in the United States than it ever has been before.  Traditionally, the Democratic Party was always the "blue-collar" party and the Republican Party was always the "white-collar" party.\n\nHowever, many have crossed party lines...there were many many so-called "Reagan Democrats" who voted for Reagan in spite of the fact that he was the republican nominee.  Likewise, there were many republicans who voted for Clinton (myself included).  \n\nI think the best way to describe the difference between the parties is like this (and this is ONLY my own opinion):\n\nRepublicans typically believe that the federal government should have as minimal a role in the lives of citizens as possible.  People are generally "good" and will do the right thing.\n\nDemocrats typically believe that the federal government has the responsibility to right all the social wrongs caused by our capitalist society.  People are generally too "greedy" to do the right thing, and therefore must be legislated into doing what's right.\n\nI want to stress again that this is MY OPINION, so please don't slam me for having an opinion if yours differs.  Debate is welcome, slamming is not.
910242
My understanding (from my college days), is that communism is a political system, and socialism is an economic system.\n\nSo socialism contrasts with capitalism.\n\nOnly those of us on the very far left in the US are socialists; most democrats and liberals are not -- though some believe in SOME socialism (such as Social Security and welfare for the poor, medicare, and other things).\n\nCompared to civilized countries, we don't really have much of a left here.\n\nWell, I guess the progressives are fairly left, and that's a growing group.\n\nBut most Americans, including liberals and democrats, are capitalists, with liberals and dems having slight socialist leanings.\n\nNo democrats or liberals are communist, as far as I know.\n\nThere is a communist party in the US, but it's tiny.
1075679
There's no such thing.  The answer to this is in the eye of the beholder, besides they are equally divided over the country.
424323
Today it is divided up between religious and secular, liberals and conservatives with one still active group of Republicans working like hell to bring back the agenda. Another of the great divisions comes from how much government do the people of America want? Conservatives and Liberals alike want more federal power over the people including academic education curriculum, one school fits all! Health care must be government controlled which will make it part of any partisan campaign for power. The FDA now wants to control our supplements and we gave them that power within CAFTA. The government will direct our length of stay in the hospital without exceptions and these are liberal and conservative desires. Unless we can stop it, how we die will be a part of the federal government’s plans. We all saw Bush’s reaction to the Schiavo case. \n\nWhat did we expect from a man who had never seen a war, never made a success in any business venture or earned a wage in his life? Could he be expected to keep America free from assault, keep our government out of our personal lives and our business proceedings? His campaign managers knew the GOP agenda but did he? Hell yes they need spanked.
1103486
I agree with C.E. You are bias, and it appears to be that you don't care. But I will give an answer anyway. \nLiberals and Conservatives are on diff. sides. You think they're going to get along when both think that they're right? It's obvious they're not. Here's why: \nThere are some things worth fighting for. What your country does is a BIG one. \nOh, let me verify something. There are good ppl on both sides, and there are bad. Not all think the same way, but there is the general idea of both, that has been established. \nAnd this isn't democrats vs. republicans, it's liberals vs. conservatives. You need to get them straight. But here's the story on what you asked, even if you didn't know it;\nConservatives wish to conserve the morals and values of the JudeoChristian heritage that has made America great. \nLiberals wish to have "freedom" from all morals and values, esp those of the scriptures. \nDems and Republicans are diff. If you're wondering abt them, ask that. Generally though, it is the republicans that have conservative views and vice versa. \n...Conservatives believe that torturous murder of unborn babies should be illegal, and Libs believe it's the woman's choice to kill her baby or not. \nCs believe capital punishment should be used, and Ls want to be easy on such crimanals. (usually) Cs believe homosexuality is wrong, and such "unions" should not be allowed, Ls promote such stuff....\nThere is more, but that is why they don't get along. Why should they?  I am a conservative republican, and I will always fight for what I know is right, and liberal democrats will always fight against that. And that's the truth of it.
573460
Culturally (not including the Western Coastal areas, which are a culture unto themselves) the belief systems are more like the South-primarily because most people in the West are descendants of settlers from the South- Also, both the South and West have high percentages of Irish families, which seem to exert a strong cultural influence, while the Midwest is influenced by German and Scandinavian immigrants, and the NE by English, Scottish and Italian groups.\nNext would easily be the Midwest-In fact an argument can be made that the West is more like the Midwest in many ways- If you look at voting patterns, the west (again, apart from the Coast) and the south are the most staunchly conservative- the midwest is split between liberal and conservative, with the lean towards democrates.  Political party voting patterns are probably a fairly good gauge, since the political parties in the US are so culturally divided now.
1177729
Of course they are the same...because they have the same objective, don't they?  I mean, liberals from the states are like one with all in the middle-east, no matter what their views/faith/whatever....just as long as it doesn't support what the majority of other americans are saying, right? If it is criticizing the US, then the liberal population pretty much loves it.
1179850
Liberal is left wing\n\nConservative is right wing\n\nThink of it as a line with 0 as the center and 1 thru ten going in each direction. People land somewhere on that scale based on their politics.
770949
You should stop seeing America as divided.  There are varying views from every direction.  Try to ask more productive questions.
743923
Unfortunately they both stand for polarizing issues in a race to get as much money, power, influence to rule the country. \n\nHistorically the Republicans were a fiscally and socially conservative group that wanted the government out of people's lives. The democrats were more socially engaged and wanted government to provide opportunities to more economically challenged and were willing to spend to help equalize the playing field.\n\nToday neither is true and the more both sides demonize the other, the more the moderate middle (which is most of the population) gets drowned out with their vitriolic hatred. \n\nPower corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. To illustrate that point just read the paper.
489226
Religion and patriotism are two entirely different things, especially in America.
185412
Our Country is more divided that I have ever seen it. With the illegal immigration problem now, that divides us even more. The Republicans have instilled all the fear with their politics and methods. The people are growing farther apart everyday because of their party preferences. I am getting real sick of Republicans bashing and being cruel to Americans. It's way out of control, and they are teaching their children to hate people. I think it's really sick and dysfunctional behavior. It's pretty bad when you have a 12 year old saying your trash because you might have voted for President Clinton. It's happening on these pages, right here, everyday now.
1063013
Two party systems are inherently more stable than those with more parties, because the way to get more votes is always to be more centrist.  The votes that are being fought over are those who agree with some of what one party says and some of the other.  \nMultiple party systems are more unstable, because the way to get votes is not to appeal to a majority but rather to appeal to a motivated minority.  If there were 10 parties, a party could win with only 15% of the vote--even if the other 85% totally disagree with that parties platform.  This leads to success for racist and nationalist parties, as well as other extreme parties that cater to only one interest.
571783
America prides herself on being open to new ideas and to letting people speak instead of just closing our ears and eyes. Stupid ignorant people are afraid of the opposing point of view, smart and thinking people weigh both sides of the issue before supporting their choice.
190249
I think the problem with this country right now is that both sides are grandstanding on each and every topic.  Mainstream America is neither Democratic or Republican.  Most Americans are independent, middle of the road types.  People should use their mind and the situation at hand to determine what stand they should take and what decision should be made.  Make a decision based on what political party you belong to is ludicris.  Call me a liberal Republican or a conservative Democrat, I really don't care.  But do call me an independent self thinking American.