Icarus, over on Peach Pundit, posted an interesting post that I think bears a little bit more discussion. It starts off as an issue with one individual, but morphs quickly into an astute observation of the current partisanship in American politics. In all honesty, there is only one problem with Icarus’ post…that it comes about in a period where his party is out of power.
Now, that’s not to say that Icarus would feel any differently where Republicans the majority. I honestly don’t know the guy well enough, but it happens that way far to often. Person A’s party is in power, and everything is fine. Any criticism against that party is labeled as either anti-american or racist or alarmist or whatever. Then, when Person A’s party is out of power, things shift.
As a Libertarian, we’ve never been in power on the national stage, so I can’t claim that we’re any better. I’d love to find out, but until then I’ll refrain from comment. Where Icarus is 100% correct, is that partisanship in this day and age has gotten ridiculous and spiteful. Our elected officials should be working together to try and make this nation better. There should be compromises and outreach. Republicans and Democrats should be at least listening to one another.
Further, people in this country need to understand that just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn’t make them an idiot. It also doesn’t necessarily mean they think you’re an idiot. Holding onto sacred cows in politics is all fine and good, but do you know for a fact that it’ll work? Or are you operating on faith? If you’re operating on faith, then just accept someone disagrees with you for whatever reason and hope you get to prove them wrong down the road…but don’t be an ass in the mean time.
Frankly, I get sick of all the pundits who take shots at the other side just for ratings. If you don’t like what they said or did, then call them on it. Hell, we do that all the time. But some of the names used by people like Limbaugh and Garofalo aren’t productive in the least, and only hurt the overall cause they claim to stand for.
Rodney King asked if we could all get along. I’m not sure we can, but can’t we at least disagree in a civil manner and not take so damn much personal?
Well said and the partisanship comments are right on point. I think congressional Democrats are as partisan as most GOPers because it is hard for people to change or understand that the people are changing.
Love him or hate him, I personally don’t think Obama cares that much about party; he used it as a required vehicle our system. Partisanship discussions should include one more intriguing possibility….non-partisanship. People whose careers are based on the current system of forcing people to select a party work against the idea of reducing the notation of forcing people neatly into a few parties.
The South is funky in this regard because the Blue Dog Democrats have blurred the line between Democrats and Republicans. A decent Republican candidate can secure support from a Blue Dog easily because the distance between to two on the political spectrum is small.
If you polled people on what shapes their political connection, race, religion, region, profession, and gender could trump political party. If you visit most GOP state or county webpage, you see this blood oath that doesn’t resemble anything the Democrats in the south take seriously. Most people I know consider themselves as supporters of Democrat candidates or officeholders but as for tattooing a Donkey to their arms…no.
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