Quote:
Originally Posted by zeek
You wish to be accepted as an individual but I have to have an ilk. Why doesn't that seem fair?  |
If you would stop with the name-calling and accusations of idolatry, perhaps we could discuss the issues themselves.
The great US columnist Charles Krauthammer once noted this truth about contemporary political life in America: ‘To understand the workings of American politics you have to understand this fundamental law: Conservatives think liberals are stupid. Liberals think conservatives are evil.’
Herein lies the problem. Conservatives see the Left having only stupid and failing ideas. Liberals see the Right as having evil intentions and motives, and being evil people. Since those on the Right are evil, they are labeled "racists, xenophobes, misogynists, homophobes, supremacists, fascists, etc." whether there is evidence or not. I constantly hear this from the media and the posts I read.
This dynamic prevents the discussion of ideas on their merits. It also becomes justification for using any means necessary. This is extremely unfortunate, as it seems to be pushing us towards riots and violence. If the Left continues this way, then fringes on the Right will react in kind. I hope not, not just because I abhor the violence, but because I know that those who do not support the 2nd Amendment will get the worst of it.
In politics the "discussion of ideas" should take place in Congress. That is our American system. If the results are not satisfactory, then too bad, wait for the next election. When ObamaCare came before the SCOTUS, as much as I hated that legislation, I agreed with Chief Justice Roberts -- the law was enacted in Congress, signed by the elected President, and so be it. Let there be higher taxes.
Personally I think "gridlock" in Congress is a good thing. It's only bad when the POTUS then feels justified to enact Executive Orders, and the Courts become activist agents for change.