Study Finds: Political Polarization Peaking In America? Voters Embrace ‘All Or Nothing’ Mentality Along Party Lines
Authors say middle ground has vanished in politics: If two people can’t agree on one issue, they’ve never been more likely to disagree on all issues.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — You don’t need a study or headline to know that America feels incredibly divided right now. That being said, a new study from Penn State suggests that U.S. political polarization isn’t just getting stronger or more intense; it’s also spreading and encompassing more seemingly unconnected issues, and some topics that aren’t even political.
Essentially, party lines and stances on one issue are becoming increasingly correlated. For example, a few years ago two people may have disagreed on abortion rights, but would have found common ground regarding taxes or gun laws. Now, however, politics have turned into much more of an “all or nothing” game. If two people can’t agree on one issue, they’ve never been more likely to disagree on all issues.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: I noticed this trend in the second term of President Bush. Especially over the Iraq war. But it definitely exploded under President Obama. I will never forget Senator McCain asking President Obama in 2010 to compromise on health care, and President Obama told him bluntly that the election is over, and that he won .... 2010: Obama tells McCain, 'The election's over' (CNN). It is has been downhill since then, culminating with the election victory of President Trump in 2016. A President who many do not see him as legitimate.
3 comments:
So President Bush wins and he reaches across the aisle with McCain to work with Senator Kennedy.
President George W. Bush initially proposed the No Child Left Behind Act on January 23, 2001. It was co-authored by Representatives George Miller and John Boehner and Senators Ted Kennedy and Judd Gregg. The United States House of Representatives passed the bill, voting 384-45 on May 23, 2001.[4] The United States Senate also passed the bill, voting 91-8 on June 14, 2001. The bill was signed into law on January 8, 2002] - Wiki
“America’s schools will be on a new path of reform, and a new path of results.” Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., shared the president’s enthusiasm. “This is a defining issue about the future of our nation and about the future of democracy, the future of liberty, and the future of the United States in leading the free world,” the legislative icon had proclaimed on the Senate floor. “No piece of legislation will have a greater impact or influence on that.”
www.educationnext.org/the-politics-of-no-child-left-behind/
The problem is the Democrats led by Obama
"Tired of the bull
Obama told Republicans to sit in back of the bus and that we had our chance. Obama wanted nothing to do with Republicans his first four years. And, if Romney had won, Harry Reid promised not to work with him. So as far as I’m concerned, Obama can fix this economy his way. Republicans are always expected to give in, compromise, work together. Bull hockey!
https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20121129/NEWS/801242666
I would add that social media has amplified this polarity.
As I mentioned a few days ago, fear of voicing an alternate point of view is now quite dangerous as the threat of ‘social media pack rape’ usually quickly destroys any chance of a balanced conversation.
The issue I have is that most of these arguments come from the angle that if you attack someone viciously enough then you’ll make them agree with you.
Which is ridiculous and hasn’t worked (the relentless attacks from the Left are a great example).
As I remind everyone, ‘The best way to destroy your enemy is to make them your friend’.
Sadly, I seem to be the only one following that strategy.
I feel history will not treat obamma well. And justifiably so.
Post a Comment