In the current political climate, I really believe the left and right have irreconcilable differences that cannot be bridged.

One side is worried about alternative energy for the future. A nuclear armed Iran and North Korea. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Healthcare reform. Uprising in Iran. The middle east peace process. Keeping us out of a second depression. Reinvestment in American infrastructure. Closing overseas American prisons and ending torture techniques that do more to recruit terrorism than any bin Laden video. Working with international partners to resolve global warming. Restoring this nation's thirst for education before we fall to far behind Europe and Asia. Restoring respect owed to NASA scientists and not burying their reports. Funding for genetic research to cure fatal diseases after 8 years of federal bans.

The other side is worried about flag lapels. School speechs. Nazis. The War on Christmas. Birth Certificates. Hitler. Supporting torture because it works on "24". The 10 commandments at public courthouses. Sonia Sotomayor's wise latina women. Statues at the Rockfeller Center in NY. Blaming Obama for bank bailouts he didn't Preside over, and a deficit and recession he inherited. ACORN voter registration scandals by some ghetto volunteers elevated to the status of Watergate or Iran-Contra. The Van Jones story elevated to the status of Monica Lewinsky or Dick Cheney breaking the law.

....Hey you know what, maybe this isn't about the left and right having irreconcilable differences. Maybe it's more about reasonable vs stupid!

I will be the first to admit that the comparison is unfair. The left has a long history of loonies on its side that have wasted plenty of time attacking the moronic.

Also, Nazis and Hitler are inclusive and, therefore, redundant.

You're right, the left has a very long history of loonies. However, as far as modern times goes, I think one side has monopolized the fringe movement. The left has their loonies, but they don't consolidate power in Congress the way they do on the right. I don't recall Democratic congressmen discussing 9/11 inside jobs the way Republican congressmen discuss the birther movement. "Eco-terrorists" are nowhere near on the level of the right wing fringe types and their acts of violence.

Put together a list for yourself. Every single "Obama-issue-of-the-week" that runs on Foxnews since the 2008 election.

One side is talking alternative energy. The other chants "Drill Baby Drill".

False dichotomy.

And while I agree that there are loonied on both sides, many of their nutjob whacko ideas overlap - for instance, both sides have compared different presidents to Hitler for dramatic effect (melodramatic effect might be a better term, or even hysteical effect) even though the comparison doesn't even come close.

Framing your argument in such one-sided terms is at the heart of the very crisis you bemoan.

Many of the real differences revolve around money--go figure.

How to raise it, and how much to raise. How to spend it and how much to spend.

Aside from some faux-conservative speechifying--much sound and fury signifying nothing--both sides seem to agree that it's all right for spending to exceed revenue. Bleeding hearts to spend on the poor, bomb-and-hoarders to spend on pre-emptive wars and tax cuts for the rich.

Pro-abortion and anti-abortion foes will never, ever meet in the middle. Fat Tony and the Supremes the Kennedy Court will continue to issue 5-4 decisions which only highlight the divisions--and how few votes separate the right and left.

The Military-Industrial complex--and their large fan club--believe that only the newest, shiniest, fastest, most expensive systems can succed in flushing an islamic radical from a cave.

The one time the Liberals get fiscally conservative is when the subject turns to Defense Contracts, 4k toilet seats, and cost overruns.

To the vocal minorities on each side, Gay Marriage is either a right or an abomination. Community organizing is either grassroots delivery of services or the growth of communism, socialism, or some other ism of the day that scares old people.

Irreconcilable?

That's a choice both sides make consciously.

Some here see that as the only curb to the tightening of the govt. noose...others see it as obstruction and scorched earth.

Gotta keep some perspective there, Boots.

quote:

Originally posted by Boots_:
You're right, the left has a very long history of loonies. However, as far as modern times goes, I think one side has monopolized the fringe movement.

You yourself illustrate the problem all too well: each side thinks the other is power-hungry, fascist, idiotic, and willing to twist the facts however they need to in order to stay in power. You say one side monompolized the "fringe movement". What "movement" is that? Core conservative values and ideals? No more "fringe" than liberal values and ideals.


You also (unknowingly) illustrate another problem each side has: you think that voter disgust with one party equates to agreement with the other. It doesn't. 50%+ of voters don't agree with even a majority of the Democrats' naitonal platform. They don't want cap and trade. They don't want single-payer/nationalized healthcare. But don't worry...just like the country would've lected a 3-legged dog with the clap after Richard Nixon or Jimmy Carter or GW Bush, the country will punish the dems in 2010 and 2012 for attempting to move too far left. Do you really think a majority of people want their fuel bills tripled after cap and trade and want to have their employee-provided health bennies taxed as income? You (all inclusive "you" directed at the left) really think most Americans want to pay $1,000 a MONTH more in taxes (you don't call either of things taxes, but that's what they are in effect)? You're crazy. Just as crazy as Bush and his crowd was for thinking invading Iraq was a bright idea. FYI, the GOP paid for that, too. The left's wins in 2006 and 2008 were a punishment to the right, not an approval of the left. But, sure as they have done before with other issues (such as the '94 gun ban) the left is going to mistake all the voter ire over healthcare and cap & trade as a "vocal minority".

quote:

Originally posted by Boots_:
One side is talking alternative energy. The other chants "Drill Baby Drill".

Okay, one side has unfunded pipe dreams, the other knows what $140 imported oil does to our economy and national security.

The left could have a winner with alternative energy if they wanted to pay for it by cutting entitlements. But they don't. They want to pay for it with "cap and trade" which will in effect slap a $500+ monthly tax on the taxpayer. I love the thought of windmills and solar plants, too, but not $6,000 worth. How about giving me a $6,000 tax credit to put solar panels on my roof? No, no traction for that in a demmo-run congress. It would take too much money away from entitilements and payoffs. You want to take $6,000 a year out of my pocket to fund bulls**t and then expect me to pay for my solar panels out of pocket, too.

One side accepts the scientific method.

Large parts of the other side thinks the earth is only around 6,000 years old and man walked with dinosaurs.

How can you reconcile differences when each side has two radically different perspectives on reality?

Speaking of Windmills! Look up Shadow Flicker or Windmill Noise on Youtube. But this part I do not get. Why deforest miles and miles of Land for Windmills? Take a bulldozer and flatten out once viable land. Acres of land. I do not understand that. Barren Earth dozed to nothing but mud and rocks. And for each 'Green Job' given 1.2 are lost. BTW Van Jones is running for President on the Green Party Ticket.

I say get rid of food stamps, unemployment benefits, guv'ment checks for mental illness, keep social security for seniors and medicare for all to make sure you're healthy to work. The only money you'll ever get would be from work performed. Then we'll see who makes it. Thieves would be shot on sight!

"The Left": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Right...

"The Right": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Left...

Americans: Those who wish the Left and the Right would quit telling everyone what to do and just drop dead...

Boots,

In my experience, most folks don't even know what their-own side stands for - haven't but a molecule of a clue for what the other side stands-for...

Truthfully - the game has been whoever comes up with the catchiest bumper-sticker slogan will get the most press. Truth-facts – have been long removed from the center of the main debates.

The elitists have known for quite some time that the only way to keep “real” debate from happening is by PERSISTENTLY fueling the fire. This keeps most of folks from even entering into that debate. They remain neutral – at least in their mind… However, in the political arena it’s the “perfect” gem to keep politicians from leaning one way or the other… There are NO decisions made in DC today that anything to do with what YOU or I want and/or need – NONE! ALL have ONE task – promote “their” agenda – at all costs – regardless what it takes or destroys – AGENDA – AGENDA – AGENDA…

Anyone who “dares” speak a preference is quickly labeled – tagged – gangbanged – then setup for character assassination. Truth is NOT relevant – the “will” of the people not relevant and is merely clay in the hands of the potter – the potter owns the information you & I get to see. The “potter” determines what the “will” of the people is – regardless what the people think…

Thankfully – finally – these past 8-10 years that has now been “interrupted” via the internet. The reality is this – while “they” blow the smoke in a particular area – they are burning down someone’s house elsewhere. Label making has been their weapon of choice for the past 20-30 years. Slap the appropriate label on whomever – for whatever reason and that person is forever tarnished. It is usually a lie – but if not, whomever is raising the questions will quickly find themselves under the thumb of the label-maker. Sadly, it usually doesn’t bother the “person” they are attempting to destroy – but it ALWAYS affects their families – kids – etc. Why wouldn’t Colin Powell run for Office – and honestly, who could have beat him, if he did? NO ONE that I know of and look at what this country has missed because of it…? A great man of integrity – a TRUE AMERICAN – but what do we get instead – a freak-show clown who hasn’t the experience to change his own diapers… That’s sad…

The abortion issue is the perfect example of this kind-of nonsense and it is sad...

quote:

Originally posted by greywolfghost:
"The Left": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Right...

"The Right": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Left...

Americans: Those who wish the Left and the Right would quit telling everyone what to do and just drop dead...

quote:

Originally posted by greywolfghost:
"The Left": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Right...

"The Right": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Left...

Americans: Those who wish the Left and the Right would quit telling everyone what to do and just drop dead...

Well spoken, but slightly amusing coming from you.

quote:

Originally posted by Bleah:

quote:

Originally posted by greywolfghost:
"The Left": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Right...

"The Right": Those who wish to use Government to dictate to the Left...

Americans: Those who wish the Left and the Right would quit telling everyone what to do and just drop dead...

Well spoken, but slightly amusing coming from you.

I thought it ironic as well, but I gave it it's due in any case!