Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades. These trends manifest themselves in myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life. And a new survey of 10,000 adults nationwide finds that these divisions are greatest among those who are the most engaged and active in the political process.
The overall share of Americans who express consistently conservative or consistently liberal opinions has doubled over the past two decades from 10% to 21%. And ideological thinking is now much more closely aligned with partisanship than in the past. As a result, ideological overlap between the two parties has diminished: Today, 92% of Republicans are to the right of the median Democrat, and 94% of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican.
Partisan animosity has increased substantially over the same period. In each party, the share with a highly negative view of the opposing party has more than doubled since 1994. Most of these intense partisans believe the opposing party’s policies “are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being.”
I mean who's policies tanked the economy, resulted in rampant crime on Wall Street, and got us into two unnecessary wars?
Damn it that's not partisanship, that's common sense!
And if we are going to compare which side is the most partisan, we can really only do that when a group of Democratic lawmakers gather on inauguration night to plan the sabotage of EVERY single policy put forward by the newly elected Republican President and his party.
So no I don't think that this poll is fair one little bit.
To me it is a little like suggesting that rapists and their victims have great animosity toward each other, and that both are equally to blame.
Hear, hear!
ReplyDeleteWell, not to sound partisan, but it seems to me that the blame is almost all on the GOP side, especially when the GOP leaders met on Inauguration Day 2009 and plotted their never-ending obstructionism. President Obama deserves to be named a saint for his patience with that bunch.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
"I mean who's policies tanked the economy, resulted in rampant crime on Wall Street, and got us into two unnecessary wars?"
ReplyDeleteIt's virtually across the board ...
What have the conpervatives actually accomplished since losing the White House?
*Abortion clinics are closing throughout the deep South
*Public education is being dismantled by destroying teachers' unions, introducing charter schools and now the Vergara decision (CA -- tenure = unconstitutional)
*School shootings now average 1.37 per week since Sandy Hill
*Pointless and unnecessary shutdown of the Federal government (cost = $24 billion)
*House has held more than 50 "symbolic" votes to repeal Obamacare
*Pushing tax breaks for the 1%
*Killed extended unemployment benefits
*Climate change denial
*Support for "gay reparative therapy" now part of GOP platform
*Obstructing Obama on EVERYthing -- even when it's meant a 180 turn on their stated views on issues
etc. etc. etc.
The only thing Dems need to run on this November is the Repugs voting record! (Even though the Repugs will try to blame Obama for THAT as well.)
What this country needs is about 250 Athiest Congresspersons in Washington DC!
ReplyDelete1:55 Perfect suggestion! Get the stinkin' 'christians' out of the U.S. Congress. They've fucked it up horribly and I detest Republicans!!!!!!! Haha!
ReplyDeleteThe already fearful people who tune in for a daily dose of hatred from Fox, are being turned into absolute terrorists.
ReplyDeleteThe bullshit excuse for owning guns, used to always be that the person may take up HUNTING one day.
Nobody even TRIES that line anymore...its that they need a military style weapon, for the day when the head cretin yells "CHARGE" and they can empty a clip into the town mayor and his wife and kids.
And thanks to the NRA, this murderous, treasonous intention, is considered "NORMAL."
The GOP seems to be moving to the right faster and farther than the Democrats are moving to the left.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason I think the Republicans will eventually implode. There will be a Tea Party, becoming smaller, more right wing and more rabid. Then there will be another party. Hopefully a lot more moderate. If that new moderate party gains momentum, then the Democrats will also implode.
As is, that might not be a bad idea. Both are becoming so entrenched and corrupt nothing is getting done....unless it damages the American people.
I'm glad Corporations can't run for public office. The last thing I want is Senator Comcast or Representative GM.
This is all directly relatable to the rise in Fox faux News. There is no other outlet that has made it's mission so clear- total division of the parties and complete demonization of the Democratic Party.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone hear Frum tonight on "Last Word..."? Democracy cannot handle economic recovery and significant ethnic shifts at the same time? Did I hear him right or was I having a nightmare?
ReplyDelete