Are we truly a divided nation?

[julius]

Are we?

It seems that every time I hear someone say that we're a "divided" country "thanks to Obama", that they really can't provide any decent proof that supports that.

And I've noticed that the overwhelming majority of those who say it are conservatives who watch Fox News, or listen to Right Wing talk shows (tho they don't all admit it) and are the first ones to post things on facebook that are easily debunked.

To me it's not that we're a divided country, but one that is being told we're divided by those who were used to being in power or having their way. Also, it's done by those who want us to fight among ourselves, so they come up with talking points to distract us.

Even during Bush's lows, you didn't see people saying that we were divided like you saw the Republicans and Fox News (etc) say almost from day one. The rich, white upper class is basically telling us that "he" is dividing us, and people fall for it. When in reality, they're just profiting from it AND doing nothing to change or help matters. If anything, they're making it worse.

Crime rates are down (but it's still the #1 lead on the news), Terrorists aren't a huge threat (and a country/leader that IS a threat, we'd don't even bother to go after. North Korea...can't imagine why. Maybe if the Korean peninsula had oil), Abortion #'s are down, Guns AREN'T being taken away, the economy IS actually improving, rights are improving and we're actually not unsafe.

But if you listen to Right Wing radio and TV shows, Obama is causing crime to increase, he disrespects cops, he's muslim, he bows down to terrorists, Abortions happen ( even sometimes after the babies are born!), Guns are being taken away, Christianity/Christmas/Morals are under attack, the gays are taking over, we're losing our freedoms, he's causing us to close down the Government!! All because of Obama!!

Yet, none of that is actually happening (or at best, solely at the feet of Obamas doing). You could make the argument that Terrorism is our biggest threat, but I'm not sure it's nearly as big of one as the RW makes it out to be, but that didn't start with Obama and it won't magically end with a Republican President in office dropping bombs.

Bottom line, think about who is saying we're a "divided" country. Both from those who are in power spreading the message and those who are your friends/co-workers/family who send you emails/memes or post in message boards.

From those in power (media, republicans in congress/house/etc), think about why they would say it and what they've done to change things? Have they just spread the word and made many people a pawn in doing their bidding?

And then think about those who constantly say it and then remember how many times they've said other stupid shit that was untrue.

I'm not sure we're any more divided than we've ever been, and even if we are "divided", it's just a division between a small group who are losing power/control, and the rest of us.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

We've become a nation of victims.

White people are victims.

Christians are victims.

The USA is bullied by everyone.

We innovate, invent, and work harder than any country on earth. Yet the returns and rewards for this are diminishing for the middle class.

We measure things that would truly improve the lives of the average citizen by how other countries do it wrong instead of how we can do it better.

We seek blame instead of seek solutions.

We label instead of listen.

 

[julius]

We've become a nation of victims.

White people are victims.

Christians are victims.

The USA is bullied by everyone.

We innovate, invent, and work harder than any country on earth. Yet the returns and rewards for this are diminishing for the middle class.

We measure things that would truly improve the lives of the average citizen by how other countries do it wrong instead of how we can do it better.

We seek blame instead of solutions.

We label instead of listen.

Damn you Obama!

 

[julius]

We've become a nation of victims.

White people are victims.

Christians are victims.

The USA is bullied by everyone.

We innovate, invent, and work harder than any country on earth. Yet the returns and rewards for this are diminishing for the middle class.

We measure things that would truly improve the lives of the average citizen by how other countries do it wrong instead of how we can do it better.

We seek blame instead of solutions.

We label instead of listen.

Thanks for proving Donald Trump is great!

signed

Mags

 

[Denny Crane]

What I know is when a republican is president, fox news is all happy and sunshine and msnbc is a bunch of crybabies. When a democrat is president, fox news and msnbc are a bunch of crybabies.

 

[julius]

What I know is when a republican is president, fox news is all happy and sunshine and msnbc is a bunch of crybabies. When a democrat is president, fox news and msnbc are a bunch of crybabies.

well, msnbc is a bunch of unknown cry babies all the time.

btw, as many conservatives will point out (when it suits them), msnbc is not on par with fox in regards to audience size and ability to get an agenda out.

 

[e_blazer]

 

[magnifier661]

Thanks for proving Donald Trump is great!

signed

Mags

 

[magnifier661]

Are we divided? That's a pretty stupid question. It's pretty obvious this country is divided from all fronts. You have two major parties that don't agree on anything.

If we have a united nation, then government would look past parties and be united on policies that are good for America.

There is no mistake that outsiders are the ones leading the polls on both parties. It's because America is fed up with the division.

 

[julius]

Are we divided? That's a pretty stupid question. It's pretty obvious this country is divided from all fronts. You have two major parties that don't agree on anything.

If we have a united nation, then government would look past parties and be united on policies that are good for America.

There is no mistake that outsiders are the ones leading the polls on both parties. It's because America is fed up with the division.

Yeah, those in power don't agree on things.

We as a nation tho, do. Thanks for proving my point.

 

[magnifier661]

Yeah, those in power don't agree on things.

We as a nation tho, do. Thanks for proving my point.

What you don't understand is "we the people" elect those officials to speak for us. So when they are divided, we are divided. Do you even understand politics?!

 

[riverman]

The country is obviously divided. The track record for many countries staying intact isn't great..USSR splintered, Yugoslavia splintered, Ireland splintered(, Korea splintered. Sometimes smaller may be better (insert mags joke here)

 

[julius]

What you don't understand is "we the people" elect those officials to speak for us. So when they are divided, we are divided. Do you even understand politics?!

you aren't this naive. So they're divided because we're divided, but we want them to work together (which will magically happen with Trump in office), so that means we don't want them to be divided.

Which is it?

 

[Sinobas]

I think our political parties are much more divided than the nation. And much of the media is just pushing the agenda of one of the two parties. The media also intentionally drums up divisive stories, controversy sells.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I think the majority of Americans all want the same things, i.e.; financial security, a home to call our own, enough food to eat, education, a fair wage job, etc. Unfortunately, a small percentage (1%??) wants everything they can grab, as if life is some kind of competitive game and whoever dies with the most, wins. The best way to keep what they have (and acquire even more) is to deflect as much attention from themselves as they can. So they use class divisions, race and gender to pit the rest of America against each other so we can fight over the meager leftovers. They keep the unwashed masses un (or under) educated so they can feed them whatever lies work. All the various classifications of "have nots" blame each other for what they don't have or can't get, while the real thieves skate free! Laughing all the way. So yes, I believe strongly that America is divided. I believe it is intended and implemented by (to a degree) artificial means. And I don't see it changing soon, if at all.

 

[magnifier661]

you aren't this naive. So they're divided because we're divided, but we want them to work together (which will magically happen with Trump in office), so that means we don't want them to be divided.

Which is it?

Naive??? This is what is supposed to be. What's naive are people like you that believe this is status quo. We should be outraged as a nation that the people we vote for cannot united this country when most of us truly want the same thing.

As for your dig on Trump... That has absolutely zero relevance to your OP statement since you asked if we are divided. According to our constitution, our legislation is our voice. And the moment they aren't, then we the people have the right to revolt and take out the government that does not represent the people.

This isn't a dig on Democrats or Republicans. This is a dig on politicians that put interest of other things that aren't the interest of the people.

And some of the most recognized presidents are ones that help influence parties to agree on policies and issues that normally go against their party's normal ideology.

 

[magnifier661]

I think our political parties are much more divided than the nation. And much of the media is just pushing the agenda of one of the two parties. The media also intentionally drums up divisive stories, controversy sells.

Well said

 

[magnifier661]

The country is obviously divided. The track record for many countries staying intact isn't great..USSR splintered, Yugoslavia splintered, Ireland splintered(, Korea splintered. Sometimes smaller may be better (insert mags joke here)

The difference of opinions and ideology is welcomed. Division is measured on politics. When the majority of the people want something, yet the politicians they vote for don't agree on the very issue the people agree on, then our country is divided.

The people's voice are divided from the politicians that are supposed to protect them

 

[magnifier661]

This entire dig about presidents not having power to make these changes is entirely false. It starts the movement and it should be the "people's vote" to want to elect the president that will best represent the voice of the people.

Congress has many representatives that give multiple voices from all the people of this country, while the president is the one that is supposed to be an unbiased mediator, representative to other countries and uniter of the people and the world.

The people should look past political parties and find the one that will be our voice. That's the president I want and I believe Trump is the closest thing I feel comfortable with that will be our voice.

His first detailed policy released was how he intends to protect our civil liberty. His second detailed policy he will release is his tax plan. One of the major issues he sells is illegal immigration, which has 92% poll of American people being concerned with.

Illegal immigration is one of the most united fronts from the American people yet no one really acts on that. That's true division of the people's voice and the legislation's action.

 

[Natebishop3]

We are, and I think that's exactly how they want it. Corporations want us talking about stupid shit so we just ignore them passing legislation that fucks us over.

 

[magnifier661]

We are, and I think that's exactly how they want it. Corporations want us talking about stupid shit so we just ignore them passing legislation that fucks us over.

Exactly!!!!

 

[riverman]

To me the whole bi-partisan structure of government is a black eye to progressive change. It's just like the Orange and Green cold war in Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants...that shit fuels stalemates that go on for hundreds of years. The NBA got rid of division titles..let's think about getting rid of the 2 party system...just require independent status..Hi, I'm Mike, I'm running for president, I'm from Michigan and this is what I think...that's enough for me to know. Same with the legislative branch. Get rid of the isle that divides the floor. There shouldn't be two sides of the aisle to begin with

 

[magnifier661]

To me the whole bi-partisan structure of government is a black eye to progressive change. It's just like the Orange and Green cold war in Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants...that shit fuels stalemates that go on for hundreds of years. The NBA got rid of division titles..let's think about getting rid of the 2 party system...just require independent status..Hi, I'm Mike, I'm running for president, I'm from Michigan and this is what I think...that's enough for me to know. Same with the legislative branch. Get rid of the isle that divides the floor. There shouldn't be two sides of the aisle to begin with

AMEN!

 

[VanillaGorilla]

It's cause of the Jews.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I have a cousin who is one of my closest friends. We grew up together with the same influences, type of education, etc. He considers himself a hardcore conservative and I consider myself a moderate with distinct liberal leanings. We have made it a lifetime habit of casually trashing each other's political viewpoints just as a matter of "fun". We each have thought the other was a lunatic but, being good drinking partners, we have forgiven each other a lot. In the past few years we have made the time and effort to hear each other out, to really and truly listen to what the other thinks and why. And the fucking funny (and thought provoking) thing is......WE WANT THE SAME THINGS!! Our goals and opinions are very similar, if not identical. The ONLY difference is how to achieve those goals and/or solve those problems. I think most Americans can agree in the same way, we just need party leaders (with all that word entails) that are willing to meet each other half way, to listen to differing viewpoints and to work together to find solutions that benefit the majority, NOT their lobbyists. And we have never, ever been so far away from that. And, right wrong or indifferent, IMHO, the Republicans seem to always take the lead in obstructionism. They did it with Clinton, tying up most of 8 years focusing on scandals and pecedillos that have been pretty standard for politicians (not to mention humans in general) throughout the history of this country. At least the Democrats (stupid idiots) allowed GW Bush to con them into voting for an unnecessary war/coup de etat. Now the Republicans have spent the last 5 years obstructing Obama at most every turn. It's no wonder we're divided. We continually hire a bunch of self centered narcissists with hinges on their heels, spreading their legs for the highest bidder. What if we threw an election and no one voted......? It's time Americans of all persuasions got together to take back control from career politicians who do not represent us and only pay attention to our presence at election time. I'm ready and willing to start with Ron Wyden first.....

 

[julius]

Naive??? This is what is supposed to be. What's naive are people like you that believe this is status quo.

huh??

You're the one who just presented that argument. Are you like a heel wrestler who just says whatever shit he can say to piss off the crowds??

As for your dig on Trump... That has absolutely zero relevance to your OP statement since you asked if we are divided. According to our constitution, our legislation is our voice. And the moment they aren't, then we the people have the right to revolt and take out the government that does not represent the people.

This isn't a dig on Democrats or Republicans. This is a dig on politicians that put interest of other things that aren't the interest of the people.

And some of the most recognized presidents are ones that help influence parties to agree on policies and issues that normally go against their party's normal ideology.

And how many presidents on his first day had the leader of the other party basically say their #1 goal was to keep him out of getting a 2nd term?

I'll wait for the answers.

 

[magnifier661]

huh??

You're the one who just presented that argument. Are you like a heel wrestler who just says whatever shit he can say to piss off the crowds??

You're argument "the people being united, but legislation is not being status quo" and doesn't represent the nation being divided. That is false, which I explained very clearly.

And how many presidents on his first day had the leader of the other party basically say their #1 goal was to keep him out of getting a 2nd term?

I'll wait for the answers.

Keep who out? You seem really confused right now

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

What you don't understand is "we the people" elect those officials to speak for us. So when they are divided, we are divided. Do you even understand politics?!

We the people select the lesser of the two evil corporate whores that are put before us. I'm done doing that. I'm voting Bernie or third party.

 

[julius]

You're argument "the people being united, but legislation is not being status quo" and doesn't represent the nation being divided. That is false, which I explained very clearly.

Which is all neat and what not, but not what my "argument" was.

Keep who out? You seem really confused right now

Please don't be this naive.

 

[magnifier661]

We the people select the lesser of the two evil corporate whores that are put before us. I'm done doing that. I'm voting Bernie or third party.

That is a great response! Good for you!