Politics... Why?

[KDawg]

I guess I just don't get it. I see so many people get worked up about politics and policy. Angry to the point of insulting others and pure rage.

I can understand a vested interest, but why do people let themselves get so embroiled into politics that they feel that slinging insults back and forth is the least bit productive or healthy? And why is it that people are expected to fit into a particular niche?

This is a serious question, for the record. I don't get it. I see people's stress levels go through the roof on seemingly a daily basis on ES, in the news, in the real life and I can't understand for the life of me why people do that to themselves.

Although, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess we as football fans kind of do something similar. We dislike other teams. We get upset when our team loses. A lot of us defend our team to the finish, even when our team is clearly in the wrong. So while being a fan and being involved in politics are similar, I still wouldn't qualify them as being the same.

*Readies his flame retardant suit and battons down the hatches*

[Jumbo]

Because every now and then people need a break from religion? :pfft:

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I guess I just don't get it. I see so many people get worked up about politics and policy. Angry to the point of insulting others and pure rage.

I can understand a vested interest, but why do people let themselves get so embroiled into politics that they feel that slinging insults back and forth is the least bit productive or healthy? And why is it that people are expected to fit into a particular niche?

This is a serious question, for the record. I don't get it. I see people's stress levels go through the roof on seemingly a daily basis on ES, in the news, in the real life and I can't understand for the life of me why people do that to themselves.

Although, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess we as football fans kind of do something similar. We dislike other teams. We get upset when our team loses. A lot of us defend our team to the finish, even when our team is clearly in the wrong. So while being a fan and being involved in politics are similar, I still wouldn't qualify them as being the same.

*Readies his flame retardant suit and battons down the hatches*

In those cases, its usually because there is a mob mentality or a "group acceptance mentality" going on. People believe their group is right and everyone else is out to get them, or is otherwise dumb.

On the rare occasion though, I think there are things in politics that can rightfully make someone emotionally upset.

[Dictator]

I see this in my family. My parents...both retired. Watch almost exclusively Fox News. My brother and his wife. Both retired early. Both wach tons of Fox News. Fox news makes every issue seem like it would make/break this country. They repeat their mantra until their viewers believe it 100%. When I disagree with my family on matters of politics, they tell me I sound like a Liberal. Which I guess I am on a number of issues. But anyone who disagrees with them they view as a liberal. I'm quite conservative on many issues.

I can't speak to the fanaticism with people on the left. I don't have anyone I am close enough to that can help me understand those who are extremely left.

*In my non-scientific data analysis, I feel this way because it wasn't like this for my parents or brother before they retired and started watching an un-godly amount of FNC.

[D'Pablo]

It's the dichotomy of our political system. Issues don't matter, but rather if you're a rightie or leftie. This is the product of years of marketing. On the right, there is a weird feedback loop where if a conservative platform fails, it's because it was really liberal. Hence, the proper solution is to find a something further to the right.

On the left, social issues tend to get the better of people. There is very little consideration of opposing views, especially on the issue of poverty. To characterize every right leaning politician as unfeeling toward the poor, regardless of their policies, is to create a giant wedge. My conservative friends are the ones I most consistently saw building homes alongside me for Habitat for Humanity.

The proper solution is to focus on the areas where the left and right agree on the FACTS... This means addressing the following:

1. Unemployment
2. Poverty
3. Economic opportunity
4. Environmental factors affecting personal health (water, air, etc...)
5. National security

With respect to these issues, I'd much rather see a war of ideas than personality.

[twa]

i would say it is a result of politicians influencing our lives so much

lessen that and they would largely be ignored except for mocking.

[Kosher Ham]

I'm with you KDawg...

I don't get the whole mentality of taking it to the next level.

Glad I don't really feed into it that much.

[KDawg]

I mean, here's the other question I have in regards to politics...

If you live in a state that's not a swing state... And it's always the same... Why even bother with national politics? I live in New York. New York is democrat no matter what. So why get my boxers in a twist about different issues? New York isn't going to change for good or for bad.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Because policy and law matters....a lot.

[GibbsFactor]

You can't chose to be a democrat or a republican. It's your personality type. You can move towards the middle or be outraged by your party and move to another (recent Libertarian influx as an example).

But it's all about personality type and a board like this is perfect for discussing taboo issues like Politics and Religion. There is enough intelligent contributions and no one is getting punched in the mouth.

[elkabong82]

I used to be very wrapped up in it, and learned it is healthier to stay out of the fray and just maintain what you think is a logical approach to each issue. The more inelastic your views, the easier you can get caught up in things and also swallow what your party shovels. Non-affiliation is the best. When you have opinions that cross over to either side, instead of always lining up perfectly with your party (like a stooge), it is less easy to get wrapped up in everything, and when you do it will typically only be over issues you truly care about. Pragmatism is a healthier approach IMO.

[ixcuincle]

Was watching a twitter argument today between a friend and some stranger

It was hilarious how the stranger was dropping profanities and making hilarious accusations while my friend remained calm in his demeanor

The irate individual ended up blocking him :ols:

POLITICS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

[NLC1054]

You can't chose to be a democrat or a republican. It's your personality type. You can move towards the middle or be outraged by your party and move to another (recent Libertarian influx as an example).

But it's all about personality type and a board like this is perfect for discussing taboo issues like Politics and Religion. There is enough intelligent contributions and no one is getting punched in the mouth.

Personally I think the political discourse on this forum is WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYY better than just about every other board I've ever attempted to talk about politics on. It gets heated, but ultimately, the things we argue about do matter.

We get worked up not because of left and right, but because the issues were arguing ultimately do mean something. I see a lot of people say "I just don't get politics" and I think it's for the very reason that they get annoyed with people arguing politics...but I think, as long as it's kept mostly respectful, it's mostly productive. And maybe you don't change your view point, but you learn something about the other side views the world, positive or negative.

Or maybe I'm entirely too idealistic. That's possible too.

[Stadium-Armory]

I want my kids to grow up in an environment that is 'better'.

[Jumbo]

I want my kids to grow up in an environment that is 'better'.

Off-planet?

[Koolblue13]

In Theory, because it matters. A lot. We have a lot of bright people on this board and we could really get a lot done, in we discussed positions and how how to better the world for ourselves in every way.

In Reality, because it's like a sport and you never have to lose. It's all pretty much opinion based and you can just make your own mind up. It's like being your own QB on your own team. It's great, the electionbowl.

We treat sports as important and politics as a game.

[thebluefood]

As ASF said, it's because laws and policy do matter. Politics influence every aspect of our lives, from the lights in our home (as seen in the recent Duke Energy controversy here in North Carolina) to if and where we/our children go to College to who we're allowed to marry. Politics is everywhere and it shapes so much of our culture, whether we know it or not.

Since the stakes are so high, and since politics can foster a mob mentality, emotions can run very high.

[abdcskins]

Politics are wack. People need to just live their life and stop worrying about petty things.

I truly believe that my life will be the same regardless if Romney or Obama is president. It does not affect me. And if it does then it is insignificant.

[Duckus]

Although, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess we as football fans kind of do something similar. We dislike other teams. We get upset when our team loses. A lot of us defend our team to the finish, even when our team is clearly in the wrong. So while being a fan and being involved in politics are similar, I still wouldn't qualify them as being the same.


This is the point I was going to make - it doesn't seem much different than the arguments going on in The Stadium.

I mean, the arguments and stress caused by sports make even less sense in reality.

Hell, until two years ago Redskins losses used to put me in a terrible mood for over a day. Eventually, I realized that was stupid and have since learned to enjoy the ups and forget the lows.

[stevemcqueen1]

I think the contentiousness that is common in punditry and discussion causes a lot of the people who aren't directly effected by an issue to throw up their hands and tune the whole discourse out.

If you're directly effected by an issue, it's easy to grasp it's importance and easy to get emotional and contentious in discussing it.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I am in the minority, but there are very few, if any, issues that I am very passionate about. I have opinions and preferences but don't feel the need to concern myself with candidates, parties, etc. I'm sure that makes me sound ignorant, but I just really can't make myself care about which senator voted "no" to some piece of legislation during his last term.

[SpringfieldSkins]

KDawg, I think you had the answer right there in your own OP.

KB and then Duckus mirrored what I was going to say. It's like rooting for a team. It's exactly like rooting for a team.


Think about it... your parents raise you a certain way. As our own Tailgate poll shows, you're more likely to have the same political leanings of your parents. This is the same in sport. We raise our children to cheer the Redskins, hate the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles. Mort often than not, our children follow our viewpoints because we raise them that way. The way we like our teams (and our political party) isn't something that is really concrete. Just like in politics, we form an opinion about very miniscule things and use those to fight the opposition.

Compare a political argument to a football argument. Say a republican arguing that abortion is bad against a democrat arguing that abortion is good and a Redskins fan arguing that RG3 is great and Tony Romo is bad against a Cowboys fan arguing the opposite. Both sides will bring up points that they feel are strong. Regardless of who is right (if there can even be such a thing) both feel strongly about the points that they make.


So yes. Politics is a sport. The worlds most expensive, most influential sport. No wonder people argue about it all the time.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I am in the minority, but there are very few, if any, issues that I am very passionate about. I have opinions and preferences but don't feel the need to concern myself with candidates, parties, etc. I'm sure that makes me sound ignorant, but I just really can't make myself care about which senator voted "no" to some piece of legislation during his last term.

Pretty much how I am as well. In the end, I get a vote that counts just as much as anyone else's does. Others can get stressed and jump up and down and yell and whatever...but we all have the same vote.


KDawg, I think you had the answer right there in your own OP.

KB and then Duckus mirrored what I was going to say. It's like rooting for a team. It's exactly like rooting for a team.


Think about it... your parents raise you a certain way. As our own Tailgate poll shows, you're more likely to have the same political leanings of your parents. This is the same in sport. We raise our children to cheer the Redskins, hate the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles. Mort often than not, our children follow our viewpoints because we raise them that way. The way we like our teams (and our political party) isn't something that is really concrete. Just like in politics, we form an opinion about very miniscule things and use those to fight the opposition.

Compare a political argument to a football argument. Say a republican arguing that abortion is bad against a democrat arguing that abortion is good and a Redskins fan arguing that RG3 is great and Tony Romo is bad against a Cowboys fan arguing the opposite. Both sides will bring up points that they feel are strong. Regardless of who is right (if there can even be such a thing) both feel strongly about the points that they make.


So yes. Politics is a sport. The worlds most expensive, most influential sport. No wonder people argue about it all the time.

I'd argue quite differently. In fact, I'd argue that it's just the opposite.

Sports unite. You can go to Fed Ex field, and you can see white and black, old and young, rich and poor cheering and high fiving for the same team. Went to the Colts preseason game and I saw a young black guy and an old white guy, both wearing Cooley jerseys jumping up and down and high fiving each other after we scored a TD. Total strangers.

Take them out of the stadium and you can assume that they'd probably have nothing to do with each other on many levels, social and political. But they can get together on a summer Saturday and root for the same team and it doesn't matter who each of them are going to vote for come November.

Hell, look at this board. Look at how many different people there are here from different backgrounds, all united because of one common team. Cheering for the Skins has brought a ton of people together from different backgrounds and beliefs and forged a lot of relationships here. There are a ton of people on here who have met, hung out and become great friends that otherwise might not have anything to do with one another due to where they come from and what they believe. People on the Tailgate make the same political arguments on here day after day but on Sunday we can all agree on one thing.

And Springfield, look at your sig. Your sig is a pic of Royallypwned, a Cowboys fan who made some great relationships on here. Has everyone read the RIP thread that's stickied at the top of the Tailgate forum? It's heartbreaking. I never met him or interacted with him but plenty of people on here did and he seemed like a great guy. Sports even unites people who come from rival fan bases. Our rivalry with the Cowboys brought that guy into peoples lives and created relationships that transcended football and the teams we root for. People on this board spent time with that guy, hung out with that guy.

Furthermore, it's allowed for intelligent, mostly respectful political debate. It's not some random political site where one side is here to put down another and make insult after insult on a daily basis. The tone here is mostly respectful and mostly intelligent...probably because at the end of the day everyone knows that when Sunday rolls around, we're all backing the Skins. We're all ultimately here for one thing.

And in sports, unlike politics, there's a clear winner and a loser. I'm so ****ing tired of trying to figure out where to try and get my news from because of the spin involved. I'd really like to be more informed but after a day of work and everything else going on in my life, I don't have the energy or the mental capacity to sift through news sites or watch tv to decipher who is telling the truth.

At least the Skins won on Sunday. At least the Orioles won tonight. That much I know. It's always clear, there's a winner, a loser and it's black and white. You never have to read between the lines.

Politics divides. Politics brings out the ugly. Look at the class warfare brewing in this country, for example. Look at the debates on race. Look how much vitriol and hate is spewed back and forth between opposing sides. All politics does is bring likeminded people together and pit them against people who want something different. The political discourse in this country is sad, the environment is hostile.

Anyone ever watch the show Weeds? Kevin Nealon's character has a great quote "...everything that happens in government is motivated by self-interest. Someone's always trying to put one over on someone else so they can get something they want. We're all just nothing but a bunch of selfish *******s."


I see this in my family. My parents...both retired. Watch almost exclusively Fox News. My brother and his wife. Both retired early. Both wach tons of Fox News. Fox news makes every issue seem like it would make/break this country. They repeat their mantra until their viewers believe it 100%. When I disagree with my family on matters of politics, they tell me I sound like a Liberal. Which I guess I am on a number of issues. But anyone who disagrees with them they view as a liberal. I'm quite conservative on many issues.

I can't speak to the fanaticism with people on the left. I don't have anyone I am close enough to that can help me understand those who are extremely left.

*In my non-scientific data analysis, I feel this way because it wasn't like this for my parents or brother before they retired and started watching an un-godly amount of FNC.

My parents are completely the same way. Fox news junkies, rabid righties and it's sad. Now that they're mostly retired, they've become obsessed with it and it's sick. I don't want my retired parents to be this way, I was hoping they'd have a good, fun retirement...they just sit around, listen to Fox news, listen to right wing political radio and just talk non ****ing stop about how evil liberals are. It's obsessive and not healthy and quite frankly, it's pretty sad to me.

I'm socially liberal, fiscally conservative...if I say one thing that's not in complete lockstep with the party lines, my mom throws up her hands and says "Oh well just go vote for Obama then!" It's insane.

[OnlySkins4ever]

Asking people why they get worked up over policies and politics. Why?

Slow people have yet to figure out the simple truth that is our deteriorating nation so they do not become angry over the idea. When certain politics and policy puts the county into further decline the smart people become angry; the ones who have caught on to the potential demise early on.

We care about our country and believe our children deserve the best.

[Toe Jam]

It's not just politics. Fanboy Wars are another head scratcher.

[Special K]

Because people have lost perspective on life?

There's a difference between maintaining awareness of current issues and being vested in political outcomes and just going off the deep end where you lose your cool and make yourself look like a jackass by hurling insults at another individual.

I'm not even going to mention the fact that "discussion" tactics used by so many people are counterproductive if they are wanting to successfully accomplish something. Anything.

Personally, I pity those who are consumed by politics and spend their time and energy arguing about it. I prefer to maintain a stable blood pressure and pursue activities and people who bring joy to my life. I've had several recent events occur in my life that have reminded me how precious our free time is and how important it is to do our best to enjoy every moment we have. If I live my life as if every day may be my last, I'm certainly not going to spend my last day on earth getting upset about politics.


Asking people why they get worked up over policies and politics. Why?

Slow people have yet to figure out the simple truth that is our deteriorating nation so they do not become angry over the idea. When certain politics and policy puts the county into further decline the smart people become angry; the ones who have caught on to the potential demise early on.

We care about our country and believe our children deserve the best.
I'd argue the opposite. It's usually the ignorant, close-minded, brainwashed and "slow" people who hurl the insults and other incendiary actions in the political arena. The intelligent people are able to remove most emotion from debate and discuss issues based on fact and compromise.

[SpacePenguin]

With the corporate marketing of an individualistic approach to one's life in the 60s and 70s, people were convinced that they were unique, that their thoughts and opinions mattered, and that they were entitled to purchase unique products that spoke as to who they are. Check out a Adam Curtis documentary about Edward Bernays called Century of the Self sometime if you're interested.

Anyway, this same individualistic marketing approach was later applied to politics. As a result, politicians speak to that viewpoint with extreme stances on relatively inconsequential moral issues. Both parties ultimately only offer the public lip service on these issues to divide people, and instead pursue the agendas of the multinational corporations that fund their campaigns. The president is then used as a scapegoat, and the process is repeated, despite the fact that a corrupt Congress is actually the body that steers the country.

Basically, both parties are owned by the same interests. What we call politics is merely a media fed illusion to keep people arguing with each other, all the while thinking that their opinions(or votes) matter.

It's far less disturbing than our debt based economic system, though. Let's say you're the government, and you need 10 dollars for a project. You go to the Fed and get your 10 dollars, and are charged a dollar interest. You now owe 11 dollars to the Fed, but only have 10. How can you ever pay back the sole source of money a larger amount than you got from them? Borrow more money. But now you owe more interest....So repeat and repeat and repeat a trillion times over.

Hence, there will never be enough US Dollars to pay back the debt that the nation owes. It's physically impossible, and is the goal of the system itself.

Let it be known, this is only one person's opinion, and if it offends you....then some part of your mind sees a little truth in it. Also, I do vote, just as I offer my opinion, although I realize both practices to be quite futile.

Whatever floats your goat, America. Like other posters have said already, I would rather enjoy my life while it lasts rather than get wrapped up in a false duality between "good" and "evil"

To directly answer the question posed by the OP, people bicker about politics because they are egomaniacs who like to argue. I'm not very different myself, just find it to be pointless in the context with which I view the world..

[OnlySkins4ever]

"I'd argue the opposite. It's usually the ignorant, close-minded, brainwashed and "slow" people who hurl the insults and other incendiary actions in the political arena. The intelligent people are able to remove most emotion from debate and discuss issues based on fact and compromise."


Those democrats who show up at tea party conventions trying to holler over people are pretty dumb.

I wasn't talking about being rude during debates I was talking about actually understanding the gravity of issues this country is facing.

I know the people you talk about, the ones who feel the need to raise their voice while spitting out mindless babble after they have been defeated in an argument.

[IONTOP]

Congress needs Mods...

You take something too far? One day ban, you can listen and vote tomorrow (Or just logout... exit the building and come back with the tour to listen up top)

You attack someone verbally? One week ban, no listening or voting for a week

You take it further? Permaban, change your name and run again until they figure it out, ban you again, and block your fingerprints.

[Jumbo]

I am adept at spotting guys who post politically related things that on the surface seem more or less within a standard range of "normal" given the nature of the topics and yet know that there's a "nutter-lite" or semi-frother" (if not worse) just waiting to show. My spidey sense on this is strong.

Sometimes, after the initial post that pings the scope, it's only another post or two later before I have an "ah-ha, yup" confirmation. Sometimes it's quite a bit longer, but usually still just a matter of time.

A couple posters earlier here, and in another thread, mentioned personality playing a major role in determining your right or left leanings, and they noted the work of famous sociologist J. D. Hunter (who coined the term "culture wars").

To me it is indeed all about the psychology---from genetic base to environmental (social and biological) development, and resulting brain chemistry/functioning levels---that shapes the behaviors.

So with that in mind, I will tell you this (which will likely seem logical enough): a well-adjusted person's passion about important issues is one thing, but many of the more glandular politicos are a heaping hot mess of personal issues (from moderate to severe) and politics is just a splendidly fertile ground where those issues are unfettered to parade in anything from sweatpants and t-shirt to full dress uniform (i.e. degrees of frothiness :D).

[SpacePenguin]

I'm not sure after reading that if Jumbo thinks I'm a nutter, or simply not well adjusted enough to be relevant.In keeping with the theme of my post about the egotistical nature of modern day man, he must be talking about ME in some way or another!

lol...still, I tend to agree that politics and religion are very popular soapboxes for the more extreme posters to stand on.

[KDawg]

Politics divides. Politics brings out the ugly. Look at the class warfare brewing in this country, for example. Look at the debates on race. Look how much vitriol and hate is spewed back and forth between opposing sides. All politics does is bring likeminded people together and pit them against people who want something different. The political discourse in this country is sad, the environment is hostile.


This was an excellent post and brought up points I never thought about. Thank you to everyone who posted well thought out posts.


Asking people why they get worked up over policies and politics. Why?

Slow people have yet to figure out the simple truth that is our deteriorating nation so they do not become angry over the idea. When certain politics and policy puts the county into further decline the smart people become angry; the ones who have caught on to the potential demise early on.

We care about our country and believe our children deserve the best.

"Slow" people, huh?

That's the type of answer that keeps me the hell away from politics. Because some people can't help but throw insults around. Civil discourse doesn't involve that non sense. Thank you for proving my point.

[Koolblue13]

That's the type of answer that keeps me the hell away from politics. Because some people can't help but throw insults around. Civil discourse doesn't involve that non sense. Thank you for proving my point.

If people at elections were allowed to paint their faces, drink too much beer, have fight songs and vote on home turf, I think it would look a lot more similar.

[Bliz]

Very much agree with the "team" angle, and would add to that the fact that politicians benefit by playing up the us vs them mentality and the significance of what happens if one team wins and not the other. The inmates who run this asylum encourage the behavior because it pads their pocketbooks and vote totals.

[Spaceman Spiff]

If people at elections were allowed to paint their faces, drink too much beer, have fight songs and vote on home turf, I think it would look a lot more similar.

Who wants to tailgate the election booths this year? I'll bring charcoal.

[DjTj]

If people at elections were allowed to paint their faces, drink too much beer, have fight songs and vote on home turf, I think it would look a lot more similar.Wait, are you sure people in elections aren't allowed to do that?

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/files/2012/08/elephanthead-larrybird-rnc-big.jpg

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2012/09/Obama-Clinton-DNC-hat-Joe-Raedle-Getty-Images.jpg

http://www.strangepolitics.com/images/content/184770.jpg

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2012/09/sparkly-dnc-hat-Justin-Sullivan-Getty-Images.jpg

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/615/img/photos/2012/08/28/c3/f7/US_NEWS_CVN-REPUBLICANS_6_L.JPG

Political conventions or football games? :whoknows:

[Jumbo]

I'm not sure after reading that if Jumbo thinks I'm a nutter, or simply not well adjusted enough to be relevant.In keeping with the theme of my post about the egotistical nature of modern day man, he must be talking about ME in some way or another!

lol...still, I tend to agree that politics and religion are very popular soapboxes for the more extreme posters to stand on.

Nicely done, but you weren't in my mind on that one. :)

The door is always open.:ols:

---------- Post added September-12th-2012 at 01:04 PM ----------


"Slow" people, huh?

Proving more points than yours. ;)

[DCsportsfan53]

Imho it's this way because it's been purposefully made this way. By creating this enviornment, through their strangehold on the national media, the two parties are able to get away with murder and keep getting elected no matter the results. They've willfully created a black and white, us vs them atmosphere because it allows them to rob the country blind and not be held accountable even when there's obvious, wholesale incompetence. Has anybody stopped to think exactly what wall street and the financial industry did to this country? Have they stopped to think that both parties then handed them a blank check and pretty much immediately allowed them to go back to business as usual? Have they stopped to think that these same people are the ones who finance campaigns, frequently cross over into politics and populate the financial advisory system of both parties? That should tell you all you need to know. They do that together with our eleceted parties and we keep electing them. Turning politics into Redskins vs Cowboys is how they have pulled the wool over the country's eyes.

The bottom line is, the topics discussed in public, the positions taken, all of it is complete and utter bull****. Both parties spew rhetoric at the people then write policy behind closed doors with lobbyists getting the biggest say in the final version. We've all been duped. That's why I don't bother entering the fray or paying much attention to politics. You might as well be arguing about fairy tales because that's what most of the discussions are based on....fabrications fed to the public to keep them occupied and distracted.

[Jumbo]

A harsh, maybe cynical, but hard to argue synopsis, DC.

[HeluCopter29]

I think it's because this is stuff that determines our lives. If there wasn't such a direct impact on peoples lives because of government, people probably wouldn't care to much.

[SpacePenguin]

Great post, DC. It may be depressing, but imo there is more truth here than in the vast majority of political posts in the TG. You hit on several of the points made in my post, but managed to stay more focused on the thread at hand. I tend to extrapolate into other areas a bit too much ;p

Bailouts of the corporate sector by both parties are really the best proven indicators of who "our" elected officials really answer to.

Hint: It's not the people.

Although, I suppose an argument could be made that what is good for corporate America is good for the common American. While this may be true to some degree, it points more to our over dependance on corporate monopolies, than to bailouts providing a concrete benefit to working class people in this country. It's basically trickle down economics on a massive scale, and I never was much of a believer in that. The greed that exists in such a materialistic society prevents such a policy from ever being efficient as a means to raise the standard of living for the common people.

[Koolblue13]

There are a lot of reasons. I think a large part is because you don't have to be intelligent or even moderately informed. You just have to be loud. I think most intelligent folks stay away from the discussion and its slowly slid away from progressive discussion on betterment of our world and country. I also think that a small group of intelligent men and women have decided to stick around, guide it and make a ton of profit from it. It's mostly opinion formed, just like religion and because of that, you can argue as passionately as you feel necessary, because if you are right, you're trying to save everybody who just doesn't get it. I've been guilty of it myslef. I try and not get as caught up in it these days.

Those pictures are fantastic and not at all surprising. fwiw, I bet Joe Biden could take any one of the other candidates in a back alley.

[Duckus]

I'd argue quite differently. In fact, I'd argue that it's just the opposite.

Sports unite. You can go to Fed Ex field, and you can see white and black, old and young, rich and poor cheering and high fiving for the same team. Went to the Colts preseason game and I saw a young black guy and an old white guy, both wearing Cooley jerseys jumping up and down and high fiving each other after we scored a TD. Total strangers.


Sports unite folks from different background who support the same team. That is again similar to politics. Politics brings together different people under one organization/party or "team." Go to a national or state GOP/DEM convention and you will have people from very different backgrounds from across a state or the country all together to supporting their party - just like the atmosphere in a sports stadium.

But sports and politics don't always unite. There is an ugly side.

How many times do we hear about fans being physically assaulted for wearing a jersey in an opposing teams stadium? Walk through an Eagles tailgate with your Cooley jersey and what sort of hospitality will you get? What sort of vile things will be yelled at you for simply rooting for a different team. It is not all uniting and love. There is an ugly side to sports too.

My bigger point is that humans love competition. Some folks are just crazy and get too worked up. Again, I think it is stupid folks get mad about either - but that is why I said there was a similarity IMO.

[Koolblue13]

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[Sticksboi05]

Because every now and then people need a break from religion? :pfft:

Best reponse maybe in my 7 years on ES. LOL.

[War Paint]

I love the saying "Politics is show business for ugly people" because it's pretty much true. Watching some behind the scenes in various documentaries and such, the parallels between politicians and show business acts are very similar. Both are back stage getting prepped up to go out and perform in front of cheering crowds. When they hit the stage, the crowd goes wild. Both have to get a quick briefing on the current location and such. "How are you guys in Cleveland doing tonight?!" Politicians pretty much mimic professional wrestlers, kind of like when Ric Flair would brag about himself and hurl negatives out to his enemy Dusty Rhodes and vice vera. Although Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes were "enemies", they both worked for the same wrestling federation, the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance).

Like in football, you have fans of the Cowboys and fans of the Redskins. When fans of the two teams enter arguments with each other, each side dismisses most of what the others say. For example, the Cowboys fans say "you guys are very weak in this area". While it is true, some Redskins fans deflect and argue it against it. Then the Redskins fan points out a weakness on the Cowboys. Even though it's true, the Cowboys fan will ignore, deny or make excuses for it. When it comes to politics, most who are interested in it act like homers for their party. While homerism is fine and dandy in regards to sports, the country needs less homerism among the voters.

Just like in sport shows such as "Around the Horn", politics have their group panels on Sunday mornings and on cable news, where you have three or four different guests talking about politics. Half the panel thinks candidate A did bad, while the other half of the panel thinks candidate A did good. The only difference between "Around the Horn" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" is the guests on "Around the Horn" get points for their answers lol.