8 DB: Polarizaton of political discussions << Prev Next >>
by: ColonelZen	IP: 228.87	rated: 0-0	posted: 2007-02-26 22:44:27
Posted to; http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2007/02/planning-for-pardon-tsunami.html#comments     ColonelZen said...     Has anyone else noticed that dialogue has now near completely degenerated to the classical left/right, liberal/conservative antagonism?     Everyone concedes the valid points of the other side, the level of discourse here being high, but rather than trying to find the common interest and seeking a path forward, the realm of discussion remains bogged in the polarizing issues.     RM answered my "meme strategies" post, and the key thing said in his response was that he believed "the system" would endure and correct for the excesses of the current administration. I don't think so. I greatly fear that "the system" is badly broken. On either side of the aisle, the interest is not the good of the nation, but Power. I suspect that most of those in power would genuinely say and most to some extent believe that they act for the good of their constituents, but "the system" has constrained those within - if they want to retain their positions - to act and talk in certain ways, and will prevent those not willing to conform from ever reaching positions of power.     One of the mechanisms "the machine" uses is the polarization of discourse. Everyone here seems to understand that the liberal and conservative labels are artificial and transient regarding any particular issue. But discussion, even here, seems to break down along those lines, and others have commented about the growing antagonism and vituperation of each "side" for the other.     This was a part of what led to my disenchantment with politics. It's nearly impossible to talk about *anything* in any group larger than three about matters which require some change or action by government without it becoming just another arena of partisan bickering.     -- TWZ   3:46 PM