Why do you think people are so mean when talking politics?

2020-04-17T10:54:40-04:00

Why is it that professionalism is all but abandoned in most political discussions? Why belittle and demean, and sacrifice respect and bipartisanship? It is easy to develop explanations, the intent is not to find the "right" answer or assume ignorance, but to listen to the experiences of others. Please, do not see naivety and miss the point of the question.

Whenever we, as citizens of this wonderful country, get together to discuss politics it usually turns into a hateful argument. Not always, but usually. It happens every day on RallyPoint. If you are one who shames opposing political parties and politicians, why do you abandon your military professionalism in this realm?

I am not trying to imply negative judgement upon those who do. It is common sense to see political activities contain significant and emotional topics. Therefore, it is understandable why people get angry and upset. But, as those whom have served the country are well aware, emotion alone does not excuse offensive behavior. There is more and I want to hear from others.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 17 at 2020 11:05 AM

2020-04-17T11:05:20-04:00

Could be worse.

https://www.biography.com/political-figure/aaron-burr

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr was the third vice president of the United States, serving under President Thomas Jefferson. Burr fatally shot his rival, Alexander Hamilton, during a duel.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Apr 17 at 2020 11:10 AM

2020-04-17T11:10:28-04:00

Fear. Fear of change. Fear of being wrong.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 11:15 AM

2020-04-17T11:15:33-04:00

I would state it starts at the top. If we had a president that did not belittle, demean, constantly lie, constantly attack the facts maybe we would not be where we are at now. Remember this all began in 2016 during the election. There was some pretty ugly stuff being said on this board back then. I actually tried to be nice back then, but ended up being ridiculed, called names, and included in all sorts of Racist innuendo. Also, RP never got a handle on it back then, so now we are stuck with this. So my recommendation to you is suck it up.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 17 at 2020 11:24 AM

2020-04-17T11:24:58-04:00

For some it's a normal deal, for others,they think it helps their stand.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Apr 17 at 2020 12:11 PM

2020-04-17T12:11:01-04:00

I think it's pretty simple Pat... "social media". Imagine if everything that was said had to be said "face to face"; think we'd see as much vitriol? Nope... folks would take a second to ponder whether or not the person they were insulting might figure it was worth the possible assault charge. Better still, individuals usually seem to "post" to a broad audience... it's easier to denigrate the anonymous than flesh and blood human beings. Technology has brought us many great things... but so too has it opened up unrestricted "verbal warfare".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 12:44 PM

2020-04-17T12:44:42-04:00

Usually those that belittle and demean do so because they do not have the capacity to argue their point rationally so they resort to other tactics.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 17 at 2020 12:53 PM

2020-04-17T12:53:36-04:00

1. The all-too-easy anonymity of on-line discussions and social media. It's one of the reasons RP is the only place I'll have these discussions...because we have our names posted, and the nature of our service and the RP staff enforce some level of courtesy and professionalism. 2. Discussing policies, when done right, is hard work. You are forced to analyze your own blind spots, recognize gray areas, complexities, and nuance. You need to do research from multiple sources to try to find foundational facts, or at least some scientific or statistical basis for your favored approach. But talking politics is easy. Your guy is a buffoon, and mine is great...no mental sweat required.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 1:02 PM

2020-04-17T13:02:54-04:00

Well stated Post 1LT Private RallyPoint Member! In my view Politics is a separate entity in the global arena... That is to say that, at least in the United States where we have a two party system each party is diametrically opposed to the other... In the military there is one hierarchy and that is by rank and military protocol... One set of rules to follow not a diverse multi-set of rules. As the saying goes, RHIP or Rank Has Its Privilege. Not so in the civilian way of life, there is no set rule to follow other than Our U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights... That said there is a dichotomy here as each major voting party has their own interpretation of those two major documents that we follow as a rule of law and everyone has a different interpretation of them...

Democrats follow the ideal of Liberalism, while the Republicans subscribe to a conservative approach and therein lies the problem... Two groups diametrically opposed and neither party wishes to cave to the other... They fight for dominance with never the twain to meet... each side has to give up something and in today's culture neither one wishes to give anything to the other so each side blames the other...

Politicians of each party issue their respective policies, direction, ethic and more... In my view, we need a Centrist Party which combines the best of both sides and provides a strong common foot hold and direction for Our Nation... Radicalism has no place in our culture in today's world, yet we have those radicals who are intent on creating a Globalist Society and that is bad news for any essence of FREEDOM... I really believe that our founding fathers hoped for a Centrist type of government for the people of Our Country not the Partisanship politics we have today... My thoughts on the subject...and I am sure other people have other views on the subject... I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 2:11 PM

2020-04-17T14:11:25-04:00

My wife says because they didn't get enough hugs as a kid. I say is because they have the need to be right. This means that those soldiers need to have some resiliency training. On Facebook, people are really need and demeaning and insult you. They insult me and they say all kinds of mean Things and I remind them to attack the Problem and not the person. I sometimes wonder if people on Facebook are drinking ,stoned or have mental illnesses. Here on rally point, there are people who are very helpful in shutting down those who are being A- holes on purpose. I
SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" and SSG Carlos Madden are 2 men here who could help you get them Disciplined or banished from RP.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 17 at 2020 2:40 PM

2020-04-17T14:40:07-04:00

Don’t play in Facebook, unless you have a skin the thickness of a RINO. Nasty stuff there.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 3:31 PM

2020-04-17T15:31:07-04:00

Lots of reasons. And others have already weighed in w/great responses. Will just note that @ the *all star* level, many a politician will admit that politics = *smash mouth.*

For sure lead by example by listening to, respecting and responding to other points of view —but— don’t forget to —-> *appropriately* dress. And to speak, post, comment and respond the way you’d like to receive in kind.

Rev/edit —-> added some shoulder pads and a headgear (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQp6UYIPd2w

Politics Is A Full Contact Sport

Dress appropriately: https://store.marcorubio.com/product/team-marco-football-t-shirt/

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 5:15 PM

2020-04-17T17:15:14-04:00

Because politics revolves around power and force. You are forced to tolerate Trump or Obama weather you like it or not. Whenever you have winners and losers conflict will arise. This concept is magnified significantly through social media. It's never about us - Americans.