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Why Do So Many Americans Hate Each Other?

edited March 11 in Off-Topic
Creating an us vs. them narrative has long been used by feckless U.S. politicians to sow societal distrust
and hate in order to "win" elections. The vitriolic language from both of Trump's administrations has only
increased the level of hate throughout our country. Donald J. Trump is clearly a divider, not a uniter.

"Before he entered the White House, 47 percent of Republicans and 35 percent of Democrats said people
in the opposing party were 'immoral.' By 2022, after years of Trump’s venom: 72 percent of Republicans
and 63 percent of Democrats called people in the opposing party 'immoral.'
Since he’s been back in the Oval, it’s gotten even worse."

https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-do-americans-dislike-other-americans

Comments

  • edited March 11
    Divide and conquer is a core feature of the (aspiring) autocratic administration.

    It's easier to try to bully a fragmented society than a united front that can more readily oppose him.

    Much propaganda and channeling of hateful emotion has gone into the GOP campaign. It had succeeded to a high degree.
  • ...And yet, the fact that so many were willing--- twice--- to vote for an unethical convicted felon and pedophile abuser does not say nothing. I will assert that this fact alone is an indictment of our society. About half of the voting public, anyhow.

    The Law and Ethics are not univocal, and are often enough even opposed to each other: just look at the tax code. (Or just move your HQ on paper to Ireland and pay just 12.5%.)

    If it's real leaders we want in elected office, voting for such an unethical, conscience-less grifter felon is to shoot yourself in BOTH feet.

    Another element fits into this picture, too: the "criminally" ignorant number of voters who are convinced of 'alternative facts' or who have precious few actual facts at their disposal because they don't even care to keep up with the news. Churchill, to my mind, was spot-on!
  • edited March 11

    "We have met the Enemy and HE is US"


    image
  • Ya, well. But some some of US cannot be held responsible for the swirling whirlwind of Orange MAGA puke, all around.

    A lesson I've become convinced about: comfortable people do not make serious changes in their way of thinking, or their politics, and the way they live their lives. It takes a dramatic crisis or a singularly remarkable person to enter their lives, forcing "repentance"--- which in the biblical language, simply means to "reverse course, to turn around; to go a different way."
  • I don't know that they do. I don't hate my brother or my inlaws.

    I do know that there's a lot of money and political success in selling it. I haven't watched the news since Network. And the only thing I listen to on the radio is music.

    I may be on statins, but the BP is normal.
  • edited March 11
    I know it's not a popular stand but I hate most human beings from the get-go. It saves time.
    I don't suffer bullies, braggarts, fools or one-uppers at all. I try to be pleasant and considerate in meet-ups or group settings but I'd really rather spend time with my fur babies, the forest and my garden.
  • @Mark- and here I thought that it was just me that feels that way.
  • bogus rhetorically / statistically false query

    what's not to hate? there are so many ill-wishing proudly and deliberately uninformed / ignorant people out there

    low-information and disinformed/misinformed, and proud of it

    resentment even fantastical is a helluva drug, almost impossible to quit

    otoh there are millions of decent well-wishing civic-minded educated sensible others

    so who needs wide-eyed faux-naive oh-gosh heds and threads like this one?? come on
  • edited 5:17AM
    "so who needs wide-eyed faux-naive oh-gosh heds and threads like this one?? come on"

    Well, why did you even bother to post in this thread?
  • #1 reason: Rupert Murdoch -- aka FOX
  • Maybe it is not hate. I had a friend that kept forwarding me political emails. I asked him to quit. I gave him several times to quit. Then, without a word to him, I erased him from my life in all aspects. This was 25 years ago. He continued to try to email me and send me Christmas cards until a couple of years ago. I continued to transfer to junk mail. I don't hate him. He doesn't respect me was the problem that I do not want to revisit.
  • Yes @Anna that's a huge part of it in a nutshell. I just don't care or feel the need to deal with it.
  • Exactly.
  • edited 5:12PM
    One group is simply intolerant - I have zero patience for that.
    The other group is intolerant of the first group's intolerance - that is a virtue.

    Hate may be a strong word, I agree. Disapproval and the desire to avoid the unpleasant and ill-informed, may be a better description. I also have no use for people who are not victims, acting like victims.

    Have I missed anybody?
  • @gman57 - When the Hague trials eventually start, I think that both FoxNews' mgmt and staff should be included by the ICC. Many unpunished crimes being committed there.

    Ok, ok, I'm just dreaming. Such sweet justice is far out of reach.

    Dreaming on....much of SCOTUS would go on trial, too (at least 4 or 5 supposed judges). Stephen Miller, Bondi, Orange and his entire cabinet of ghouls.

    The odds are long.
  • "...Have I missed anybody?"
    Can't help myself. Tongue in cheek:
    They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore. Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys.

    "And there's one little Heeb from the heart of Texas..."


  • That does sum it up pretty well, doesn't it?
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