Does anyone care? What can we do as Americans?

many care. but what you are hoping for is debate with people who will always act with kindness and "high consciousness", especially when they disagree. this is a bit unrealistic, i've discovered over the decades. perhaps it would help if you considered the fact that those who are the most "hatefilled" are exactly the ones who are most fearful of what you are saying. fear generates anger and hate. people, especially today when relative chaos reigns over the planet, tend to get very attached to their beliefs and values. they need something comforting to cling to. they'd prefer to not have them undermined in any manner, especially intelligently and convincingly. in a sense this offers you the opportunity to be compassionate toward those who attack you verbally. (physically requires other measures) in any event always be ready to voice your opinions, when called for. never allow yourself to be intimidated into becoming silent.

Part of the American tradition is open debate and discussion without fear of hostility, unfortunately, some have argued that 'intense disagreement' is part of our 1st Amendment rights.

Do we have a right to be mad if we don't agree on sides, sure. If we act upon that anger in ways that would harm another person then it would be (imo) wrong. Last I checked there is no law against thoughts.

How do we shift things towards more of a Socretian society? That would have to come from an educated population. I feel that once people are exposed to all sides of an argument, there tends to be less of the hostility and more understand.

But be weary, I said understanding, and Understanding is not Consensus.

It's rough to have an opinion that other people don't these days. People immediately tense up and start getting angry as soon as someone thinks something different from them. I wish I had an idea. I think the point of these forums was to open that kind of discussion. Yet even on here, people attack each other and leave hateful and rude messages. Obviously the type of people we have in the world today cannot handle open discussion

I dont think its really possible to get past debate and polarization and move to discussion and cooperation.

A person who wants to expand the difference between rich and poor will never "cooperate" with someone who thinks the gap is already ridiculous. They are working towards different goals.

A person who's worldview is based on science, logic, and reason will never have much in common with someone who takes a mystical/religious view of the world. How is someone who believes hurricanes are caused by warm oceans, for example, supposed to work towards a solution to storms like Katrina with a person who thinks the cause is an angry god or a mischievous devil?

People are just too different.

Shift from polarization? The entire government is based on that. Repubicans vs. Democrats

Unfortunately, few really care about anything today other than Britney Spears' love life and the latest rankings of their favorite NASCAR drivers. We've become a nation of vegetables who refuse to get involved in matters of our country, choose not to vote, and fail to exercise our right to free expression.

Part of it comes from the intimidation tactics used by opponents who would rather bully us into shutting up and running away rather than standing up for our opinions. The conservative-biased media has done an excellent job of controlling opinion through its use of Hitler-esque propagandists such as Shawn Hannity, Ann Coulter, and Rush Limbaugh.

We've become a mean-spirited society where hatred begets hatred. That only serves to further divide the country, and keeps more and more people from becoming part of the process.

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Freedom of speech is a Constitutional right to speak out about our government and criticize it without fear of repercussion. The right-wing conservative media has taken this freedom to new heights, as more people beleive "freedom of speech' means it's okay to use vulgar language, and say anything you choose on TV or in the newspapers.

I urge you to continue to speak you mind. Learn to ignore the hostilities of the opponents, and be more prepared than they are with facts, solid information, good research, accurate reporting, and fair and balanced discussion. At one time I hosted a half-hour TV show on our local Public Access channel which included halfway intelligent debate on different subjects. The show became one of the most-watched programs on Public Access until I had to quit for health reasons. Usually public access channels must allow you use of the airwaves, and you become solely responsible for what you broadcast. -RKO-

i agree with you...i don't know what can be done...in my personal experience...i have tried to be friends will all around me...i am conservative and when politics are discussed i share my view...I've talked with liberals and we totally disagree on things...which is cool with me...but about 95% of the liberals tend not to want to be my friend or hang out as much after we have a political discussion...i don't know why...but i tell you one thing...the liberals the i disagree with who still hang out and we can be friends...i have alot of respect for them...we can agree to disagree and move with life...

Well I dunno! you really didn't have a question. But the first thing to do is find common ground. Are you an American? If you are then we have common ground. What is the most important thing for the government to do? If you say provide for the common defense then we have common ground. What is an American supposed to do? If you say speak his or her mind without fear of retribution then we have common ground.

But always remember... your rights end when someone elses begin.

i don't think u should be afraid to voice your opinion. If ppl get mad then that's their problem. If nobody stands up for anything then the world will be in danger. You seem to care to much what others will think of you for siding on something. You have to be confident in your choice before you can get other ppl to see your point

I care very much, my country is dying and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it and everybody seems to have their head up their *** about it,either to the left or the right.