Are Democrats/Republicans becoming the equivalent of Sunnis/Shiites?

[True Dough]

Thomas Friedman expressed on CNN today that the split between the two political parties is becoming so hostile that he can envision the situation deteriorating to the level of warring Sunnis and Shiites, unless there's some reconciliation.

He said he hears people in Washington heading to meetings saying things like, "I hope THEY are not going to be there," referring to members of the opposing party. He also said there are more and more parents making no bones about not wanting their child to marry "one of THEM," again referring to someone on the other side of the political aisle.

No doubt tensions have grown between Dems and Republicans over the past decade, probably intensifying to the greatest levels in memory with the ascension of Don the Con. But do you think the equivalent of a civil war could ensue in today's United States of America?

[First Speaker]

1. Absolutely

...the last Civil War never really ended. I thought it had, in the years from 1965-80, more or less...but the GOP has gotten more and more extreme. They are now openly a neo-Confederate party, openly trying to destroy this country's basic principles. If civil war does come, it won't be like last time; more like Northern Ireland on steroids. Or it will be increasing one-party rule, like in Hungary and Russia; or Mad Max anarchy; or open partition. Or, most likely, combinations of all those scenarios. But I find myself more and more doubtful of the continuation of the US as a liberal democracy...

[Solly Mack]

2. I wouldn't want a child of mine to marry a conservative.

Last edited Tue Jul 11, 2017, 02:03 AM - Edit history (2)

But that wouldn't be my decision to make.

I would rather not be around conservatives than to risk them spouting their ignorance to the general public in a loud voice. The only aim of which is to make everyone around them uncomfortable in a manner that dares anyone else at all to contradict them. And you get the added risk of them carrying a gun and stupid enough to use it.



But, and this is the important part.

I don't want to force them to give birth or tell them to celebrate a rape because a baby is the result.

I don't want them discriminated against because they are conservatives.

I want them to get any social services they need to live.

I want them to have a living wage, a roof over their heads, enough food to eat, and a good job with good benefits. I want them to have actual health care and not simply health insurance.

I want for them the same things I want for everyone - but they don't want for me what is fair, just, and equal.

They want me to bow down to their beliefs.

I can't do that. I won't do that.

I don't see it as a religious divide, however.

Though a lot of them do with their talk.

[LuvLoogie]

3. No. One is a religious schism. And the divide in America is not along party lines.

It's just that one party has exploited and weaponized the racial/cultural differences in to us versus them. Also the Establishment right is more and more making ridiculous claims against liberals so as to rile and unleash the crazies.