Reading here makes me think ignorance is indeed bliss

[OneGrassRoot]

We bitch and moan about how uneducated the average American voter is, yet how helpful is it to be educated if the type of anger and arrogance displayed here is the result? Anger at the SYSTEM is one thing, anger toward others' opinions is another.

Rare is the thread where there are legitimate discussions. Bashing is the order of the day.

This kind of thing can turn eager voters off...people who want to be part of the democratic system...can you imagine how a political novice would feel if he/she stumbled upon a political site? Not a pretty picture.

I really think the US should just be carved up into regions. I don't see a large percentage of people coming together on anything in my lifetime.

[Anouka]

1. Free Republic is worse.

Much, much worse. But I understand your point, and I think you're right...even as I don't help the situation myself by always being genteel.

Here's a recommend for your call for civility.

[KoKo]

2. It's Bush World....Anger and Violence....and they still are controlling us like the Fear after

9/11. Media Yucks it up as they annoint "Their Choice" right under our noses and we were supposed to be wiser after two stolen national elections. The "Powers that Be" are masters of controlled chaos.

[Saturday]

4. You are absolutely correct.

Media has told us who our candidate is. Just like they took us into the Iraq war with guns ablazing.

[Saturday]

3. I hear you.

You can't point out any negative fact in any candidate because you are then hit on and bashed for your fact. Quite sad. It used to be red states vs blue states. It has expanded to your candidate vs my candidate.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. For me, it isn't so much that...

as it is when you post a reason why you LIKE someone and you're bashed as a robotic, non-thinking idiot. Disagreement can be had, and can be helpful and educational (none of us knows EVERYTHING, even though some feel they do), but it becomes personal assaults.

I guess we're just a reflection of the campaign process, eh? Can't stick with the issues, have to get personal...even though ideas and opinions about what constitutes "personal" also vary from person to person.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. You can't even point out positive things about the candidate you

support. Someone is sure to come along and bash you for that. I have found myself staying out of most discussions for that reason.

[TooBigaTent]

7. You are so right about the ease with which "discussions" here leave logic and

thought behind and turn into yelling matches.

And the thing about breaking up the US into smaller parts - it would work so much better. Both to enable real progress to be made (in those areas where the people want it) and in the organizational aspects. We are just too big to be governed fairly or efficiently.