Why are we so politically divided? [View all]
I've been thinking about this for a long time. What happened to the days both parties worked together, albeit quite unfriendly at times, to get laws enacted for the good of our Country? I admit I'm kinda old but I remember when the minimum wage was raised, SS tax was raised, tax laws were adjusted, new infrastructure was built and old maintained, and when Senators or Representatives addressed their respective bodies, they'd say "My Dear Friend _____", and mean it! It seems to me all that went away after Reagan. Now, we're lucky they don't physically attack each other. WHAT HAPPNED?
Quite a few things I think.
First, Reagan saw to it that income tax rates were dramatically reduced for the wealthy & for corporations. THAT removed millions, not only from revenue, but from business investment that grew businesses and employed more people.
Reagan also let Religion have a lot more influence on government than ever before.
That fundamentalist influence grew stronger AND nastier.
During the Clinton administration, lots of laws were enacted that angered those Fundies and they haven't backed off yet
It's the Fundies who are the source of most of the mean, nasty, and attitudes in our government today. They've managed to kick out almost all of the moderates and promoted the extremists to power. Everything is my way or the highway with them. Compromise is evil, and everybody who doesn't agree with them is the enemy!
If we ever hope to get back to a functioning government again, we're somehow going to have to force these Fundies back to a minority again.
Am I crazy? Have We (Dems) changed as well & are contributing to the dissent?
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