Which factor divides Americans the most?

[More Than A Feeling]

It's become cliche to bemoan the divided state of the American people. To heal the split, first we have to decide where to start. So...What is the biggest factor that divides Americans? Feel free to explain why.

[brainshrub]

1. It's class, but it's rude to say so in polite conversation.

[sakabatou]

2. Class is the most dividing,,,

but other factors are still up there as well.

[ironman202]

3. Intelligence follows reason and Ignorance follows religion

religion is the daughter of hope and fear explaining to ignorance the nature of the unknowable.-Bierce

[More Than A Feeling]

15. That quote is definitely true, but it doesn't fit with your title.

One can be both intelligent and ignorant about the unknowable (at least as far as being certain about it) at the same time, dontcha think?:-)

[Guaranteed]

18. I think we're all pretty

fucking ignorant, ultimately.

[More Than A Feeling]

20. Indeed.

Just think: every moment, each individual's total knowledge grows ever smaller as a percentage of the total knowledge available to humankind. So not only are we all ignorant, that condition will only grow worse over time. Depressing, eh?:-)

[ohtransplant]

4. Of course - It's the O'Liely Factor! n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

5. PSEUDO-religous beliefs. Those that have been created by and

manipulated by the Dominionists and the Neocons.

[Initech]

6. Have you ever tried arguing with a fundie?

Oh my GOD (HA!)... they are the worst type of people to argue with, it's very clear that they're the ones trying to divide the country.

[More Than A Feeling]

7. I have, actually.

It ended when I accused him of calling God a liar. It didn't even make any sense, but the look on his face at a liberal out-religioning him was priceless!:D

On another occasion, I got one to agree to reducing abortions through programs without banning it.

Plus, my cousin is a pentecostal preacher, and every Christmas we get into it.

[Ladyhawk]

23. I used to BE one.

Fundies are faith-based. Normal people are reality-based. Never the twain shall meet. Don't ask me how I got out...too long a story. :D

[BuyingThyme]

8. I.Q.

[Ladyhawk]

24. Hmmmmm.

A not-so-bright woman who is as poor as I am might have voted for Bush because she was worried about taxes. :( She said she "might" vote for Kerry / Edwards because Edwards was "cute."

I had no idea what to say.

[CHIMO]

9. A Sleeper

Item that no one is considering is geography. When one looks back at past societies they seem to have been defined somewhat by geography. Water, a mountain range or a desert. This seems to be one aspect that no one is considering. Differences between those close to the Mexican border or the rockies wrt the whole.

In all the trade agreements and communications things that are going on there doesn't seem to be any analysis of geography influences. Almost as if it doesn't exist.

My two cents anyways.

[flaminbats]

14. excellent points..

geography is connected to religious beliefs, political affiliation, education level..even class and age. People living in suburbs and exurbs have a different means of living than those in cities and small towns. The religious beliefs of a suburban Atlantan are probably very different from those of a rural Minnesotan, or of someone living in the center of Salt Lake City. The religious beliefs of such individuals are likely to have an overbearing influence on their political affiliations.

The quality of education also varies with region..having another impact on an individual's political affiliation. Region also effects one's behavior due to the cultural and economic pressures from peers to conform. But which came first..the egg or chicken? :shrug:

[KerryOn]

10. I think it is religion, and second is....

...class.

Generally I think most of those on the right have good values. The problem is when they try to shove their values and their religion down our throats.

They can't quite grasp the idea that there can be more than one religion and more than one way of interpreting the good book. They truly believe that their ideas and beliefs are the ONLY ones that are correct.

I think you can directly compare them to Islamic Fundamentalist.

They feel that abortion is wrong. I think it is as well, but I can not take a way a womans right to choose. That is between the woman and God and it is none of my business. There are many religions and many beliefs, who is to say what is correct. Each of us will have our own opinion.

Bush's war in Iraq is so ironic. He claims he is trying to spread democracy, so the people of Iraq can live free. But at the same time I truly feel he is trying to turn our country into a religious state. A religious state where we will not be free to practice religion as WE believe. He has recently talked about legislation to teach religion in our schools. If religion is taught in schools what religion will that be?

Again, they think the only way is their way, any other way is wrong, and I don't think anyone will ever be able to open their eyes. It's a lost cause to even try.

[More Than A Feeling]

11. Interesting, I thought gender would be more popular

It is my choice, anyway.

My evidence? The Conservative distaste for anyone who subverts traditional gender roles (non-heterosexuals, assertive women). Also their desire to reduce women to their roles as child-bearers.

Furthermore, how do Conservatives demonize men who disagree with them? Make them look feminine (Arnold talking about economic girly-men, outing Plame to make Wilson look dependent on his wife for jobs)

There was also that Cornell study which concluded that threatening a man's masculinity leads to more support for the Iraq war,increased homophobia, and more desire to purchase an SUV.

That's enough for me to name gender as the most divisive factor in America.

[Seabiscuit]

12. Personally, I think it's the men with small weenies causing most of the

trouble. Their overcompensations are to blame for virtually all of the nations' ills.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

13. President Lepetomane's Unitafying.

Cuz he aint on dividerator!!

[Tactical Progressive]

16. Greed

A vast number of Americans have come to believe that the function of the United States is simply to provide them with the ability to exercise an unlimited amount of greed and power. Me, me, me. What I want, what I want, what I want. Nothing else enters into it; not fairness, community or country. Not law, the environment or civic responsibility. Not honesty, integrity or even decency.

They are winning. It may well be that, barring comprehensive financial catastrophe to the country, they have won.

[More Than A Feeling]

17. Good answer!

:thumbsup:

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

19. The O'Reilly Factor--

since he attempts to use all of the above to divide.

[More Than A Feeling]

21. Shoot, I should have added "The Media" as a response.

That probably would have been better competition for "Class" and "Religious Belief"

[More Than A Feeling]

22. kick for the late night crowd n/t

[Just Me]

25. I propose manipulative and divisive, control-freak, leaders.

Nothing in your post HAS to "divide" our people. We CAN co-exist in spite of all those differences.

However, if we allow ourselves to be led by those who are isolating us because it brings greater self-importance to the "leader" and FALSELY to ourselves,...shame, shame on the lack of humility and humanity.

[Raiden]

26. It's class dude

That's the reason Republicans become indignant and scream "class warfare" when Dems start talking about economic unfairness

Religious issues are right behind class and economic issues