Why can't we all get along?

In today's political climate many are asking the question, "why can't we all get along"? Let's take a look at this question and the assumptions behind it. It is important to understand the opinion of Americans and their thoughts and feelings on a range of political issues.

This question, "why can't we all get along", is frequently being raised by national media outlets, academia and political commentators. Especially, in reference to congress and the way the political parties interact. The assumption is that the American public is moderate in their opinions and morals.

But what is "moderate" in today's society? The definition has certainly changed in recent years. However, the assumption is based in part on the narrow margins of victory in national elections. The thought is that since elections are close and each side has won over recent years, then most Americans must be moderate. This analysis is faulty. When you look at the population in the US of voting age versus the number of votes cast, the percentage ranges from 49% to 57%. On a close race with the largest turn out, let say 30% voted for the winner and 27% voted for the looser. However, 43% stayed at home. Now if you also consider that in the most recent Presidential election, one side had arguably the most liberal candidate in recent history and one had a candidate that was more moderate (claiming that his major strength was his ability to reach across the isle). In fact, Barack Obama's Senate voting record was definitely liberal and John McCain's Senate voting record was moderate. One other factor to consider, when trying to characterize the US electorate, is the ratings Congress gets overall in recent polls at about 9%. Congress is fairly evenly split between liberals, moderates and conservatives. So if the polls are accurate, few are happy with a balance in Congress, that is by definition moderate.

What does all of this have to do with "why we can;t all get along". Everything! We are told by the same experts, that designated the America voters as mostly "moderate", that conservatives need to "moderate" their views in order to get elected.

Let's look at those views. And we will in "Why can't we all get along? - Part 2

Return to IOBUSA.org