Polarization spin-off thread

[Deleted]

In the polarization thread I mentioned the book "The Big Sort" where the authors used demographic data to show we are increasingly living in homogeneous communities that reinforce and radicalize our opinions. This had led to congressional deadlock because of district gerrymandering. The last few presidential elections have been virtual deadheats while the individual districts tended to vote overwhelmingly in one direction or the other.

Would you vote to have districts changed so they had a more equal percentage of both parties? Do you think this would lead to more effective leadership and less arguing?

[privateinvestor]

If you are referring to the Tea Party becoming a political force among the Republican Party in the House and Senate, I am not too sure if district gerrymandering has much to do with it....but I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination a Political Expert or Junkie but I do think the Tea Party is a growing force to be reckoned with and they plan to pick up more seats in the next congressional race and unseat Obama in the Presidential Elections in 2012.

Some of the Liberal Media have been attacking the Tea Party and the congressional members of congress who they helped get elected but one has to wonder if the Liberal Elites are beginning to fear the Tea Party as they gain more power in this country.??

[djAdvocate]

ouch. liberal elites. that is pretty much in the same category as "greedy capitalists" rhetorically.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...while I find this an interesting line of questioning, I wonder how redistricting would affect the electoral college and its role in presidential elections...

ETA: ...for example, would redistricting in CA really make a huge difference in the House?

[Deleted]

Would you vote to have districts changed so they had a more equal percentage of both parties?

No

Do you think this would lead to more effective leadership and less arguing?

No. Why would there be less arguing. You have 2 different parties with totally opposite views, aims, & those aims conflict. The only way there won't be arguments is if one side kills the other side.

[txbo]

Jul 29, 2011 20:13:37 GMT -5 @privateinvestor said:

If you are referring to the Tea Party becoming a political force among the Republican Party in the House and Senate, I am not too sure if district gerrymandering has much to do with it....but I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination a Political Expert or Junkie but I do think the Tea Party is a growing force to be reckoned with and they plan to pick up more seats in the next congressional race and unseat Obama in the Presidential Elections in 2012.

Some of the Liberal Media have been attacking the Tea Party and the congressional members of congress who they helped get elected but one has to wonder if the Liberal Elites are beginning to fear the Tea Party as they gain more power in this country.??

The country is split almost 50/50 approximately 2% of the population chooses who will be the president. Both sides believe they are correct and both sides detest each other. Local elections have a much smaller turnout and are decides by the major party in the community. For instance if I’m a “liberal elite” my vote is worthless in my community that is 85% “greedy capitalist“. I’m a greedy capitalist and a liberal elite and don’t really care that much of who is in power. I have the finances to be a greedy capitalist and able to live like a liberal elite. Life is good.

[billisonboard]

Jul 30, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5 txbo said:

...
The country is split almost 50/50 approximately 2% of the population chooses who will be the president. ...

I think it is closer to 25%/25%/2%/2%/46% (right/left/intelligent swing voters/occasionally engaged emotional swing voters/non-engaged)

[deziloooooo]

Jul 30, 2011 13:52:57 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jul 30, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5 txbo said:

...
The country is split almost 50/50 approximately 2% of the population chooses who will be the president. ...

I think it is closer to 25%/25%/2%/2%/46% (right/left/intelligent swing voters/occasionally engaged emotional swing voters/non-engaged)

;D good one...