Comments on: Are We Better Than This? http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:52:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Weekend League Round-Up!!! | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-5097 Weekend League Round-Up!!! | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:54:35 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-5097 [...] asked “are we better than this?” and subsequently whipped out the word [...] [...] asked “are we better than this?” and subsequently whipped out the word [...]

]]> By: We’re All Mad Here | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-4810 We’re All Mad Here | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:23:38 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-4810 [...] discussion is fundamentally different and more sincere than the lazy hyper-partisanship to which I reacted with disdain earlier this week. Those conversations, even when they’re yelling matches, aren’t [...] [...] discussion is fundamentally different and more sincere than the lazy hyper-partisanship to which I reacted with disdain earlier this week. Those conversations, even when they’re yelling matches, aren’t [...]

]]> By: Richard York http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-4718 Richard York Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:37:21 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-4718 Mr. Payne: You did not mention or discuss the single most important cause of partisanship and the failure of our current system. To wit, civic disengagement. While there are those who lament the low turnout in most elections, I think we may be fortunate. The massive popular ignorance of our government, politics and constitution has allowed demagogues of both parties to dominate the political conversation. The failure of our education system to teach basic civics and involve young people in their local government has promoted this disengagement. Partisanship will only be eliminated by an informed and engaged citizenry. Richard York Mr. Payne:

You did not mention or discuss the single most important cause of partisanship and the failure of our current system. To wit, civic disengagement.

While there are those who lament the low turnout in most elections, I think we may be fortunate. The massive popular ignorance of our government, politics and constitution has allowed demagogues of both parties to dominate the political conversation.

The failure of our education system to teach basic civics and involve young people in their local government has promoted this disengagement.

Partisanship will only be eliminated by an informed and engaged citizenry.

Richard York

]]> By: The Practical Art of Possible Interests | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-4625 The Practical Art of Possible Interests | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:03:19 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-4625 [...] Payne a few posts down shrewdly argues that political hyper-partisanship is a outgrowth of laziness.  He documents lo the many ways this is the [...] [...] Payne a few posts down shrewdly argues that political hyper-partisanship is a outgrowth of laziness.  He documents lo the many ways this is the [...]

]]> By: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-4616 Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:38:43 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-4616 GreginAK: Except the media still glorifies the losers(like McCain). And they hold Obama to different standards as compared to Bush(See David "MC Rove's Dance Partner" Gregory this morning on MTP as just one example). GreginAK:
Except the media still glorifies the losers(like McCain). And they hold Obama to different standards as compared to Bush(See David “MC Rove’s Dance Partner” Gregory this morning on MTP as just one example).

]]> By: greginak http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/2009/04/are-we-better-than-this/#comment-4612 greginak Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:17:15 +0000 http://www.ordinary-gentlemen.com/?p=2756#comment-4612 It's seems to me the problem with the partisanship we have is that is based on naked striving for power and the rawest emotion. this leads to hatred and persecuting the out group while glorifying the in group. Partisanship could be a positive if it was based on striving to find the best ideas. Competition seems to work wonders to create the best football, baseball, etc teams. you mention, and i agree, taht many Americans see politics as a necessary evil. taht is i think part of the problem we have. a democracy is based on involvement and is only as good as the people who invest their time in it. hating politics leads to a poorly functioning democracy. It’s seems to me the problem with the partisanship we have is that is based on naked striving for power and the rawest emotion. this leads to hatred and persecuting the out group while glorifying the in group. Partisanship could be a positive if it was based on striving to find the best ideas. Competition seems to work wonders to create the best football, baseball, etc teams.

you mention, and i agree, taht many Americans see politics as a necessary evil. taht is i think part of the problem we have. a democracy is based on involvement and is only as good as the people who invest their time in it. hating politics leads to a poorly functioning democracy.

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