Why can't Republicans be civil?

Sure. Keep what you have earned. Keep all of it. But then you must not receive any of the benefits provided by those who pay taxes. You cannot go to a public school. If your house catches fire, it is your problem. If you get robbed, do not call the police because they will not come. you are not allowed to drive on public streets not walk on a sidewalk unless you built it yourself. If an army from another nation crosses the border, you are on your own.

So, everyone receiving a tax "credit" should expect none of the same services? Your argument fails in that the fire and police are local, not federal issues. The military is the only legitimate function of the federal government in the examples you give. I am for cutting that to simply state run militias as well. As to government schools, that is neither the function nor duty of the federal government. In fact, government run education is the greatest example of government waste one can find. The cost per pupil has exploded, while the results are steadily declining. Thanks for making my point.

Tell you what, go on to a predominately left-winged website and attempt to discuss cutting welfare benefits and your disappointments with Obama, and come back and tell me how nice those liberals were. I've done it, and then watched as all but a few left-leaning individuals who felt the need to disagree with me attempt to tear me down on a personal level. I'm not defending partisan hostility, but I can guarantee you there are more than just a few liberals out there that are just as bad. Perhaps the reason you haven't run into them is because you're either lucky, or (judging from some of your posting history) you tend to agree with them, so there's no need for them to try and tear you down. "I watch the news and read a lot, and the hatred and invective from the left is almost nonexistent."

Lavinia, I have heard that asserted many times--"there is so much hatred pouring out from both sides". It just isn't true. there are a few mean-spirited people out there who claim some leftist perspectives, but only a few. I watch the news and read a lot, and the hatred and invective from the left is almost nonexistent. The Republican Party appears to be dominated by hatred of everybody else. The idea that both sides are to blame, so it is not productive to point fingers at one side simply does not hold water. As far as talking about issues, that is what I have tried to do. The responses have been rude and abusive and overwhelmingly personal. Which brings me back to the original question: why is so much hatred coming from the right? Even there were an equal amount of venom coming from the other side (and there is not) it would not make it okay. If Billy takes money from employer, it in no way excuses him to point out that Mary does it, too. It is just trying to change the subject.

*Covers eyes* "What? Where? I don't see any of that."

Trruk1, I think you may have inadvertently--or maybe not--overlooked something that you wrote to start this discussion. "I think people should be able to disagree on things and still get along. but for those on the right it does not appear to be possible." Perfect. I think we all think people should be able to disagree on things and still get along. But "people" is the key here. Nobody is skirting the fact that some right-wing idiots are idiots. But you have painted the picture that it ONLY comes from the right. People are adding the truth to your discussion that it's PEOPLE from both sides of the aisle making it difficult to get along. If you want to pound the drum and say it only comes from the right, then that's certainly your call. But when someone points out how ridiculous that is, how does it then become "excusing bad behavior by pointing out other bad behavior." I'm lost trying to read this here. It points the finger and then contradicts itself to wiggle away and reassert the accusation. If there's no bad behavior, then how can people excuse it by citing the behavior that doesn't exist? Maybe your question is a question better asked amongst others who feel the way you feel, as no response given, outside of one echoing your exact sentiment, earns your seal of approval. A lot of pure irony in this, too, but I won't spam ParaTed's response further with my observations.

I haven't seen any of that, either. Besides, it is irrelevant. It does not excuse bad behavior on one person's part by pointing out the same bad behavior by another person. Ignoring the question be redirecting it toward another group is not an answer. The question remains: why is there so much hatred coming from the right?

If calling someone a socialist is intended as an insult, then of course it is. If you had really read the whole discussion, you would not have written what you did. So (sigh) I will say it again. First of all, the overwhelming mass of hate speech comes from the right. Second, even if an equal amount of vitriol came from the left, that is irrelevant. The question was why is there so much hatred coming from the right. Saying there is hatred expressed by other people, too, is just irrelevant. Bad behavior cannot be justified by pointing a finger at somebody else and saying he does it, too. The next time you claim you have read the entire discussion, please actually do that first.

No, i read quite accurately and you just reaffirmed for me that you are in fact being myopic about it and that you do see it as that one sided. I say that because you said, and I quote: "First of all, the overwhelming mass of hate speech comes from the right" But i am also bewildered by this statement of yours: "Second, even if an equal amount of vitriol came from the left, that is irrelevant." And this one: "Saying there is hatred expressed by other people, too, is just irrelevant" How is it irrelevant? It isn't an "if", it is an "is". And to answer your direct question, you must also look at why it comes from the left as well, because the reasons, at their very basic, are the same. answer one question and you answer the other, they are not mutually exclusive. On the other issue..."If calling someone a socialist is intended as an insult, then of course it is." Calling someone a socialist is no more insulting than calling someone a capitalist. It may be inaccurate, depending on who you call a socialist, but it isn't an insult. It is nothing more than a description of someone's preferred economic governance model.

Taskr, you parliamentarian!

Wise up. My first sentence shows clearly that I am in NO WAY excusing any bad behavior. Should I stoop even lower by calling an idiot worse than an idiot? And I obviously cannot answer your question since I have no examples from you other than you saying "I see it." Perhaps you're only looking for people to agree with you anyway in saying the "right" is nothing but hate. Which, if that's the case, I certainly do agree to an extent, with the fringe morons - emphasis on my calling those types of people idiots. Beyond that is just beyond that. For all I know, you're ubersensitive and someone simply disagreeing with you or your worldview qualifies as hatred. Perhaps my saying "wise up" is something you'll consider hatred and then lump me in with an entire group of people whom you've so nonchalantly stereotyped. "Even if it were true that an equal amount comes from the left, that is irrelevant." But that says it all.

You are trying to excuse a lot of very bad behavior by claiming somebody else does it, too. That is no excuse. And if you do not see the hatred pouring out every from people who call themselves "conservative", I don't know what to tell you. It is on television. It is in the newspapers. It is in magazines. It is on the Internet. It is all over this site. A lot of it has been directed at me, personally. Which brings us back around to the question: why is so much hatred coming from the right? Even if it were true that an equal amount comes from the left, that is irrelevant.

Read the discussion title. Read the discussion title. Read the discussion title. Read the discussion title. This question was not incivility from all directions. It was specifically a question about the behavior of Republicans. I have not a single, coherent answer. Maybe you can clear it up for me. But first, read the discussion title.

Republicans are civil, republicans are civil, republicans are civil. Your premise is blatantly false.

"Who called on Sarah Palin to be gang-raped?" That would be Sandra Bernhard. Her liberal audience loved it too. I could also point out how David Letterman though it was fine to make a joke about Palin's teenage daughter getting "knocked up by Anthony Rodriguez" on the highlight reels of a baseball game. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/02/sandra-bernhard-denies-re_n_131326.html "And to say "Well, he does it, too", even if it were true, is no excuse at all" I'm not making excuses for anything. If you'd read my post you'd see quite clearly that I said "There needs to be civility on BOTH sides." Attacking one side while ignoring the other does nothing to fix the problem and that's exactly what you're doing. You're taking sides holding only Republicans accountable while happily ignoring the hate and vitriol from the left. Keep in mind the images I'm posting were from less than a week ago at John Stewart's rally. If you'd like I could gladly show you photos from rallies where liberals were calling on people to KILL Bush and Cheney.

Who called on Sarah Palin to be gang-raped? I haven't heard about that. the venom and hatred is nearly all coming from the right. It is in the news every day. It is on this site every day. And to say "Well, he does it, too", even if it were true, is no excuse at all. It is an attempt to point the finger at somebody else and therefore excuse somehow very bad behavior.

I differ with the Republicans on a lot of things. Basically, I think the main function of government is to serve citizens. They think government exists to protect corporations. I still don't see why that difference of opinion should stir up so much hatred from them.

It's not corporations, it's jobs, and not wanting job loss.. also some dems are arrogant and rude just are some repubs and I daresay this is true of any group of imperfect humans (who also have a tendency to stereotype and to mishear the other side, or rather choose to hear what their side says about the other side).

go back and read the beginning of this discussion. At least read the title. You can read, can't you? Your comment is irrelevant and useless. Place it somewhere else. Read the title of the discussion. Read the title of the discussion. It is like I asked for some feedback on how to properly use an 18-speed transmission and you responded with an exposition on bicycles. Read the title of the discussion.

So when the vitriol of leftists like Dorhn is exposed, you say it is irrelevant. I would call it intellectual disohonesty, but that would give too much credit.