Liberal, Conservative, Republican, Democrat, Red State, Blue State

[Q]

Why can't we just think of ourselves as Americans striving for a better government and society?

[Shoeempress]

1. Oh sure, ruin the Repukes' plan to divide and conquer

[Ravenseye]

2. We do

Almost all people on both sides think that's just what they're doing....the difference is what we think that means.

Liberal Democrats think that Evolution is science supported by nearly 100% of the scientific communities, and all teacher organizations and should be taught in classes. We think creationism should be taught in church.

Conservative Republicans think that Evolution is wrong, and that creationism should be taught in school along with the bible.

Liberal Democrats think that every American should have health care and not worry about being sick bankrupting their family.

Conservative Republicans think that people should pay for health care, and that if they can't afford it then they are lazy.

Liberal Democrats think that our government should pay as it goes and not balloon deficits by raising spending and lowering taxes.

Conservative Republicans think that money grows on trees and pork projects are yummy.

Liberal Democrats think that we should only go to war as a last resort and if so against those that have attacked us.

Conservative Republicans think that we should attack whoever we feel like without real justification.

Liberal Democrats think that people's privacy is paramount, from their homes to their bodies.

Conservative Republicans think that the government should be able to search your house without even telling you, and be able to tell you what you can and can't do with your body.

We need names to distinguish our different approaches to a better governmetn and society.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. American politics is at least 2 dimensional, not one dimensional

The artificial squeezing of American politics into the two party system creates polarization and a narrowing of debate. The labels you cite are all positions along a line.

Politics is at least two dimensional. One dimension is fiscal policy. The other dimension is personal and social liberties. Republicans are fiscally conservative and authoritarian. Democrats tend to be fiscally liberal and socially liberal. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Some religious people are fiscally liberal and socially authoritarian.