Any forums for balanced discussions of US politics?

[Curtis2011]

It seems everywhere I look online, the communities for political discussion are either extremely liberal-oriented or extremely conservative-oriented.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a decent forum or similar message board that is intended for moderates and reasonable people such as myself who are not aligned with one side or the other, but just aligned with practicality and moderation in all forms of public policy.

Ideally it would be a place where empty rhetoric of both the right and left-wing variety are removed or at least restricted by moderators.

Does such a place exist?

I do value these forums, but it doesn't seem like the appropriate place for in-depth discussions of US politics, since the closest thing to US Politics is "World Affairs" which is pretty far removed.

[Solipsist]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Does such a place exist?

If you find one, let me know, Curtis. I'd sign up in a New York minute.

And if you can't find one, maybe it's time we start one? I'm likely to agree that open and varied discussions on U.S. politics on a Personal Development board just seems ... out of place.

[Cado]

Funny enough, Hitler's Brain on cracked.com seems to fill that role pretty well.

[Brutha]

Ideally it would be a place where empty rhetoric of both the right and left-wing variety are removed or at least restricted by moderators.

That will be really hard because different people have different ideas about what constitutes empty rhetoric. People will also cry "Censorship!"

[SnerpGoodWord]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Ideally it would be a place where empty rhetoric of both the right and left-wing variety are removed or at least restricted by moderators.

So basically you want a board where people who disagree with you are silenced.

Sounds like you're going to have to hire your own hall on this one, because I doubt anyone is going to cater to your wants.

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by SnerpGoodWord

So basically you want a board where people who disagree with you are silenced.

Well, this is sort of what I'm talking about when I say "empty rhetoric".

I didn't say this at all. I want a forum with open discussion of all possibilities. But positive and reasonable discussion, instead of being filled with name-calling or sensationalism.

As an example, instead of posting something like "Obama's jobs plan is class warfare against the rich!" or "Republicans are waging class warfare on the poor!", I would welcome statements like "I believe Obama's jobs plan unfairly taxes higher earners" or "I believe the Republicans should consider the effect that their policy will have on lower earners" etc etc.

The difference can sometimes be subtle, especially when sensationalism of things evokes strong emotions in the readers, but the difference is there nonetheless. One type of comment invites discussion while the other invites argument.

Originally Posted by Brutha

That will be really hard because different people have different ideas about what constitutes empty rhetoric. People will also cry "Censorship!"

I agree. Some would cry censorship. I think the forums would have to be a place where only certain types of individuals are even allowed to post.

There are some who will cry "censorship!" at any type of moderator action or restriction at all. Those types of drama-inducing people would not be welcome.

Essentially, I am looking for a place of discussion where unreasonable people are unwelcome and banned from posting. Only people willing to be open and friendly without attacking others' beliefs would be welcome.

I know it sounds hypocritical, "ban everyone who isn't open-minded", but it does have a basis in truth. There are plenty of ignoramuses out there that would contribute absolutely nothing to a discussion of politics. Thus, there is no reason to have them in the discussion at all.


Just as an example of "ban everyone who doesn't belong" working correctly: Imagine a group of nuclear physicists discussing how they will find a solution for a problem with their newest nuclear power plant design. Would they be wise to invite other people who have absolutely no education in the matter into the discussion? Probably not. They would only invite people who are highly educated on the matter and capable of adding to the discussion. I am interested in something similar, except for political discussion.

[SnerpGoodWord]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

I didn't say this at all.

It's the direct consequence of what you did say. Of course, when highlighted, it sounds kind of silly so now you have to deny it

I want a forum with open discussion of all possibilities. But positive and reasonable discussion, instead of being filled with name-calling or sensationalism.

As an example, instead of posting something like "Obama's jobs plan is class warfare against the rich!" or "Republicans are waging class warfare on the poor!", I would welcome statements like "I believe Obama's jobs plan unfairly taxes higher earners" or "I believe the Republicans should consider the effect that their policy will have on lower earners" etc etc.

So the new position is that people DO have permission to say things you don't agree with, but only if they phrase them sufficiently passively that you can shout them down? A political canned hunt of sorts?

As I said, you're going to have to hire your own hall on this one, and likely pay people to post there if you don't want it to be empty, because I doubt there's much interest in catering to your whims for free.

[SnerpGoodWord]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Just as an example of "ban everyone who doesn't belong" working correctly: Imagine a group of nuclear physicists discussing how they will find a solution for a problem with their newest nuclear power plant design. Would they be wise to invite other people who have absolutely no education in the matter into the discussion? Probably not. They would only invite people who are highly educated on the matter and capable of adding to the discussion. I am interested in something similar, except for political discussion.

Do you have PhD level expertise in politics? Or are you exactly the sort of person who should be excluded from this discussion based on your own criteria?

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by SnerpGoodWord

It's the direct consequence of what you did say.

No it isn't. Case in point, people such as yourself would be unwelcome in a forum such as the type I am looking for.

Originally Posted by SnerpGoodWord

So the new position is that people DO have permission to say things you don't agree with, but only if they phrase them sufficiently passively that you can shout them down? A political canned hunt of sorts?

I bet you're fun at parties.

For anyone else reading this thread, this is exactly why I'm looking for a heavily moderated (or better yet, invite-only) forum for discussions on US politics as well as other topics.

[SnerpGoodWord]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

No it isn't. Case in point, people such as yourself would be unwelcome in a forum such as the type I am looking for.

Just air that snobbishness out there for all to see. Your key phrase to remember: people like me can't be SEEN with people like you. It's just not done

[garentee]

I think it is entirely beneficial to have open discourse with those that disagree vehemently with my opinions. A forum without extremists would bore me to tears....

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

No it isn't. Case in point, people such as yourself would be unwelcome in a forum such as the type I am looking for.



I bet you're fun at parties.

For anyone else reading this thread, this is exactly why I'm looking for a heavily moderated (or better yet, invite-only) forum for discussions on US politics as well as other topics.

Suppressing peoples speech has worked SO well in the past

This forum is already heavily moderated as it is when it comes to forums. I'd never step foot into any forum that is more heavily moderated. Then again, I'm one of those people you wouldn't want in your forum probably. But at the same time, you're also one of those people, as snerp mentioned.

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by garentee

I think it is entirely beneficial to have open discourse with those that disagree vehemently with my opinions. A forum without extremists would bore me to tears....

Entertainment is the only thing the extremists are good for

[garentee]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Entertainment is the only thing the extremists are good for

I enjoy an open exchange of ideas with someone that I disagree with.. it helps me to understand where they are coming from... I do though like this kind of debate until name calling and cheap shots come in to play.. but an honest exchange of ideas no matter how extreme the view is beneficial.

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by garentee

I enjoy an open exchange of ideas with someone that I disagree with.. it helps me to understand where they are coming from... I do though like this kind of debate until name calling and cheap shots come in to play.. but an honest exchange of ideas no matter how extreme the view is beneficial.

That's true. But by "extremists" I am talking about the type of person that is fundamentally incapable and unwilling to have an honest discussion of ideas.

[desertrat]

I think is a bit more to the left than you want , but as no one else has posted any thing , hear it is .Hip Forums - 500+ Free Speech Forums Politics Forum - Hip Forums I use the new age and paranormal sec. more . desert rat