Why are people so irrational about politics??

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25 Comments

OK, I got fed up with this Republican guy on my facebook who keeps posting anti-Obama rants. He's entitled to his opinion and I have NO problem with him otherwise, but he kept posting shit about "Obama Phones", free phones from the gub'ment, blah.

I HAD to correct him.

"Obama Phones" have NOTHING to do with Obama! He didn't initiate this plan, fucking RONALD REAGAN did in 1985 (YES, 1985!!). It's a plan called "Lifeline" and it's intent was to ASSIST with home phone service to people who can't afford it. It's not a free ride, it's assistance.

Then, whoa, get this....under GEORGE BUSH, the Lifeline program was expanded to include....OMG...CELL PHONES!! It's not an Obama phone, it's a Reagan/Bush phone!

So, the program was started under, and expanded under a Republican President, yet somehow Obama had something to do with it?

The Lifeline program is not even funded by tax dollars. It's funded through the USF (Universal Service Fund), which is fees that phone/communications companies have to pay the government. SOME phone companies charge the customer the fee, some don't. It's their choice to. It's your choice whether or not to pay it as it's not a tax, and not compulsory for anyone other than these corporations. The USF covers MANY programs besides Lifeline that literally ALL Americans benefit from anyway. Public schools and libraries benefit greatly through this Fund.

Monthly Lifeline benefits are $10 a month or less. The max minutes you get on a cell is 252 per month. Big ballin'! Woo woo!

I pointed all of these facts out to him (it was a real quick post, no dramatics like in this one!) and what does he do? Insults me. How mature. He then goes on to insult my politics, when he doesn't even know my politics! He assumed I was a staunch Obama supporter and a Democrat. Excuse me, but why does one have to be an Obama supporter to state clear fucking FACTS?? The facts are the facts no matter who I support.

I pretty much guarantee he'll post another "Obama Phone" post sometime soon, too. It's pathetic.

Why the hell are people like this?? It's one thing in matters of opinion but this is NOT opinion, not one bit!! It's black and white facts.

Do me a favor and spread the word about the truth about the Reagan/Bush phones!!

IIN? How do you deal with this?

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Based on 17 votes (10 yes)
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Comments ( 25 )
  • kelili
    11 years ago

    What has happened is that this guy has heard something form a guy who heard it from the friend of a friend. He hasn't even bothered to verify his information and he has felt insulted that you have corrected him. I know a few people like this. Some more people feed them with shit and they spread it everywhere. Last time I had an argument with a friend because he was saying absurdity and I was telling him that he should try to make an opinion of his own and to stop believing everything his "friends" told him, that he should verify his information before debating and creating a riot (yes he created one).

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    • JustDave
      11 years ago

      Probably got the info direct from Fox News. Facts don't matter much to them.

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  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    Both sides piss me off. Just, both do. I can hardly take generalizations of the magnitude that these people make seriously, and the funny part? The funny part? They both turn around and criticize the other party for doing it. Both of them. Then they bitch and moan about how we can't all just come together when they're BOTH being part of the problem with looking for literally any rhyme or reason to insult the other. And what do they have to offer? Paraphrased versions of what their lol faaaav politician or actor said.

    I'm not saying everyone does this on both sides by a long shot, but it happens so often that it's a possibility.

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  • howaminotmyself
    11 years ago

    I just unfriend people like that. Or, if it happens to be a family member, I hide their posts so I don't have to see them.

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  • TylerDurden
    11 years ago

    Is this a question?

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  • shade_ilmaendu
    11 years ago

    People are irational in general and they'd rather believe whatever their favorite easy go to source of information tells them to believe than think for themselves. It's easier that way, you know? Just bow down to Fox News and go watch some jersey shore, no need to better yourself!

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  • Riddler
    10 years ago

    Well I had a friend at the 2008 election that was cussing out anyone who didn't say they liked Obama. What was funny about this is that he was 14 and no one in the school could vote anyways. So it makes no sense yelling at someone for a hypothetical situation they have no real involvement in. People are just stupid in general. Lets leave it at that.

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  • dodongos
    11 years ago

    People like this. Goddamn morons.
    I'm with you on that. My friend's parents are pretty darn wealthy, and DO NOT understand anything, as they watch Fox News and shit. I cannot stand to be in the same building as them.

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  • dude_Jones
    11 years ago

    Could it be that you are obsessed with your own ideas? Note that this question is a non-accusation.

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  • MissyLeyneous
    11 years ago

    Is it possible he could be trollin'?

    You gotta admit, this shit is hilarious though:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax-2i71bqGw

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  • Angel_in_a_Glass_Dress
    11 years ago

    There's 2 problems here

    1) It's his Facebook. If you don't like what he says... well why do you read it?

    2) Obama Phones is a phrase used by welfare recipients trying to encourage others to vote for Obama.
    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio</a>

    I know you want to trash your friend for this phrase but, that also means you have to trash the obama-supporters who go around claiming that they'll get free money or free phones, or whatever government assistance ... but only if Obama wins the election.

    You can't just get mad at conservatives or republicans for things .... that liberals and democrats are also encouraging and spreading.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      1. He's a friend and it's his public posts, they are in my news feed. I don't want to block him, as he's a friend. I don't want to hide his posts because he does post normal things that I DO want to read. There's no politics filter, unfortunately. You either get all posts or none.

      2. I know what it is. I also know that MOST people who use the term don't know the truth behind it and actually believe it has something to do with Obama and Democrats. Hence, why it's used as a TACTIC to either garner support or to diminish Obama. It wouldn't be an effective tactic if most people actually KNEW the truth behind it, now would it? If Dems knew Obama and Dems had nothing to do with it, and Reps knew they DID it, then, um...???

      I didn't trash my friend. I didn't want to either. All I did was put a concise outline of 5 facts totaling one sentence each about 'Obama Phones'. My friend doesn't upset me, just the ignorance of the issue and perpetuating a lie does.

      I'm not mad at any side, I'm angry about ALL people who blindly believe and repeat falsehoods and don't fact-check. ALL sides do it. Very few people don', I guess I find myself in that minority which is very frustrating.

      Note once again, I didn't even mention MY politics and you're leaning towards thinking I'm a Democrat/Obama supporter.

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      • Angel_in_a_Glass_Dress
        11 years ago

        1) "friend and public posts" =/= mean "required to read and reply to prove him wrong"

        What's wrong with just rolling your eyes and moving on to the next post if you dislike what he says?

        2) So you also "correct" Obama supporters on this too?

        3) I never said anything about your politics. However you've decided to assume. Interesting how that works. It's wrong for others to be as you say "ignorant" but it's OK to make assumptions?

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          11 years ago

          1. I'm a fast reader. I read at least part of all the posts, I at least like to see if it's something I need to know or want to know. How else would I know unless I read at least part of all posts? People on my fb are friends and family for the most part and keeping up with them is the main reason I use fb. It's pretty sad that I have to explain this to you, this seems very elementary.

          This is the only time I've ever responded to it (you'd know that if you had read the OP up top before shooting off your mouth), so YES, I usually do roll eyes and move on.

          2. I haven't personally encountered any Obama supporter who said anything false about Obama Phones, but if presented with the opportunity, why YES I would! This also goes for ANY other person regardless of affiliation. This very post is to let ALL people know the truth. I didn't title it "Republicans: Read This!" for a reason.

          If you noticed, the title of the post is "Why are PEOPLE so irrational about politics?".

          Stating FACT should offend you so much. Why is it bothering you so? This is the irrational attitude I see all too often. You're very hostile about a person who is SIMPLY clearing up a blatant falsehood. Oh I must either be a supporter of the 'other guy' or I'm a traitor. Huh? No. That's stupid. That perpetuates ignorance.

          You made several statements in your post that hinted around me being an Obama supporter or being "unfair" to Republicans. How do you know I'm not a Republican? I may be. I may not be. There's nothing unfair about stating a fact. I identified my friend as a Republican because he is one and he's making anti-Obama and anti-Dem statements based on his Republican affiliation. That's important to the discussion.

          Next time, read and understand the posts fully before responding. All of your retorts could have been answered in the OP and by using a pinch of common sense.

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          • Angel_in_a_Glass_Dress
            11 years ago

            Well this has turned ironic.

            Disagreeing with you and pointing out why is "hostile". That's not very rational really...

            Oh and comments about "reading every part of a post"... as opposed to um, what? Inventing comments that didn't exist?

            Cos it's ironic that you claim I'm "hinting" at your political views. Hell in that frame of mind you could also claim that I'm hinting that you're a member of a Klingon political party, or that you're deep into Goa'uld politics.

            There's a difference in stating facts, and mixing facts with personal assumptions.

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            • Anonymous Post Author
              11 years ago

              What, pray tell, are you disagreeing with me on? All you have done is attempt to badger me.

              You have yet to make a valid point. This is why I say you're being hostile. All you're doing is making personal jabs or silly suggestions like dropping a friend entirely. What does that do for anyone? How does this make sense?

              You're avoiding the issue, which is that people (ALL PEOPLE) in general are sadly mislead and irrational about politics.

              In your attempts, all you have really done is proved my point. Thanks.

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  • SeverusFan23
    11 years ago

    I don't like politics.

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  • Terence_the_viking
    11 years ago

    Politics make me laugh.

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  • dom180
    11 years ago

    People still care about Obama phones? I swear that was something like the least significant controversy of the whole election.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      The people I hear it from most often are acting like sore losers and keep posting all this irrational garbage about getting on welfare and getting an Obama phone, and all kinds of doom and gloom (buying tons of guns, saying their business is about to go under, things like that).

      I've seen people do this same sort of thing all the time though, and it always surprises me. They have this blind devotion to their guy and will repeat lies and act like their guy dos no wrong. I can't believe adults act like that or can be that ignorant.

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