Are the right and left wings capable of objectively examining their political and social beliefs?

Question

And if they do, are they more likely to become moderates, rather than staying at the hard left or hard right?

Answer 1

It doesn't appear so.

Answer 2

Your question is rather non-specific.  If you are asking about the extremists, then no, I don't think they are.  These are the people who refuse to listen to any alternative view, period.  As for the rest, most are on the side they are because of their views.  They understand which side most closely fits their ideological views, and that is the side they have chosen.  Also remember, there are many other political parties out there.  The Libertarian and Constitution parties are starting to see some play because so many people are becoming fed up with the two major parties that have both sold their souls to special interests.  

Answer 3

Yes and No. I grew up a left winger. i protested everything, hated the gov't and all the liberal stuff. I was proud of myself.

  Then I grew up. got a job, got married, had a kid and suddenly I saw things in a new light. As an irresponsible kid liberalism makes perfect sense. But, as far as a world that has worked and is working, the right wingers not only made sense but were doing something the left wingers only dreamed of, living their dreams.

   A utopian society is not communism or socialism which only sounds good if you have nothing. The right wing preaches virtues that work. The left wing tells you things are unfair and to fight the power.

  Moderate simply means you haven't decided on what you want. Do you wish redistributing the wealth on a theory or keeping what has worked for over 200 years? Simple choice, don't make it so hard. Are you for the stuff that works or are you a "hater"?

Answer 4

If you keep changing your 'beliefs', you will be called a flip-flopper.  If you are firm in your 'beliefs', you are consistent...and sometimes rigid.  Regarding political beliefs, either you agree with the rich and corporations, feel they are entitled to obscene profits and tax loopholes, then you should vote Republican.  If you are middle-class, and vehemently object the 'rich loop-holes', feel entitled to help when you desperately need it, then you should vote Democratic.  If you can't quite decide, vote Independent.  Now, isn't that easy?  (We just need more humor and less hate!)

Answer 5

Politics is ruled more by emotion than by logic and rationale.

Answer 6

To answer your question, No. What separates people are their values. And values are near impossible to change. I can't imagine myself ever agreeing with a person who's values are the opposite of mine. I also believe one man's moderate in another man's extremism.  

Answer 7

I am objective...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just objectively subjective....lol

Answer 8

Define moderate.

Answer 9

I don't think so. Many people give themselves the "Liberal" or "Conservative" label and then adopt whatever that ideology tells them to believe without thinking critically what there views should actually be.

To exasperate the intellectually laziness there is a rivalry going on between the left and right that causes them to be more liberal or conservative than they would normally be if the other ideology didn't exist. It's like a union where everybody supports everyone else's radical views so they can in turn distinguish themselves from the other ideology and gain support for their own views that the majority by themselves has individuals would never embrace.

Answer 10

Hm.

I have recently begun to consider myself a moderate. I hardly agree completely with either presidential candidate, or with either party. Therefore, I have had to do a huge amount of soul-searching, particularly in the last year to prepare me for election day. I by no means think I have all the answers, but I feel that I have formed educated opinions. Some may still be biased (for instance, I work in Agriculture, I have my license to Carry a Concealed Weapon because someone close to me was attacked and killed, and also because I am a petite female who would not be able to fight off a large man, etc etc) these things, of course along with others, affect how I look at Politics. But I hope I am more objective than I was when I was listening to my parents growing up. :)

Answer 11

Some are, most seem to rather wallow in their uncompromising political gridlock.

Answer 12

If there was anything wrong with it..sure!

all the problems are on the left.