Why does ego take lead in discussions where choices are opinions can differ, like politics?

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:05:17 -0400

I have had several political discussions here on RallyPoint and a few family members have blocked me because we differ in our choices and opinions. However, more than differences of choice and opinion, I feel ego take lead over the discussion. I say it once again, I am apolitical; I don't vote in presidential elections because whosoever becomes President is the Commander in Chief and that is final. I take alternate sides in discussions to try and bring a separate approach in the conversations. There is no reason to block out the Posse.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Mar 31 at 2021 9:14 AM

1SG Steven Imerman — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:14:35 -0400

I never block people for different opinions. I've blocked them for abusive language (though the admins have finally started cracking down on that), and I've blocked them for circular arguments that just spiral on endlessly. Those latter, I always warn that they are boring and need to become more entertaining or I'll shut them out. It rarely seems to help.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Mar 31 at 2021 9:16 AM

SGT Chris Stephens — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:16:11 -0400

Because we're in a society where there is no such thing as meeting in the middle. Each side is saying the other is destroying America, not understanding that they're playing a role in it. We get in such a vacuum of ideas that we don't know how to handle ideas that we don't agree with, so we resort to insults. The media and both political parties have played a role in dividing our country because it means they have the control. Most people can't stand to think that someone has the opposite set of beliefs that they do. Just look what's happening on college campuses. What used to be a place of growth and the free exchange of ideas has turned into a vacuum.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 31 at 2021 9:18 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:18:01 -0400

I think it's more a case of the id taking over than the ego. Most people listen only to things that reinforce what they already agree with. Most people can't handle an honest and open intellectual conversation because their id is heavily invested in their "camp" and can't tolerate a conflict of that camp's position. So, basically I have chosen not to manage other people's emotions and say what I'm going to say. If that leads to someone unfriending me, so be it. I don't ride roughshod over other's feelings, but I still say what I'm going to say and I don't worry about the consequences. Some people appreciate that, some don't, but that's their deal. At least I'm being honest.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Mar 31 at 2021 9:38 AM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:38:23 -0400

Because that is how humans operate. The rational faculties are often used to rationalize and justify conclusions already determined by emotions. A good read on this subject: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Righteous_Mind/U21BxGfm3RUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

The Righteous Mind

Why can it sometimes feel as though half the population is living in a different moral universe from you? Why do ideas such as 'fairness' and 'freedom' mean such different things to different people? Why is it so easy to see the flaws in others' arguments, and less in our own? Jonathan Haidt, one of the world's most influential psychologists, reveals that the reason we find it so hard to get along is because our minds are designed to be moral....

Response by SGT Troy Vance made Mar 31 at 2021 9:51 AM

SGT Troy Vance — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:51:41 -0400

That was probably the least intelligent thing I will hear ALL DAY. That is saying a lot considering the education in this country has gone to shit. Toddlers are smarter than you or anyone else who has been affiliated with a school or any other type of government funded learning institution. Toddlers are smarter because the have yet to be tainted by this nightmare they call an educational system here in the good old USA. Can you tie your shoes? Didn't think so.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2021 10:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:08:20 -0400

It is my opinion that sadly we live in a society where we can’t “live and let live”. Our government was specifically made that if if we don’t have a clear consensus, we don’t do anything. Most people in our country right now just can’t accept that. It leads to these types of people trying to ram their agenda through on the slimmest votes by hook or crook. All they care about is advancing their agenda, to hell with everyone else. Blocking is just part of their game. MHO

Response by SrA William Cassy made Mar 31 at 2021 10:59 AM

SrA William Cassy — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:59:54 -0400

People take their choices for leaders very seriously and don’t like to be told their wrong in anyway even if it wasn’t meant to be that

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Mar 31 at 2021 11:19 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:19:20 -0400

I can only repeat the same; Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are NOT entitled to their own facts.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Mar 31 at 2021 12:21 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:21:35 -0400

People invest their egos in their opinions. We've forgotten the art of conversation and discussion and now only know how to argue CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Mar 31 at 2021 12:28 PM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:28:07 -0400

Human desire to win is my guess.

Response by SSgt William Quinn made Mar 31 at 2021 12:38 PM

SSgt William Quinn — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:38:49 -0400

I'm going to state the problem as I see it.
1. A lot of people keep talking compromise. There is no text in the constitution giving people the right to further "compromise" the absolute words in the constitution as it was the compromise between the more liberal and conservative founders of this country. First you have to determine if what is being asked to do is constitutional and that the federal government does actually have that power. That never happens. Compromise can then happen once that hurdle is cleared. Today its' compromise the constitution because 1/2 the country wants it though it's not spelled out in the constitution. Screw the process and constitution be damned, compromise.

2. Most people don't understand enumeration of powers or the 10th Amendment. The federal government have only 18 enumerated powers. All other non enumerated powers fall to the people and states as the 10th amendment clearly spells out. Yet that fact is compromised daily in DC and erodes the very clear intent of the constitution.

3. The founders did give us 2 ways to alter the constitution. Executive orders, supreme court rulings, laws passed by congress are not them. The Amendment Process and Convention of States are the only two ways.

4. One party, the right, generally, not always, but generally stands for the constitution as written.

5. The left, has been moving radically left and has been captured by hardline Marxists. Just because they don't label themselves as one, does not mean they are not. Compare their policies and ideas against Marx's writings, Alinsky's writings, programs in Venezuela, Cuba, Russian or China......all have basis and history in these examples.

So with that being said, yes I take it personal as I took an oath to support and defend, not compromise the constitution to those that are destroying that fabric that was supposed to be and had been the unifying document.

If you look at your question as I have framed it, I believe it becomes much clearer. One side fighting to maintain the constitution and republic with the other side selfishly and destructively pissing on that document at every turn.

2 cents.

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Mar 31 at 2021 1:54 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 13:54:55 -0400

As my wife would tell me when she thinks I'm wrong and knows that she won't change my mind.
"I bow to your right to be wrong" That doesn't mean I love her any less, it means that she has a mind of her own and is capable of thinking things thru. We celebrated 48 years of marriage this past week and I thank God every day for allowing me to be part of her life as she is a major part of mine.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 31 at 2021 1:57 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 13:57:10 -0400

Welcome to American politics. Where political parties are religions, platforms are defended like theology and politicians are worshipped as deities...

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Mar 31 at 2021 3:02 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:02:31 -0400

I am right there with you in regard to egos getting in the way. I have been blocked by one person on RP, I believe because he thinks he knows my intentions. We have never met and had only one thread. I, on the other hand, always vote in Presidential elections and most local, as well. I am not connected to either party and am suspicious of anything they put out. I have never blocked anyone, even when they have been abusive.

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Mar 31 at 2021 6:13 PM

LTC Joe Anderson — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 18:13:44 -0400

I agree people invest their egos in their opinions way too much on these discussion boards. I myself get VERY into certain subject matters being debated in/on RP and won't stop still the other person just lets it go. Especially when I've posted supporting facts, the other person doesn't care, keeps changing the subject to support further discussion, or just wants to argue.

Unfortunately for the person I'm debating, I have too much time on my hands (soon to have more as I'm retiring 100% in 3 weeks) and will debate an issue till they stop replying (I stop once they stop, I'm just bad a getting in the last word). Good or bad that's just the way I function. I personally don't care if they block me for my difference of opinion and/or tenacity of a Pit-Bull while debating. I don't swear at them and try to be civil while debating anyone. Although I am bad at inferring one's in left field or eat up for defending a silly opinion or using facts that don't support their stance (I have been guilty of using a person source as my own, when I see they use facts that support my opinion, more than theirs).

So, no don't care if someone on here blocks me. It just demonstrates a level of immaturity when one resorts to blocking over debating or just backing away from the debate. They should not have posted if they did not wanted feedback or to hear opinions other than their own. I don't mind hearing opinions other than my own. But, I will debate them till the person show's me where my opinion wrong with facts, not just their opinion, or they stop responding. Not going to harass them if they no longer want to debate (Usually by then we've both beaten the dead horse enough anyways. As you can see I tend to write a lot when posting or replying).

I've only blocked one person on here; it was more out of spite than out of anger, frustration, or their arrogance, due to an overly self-perceived subject matter intelligence. It was simply like I said, petty spite. We were debating, they became frustrated, sent their last citation of supporting evidence. Then tried to insult me with a weak comparisons to playing chess with a pigeon and something about a baboon or something like that (I don't get insulted by ANYONE one on here, no matter what they say. I actually find it amusing. It shows they are flustered or frustrated. No they didn’t cuss (I’ve heard worse cussword in my lifetime and have dealt with rapist, murders, in-laws... I can take it)). They then hit block without allowing me to response to the cited evidence (A related court case that had nothing to do with the actual topic we were discussing). I found that immature to post then block without allowing one to reply. It’s something an elementary school kid would do. Months later I was debating on another subject and this person replied to my post. I quickly blocked them. Like I said I did it out of spite and for no other reason. Immature but it seemed fitting.

I’ve been blocked by four RP members to date. But considering who they are, I don’t care. One of them commented on my post to another member. I replied, then they replied, and blocked. Like said, don’t post if you don’t want a response. Saves on having to block if you don’t post. ;) I agree with LTC Brown, “We've forgotten the art of conversation and discussion and now only know how to argue (My caveat is; or run away.).”

My only pet peeve on here is members referring to other members as QAnon, racists… simply because they don’t agree with their opinions or politics. It’s a sign of the times, but VERY disrespectful, assigns political camps regardless of one’s actual politics, shows a lack of intelligence on our countries history and current events. We were and are one, we were and are "Brothers in Arms." Were there a few bad apples and racist serving? Yes. But most of us are and were brothers and would give our lives for each other without thought. That's why the current QAnon and racist accusation I see one here bother me. But that’s my one pet peeve. The rest is debatable. ;)

Note: I actually get along with my in-laws

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 31 at 2021 10:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:46:35 -0400

I block the jackasses and all are Trumpers. Go figure.

Response by SFC Vitin Manuel made Apr 3 at 2021 3:01 PM

SFC Vitin Manuel — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 15:01:42 -0400

I concur with you Gene. Whoever is voted into the White House is indeed the Commander In Chief. Stay safe brother.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 5 at 2021 12:57 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 00:57:28 -0400

Ego..."a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance..." Belief..."trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something..." Many people grow up with a BELIEF that a certain political opinion is best; some change as they mature [whatever that means]. Out of the past four Presidents, [the current included] we had three egomaniacs [Obama, Trump and Biden] and one who couldn't spell the word [Bush]. Gene, you appear to be a true "Devil's Advocate" ; however, many people's true colors come out when you ask the question they don't like. QUESTION: What is the difference between a Democrat and Republican? ANSWER: A Republican is a Democrat who was mugged.