Frothingslosh
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Anyway, back on topic, disrespect has a long and cherished history in both American and British politics.
Just a few years back, a Republican Congressman interrupted an Obama State of the Union address to call him a liar to his face. Conservative voters carried effigies of Obama and various protest signs around calling for Obama to be lynched. During the 2012 campaign, I saw quite a few 'Don't Re-Nig' Romney/Ryan bumper stickers. Trump, during his campaign, suggested a 'second Amendment solution' if Clinton won. And let's not forget that during Obama's presidency, not a week would go by without that stupid prayer for the death of a leader getting passed around FB and Twitter with a wink and a nudge. I've not seen liberals in general go that far yet the way conservatives did.
Going back in time, there were the McCarthy hearings (culminating in the wonderful 'Have you no shame' dressing-down) and the extremely heated arguments over civil rights and desegregation (which is when the GOP and Democrats flipped ideologies). Hell, back in 1856, Senator Charles Sumner was beaten by Representative Preston Brooks over Sumner's attacks on pro-slavery politicians. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Congress_members_killed_or_wounded_in_office)
If you look at Parliament, it has a LONG history of rudeness and violence. Hell, the two lines on the floor are very specifically two sword-lengths apart, and are there to keep the MP's from literally skewering each other while they debate. Just watch any debate in Parliament and you'll see that they are FAR more blunt, even rude, then you will tend to see in Congress.
So no, respect for your political opponents really has never been part either the American or British political systems. The US was slowly edging toward being more respectful during the Cold War, likely since both sides had a common enemy in the USSR, but the GOP went back to disrespect with a vengeance once Obama was elected, and the Dems are headed almost as far now that Der Orangenführer is in office.
Just a few years back, a Republican Congressman interrupted an Obama State of the Union address to call him a liar to his face. Conservative voters carried effigies of Obama and various protest signs around calling for Obama to be lynched. During the 2012 campaign, I saw quite a few 'Don't Re-Nig' Romney/Ryan bumper stickers. Trump, during his campaign, suggested a 'second Amendment solution' if Clinton won. And let's not forget that during Obama's presidency, not a week would go by without that stupid prayer for the death of a leader getting passed around FB and Twitter with a wink and a nudge. I've not seen liberals in general go that far yet the way conservatives did.
Going back in time, there were the McCarthy hearings (culminating in the wonderful 'Have you no shame' dressing-down) and the extremely heated arguments over civil rights and desegregation (which is when the GOP and Democrats flipped ideologies). Hell, back in 1856, Senator Charles Sumner was beaten by Representative Preston Brooks over Sumner's attacks on pro-slavery politicians. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Congress_members_killed_or_wounded_in_office)
If you look at Parliament, it has a LONG history of rudeness and violence. Hell, the two lines on the floor are very specifically two sword-lengths apart, and are there to keep the MP's from literally skewering each other while they debate. Just watch any debate in Parliament and you'll see that they are FAR more blunt, even rude, then you will tend to see in Congress.
So no, respect for your political opponents really has never been part either the American or British political systems. The US was slowly edging toward being more respectful during the Cold War, likely since both sides had a common enemy in the USSR, but the GOP went back to disrespect with a vengeance once Obama was elected, and the Dems are headed almost as far now that Der Orangenführer is in office.