What makes an issue a "hot button" issue?

[IronBrig4]

Why are there some political issues that cause such intense reactions (from many different people) in the United States? Debates over gun control, abortion, and gay marriage quickly turn heated, personal, and downright mean. This is not a debate over the issue; this is a discussion on WHY Americans get so mad when debating these particular issues.

There are people who suggest that gun control is a touchy issue because it's in the Bill of Rights. If that is the case, then why isn't there such an uproar over the 1st and 4th Amendment rights? I understand there was a media circus about the CIA wire taps, but it was an isolated issue. Gun control has been fought over since the 1960's.

Abortion is understandable, because there are some deep convinctions on both sides of the issue, and both camps make some valid points. But what makes this particular so much more volatile in the US than it is in, say, Western Europe, Australia, or Japan?

The hoopla surrounding the gay marriage debate is something I never understood. From a purely legal point of view, there is NO compelling government interest involved. Yet, Democrats and Republicans have a chicken fight over this like they do with the two other issues mentioned. Why are other countries much more calm and mellow about these things, while Americans start flame wars over such issues?

Edit: And I know that America isn't the only country affected by such irrational people. After all, the US has yet to use Red Guards to hunt down class enemies and capitalist roaders.

[Erik]

I think the strongest "hot button" issue in the Netherlands is a tax refund for homeowners.
Some parties simply refuse to talk about it, if you try to bring it up they wil smply walk away or say "OK, talks over".

Why is this such a big issue?
Because some groups have formed their opinion about it a long time ago, and to change their mind now is to "give in" to the other side.

I think that's realy what it's all about: not wanting to give in to the "enemy", even if your wrong.

[the_mango55]

I think the strongest "hot button" issue in the Netherlands is a tax refund for homeowners.
Some parties simply refuse to talk about it, if you try to bring it up they wil smply walk away or say "OK, talks over".

Why is this such a big issue?
Because some groups have formed their opinion about it a long time ago, and to change their mind now is to "give in" to the other side.

I think that's realy what it's all about: not wanting to give in to the "enemy", even if your wrong.

That's exactly what it is. The parties have been aligned to a certain issue, that matches thier constituants opinions. Even if they know that their stance is wrong, or don't even agree with it at all, they will support their party's ideals.

[Legio XX Valeria Victrix]

That's exactly what it is. The parties have been aligned to a certain issue, that matches thier constituants opinions. Even if they know that their stance is wrong, or don't even agree with it at all, they will support their party's ideals.

That's exactly why very little if any progress is ever made on the actual issues that become "hot-button". People become far too entrenched.

Re: Your signature:

"Brick, where did you get a hand grenade?"

"...Found it."

:laughing: Love that movie.

[stop-3]

Socialists have the greatest 'hot button' issues of all, making 'hot button' look meaningless to us lesser folk. That's my issue, that socialists are mind dictators. Ah well, not much of a 'hot button' for yous.

[IronBrig4]

But when people join a party, why does everything become black and white to them? Once they become a member of the Democrats or Republicans, EVERY issue becomes a "battle" to defend their way of life or other such rot.

That's why I'm not part of any major party. I was also getting sick of their junk mail asking for political campaign contributions.

[Kanaric]

Socialists have the greatest 'hot button' issues of all, making 'hot button' look meaningless to us lesser folk. That's my issue, that socialists are mind dictators. Ah well, not much of a 'hot button' for yous.

Hmm? Last I heard they dont get millions of people to vote by saying a word. Socalists have no power in the US for example, so obviously you are WRONG.

[John Wayne]

I think the strongest "hot button" issue in the Netherlands is a tax refund for homeowners.
Some parties simply refuse to talk about it, if you try to bring it up they wil smply walk away or say "OK, talks over".

Why is this such a big issue?
Because some groups have formed their opinion about it a long time ago, and to change their mind now is to "give in" to the other side.

I think that's realy what it's all about: not wanting to give in to the "enemy", even if your wrong.

Human traditionalsim at its finest! To me, human beings are conservative by nature (like cats). No matter what a person says about such and such issue, they are conservative. Why? Because being conservative, at its base level, is being unwilling to change.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Conservative

If you think about it like that, you realize that this is part of the problem. This unwillingness to change prevents people from acepting new views and ideas, especially on the political spectrum (for BOTH sides).

[Kanaric]

Repeating it over and over again and acting as if its important with dire consequences.

[IronBrig4]

And what's this thing about party loyalty? Last time I checked, we were all Americans/Britons/Frenchmen or whatever. What's this business with "choosing sides?" Why does membership in a particular party make you a "traitor?" I've been called a murderer because I'm pro-choice under certain circumstances, a Nazi because I supported the Gun Free School Zones Act, and supporter of terror because I refused to call French fries Freedom Fries.

I am well aware that pro-life and pro-gun people also have to endure being called "Jesus freaks" and rednecks. Why does it seem so pronounced in America?