Welcome to the Politics Thread!

This thread is here for all discussions relating to public policy and current events in any country, domestic or foreign. The politics thread is open to anyone who is interested in politics and wants to contribute their own expertise or knowledge--or even just their personal thoughts and concerns--about current events. Due to its content, all forumites must follow a set of rules for general etiquette when posting in this thread, in addition to the Site Rules that apply to the forum more generally. By using this site, you agree to follow the Site Rules, and by posting in this thread, you agree to follow the thread rules. The Site Rules and thread rules are not up for discussion.

Rule 1: No Flaming, Personal Attacks, or Disrespectful Behavior

Respectful behavior is mandatory for all forumites, to all forumites. Regardless of how passionately you may care about a given subject, there is no tolerance for showing disrespect or unkindness to your fellow forumites. Everyone has an equal right to express their viewpoint, and while viewpoints may disagree, no one is entitled to attack another person's character, intelligence, morality, or enlightenment. This thread is here for people of differing viewpoints to discuss political issues in a polite, civil, and courteous way, to listen to each other from a position of empathy, and to agree or disagree without dismissing or belittling others. Ascribing absurd or sinister views to another forumite is against the rules.

Rule 2: No Trolling, Baiting, or Needling

This thread is not a playground for trolls. Attempting to bait another forumite into an argument, repeatedly pressing someone to respond to a post, posting in bad faith, or harassing others for any purpose is not allowed. No one is required to answer hostile questions or demands. Sensitive subjects are open for sensitive discussion.

Rule 3: No Bigotry or Stereotyping

This is a basic extension of Rule 1. Stereotyping, negative generalizations, and attacks on the morality or intelligence of large groups of people, however defined, is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, generalizations of any race, any sex, any gender, any orientation, any nationality, any level of education or economic status, any political affiliation, any religion, and any political or nonpolitical philosophy. Ideas, trends, events, policies, and public figures are acceptable targets of criticism. Your fellow forumites are not.

Rule 4: No Spamming

Repeating old talking points does not contribute to the discussion; it only takes up space. While repetition of some points is normal, re-posting the same basic comments with no new content constitutes spamming. Bringing new ideas and topics to the discussion keeps the thread interesting and informative.

Rule 5: Keep Things Substantive

This thread is not here for partisan invective or semantic quibbles, nor is it here for forumites to "win" arguments or "defeat" an opposing viewpoint. This thread is here to share information and discuss ideas. Whenever possible, focus on the subject matter, and if your comment is less about the subject and more about something else that's bothering you, reconsider posting it. Citations and sources are important. Without real events, there is no discussion; only speculation. Without data, there is no fact; only a hypothesis. This thread is for sharing information first and foremost. Opinion and personal experience are welcome, but statements that are presented as "fact" should be accompanied by a source.

Rule 6: Be Clear

Words have many meanings, especially in politics. Define your terms to make sure your meaning is clear, and don't be surprised if someone uses a different definition from you. Sarcasm is difficult to detect in a text-only forum, and while jokes can lighten the mood, some are easy to misinterpret. Speak plainly when possible.

Rule 7: Report Rulebreaking Posts to a Moderator--Not the Whole World

If you encounter a post that violates the spirit or the letter of the Site Rules or the thread rules, click the "Flag" button at the bottom right of the post in question to report the issue to the moderating team, or send a PM directly to a moderator. Do not attempt to fight it out in-thread or call out rulebreaking behavior publicly, as this violates Rule 1. Rulebreaking posts can only be addressed in private by the moderating team; publicly accusing another forumite of bad behavior is not acceptable. Moderator decisions are final and not up for discussion. Both reports and warnings are confidential. The moderating team will not disclose who reported a post, nor will it announce if a user has received any warnings for breaking the rules. In a nutshell: treat your fellow forumites with respect, listen to other viewpoints, and say things that you would be proud to say in real life.