Regarding "The American People"

[MineralMan]

I see this phrase used widely, and by all sides. The teabaggers use it all the time. "If only 'The American People' had a conservative choice..." But, I see it from the left as well, and used in much the same way. In my opinion, everyone needs to stop using this phrase altogether.

"The American People" does not exist. There is no such thing. The American people are divided and there is no uniform, consensual view on any group of issues. The American people do whatever the heck they want to do when it comes to make political decisions, and they do it in smaller and smaller groups, depending on how many issues get lumped together.

The American people exist only in much smaller groups than a majority. Sometimes, the American people ends up being one person with a particular idea. There is no consensus. There is no universal set of political ideas that will create a consensus.

"The American People" is a much-abused generalization. It's used to attempt to create the bandwagon logical error. It's used by the right and the left in equal measure. And, like most generalizations, it's almost certainly an incorrect assessment.

"The American People" do not want gay marriage, nor do they want homosexuality to be punished. They do not want the war in Afghanistan nor do they think wars are just fine. They do not want cuts in Medicare nor do they want it dismantled. They do not want single payer healthcare and they do not want health insurance cost increases.

The only thing you can truly say about "The American People" is that it's impossible to say anything about them that is correct. Whenever you say "The American People" when expressing what you want to see happen, many American people will disagree with you. "The American People" know that what you are saying doesn't represent a consensus of any kind.

"The American People?" There is no such thing. That group does not exist. It never has, and it never will.

[ixion]

1. It does exist, and is quantifiable. It is stratafied, however

it's always been that way.

People of all these various strata need to try and learn to be more tolerant of one another. Mutual respect for the various sub-groups that comprise the whole of the 'American People' is the only way a real dialog can begin. And that goes for all sub-groups.

In short, until we start thinking in an enlightened manner, collectively speaking, there will always be this turmoil.

[Populist_Prole]

2. I can't stand it either

It's always bugged me for years. Sounds so rhetorically buzzword-ish I roll my eyes and groan and hold in scorn the speaker of it; even if I agree with their basic point.

While I'm at at, a penalty of breaking on the wheel for those that use the phrase: "I'm just saying" or "Just sayin" would be just fine.

Can't stand when people use it as a spoken or even printed word.

[David__77]

3. As a point of principle, there may be a "U.S. people."

"America" is a continent and not a country. Progressive-minded people should bear that in mind. That said, there are "peoples" in the U.S. - meaning different nationalities.