Americans and Brits and discussions about politics

Yes, I would say the only political posts I see on FB are from Americans back home.

I suspect part of it might be because in the US, we've politicised things such as abortion, access to health care, and homosexuality (just to name a very few examples).  These just aren't issues over here, at least not to the ridiculous extremes they are in the States.  I have yet to meet someone in the UK who thinks health care should be contingent upon whether or not someone has a job, for example.  thankfully. 

But there are other issues like immigration, taxes, welfare benefits, foreign affairs, the enviromment,  etc.

But there are other issues like immigration, taxes, welfare benefits, foreign affairs, the enviromment,  etc.

Of course, there are similar yet very different hot topic issues in both countries. For example, immigration is obviously a very big topic in the UK, however it's not as big, in my opinion, in the US at the moment. Of course, I'm not saying that the immigration topic isn't important in the US, but there are definitely bigger issues at the moment that are overshadowing it. Even in the South-West, where I'm from, I don't hear about it on the news or headlines or word-of-mouth as much as I do here in London. Vice versa, in the US, health care policy is very big and controversy whereas it isn't in the UK.

In a nut-shell, I ran into more discussion, sometimes mudslinging arguments about health care in the US, but don't in the UK. But, I ran into discussions about the impact of immigration in the UK at a much higher frequency in the UK versus the US. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but the idea is that we are discussing and thinking about different things on different sides of the pond

I was always taught that it's bad manners to discuss politics or religion. Obviously, there are times when it's OK, but not just over dinner or having a cup of tea at someone's house.

I always thought politics and religion were regarded as sensitive topics and that it's better to discuss only with people you know well. This is so you can be sure you don't offend people that you don't know that well, in case of disagreement.

But I guess that's c/Cultural (family / friends / wider society) differences for you. 

I post quite a few political things on Facebook, in fact I have to stop myself from posting stuff about American politics on there as it just provokes an argument with my sister-in-law!  Usually cause I'm posting up stuff against the tea party or Fox News! As for discussing politics, I tend not to unless prompted, so when we visit the in-laws in the States next month I'll not bring it up, but I will interject if I disagree with what's being said.
I tend not to discuss politics with friends, we do hold similar views, but I just find on a noght out it's best not to run that risk of arguing.....it's different with families!

DW got into an argument on FB with her sister last night about the Bill O'Reilly comments on the View. I'm sure my sister-in-law will be saying I'm brainwashing her......she said I was being brainwashed because I got my news from BBC, Guardian, CNN etc!

Like others have mentioned - I was always taught never to discuss politics and religion.....now i know why!

I was always told that politics and religion were no go areas for every day conversation (i'm a brit).  Me and my friends don't discuss politics, to be honest I don't even know which party they vote for.

I'm working with a few americans just now and one of them told me he was right wing within an hour of meeting him and drinks after work always have a political discussion at some point.