Absolutely. The right-leaning members of this forum are validated by their peers. It doesn't make their opinions any more (or less) valid. Facts and statistics may support their argument, but likewise don't make their opinions any more (or less) valid. Visit a liberal forum, and you would see the exact same circumstances - and the same rules would apply.
I don't know if I agree with this. I don't know how much
nature versus nurture defines one's politics, but I lean away from any theory of political predisposition. However, I will agree that a great deal of American politics is
FUD-based. The majority of people in this country will being going about their lives in the same way - tomorrow, a year from now, and four years from now. The political make-up of Washington will have little significant bearing on their immediate condition. So how do you rouse an otherwise indifferent populace into action? Why, you tell them tales of woe, of course!