Monty Python on How to Be A Partisan

Monty Python on How to Be A Partisan
Published: 10 Aug, 2017
1 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y

We've all seen it: a news network will convene a panel of pundits from opposing political parties to discuss an issue.

Five minutes later, the entire conversation has devolved into the pundits yelling over each other, with arguments deteriorating into such intellectually-devoid statements as “yes they did!” and “no they didn’t!”

We’ve also seen the two political parties change their stances on several topics.

For example, the individual mandate in healthcare originated at the conservative Heritage foundation, and was featured in a bipartisan bill in 2007. In addition, 2008 candidate Barack Obama opposed it, but it later became the cornerstone of Obamacare.

Without realizing the two parties have held similar beliefs at some point in their history, pundits often avoid discussing the nuances of their current positions and instead turn conversations into arguments, often for arguments’ sake...which reminded me of a Monty Python skit.

You Might Also Like

Why We Call Ourselves Independent Voter News
Why We Call Ourselves Independent Voter News
For 15 years, we have published more than 14,000 articles written by people from different walks of life, different parts of the country, and different political backgrounds....
01 Apr, 2026
-
2 min read
New IVP 2026 California Governor Poll: What the Toplines Don’t Tell You
New IVP 2026 California Governor Poll: What the Toplines Don’t Tell You
Using verified California voter file data, IVP surveyed high-propensity voters from February 13 through 20. The poll tested first-choice ballot preferences alongside issue intensity on affordability and the cost of living, immigration enforcement, more choice reform, and more....
23 Feb, 2026
-
10 min read
81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
Polls consistently show that nearly all Americans across the political spectrum agree that there is too much money in politics – whether from foreign sources, corporations, or so-called “dark money” groups. ...
23 Feb, 2026
-
13 min read