Those ones in particular resort to it, I think, because they lack a solid argument. It's the typical defense when one's position is challenged and can't be reasonably defended. "I'm wrong? Well... well... you're a racist!"
At the same time MM, to be fair, you and a lot of the more conservative members here resort to your own sort of name calling. I've seen you write off many on the left as loopy, looney, luddites etc... Col and Dabe attack you on supposed beliefs (nazi, neocon etc)... Those on your side of the fence attack intelligence and patriotism. You practice your own sort of intellectual superiority at times. You reference polls that support your views, but discount those that don't as being from the biased liberal media, yet get angry when the left discounts your polls as being from conservative groups and think tanks.
BTW, I am using the general "You" referring to the conservative group here in a broad generalizing manner. Not trying to single you out MM.
Both sides pull the same crap really, it's just that the far left here on JU isn't as articulate as the far right. I think if Dabe could keep from swearing or insulting people for disagreeing with her, the arguments could be a lot more enjoyable. Myrr gets close sometimes but usually sorta self-destructs after a point and starts insulting people. The difference between their insults and yours is that theirs is usually more vulgar... same sentiment often, just less civilized.