I have been a bit frustrated lately. The one thing that is driving me more crazy than all the rest is politics. I believe that there are many things happening in our country that need to be discussed. Like education, healthcare, environment, unemployment, interest rates, and THE WAR. I feel that the entire political discussion boils down to are you with us or against us. Doesn't matter which side of the isle you choose: pro-Bush, anti-Bush, red, blue, for the war, against the war. Once you choose your side, you identify yourself and therefore never again listen to anyone who is not on your side. Anyone who is on your side you find a way to agree with them.
I believe that any argument has some merit, you learn that in school, you can always find something positive to say about a position and you can always find something negative about a position. Choosing the course we take based on red and blue that frustrates me. There are great thinker, great ideas on both sides of the isle. No one ever talks issues anymore they only want to know, can I like you? Are you on my team or the other team?
I believe people are beginning to identify themselves and which team they hit for while making comments on blogs, comments about non-political things like motherhood or menopause, first they introduce themselves by identifying their party choice. Maybe we should all get tattoos. Dicks and Asses, right on the forehead. Movies should be clearly labeled so we don't accidentally watch a movie which may in some way represent an idea from the other team. I'll never tell you which side I am on, the only person I feel comfortable talking politics with is Jeff, with everyone else I am scared they are going to slit my throat or something. Freaks me out.
All I want is better education for the poor, better healthcare for the poor, better interest rates on my savings account, environmentally friendly fuel, world peace. Anyone with any ideas about that crap I want to listen and discuss, live in a better world. I am an American red, white and blue (I wonder who the white party is?). I know I know I sound like Pollyanna, but seriously don't you think people determine weather or not you are full of shit before they even hear what you have to say, based on your political affiliation?
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I Think I May Have A Screw Loose
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I saw my podiatrist yesterday. One part of my foot is still hurting (it's
been almost two months since the surgery). He thinks it may be one of the
screws ...
5 comments:
I have my beliefs, and I'm willing to listen to other's beliefs. But when they start name calling and manipulating the truth (or downright lying about it) is when I just shut up and leave.
I think you have hit the nail on the head, it seems like sometimes we get so caught up in trying to ensure that our side wins that we are willing to lie or to call names or whatever because we are right and they are wrong. Both sides feel this way.
We are all prejudiced in one way or another. It's human to be that way. Very hard to look at another human being without judging them in some way or other. That's part of the game. I think you just have to forgive people for pre-judging you, and keep going. What other choice is there? Getting defensive or insisting that people should change the way they are acting just escalates the struggle. You have to live your own integrity, regardless of how other people are behaving.
It makes me crazy.
Especially when there is no discussion involved, just a lecture or a soapbox moment. And most especially when it isn't particularly pertinent to the topic really at hand.
All I want, at the end of the day, is to live and let live.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment yesterday. I place much stock in what you have to say. I hope you know that.
There was a time when we could differ about politics and it didn't mean that the other side was somehow evil. I wonder when all that changed?
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