Political Rants
There are two things that I have promised myself I would not do on this blog. One is posting things of a political nature, and the second is reposting other peoples work, but today I am making an exception. I don't know the original source but I think that the message is important to think about in this election season.
Dear Friends, Family, and Anyone Else I Know;
As we all know, there is a rather major election happening this year. I
know, no matter how loud or quiet you are, you probably (definitely)
have opinions. You probably lean more toward one political party than
the other, more toward one candidate than the other, more toward
one side than the other, just as I do. You have strongly held beliefs
about certain issues, just as I do. One of the great things about living
in this country is our ability–and right–to hold and VOTE our political
conscience, for the things and people we believe in.
That being said.
As the election gets nearer, and the tempers get shorter, and the mud
gets fling-ier, I want you to remember some things, please:
When you post on Facebook that someone is “Too stupid to breathe…” if they vote for X candidate–you could be talking about me.
When you write in your email that someone who votes for Y candidate is “UnAmerican”–you could be talking about me.
When you say that someone who believes that Z candidate has better
policies should “be taken out back and shot”–you could be talking about
me.
When you say that you hope everyone who votes for XYZ
candidate “is rounded up” before the election–you could be talking about
ME.
When you say/post/share ugly words, thoughts or pictures
about people on the other side to support your political position–you
could be talking about ME.
About ME, or someone like me that
you know. Not just a random “them.” But someone you like, or love.
Someone you may have known your whole life. Someone you may think is
intelligent, articulate, well-spoken. Someone you may think is caring,
kind, giving.
There is a PERSON behind the things you are
saying. When you say that all liberals, or all conservatives…when you
say that all Democrats or all Republicans…when you say that ALL of any
group is/says/does/thinks/behaves/believes/hates/loves/etc., you are
saying that about real people. Honest to goodness, flesh and blood
people. Not just ideologies. Not just platforms. Not just issues. Not
just politicians. Your friends. Your family. Your neighbors. Your
coworkers.
Please, by all means, believe what you believe. Vote
the way you want to vote. Engage in civil discussion about issues and
platforms, if you want to. Advocate strongly for why you think what you
think. Use reason to explain your position. These things? These make us
better citizens, make us a better part of the political process. But
when you start throwing those ugly words out, when you start sharing
those ugly graphics, and those hateful quotes, and you point your finger
at “THOSE PEOPLE” just remember…you could be talking about me. Someone
you know. Someone you call friend, family, coworker.
And maybe
that doesn’t matter to you. Maybe it doesn’t matter that you’re saying
I’m stupid, unAmerican, deserve to be kicked out of the country, deserve
to die, don’t have any compassion, don’t care about my fellow citizens,
or am a moron. Maybe it doesn’t bother you because you believe SO
strongly that ALL people who believe opposite of you are SO wrong that
you’re willing to forget the people behind those beliefs, that they are
more than just their political opinions, more than just where they fall
on an issue or what candidate they want to vote for.
But to me
it does. Because when this political season is over, and the races have
been decided, the non-stop political nonsense will die back down to a
low boil. But you and I? We’ll still know each other. And I’ll know what
you really think…of me.
lol I think politics is so much fun because the media takes everything out of context.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a word and sticks it into a soup without spices and stirs it then asks you to taste.People need to be a little thick skinned when listening to the news.
When I was taking up Poli Sci the first thing they taught us was you never tell people the truth. I remember thinking if I am to be dishonest then why should people vote for me?
Leaders of countries should stand on their honor but they don't so.. all this money being spent, all these talk shows and comedy shows.and political rallies are just people putting on a show and we are the spectators who are entertained by them. The more you let them entertain you the more they will entertain.
So ...who cares. Dialogue is better than no dialogue. It gives you things to think about if nothing else.It's always better to know who your enemy is than to have a best friend who you think you know but don't know at all.
AMEN! Amen. AMEN!
ReplyDeleteIt all begins with that 'R' word --RESPECT! I'm so with you on this.
ReplyDelete