Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Red and Blue Make Purple
It's kind of funny, since I have a degree in Political Science and I constantly bore my friends and family with endless rants about global warming and health care and bag taxes.
I make no secret of the fact that I am fairly conservative and that I prefer Fox News and Rush Limbaugh to NPR and CNN.
But a) this isn't a political blog and b) I am keenly aware that many of my readers have very different views from mine. So I usually avoid politics in favor of other, less divisive topics.
(Like how awesome my hair looks.)
That being said, I read a post over at Gina's blog last week that I just haven't stopped thinking about. She wrote her post in response to something on MckMama's blog the day before.
Everyone has an opinion about something. Some people have an opinion about everything.
And there's nothing wrong with that.
In fact, I think it's a good thing.
For every issue or topic, there are an infinite number of different opinions to be had, which is also good.
(Except on some issues when I just CAN'T, for the LIFE of me, understand why everyone doesn't see it MY way.)
The problem comes when debate ceases to be intelligent and polite and becomes angry and overly emotional. This leads to personal attacks, hurt feelings, and yelling about everything except the issue at hand.
Which is not a good thing.
Honestly, most of us want the same basic things. We just have different ideas about how to get there. And instead of stopping and listening to the other side, we--
(And, of course, when I say "we" I really just mean "people.")
(Cuz I'm not trying to single anyone out. Well, except maybe you in the blue pj's.)
--get louder, talk over each other, and then fling insults that often make no contextual sense until we forget what we were even debating in the first place.
I believe 94% of the problems in Washington could be fixed if our elected officials would listen and converse rather than turn off their hearing aids and bloviate.
(The other 6% would be fixed by some retirements, resignations, and a few good, old-fashioned firings.)
I don't know where this idea came from that we are all against each other. That Liberals and Conservatives, Democrats and Republicans have to take sides, maintain boundaries, and cross those boundaries only at great personal risk. It's ridiculous. It's pointless. And I, for one, am fed up with watching politicians take their arguments to the interview chair, rather than getting all sides in on a debate where the doors are open, everyone has the chance to speak their mind, and some real, true compromises can be created so that everyone gets something they want.
Why does it have to be about power and control?
Isn't this supposed to be the government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people?
If we could just listen as much as we talk, there is no end to the amazing work that could be accomplished in this country and around the world.
I think that if we just stopped talking for a minute, we'd discover that we have more in common than we ever imagined.
**Tomorrow's Confession Wednesday Topic: Snow Confessions!**
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You make some excellent points. Unfortunatley, politics has gotten too "political".
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, sister!
ReplyDeleteI went to see The Indigo Girls in September and we had dinner first. The group I was with were all pretty liberal and the dinner conversation consisted of them going on and on about how no Republican/Conservative would be caught dead at an Indigo Girls concert, so they knew they'd be "safe" there.
I bit my tongue. Wasn't worth getting into it with them (I tend to keep my political views to myself). And I'll hand it to the IGs! As political as they are off stage, they just played their music at the concert and didn't say a word about politics.
My kind of concert.
Completely agree!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, just like you, there are some topics why it will forever confuse me as to why people just don't agree with me. :)
Hey! I have a Poli Sci degree, too! And I agree we should listen more, try harder to relate and get along better. Limiting terms in office could be a good beginning to help eliminate the overly powerful feeling that politicians seem to be consumed by. (But you may have already seen that conservative Republican email circulating...)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, my friend!
As a left of center liberal democrat who was close to being a member of the Green Party in my twenties...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
Especially when you said:
"I believe 94% of the problems in Washington could be fixed if our elected officials would listen and converse rather than turn off their hearing aids and bloviate.
(The other 6% would be fixed by some retirements, resignations, and a few good, old-fashioned firings.)"
Most of why I voted for Obama is because he stands for a lot of things that are important to me and to the dreams I have of the society my children will grow up in.
But, honestly, a big part of why I voted for Obama was because I truly had hope that there would be some coming together, some crossing of the aisle. And I still do have hope and I still do believe that he wants both sides to come together. I just think that the majority of the elected officials in the governing bodies in DC and across the country are too busy "being" Dems or Repubs and not spending enough time representing their consituents. And the main thing WE have to remember is that WE are the ones who "hold the power" with our VOTES.
I choose to stay out of political debates as well, but I do agree with you here. How much easier would it be if we could all just come together.
ReplyDeleteI am so not political. I would rather stay away from everything that has the word politics in it.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! Eternal Lizdom took the words right out of my mouth!
ReplyDeleteIf I wasn't so private about my family finding my blog, I'd forward this link to my extraordinarily conservative stepfather, who winces when I wear my peace sign shirts. That's the kind of thing that gives Repblicans a bad name. Well, that and the talk show hosts calling liberals "lib-turds," like I heard this morning on the radio. Don't get me wrong, I am sure they do the same on NPR...I just don't listen. I'm weird like that. ;)
I do agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI rarely read personal blogs that discuss politics. They usually are preachy and things get ugly quickly.
I *knew* we should be blog friends ;) ANOTHER poli sci girl here!
ReplyDeleteI don't talk about politics much on my blog, but not because I worry about differences of opinion...I just want to talk about it from a professional/academic perspective not a network news perspective and I don't have time or patience to do that when other people aren't looking it at that way.
I come at it all from the realist camp (not like, you're not being "realistic" but from the Realist with a "big R")...so in my perspective politics IS power. It's the battle over power. Yes, we want to hope that it's exercised by the people and for the people, but it all revolves around who has power, who wants it, what they'll do to get it, and how they wield it once they have it. I don't think power is intrinsically bad. I think it can be abused.
Your post title reminds me of that book "Culture War: Myth of a Polarized America"...did you ever read that? It's interesting, but it's more about the whole "red state, blue state" thing than Washington.
Good post :)
I once heard a member of my ward say that she truly couldn't understand how any member of the church could be a liberal or a Democrat, and that anyone who was was obviously entirely out of touch with gospel and with God. It made me sad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, especially the part where you said we all want the same things, we just have different ideas of how to get there.
Amen, sista!
ReplyDeleteAfter the 2008 election, I stopped watching national news networks because it seriously hurt my ears. Even to this day, I can't stand hearing it because it's so much back and forth, interrupting and jibber jabber. It's exhausting. :)
Bravo, my friend, Bravo. The issue in Washington, and many local governments, turned away from what's best for the public at large long ago. It's all power, greed and division. Sad. I think our founding fathers would turn over in their graves if they could see the mess we've made of things.
ReplyDeleteOur government is messed up at all levels regardless of the party. We certainly have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with what you said. If people would just stop and listen things would be better that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteKaren no. No. I am just leaving it at that. I cannot judge. I am, however, grateful that Grandma Jacki & Lois cut & trim all of us in the family.
ReplyDeleteAnyhowever. Don't cringe. I did it on purpose.
Stopped in from SITS
Lyn
Excellent post, and I think you're so right. Most of us do ultimately want the same things, just disagree about how to get there.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I never discuss politics with my husband or his family. They are all way too opinionated and they automatically think it's their way or the highway. My MIL once told me that my opinion was "stupid" and I was being close-minded. I was like, "Uh, no...more like the other way around".
ReplyDeleteKaren please forgive me. I am an idiot.
ReplyDeleteI stopped paying attention to politics when my daughter was born. I'm much happier, but it is also easier with my guy in office!
ReplyDeletePolitics AND the media have both gone way over the top. They both spin and stretch the truth to fit their version...it is not good for our country. I wish they could see that.
ReplyDeleteYou are da woman! I totally agree with you, by the way! Politics is all about ultimate control and celebrity, it seems. No one cares or listens to what the other person is saying.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that if real women ruled all the countries of the world----we would be able to just sit down and talk everything out----over a great lunch, of course....and solve all the worlds problems.
Dang it----I hate it when my other alter ego appears....
ReplyDeleteHERE I am!! :)
I totally agree. Nothing riles me more than politicians scoring points with insults and mudslinging. Making each other look small or stupid really won't solve our problems. Grow up!
ReplyDeleteAs for us mere mortals that argue for either side, I admire the fact that people care enough to get angry about the issues (I know I am guilty of what verges on militant political rants); but sometimes we just need to take a deep breath,step back and listen.
Thank you for a thought provoking post.
Xxx
The problems that we have today don't really compare to the problems that others face decades ago. Washington doesn't have anymore Mr. Smith's going there. It's no longer a Government for the people by the people. It is now a Goverment of those that have governing those that have not.
ReplyDeleteSaying Hello from SITS...
ReplyDeleteGee, for a minute I thought you were talking to me. Then I realized my pj's are winter white flannel with brighly colored snowflakes so, Whew!
I think we should all agree to disagree, then move on. There are as many opinions as there are people to have them, but the problems remain the same. A little give and take on all sides for the good of the people- the one for whom the government is supposed to represent..and all personal agendas need to be put on hold until the country's downward spiral has been averted.
But that's just my opinion ... to add to all the others out there...
What a well- thought out piece! Stopping by from SITS!
ReplyDeletefunny--i wrote a post the day after the election also calling for a purple country :)
ReplyDelete(only i'm more liberal than not, voted for Obama, and *gasp* am a Christian...)
we're never going to all agree--but so many steps could be taken by both (all) sides toward that middle.
I agree with much of what you've said here. Two things are really alarming to me: 1) the lack of respect people show to those whose views are different from their own, and 2) how intertwined religion and politics are in this country. Oftentimes, these two things go hand in hand. People are hating on each other in the name of their religion of choice, which I find very sad.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about civility in debate. It really boils down to the old fashioned idea of good manners. No one knows how to be polite any more. Don't you think our "leaders" could come up with more solutions to our nations ills if they would simply listen and not talk until it is their turn? Like many people, I have stopped watching political programs on TV because all the screaming and sarcasm make my stomach hurt. Great post. You should email it to all the members of Congress - both houses.
ReplyDeleteI wish politics wasn't such a "I'm right, you're wrong" kind of thing. I don't agree with either party, yet they don't seem to recognize that intentionally wording their platform as the opposite of the other-parties is rather unhelpful.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you on this one - I'm tired of all the yelling and pontificating. I believe we made a terrible mistake by allowing tv cameras into Congress - now it's about strutting their stuff in front of the tv, not about running our country and helping people. I truly wonder what our Founding Fathers think of how badly we have mucked up their handywork? sigh...
ReplyDeleteSo true. I live in the UK and it's much the same here - sometimes you think they're arguing for the sake of it.
ReplyDelete