I had a good friend tell me once, Facebook is for puppies, kittens and kids. Keep politics out of it. Best facebook advice Ive ever heard. I (mainly) try to adhere to that sound advice; but, today, I shall go out on a limb and, for better or worse, deviate from that guideline. First of all, congratulations to the Republicans on their win last night. It was, of course, expected. For democrats, it was a frustrating loss for many reasons...but that is not the purpose of my post. Its no secret Im a liberal, and I wear the label proudly. I believe in universal health care (single-payer for all!), affordable quality education after high school, social security, equal pay for equal work, and a living wage for all. I know there are many friends and family members who disagree with me on these topics. I think their views are misguided, and Im sure they think the same about mine. Still, we eat together, laugh, meet for coffee, enjoy our kids, watch little league games, gossip, laugh some more, hug, share the same dreams for our kids and want the best for our families, our country, and our world. These are people I love and care about. For the most part, we avoid political discussions and save it for those who think the same. Thats an understandable decision. The problem with it, however, is that we are speaking within our own echo chamber, and that echo chamber simply amplifies our beliefs. I hear name-calling on both sides, I hear hateful, ugly rhetoric out there in the world. Republicans say vile things about democrats and democrats say vile things about republicans. I watch Fox News (a news organization where the majority share is owned by people who are not even American) with dismay and horror as democrats are constantly vilified, our president mocked and the republicans portrayed as beacons of righteousness. Pundits pose on other news channels and parrot party lines, probably in the hope of retaining their access to the whos who of Washington. Partisan hacks, lobbyists and special interest groups dominate discussions - often without facts, and often unchallenged. Fair and balanced becomes skewed. There is no room for honesty or in-depth discourse in our 24-hour news cycle. Its all breaking. Its all crisis all the time. This is not healthy. It creates an us-versus-them mentality and pits Americans against Americans. When I hear name-calling of republicans, I think of my family members, my friends, my loved ones who are republican, and I know they do not deserve to be called these awful names. Nor mocked. Nor ridiculed. They are my friends. My family. Just as I am yours. When you hear something rude being said about democrats, think of me. Am I so awful? Perhaps it would behoove us all to talk a little more. When it gets heated, we can agree to disagree; but perhaps we will see more commonality than we think. How nice it would be to end the Thats how they all are. rhetoric. Imagine a more civil discourse in this country! (Hint: The best way to start doing that is to turn off the TV.) Just wanted to say that. Thanks for reading. Sorry its so long.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 19:00:28 +0000
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