Well, a week or so ago, I wrote about an article I read in Newsweek that really ticked me off. So, I wrote a blog about it. This tipped off L.S., friend and future relative, to respond on her blog. This greatly offended several liberal ladies who have written long, passionate responses to L’s political blog. (tip to L – love ya, girl, but too much Ann Coulter is not a good thing!) Why is it that liberals and conservatives can no longer have a good, ol’ fashioned political debate? There is so much mud-slinging and name calling and personal attacks. It always seems like no one is really listening to anyone else. If I’m a conservative, I’m a gun-toting, closed-minded idiot who is mindlessly following another idiot. If I’m a liberal, I’m a godless, immoral anarchist babykiller. Where’s the love, people? Why so personal?
(sidebar: speaking of “personal” attacks, it boggles my mind how everything from 9/11 to Katrina to homelessness to the cost of bread the personal responsibilty of George W. I mean, really. I was a poli sci major with a minor in public service. (and dance, all of which I use daily. $100 grand put to good use, that was.) Anyway, every good – and bad – decision made in government is not up to him alone. There are hundreds of people behind the scenes – elected and not, along with loads of facts and figures that we, as laypeople, do not see. Its just not all him! He doesn’t have power to do things on a whim. Remember 5th grade when we learned about “checks and balances?”)
Anyway, I have left the political arena because I found I did not have the patience or stomach for it. I used to want to be a politician and change the world. Really. Well, that and a ballerina. And a movie star. But I just couldn’t stand listening to people with huge egos not listen to each other and not accomplish anything.
I’m a registered Republican. *gasp* you say. Not you! Yup, Its true. Want to really be shocked? I used to be a Democrat. *faint* I would consider myself a liberal Republican – certainly more conservative than liberal, but not a Coulter devotee by any means. (I couldn’t get through more than two chapters of her book before thanking my lucky stars is was only from the library and I did not pay for it.) I do tend to vote Republican – but I have made exceptions. I am “conservative” but I am also an environmentalist, hate the NRA, and support many social programs deemed “liberal.” I think that both sides have good points – and both have points which I disagree with passionately. And points which utterly confuse me.
Take the Iraq War. I have no idea what to think anymore. I keep going back and forth. I think I’m for it. (scandalous, I know!) But I have family members who were fighting over there and I asked their opinions. They are 100% convinced that this is a war worth fighting. So, in my confusion, I’ve decided to lean towards that. They certainly have the first hand experience I seriously lack living here in surburbia. Watch this movie. Whether you are for or against, it is excellent. It is a highly disturbing, but very, very educational documentary made by Iraqis. (We got it from Netflix.)
Anyway all this to say that I am once again frustrated by people ranting and raving and trying to enlighten people about what’s “right” (hee hee – get it?)… and not accomplishing anything. Everyone is just yelling. Listen people! You might be surprised to find that you actually agree.
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