More political thoughts

[erinwrites]

I started this as a reply to billroper 's comment on my last post, but it got a little long, so I decided to give it it's own post.

Part of the reason I usually avoid talking about politics is that our political discourse has become so poisonous, as evidenced by the video I previously posted.

We seem to have lost the ability to disagree without name-calling and hate and fear mongering. I see very little "I'm voting for (my candidate of choice) because I think his policies are better than the other guy's," and more "I'm voting for (my guy) because the other guy is a (insert stream of insults/misguided charges) who will DESTROY AMERICA."

We (as a nation) don't seem to be interested in discussing ideas. We want the message. The "narrative." The soundbite. It frustrates me, and it makes me sad. While the statements in the video may have been provoked by the film makers, the words were still hateful. And, significantly, they didn't appear to be the original thoughts of the individuals speaking them, but political propaganda. They seemed to be repeating what they've been hearing from the candidates on the campaign trail.

Does this happen on both sides? Yes. Are my sympathies/personal biases with the Democrats? Again, yes. But this is why I don't like to write about politics on my blog, and why I am hesitant to discuss politics, even with my friends. I don't like arguing with anyone...especially not my friends, and especially when "argue" is defined as screaming talking points at each other as loud and as long as we can.

It would make me much happier, and I think this country would be a lot healthier, if we could have real dialog. Friendly conversation. People who like each other but who don't necessarily agree politically actually talking to and listening to each other. The reason I'm posting this here on LJ and not out there at erin-go-blog is because, by and large, I know you here. If you're reading this, I like you. I trust you. This seems like a good place to start. And maybe, if we all try to join in the conversation, there can be change--real change--not just in Washington, but everywhere.

Comments

[tuto.livejournal.com]

I detest how ugly a discussion about politics can get. It is sad that we can not or at least seem to not be able to express our opinions and hear somebody elses without it turning in to a name calling screaming match. I was talking to a good friend of mine about this very thing last night.
I recently watched The HBO mini series John Adams and it brought home how intolerant we can become when dealing with politics. I love the fact that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were political rivalries yet they respected each other's opinions and still considered each other great men. You don't see that this day and age. Sad really.
I feel the same way about religion. I am a Christian but half my good friends are not. I still love and respect their points of view. I hate the be like me or else mentality. It is a destructive way of thinking.

[ldwheeler.livejournal.com]

My sentiments exactly.

(Of course, Adams and Jefferson didn't really speak for a few years in there, but that's beside the point.)

[billroper]

I'm in favor of real dialog. It's the best hope we've got.

I'm on a McCain mailing list where I made this point just yesterday. There's no point to namecalling -- it's just counter-productive. If you want to change people's minds, argue the facts.

It's better for everybody.

[garnetridgelj.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. More dialog is needed. I am don't generally share my political opinions, either, but offer these thoughts.

I was raised as a staunch Republican, but later chose to become a Democrat when I started to have my own opinions and look at the issues. As much as I didn't agree with the religious right during the last presidential election, at least there were issues to discuss. This election is different.

I am saddened by the rash of examples of ignorance or outright anger in the media. I have witnessed first hand someone saying "Obama is a Muslim". He isn't but what if he was. I am appauled, that this election has seemingly turned "Muslim" into a slur. It is one of the larger world religions and there are plenty of Americans who identify with it. This election may have broken a few of the "glass ceilings" for race and gender, but other aspects of it have certainly not helped some of the other social issues plaguing our country.

Americans should support whom they wish, but I pray that people do so for the issues, not out of ignorance.

[fireskin.livejournal.com]

Most of the people that I encounter out in public just spout blind rhetoric. And when I ask them where they learned these things it's "The Enquirer", or "my neighbor" and such. Almost none of them have made any effort to find out the reality of the accusations or assertions. It's actually really scary.

They'll vote and have no idea what they're actually voting for.

[billroper]

BTW, if you're interested in reading a pretty interesting blog from a libertarian law professor who is also a science-fiction fan and space enthusiast, you might try looking at Instapundit. He's actually more of an aggregator, as he posts links to many, many things.

And the reason he came to mind just now was because of an e-mail that he posted from a reader here. I think he's about as thrilled with the whole situation as you and I are.

*sigh*

[erinwrites.livejournal.com]

Oh, man...yeah, that's pretty depressing indeed.