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More political thoughts
Oct. 11th, 2008 04:15 pmI started this as a reply to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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.
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.
