Need to get this out of my mind
I hate elections.
You see, I'm a Republican. I voted for Obama in the primaries because I like him, but now I will probably vote for McCain because he has won me over in the past couple months. I'm 98% sure that Obama will win, and that's fine, but financially McCain makes more sense to me. (Plus, after listening to Palin and Biden say the same thing about gay marriage - that they're against it - I don't feel like I'm giving up too much of my core beliefs...)
I'll let that sink in for a second...
...
Now, the reason that I hate elections is because being a young person who is a Republican gets you a lot of abuse. I've had to see that Republicans are bigots. I've been told that Republicans are greedy because they're not socialists. I've been told that they're stupid, and that absolutely everything is all their fault.
Now, you see, this bothers me because I don't hear that people are Democrats or notice Obama buttons/bumper stickers and immediately think of the stereotypes we've created for Democrats. Would you like for me to think that you're selfish and lazy and want a free ride from people who work hard and thus make more money? Would you like me to think that you're naive and impressionable? Would you like me to think that the Democrat politicians have you duped because they're all a bunch of hypocrites who say anything to win? I bet you wouldn't.
And I don't. I immediately give people the benefit of the doubt. I know that all of our political opinions come from our wonderful and complex backgrounds. That differing opinions are part of the political process and that everyone has the right to their own. Do I think that the people who are bigoted and homophobic are bad? Of course! Do I think that political party determines who is and who isn't - Nope! Do I immediately assume that because some people are bad or ignorant everyone is? Not on your life.
So please, the next time you're about to bash someone one the other side of the aisle, remember that the people you're bashing may be some of your dearest friends and maybe talking to them will give you a new perspective. To be open and ready to have a healthy debate and find some common ground. It's a good thing. We aren't always right. I have people change my minds about things sometimes. The thing is, though, they have to come at it with love and understanding - not condescension and hatred.
...
I think I'm going to go see An American Carol if I can find it anywhere near me. Maybe I'll feel less misunderstood.
You see, I'm a Republican. I voted for Obama in the primaries because I like him, but now I will probably vote for McCain because he has won me over in the past couple months. I'm 98% sure that Obama will win, and that's fine, but financially McCain makes more sense to me. (Plus, after listening to Palin and Biden say the same thing about gay marriage - that they're against it - I don't feel like I'm giving up too much of my core beliefs...)
I'll let that sink in for a second...
...
Now, the reason that I hate elections is because being a young person who is a Republican gets you a lot of abuse. I've had to see that Republicans are bigots. I've been told that Republicans are greedy because they're not socialists. I've been told that they're stupid, and that absolutely everything is all their fault.
Now, you see, this bothers me because I don't hear that people are Democrats or notice Obama buttons/bumper stickers and immediately think of the stereotypes we've created for Democrats. Would you like for me to think that you're selfish and lazy and want a free ride from people who work hard and thus make more money? Would you like me to think that you're naive and impressionable? Would you like me to think that the Democrat politicians have you duped because they're all a bunch of hypocrites who say anything to win? I bet you wouldn't.
And I don't. I immediately give people the benefit of the doubt. I know that all of our political opinions come from our wonderful and complex backgrounds. That differing opinions are part of the political process and that everyone has the right to their own. Do I think that the people who are bigoted and homophobic are bad? Of course! Do I think that political party determines who is and who isn't - Nope! Do I immediately assume that because some people are bad or ignorant everyone is? Not on your life.
So please, the next time you're about to bash someone one the other side of the aisle, remember that the people you're bashing may be some of your dearest friends and maybe talking to them will give you a new perspective. To be open and ready to have a healthy debate and find some common ground. It's a good thing. We aren't always right. I have people change my minds about things sometimes. The thing is, though, they have to come at it with love and understanding - not condescension and hatred.
...
I think I'm going to go see An American Carol if I can find it anywhere near me. Maybe I'll feel less misunderstood.