Politics seem to be a topic that many hesitate to broach due to it's volatile nature, especially in the current climate of economic meltdown and uncertainty. My husband and I - during our 40 years of marriage - have been mildly interested in politics, however, it was not until 2008 that our interest piqued.
We began watching the news and listening to radio commentaries; including both liberal and conservative programs. We also had some heated "discussions" with each other and others during the campaign. For the most part, discussions remained civil and friendly even when platforms were diametrically opposed. It was OK to stand for individual beliefs.
As this campaign season has gotten underway, I see a couple of changes that disturb me. One is the montra "both parties are the same...one is just as bad as the other". I agree that there are men and women in both (all) parties who might have less than honorable intentions. However, each party has a different platform, with different beliefs as to how this country should be run.
It seems to me that trying to meld them into one size fits all - i.e., both are the same - is a very dangerous generality. It (in my opinion) muddies the differences instead of embracing them. Could it be that if they are all the same we don't have to stand for anything?
The other change is the intensity of personal attacks. I am shocked at the hateful and demeaning dialogue I hear just about every day of the week on the news from the President to the political pundits to rants on Facebook! It's about policies not personalities...sheesh!
Two people come to mind...one a liberal Democrat and the other a right wing Conservative...James Carville and his wife Mary Matalin. James who In 1992, helped lead Bill Clinton to a win against George H. W. Bush in the Presidential election and In 1993, Carville was honored as Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants. Mary a Republican political pundit, who worked for President George H. W. Bush on his 1992 reelection campaign.
I loved watching them go at each other in very heated and animated discussions, then when it was over they would talk about their kids, look at each other lovingly and sometimes they would even give each other a little kiss at the end of the segment. They did it right... I think we can learn from them... http://youtu.be/LGL6eaIe3kM.
Your thoughts?
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