So, at long last the election is over. (Brief pause for thunderous applause and/or sighs of relief.) Some of us are really happy with the results, at least until early next year when we'll find some new policy - or lack thereof - to bitch about. Some are pissed or disappointed because their favored candidates will have to make do with the millions they'll rake in for speeches, personal appearances, book deals and consultation fees rather than serving in public office. Some of us are indifferent because we have the sneaking suspicion that no matter who won what, things are not going to change all that much.
For the record, I voted for Obama and I don't believe, as so many
apparently do, that this will result in the end of the United States as we
know it. I know for a fact that the continuing manufacture and
distribution of Chicken in a Biskit is single-handedly going to be our
demise. I'm really pretty tired of hearing that our country is going to
become Fascist, Socialist or Communist because of Obama's nefarious plans. I don't
subscribe to the view that our country is on the fast track to hell.
Are there things that need to be fixed? Sure, and guess what? THERE
ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. The U.S. is not perfect and is unlikely ever to
become so.
We would do well to remember that the
president is one person. Yes, he has significant power and influence. But he isn't
omnipotent, or have we all forgotten that we have thousands of other
elected representatives making shitty decisions and laws for us? It makes
about as much sense to lay all the blame at one person's feet as it
would to shower him with all the praise for anything that goes well.
I have been vigilant about not getting into political debates or conversations with friends, relatives, cashiers, circus clowns, gourmet chefs, guys named Ken or my dog. I know what I believe and many of those around me have made it abundantly clear what they believe. I doubt that they're going to change my mind regarding candidates or policies and I'm equally sure I'm not going to change theirs. I'm not a fan of arguing for sport so I don't really see the point of having the conversation unless it can be calm, polite exchange of ideas rather than a verbal slugfest. I'm not convinced that this has ever actually happened in the history of the world.
Do you remember the 1990s TV commercial for mayonnaise: "Bring out the Hellman's and bring out the best!"? Well folks, I think we need to chip in for several hundred thousand industrial-sized vats of Hellman's and get to slathering that stuff all over each other. Because let's face it, this election brought out not only the worst in our leaders, but in us. We denounce political advertising as being far too negative, but to quote an oft-used childhood taunt "Look who's talking!" Perhaps we've been exposed to attack ads for so long now that they've seeped into our collective consciousness and made it seem like it's ok to disparage anyone who doesn't agree with our world view. However, I'd like to think we can take those ads for what they are: garbage, and choose to comport ourselves more respectably. It's not considered polite to say "I'm better than you" but in this case it's alright because I think that we are indeed better than that.
I've heard and read nasty comments in the news and in person, but Facebook has become quite the popular place to bash anyone whose values and priorities don't line up with your own. I don't think I've posted anything political recently and my responses to others' posts are either in the form of a "like" or a short comment (most often "Amen!" because I really like the gospel vibe of it even though I'm no longer a churchgoer). I've read posts, from both sides, calling members of the opposition idiotic, uneducated, ignorant, stupid and foolish simply because there are people who don't agree with the writer's opinions. How nice it must be to be all-knowing and have all the answers to solve America's ills. In some cases it was extraordinarily difficult to not reply with a sharply-worded and truly creative insult of my own but I don't believe that such uncivil discourse advances our understanding of one another.
This is not a plea for political correctness and I'm not saying people shouldn't speak their minds. Believe me, I understand that the future of our country is an emotional
topic and it's necessary for conversation and debate to take place. Millions of men and women have fought for our liberties and the
freedom to say what one wants is a crucial pillar of our society. But
to paraphrase my favorite Jeff Goldblum line from Jurassic Park, just
because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Yeah, he was
talking about creating live dinosaurs from scratch but I think the idea is equally applicable to calling someone you supposedly love and respect "dumbass" in pursuit of making a point.
What do people gain from such derogatory rhetoric? Unless you're living in a Biodome in the middle of Death Valley, I'll assume we all have relationships with people who don't agree with us 100% on everything we think and feel. What do people hope to achieve by insulting their friends and family? I suppose it makes a person feel vindicated when like-minded others respond with supportive statements but I wonder if they take into consideration that they may have alienated others in their social circle.
I think what this boils down to is that we blame the media and our elected officials for not getting along and working together, but we the people are spewing so much divisive and hateful dreck, we really need to look at ourselves before we start pointing fingers.
Peace.
(BTW, I'm not really responsible for this blog. It wrote itself while I was in the shower this morning.)
No comments:
Post a Comment