Other then going to the Democrats Abroad annual Fourth of July party recently and voting when appropriate, I don't get involved in politics down here. No one that I know really talks about those things and if we are from opposite parties, we're respectful of the other person's views if the subject does come up in conversation.
Boy, that is not the case in the USA or Texas! I recently received a message from someone who discovered that I'm a Democrat. He said that he had no desire to continue corresponding with me as I was from the party that has destroyed the USA. Pretty strong stuff. But someone who would be that intolerant isn't someone that I would want to continue to correspond with anyway. He was from Texas. Although I wasn't born in Texas, I lived there 34 years and consider it "home" - whether I ever return or not.
It raises the question however, where has this intolerance come from? Is it the media dividing the country? Is it that people feel powerless to change the status quo so they only want to be with "their kind"? I truly don't know the answer and wonder what you think about this issue. Let me hear from you.
By the way, San Miguel is a counterpoint, in my humble opinion, to hostility and anger so I've sent a few street scenes that, to me, are calming and what life is all about.
14 comments:
The libertarian in me says vote for Ron Paul or for whomever you want ;-)No Problemo!
Your correspondent sounds like a nutcase. Good to be rid of him. Political views have really polarized in the U.S., which is a very bad thing. So many have grown intolerant.
-- Felipe
Yes Felipe - so true!
Calypso, As far as I can remember, Ron Paul was not even liked in Texas.And I'll keep my additional views to myself, ha!
I find that lack of civility to be the most distressing part of where things are in the US. If only people could look at the issues and not pay blind obedience to one party or the other. It's sad, but it seems to be pretty universal.
Amen Jonna.
I keep hearing how the political intolerance level has increased. But I am not convinced that it has. Historically, the nonsense we hear from the Bush haters and the Obama haters is simply the same gruel citizens have served up to one another since the republic was established. Some people have always been able to discuss issues devoid of emotionalism. But most folks cannot get past the ad hominen. They never have; they never will.
Oh my Steve - having a bad day? That sounds so cynical. I remember when people didn't care or know someone's political party. I remember the first person running for President was Eisenhower. I was in perhaps the 3rd grade. I remember watching on TV at my grandparent's house. They were staunch Democrats but no one thought it was wrong to watch someone running on the Republican ticket. And, back then there WAS respect for the office of the President, totally.
Oh like there's a big difference between the parties, other than who pillages the coffers before the other.....
If people cannot allow divergent ideas and discussions they can't hold a intelligent dialog anyway....
Oh yes, the level of discourse in the U.S. is at an all time low! The words used to describe Pres. Obama are full of hate. I fear for our country if any dispute comes up about elections in 2012! Our country is divided along political, race and religious beliefs and the accusations are outlandish, cruel and (to me) stupid. I'm sick of the lies and rumors being held forth as fact when any effort would disprove the allegations. If things don't improve it could get very unpleasant NOB.
Just my 2CW....
Perhaps the intolerance begins with our self serving Senators and Congressmen, their corporate sponsors, and their friends in the media.
We should tolerate different views but not lies, and hate....
Such beautiful photos ! !
I agree that no one can seem to have a civil discussion about politics these days. For me, I pinpoint the change to the moment in time when Barack Obama had the Democratic nomination and John McCain unleashed his "pitbull with lipstick". The inflammatory rhetoric, lies, and incivility started then.
I'm down with Cotton, the US has always been a cesspool when it comes to our political parties. Andrew Jackson was willing to put holes in people who said some rude things about his wife. Adams and Jefferson were at odds to the point where it was a contest who would live longer. The Civil War was fought because we could not come to an agreement on holding people as slaves. The current huffing and puffing over how much the government will borrow is small beer. In my lifetime, the biggest brawls have been over race issues and free trade, for the most part it has been broken windows and teargas. The American polity gets on pretty well here in the 21st.
I've been observing people here in Texas for a long time. Most people are good decent folks no matter what their politics. There is a loud minority where it seems that bigotry, ignorance, deceit and stubborness that used to be considered as vices are now often considered to be virtues. I'm not sure whether to blame religion, talk radio, professional sports or if it's something else.
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